Guide to Visit Al Ula, an Ancient Wonder of Saudi Arabia
If you’re looking to enjoy a vacation that combines history and nature’s beauty, then you should visit Al Ula in Saudi Arabia. It is a destination you should visit to explore timeless cultural landmarks. It will be an amazing journey through sandstone formations and lush oases.
If you’re a Westerner, then you should get ready for an amazing time, as you will experience a different culture, and topography. Continue reading to learn more about the places worth visiting in Al-Ula, as well the application process for your tour visa for Saudi Arabia.
What is Al Ula?
This place is located in northwestern Saudi Arabia. It is a landscape with an area of 22561 square kilometers. An interesting thing to note is that Al Ula is not like any other tourist location.
It will tell you stories from ancient civilizations. You will also witness careful planning of a town around an oasis. Diverse wildlife and natural landscapes can further mesmerize you during your trip.
Al Ula’s weather will feel best during the winter. The ideal months? From October and April. Now, let’s begin with why you should visit Al Ula. What the destination has to offer.
What Spots and Adventures Should You Consider?
Let’s check out some spots and activities that might make you rush for a tour visa for Saudi Arabia.
Elephant Rock (Hegra)- Day 1
Start exploring Al Ula with the Elephant Rock. It is a massive and beautiful rock formation, named because of its shape. The rock lies in the heart of a sandy wilderness. But you don’t have to worry about food and water, as it has several restaurants and cafes to eat.
You should visit this place at night if you wish to enjoy a transcendental experience. The restaurants in this place stay open till 3 AM, so you can spend quite some stargazing, if you wish to.
Remember that you can make moving around Hegra more adventurous with horse carriage rides.
Nabataean Tombs (Hegra)- Day 2
The Nabataean tombs are known for their ancient origin. They date between 1000 and 1 BC. What’s unique about the tombs? It is carved out of rocks. These tombs can be visited in the city of Hegra. You need to ride around 30 kilometers from the Elephant Rock to reach the tombs.
You will find small to large tombs in Hegra. Visit the Tomb of Lihyan. It is a larger and more recognized tomb. So don’t forget to visit it. Al Ula buses are available if you want a guided tour. Alternatively, you can also book an open-top Land Rover and ride along the sandy road.
Winter Park Visitor Center (Hegra)- Day 3
The Al Ula Visitor Centre is 18 kilometers from the Nabataean tombs. You want to go there if you enjoy hot balloon rides. Explore the city of Hegra from 1200 meters above. The rides last for around 3 hours and are available all year round. But remember that advanced booking is required.
Banyan Tree (Ashar Valley)- Days 4 and 5
You will have to travel up to 15 km from the visitor centre if you wish to visit this place. So you can book a taxi to go there. You will find an infinity pool there, which is located between two sandstone cliffs.
Banyan Tree is a perfect desert retreat in Al Ula in Saudi Arabia.
You can book a 5-star hotel or villa to experience living luxuriously in the oasis. Diving in the pool during sunset is something you should experience. If you want to do something even more adventurous, you can consider horse riding in the Ashar Valley.
Maraya (Ashar Valley)- Day 6
Maraya is also located in the Ashar Valley. It is around 3 kilometers from the Banyan Tree. The largest mirrored building in the world can be found there. The skies and landscapes reflect on its surfaces. So it appears as a mirage. You will also find a rooftop restaurant in the building, which also hosts concerts.
Gharameel (Al Ula Governorate)- Day 7
The distance between Maraya and Gharameel is around 90 kilometers. So you should consider cabs to travel to these places. You should not miss Gharameel if you are fond of stargazing.
The skies of Gharameel are clear and lightless, making it perfect for stargazing. You are recommended to arrive at Gharameel before the sun sets to watch the stars slowly come to visibility.
Organised tour options are available there. The guided tour options also typically include a start guide and dinner. Let’s hope the day you visit Gharameel has a clear sky with a new moon.
Al Ula Old Town (Medina Province)- Days 8 and 9
You will have to ride around 100 kilometers from Gharameel to the Old Town. So what is so different about the old town? It was completely abandoned in the 1980s. The significance of the old town is that travelers stopped there on their way from Damascus to Makkah.
Today, the raw-brick shops and cafes have been restored. You will notice that the old town is one of the best places to enjoy modern Saudi cuisine. So if you wish to spend more time here, you can consider staying at either the luxury resorts or the budget-friendly resorts there.
Al Ula Adventure Hub- Day 10
You can ride around 13 kilometers from the old town to the adventure hub. Spend a day immersing yourself in adventure before you say goodbye to Al Ula. You will find a giant swing. Feel the thrill of leaping. Swing 85 meters above the ground into a canyon.
Want to experience climbing a 45-meter-high ladder? You can do it at the Al Ula stairway. You will also return back down with a zip line.
What Documents Do You Need to Visit Al Ula in Saudi Arabia?
You will need to apply for a tourist visa to visit Al Ula in Saudi Arabia. You need a valid passport for that. A validity of 6 months must be reflected, taking the day of issue as the start date. Obtaining an electronic visa is convenient.
But you can also get a visa from the consulate or on arrival. Let’s check out the Saudi visa application requirements for different visas below.
Electronic Visa
You can apply for an e-visa through a visa application portal. Complete the application form and send it. Also, submit copies of your passport and photographs as supporting documents. You have your bank card. Use it to pay visa fees conveniently. Citizens of 57 countries can get an e-visa. The UK, Canada, and the US are among those countries. Schengen country citizens are also eligible.
You cannot stay for more than 90 days with the help of an e-visa. A validity of 1 year will apply from the day the visa is issued. Multiple entries are allowed, meaning that you can enter the country many times within a year. Just make sure you don’t exceed 90 days of stay in total.
You will receive your e-visa via email.
Visa-On-Arrival
If your country is eligible for an e-visa, then you are also allowed to get a visa on arrival. To get this visa, visit the office after deplaning. They will give you a form, which you must fill, after which you have to submit it, along with the relevant documents.
You must have a valid passport that has been used at least once. It should have a stamp issued by the country you visited. So, confirm to yourself that you meet these criteria before relying on a visa-on-arrival.
You might need to submit additional documents, apart from your passport and a relevant photograph, such as your hotel or accommodation bookings, financial strength documents, and return flight tickets. Use Saudi Riyals to pay the processing charge. You can use your bank card.
Consulate Visa
You have to visit the Saudi Embassy in your country to apply for a regular tourist visa. The documents needed for a visa-on-arrival and a paper visa are the same.
So you should visit the embassy, collect the application form, fill it, and then submit it. You will also have to present your identification documents, bank documents and others as required when you submit the application form.
Take the necessary documents with you, too. Pay the fees using your bank card and wait for your Saudi visa application to be processed. You must also submit a pre-paid envelope. Your stamped passport will be sent to you in that envelope through the mail.
Ready to be Mesmerized by Al Ula?
You will experience a mix of heritage and geology in Al Ula. Ancient geological formations in the middle of the desert can be experienced as well. You will also witness the magic of man-made luxuries in barren lands.
You will need to apply for your tourist visa in advance to visit Al Ula in Saudi Arabia. Doing this will help you avoid any issues. Look for the adventure options in every spot you visit. Experience local cuisines and nature-gazing. Enjoy scenic views from luxury villas.
Finally, go during the winter months. Consider October to April. The weather will be favorable.
Pack a bottle of water to battle the heat. Download the Careem app. It offers a majority of essential online services within the same interface. For convenience, do the Saudi visa application online.