Jabal Ikmah

Let us take you on a journey through time to discover the ancient and powerful civilisations of the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, that have built and shaped AlUla. The first stop on this journey back in time is Dadan, the ancient Kingdom of the Lihyanite and Dadanite civilisations. Next, a coach bus takes you on a 10-minute drive to Jabal Ikmah. Set in a stunning desert canyon, this ‘open-air library’ has the most impressive collection of inscriptions, rock art, and petroglyphs in AlUla and is the largest of its kind in Saudi Arabia, Explore these ancient sites dated to 9th century BCE with marvelous displays of inscriptions and petroglyphs . Jabal Ikmah, a UNESCO treasure Inducted into UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, Jabal Ikmah features more than 300 historically significant carved inscriptions. This spectacular mountain contains the largest concentration of Dadanitic and Lihyanite inscriptions in the world.

Start your tour by visiting the Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh, or Al-Ḥijr is an archaeological site located in the area of AlUla within the Al Madinah Region in the Hejaz, Saudi Arabia. A majority of the remains date from the Nabatean kingdom. The site constitutes the kingdom’s southernmost and largest settlement after Petra, it's capital. The Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madain Saleh) is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia. Formerly known as Hegra it is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan. Then enjoy Elephant Rock, This spectacular rock formation resembles an elephant with its trunk touching the ground, is one of AlUla’s geomorphological wonders and became one of AlUla's iconic landmarks. Then visit Jabal Ikmah, An open-air library across AlUla’s Valley, lie thousands of inscriptions in Aramaic, Dadanitic, Thamudic, Minaic and Nabataean, features one of the oldest inscriptions of the Islamic era dating back to 24AH (644 CE). Thousands of pre-Arabic inscriptions across numerous sites make AlUla an important location for studying the Arabic language. A mountain north of the AlUla Valley, AlAqra’a, features more than 450 early Arabic inscriptions. Naqsh Zuhayr, to the east, features one of the oldest inscriptions of the Islamic era — dating back to 24AH (644 CE). But no such site is more significant than Jabal Ikmah, home to the highest concentration of and most varied inscriptions in AlUla. In a beautiful desert landscape warmed by the sun, the largest “open library” in Saudi Arabia sits tucked away in a remote canyon valley. Dadan was a caravan way station for many peoples, and one of the clues that AlUla was truly a crossroads of civilisations is Jabal Ikmah, which was visited by those wishing to leave their inscriptions and offerings en route through AlUla. Records kept here — in the form of hundreds of inscriptions and carvings lining the cliff faces and rocks — ensured that Jabal Ikmah would be remembered throughout the ages. A visit to this magnificent site, with its inscriptions, thought to date as far back as the 1st millennium BCE, is a glimpse into the past. Note: sightseeing tours on Herga and Dadan & ikmah will be shared with a local tour guide and a small local group.

On this journey, we take you through time to discover the ancient and powerful civilisations of the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, that have built and shaped AlUla. The first stop on this journey back in time is Dadan, the ancient Kingdom of the Lihyanite and Dadanite civilisations. From Winter Park, a coach bus takes you on a 10-minute drive to Jabal Ikmah. Set in a stunning desert canyon, this ‘open-air library’ as it nicknamed, has the most impressive collection of inscriptions, rock art, and petroglyphs in AlUla and is the largest of its kind in Saudi Arabia, Explore these ancient sites dated to 9th century BCE with marvelous displays of inscriptions and petroglyphs . Jabal Ikmah, a UNESCO treasure Inducted into UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, Jabal Ikmah features more than 300 historically significant carved inscriptions. This spectacular mountain contains the largest concentration of Dadanitic and Lihyanite inscriptions in the world.

Our tour leader/driver pick you up from your hotel. Hop on board a comfortable coach at the Winter Park Visitor Center and relax in air-conditioned comfort on the ride to Hegra. Enter the park and meet your guide before discovering well-preserved remains from late antiquity, including rock-cut tombs. Cool-off along the way with climate-controlled transportation between sites. Head to Jabal AlAhmar, a spectacular necropolis containing 18 tombs that have been cut into reddish-brown rock. Continue to Hegra's largest tomb the Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza Hegra's which towers at a height of 72-feet. Stop at the Jabal AlBanat necropolis and see the Jabal Ithlib, a large room carved into waved rock. Have the chance to take home a souvenir with a stop at a handcraft pavilion before returning to your meeting point at the Winter Park Visitor Center. Our driver will be waiting for you and transfer to Old Town. Wander the maze of historic alleys and hundreds of houses built of mud brick, lined up next to each other like an impenetrable fortress. This is AlUla's Old Town, its winding paths seeped with memories whose origins date back almost a millennium. With every step, feel history become instantly and movingly tangible and experience the heritage that fills Old Town's thriving streets with life.This once-thriving settlement from the 12th century stood on ancient incense trading routes and was also a key settlement on the pilgrimage path from Damascus to Makkah. The old town and its 14 gates were overlooked by a resolute 45-metre-high fort, a defensive lookout dating back to around the 10th century. At the end back to your hotel.

