Desert Touring Saudi Arabia
Ride over 300km of empty desert roads through the dramatic mountains and canyons of north-west Saudi Arabia, from the city of Tabuk to the oasis of AlUla.
Haraka Baraka / الحركة بركة
Guided by a local Saudi cyclist, you will ride roughly 350km of remote desert roads, heading south from Tabuk, through Wadi Al-Disah and on to the oasis of AlUla.
An eight-day supported cycle tour built around four days of riding, cutting through desert mountains, palm-filled wadis and open Bedouin country. Roughly 350km of immaculate, near-empty roads make this a touring expedition for confident riders.
A supported cycle tour of roughly 350km across the north-west of Saudi Arabia, ridden over three days from the city of Tabuk to the oasis of AlUla — guided by a local Saudi cyclist, with a support vehicle carrying everything you don't. Note, given AlUla’s stature as the Kingdom’s best cycling destination, there is the option for more cycling once we finish touring.
Saudi Arabia is the size of Western Europe, and cycling here asks for a shift in perspective. Instead of the town-to-town rhythm of a European tour, you might spend a whole day on a single road cutting through desert mountains. The route runs south from Tabuk, down through the cliffs and palm groves of Wadi Al-Disah, and out across empty, immaculate tarmac that few riders have ever touched — finishing among the sandstone canyons of AlUla and the UNESCO ruins of Hegra.
It is an immersive, almost meditative kind of riding: long hours of solitude on open road, broken by the warm hospitality of the Bedouin communities you pass and nights spent on a mango farm and under the night sky camping in the desert.
Who this is for: Confident road cyclists comfortable with back-to-back days in the saddle and long, remote stretches between stops. The pace is steady and fully supported, but the distances are certainly not easy - this is a touring expedition, not a sightseeing spin.
Good to know: Winter daytime temperatures sit around 24°C, dropping to about 10°C at night. Women are welcome to ride, in lycra; bring your own bike or arrange a rental with us in advance.
Day 1 - Tabuk
Trip begins with dinner in Tabuk
Relax, eat, sleep & unpack. Recover from travel
Introductions to the team and trip briefing
1st night - Tabuk hotel
ITINERARY
Day 2 - Bajdah Nature Reserve
Slow morning to allow for recovery from travels. Breakfast from 8am to 10am and then leave for Bajdah nature reserve at 11am & Brunch at 11am.
Collected by Jeeps and taken to Bajdah for safari and easy hiking
Drive is approx 1 hour
Safari
Sleep / personal time for jet lag and travel recovery
2nd night
Day 3 - Tabuk to Wadi Al-Disah
Begin cycle touring to Wadi Al-Disah (100km)
Leave at sunrise & cover longest distance over the morning
Food & snacks to be supplied by support crew during this time
Lunch & snacks at gas station’s after 68km & 87 km
Accommodated on a mango farm deep in Wadi Al-Disah
3rd night - Wadi Al Disah (Mango farm)
Day 4 - Wadi Al-Disah to Bada
Continue touring out of Wadi Al-Disah to the town of Bada (130km)
Leave at sunrise & cover most distance in the morning
Food & snacks to be supplied by support crew during this time
Camping under the stars
4th night - Bada town (Camping)
Day 5 - Bada to AlUla
Continue touring to the AlUla (130km)
Leave at sunrise & cover most distance in the morning
Food & snacks to be supplied by support crew during this time
Numerous gas stations on route
Camping near to Bada
5th night - AlUla (Farmstay)
Day 6 - AlUla
A full day in AlUla
Slow morning and recovery, with the option of an easy recovery ride around AlUla
Explore the farm where we're hosted
Afternoon visit to Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site
6th night - AlUla (Farmstay)
Day 7 - AlUla
Spend full day in Al Ula
Take on stage of the Saudi Tour with the greatest climbing, the "Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid" stage (1,500m elevation).
Option for easy recovery ride around AlUla
Afternoon visit to Old Town and/ or resort for padel & swim
7th night - AlUla (Farmstay)
Day 8 - AlUla
Breakfast together / Final meal.
Conclusion of trip.
Flight logistics to be sorted ahead of time i.e taxis
Highlights:
Bajdah Nature Reserve
A protected pocket of the NEOM region where the desert turns green. We begin our trip off the bikes to settle in and explore the rewilding projects, ancient inscriptions and rock formations of the reserve. It's a slow, unhurried day on foot and in the safari jeep.
Wadi Al-Disah
The "valley of palms," and arguably the most spectacular stretch of the whole route. The road threads between towering sandstone cliffs, past springs and dense palm groves that feel impossible in the middle of the desert.
MBS Royal Reserve
A vast stretch of protected wilderness the route crosses on its way south. Expect long, empty hours of riding through volcanic plains, desert valleys and ancient lava fields. It's the quietest, most remote part of the journey.
AlUla
The journey's end, and its reward. A living oasis ringed by sandstone canyons, home to Hegra - Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site and the great southern city of the Nabataeans civilisation.
What’s Included
All Meals (inc. supplements)
Accommodation (inc. camping)
Fully supported cycle
Site passes
What’s not included: Flights, tourist visa (approx £100), bicycle rental, personal travel insurance & tips
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We do not supply attendees with a bicycle.
While cyclists often opt for bringing their own bike, there is the option to rent with our partners at the Trek store.
Bike rental will come up as an option at the checkout and will create an additional fee. We will contact you regarding the rental type.
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Winter in the north of Saudi Arabia, where this trip takes place, remains fairly cool around 24 degrees celsius during the day, and 10 degrees celsius at night.
Evening when camping in the desert can be chilly, so we reccomend warm layers to sleep in, as well as base layers and gilets for the first hour of cycling in the mornings. -
Yes, upon booking there is the option to upgrade to private bedroom.
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Yes will take all dietary requirements ahead of the trip and work with our chiefs to ensure everyone has the appropiate meals.
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Yes, and women are welcome to join our trip in Saudi Arabia. The country is changing drastically and local women have been allowed to cycle since the change in laws of 2018.
Lycra is deemed acceptable when undergoing sports, and therefore is not offensive.
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If you can comfortably cycle 100km together with back-to-back days on the saddle, you're in good shape for this trip.
The pace is around 25km/h led by our guide and there will be a support car to ensure no one is left behind.
But overall we reccomend arriving touring-fit rather than planning to cycle into shape along the way.
FAQs
Register your interest
Register your interest for our Saudi Arabian trips and stay updated on our 2026 Travel calendar. Alternatively email info@harakabaraka.co.uk for any questions and personalised enquiries.