Let us take you on a journey through time to discover the ancient and powerful civilisations of the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, that have built and shaped AlUla. After exploring the ruins, a bus service takes you on a 10- minute drive to Jabal Ikmah, an open library of inscriptions, rock art, and petroglyphs set in a stunning desert canyon. Below, you’ll find tour details, planning tips and what to expect when visiting these extraordinary heritage sites. Guests will need to be at Winter Park 30 minutes before the booking time to take the bus to Dadan.

Discover the archaeological site of Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh, on a guided tour from AlUla. Explore the site, which is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia, and see the Elephant Rock and Jabal Ikmah. Start your tour by visiting the Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh, or Al-Ḥijr. A majority of the remains date from the Nabatean kingdom. The site constitutes the kingdom’s southernmost and largest settlement after Petra, its capital. The Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madain Saleh) is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia. Formerly known as Hegra, it is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan. It features well-preserved monumental tombs with decorated facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. The site also features some 50 inscriptions of the pre-Nabataean period and some cave drawings. Al-Hijr bears a unique testimony to Nabataean civilization. Then, enjoy the Elephant Rock, a spectacular rock formation that resembles an elephant with its trunk touching the ground. It is one of AlUla’s geomorphological wonders and has become one of AlUla's iconic landmarks. Next, visit Jabal Ikmah, an open-air library across AlUla’s Valley. Lie thousands of inscriptions in Aramaic, Dadanitic, Thamudic, Minaic, and Nabataean. It features one of the oldest inscriptions of the Islamic era dating back to 24AH (644 CE). Thousands of pre-Arabic inscriptions across numerous sites make AlUla an important location in studying the Arabic language. A mountain north of the AlUla Valley, AlAqra’a, features more than 450 early Arabic inscriptions. Naqsh Zuhayr, to the east, features one of the oldest inscriptions of the Islamic era — dating back to 24AH (644 CE). But no such site is more significant than Jabal Ikmah, home to the highest concentration of and most varied inscriptions in AlUla. In a beautiful desert landscape warmed by the sun, the largest “open library” in Saudi Arabia sits tucked away in a remote canyon valley. Dadan was a caravan way station for many peoples, and one of the clues that AlUla was truly a crossroads of civilizations is Jabal Ikmah, which was visited by those wishing to leave their inscriptions and offerings en route through AlUla. Records kept here — in the form of hundreds of inscriptions and carvings lining the cliff faces and rocks — ensured that Jabal Ikmah would be remembered throughout the ages. Travel back to your hotel in AlUla in comfort. If you have time and want to add more to your itinerary, let the tour operator know what you are interested in and they will arrange it for you.

In a private vintage Land Rover, explore the ancient cities of Dadan & Jabal Ikmah where you can examine tombs, excavation sites, and thousands of early Arabic inscriptions. Explore these ancient sites dated to 9th century BCE with marvelous displays of inscriptions and petroglyphs to 9th century BCE with marvelous displays of inscriptions and petroglyphs. Dadan and Jabal Ikmah are best explored together on a single tour. A two-hour vintage Land Rover tour will take visitors to the Lion Tombs and the excavation site of Dadan. Expert guides and rawis always accompany visitors on guided tours to answer questions and explain known details of the kingdom. The walking tour of Jabal Ikmah is included in the vintage Land Rover tour and as always, a rawi will help decipher the stories left on the stones.

Day 1: Arrival to Al Ula Our tour leader/driver will pick you up from your Riyadh hotel and travel to Al Ula by car. Note: If you would like to make it with flights let us know to check the availability. From the moment your tour starts, your guide will give you full attention. Once in the car, your guide will talk to you about all the things on the way as well as other aspects of your tour that will interest you. You will be transferred by an A/C car to your hotel. Overnight in Al Ula. Day 2: Madain Saleh – Elephant Rock Start your tour visiting the Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh , or Al-Ḥijr is an archaeological site located in the area of AlUla within Al Madinah Region in the Hejaz, Saudi Arabia. A majority of the remains date from the Nabatean kingdom. The site constitutes the kingdom’s southernmost and largest settlement after Petra, its capital. Then enjoy Elephant Rock,This spectacular rock formation resembles an elephant with its trunk touching the ground, is one of AlUla’s geomorphological wonders became one of AlUla iconic landmarks. Elephant Rock, also known as Jabal AlFil, one of AlUla’s many geological marvels. Overnight in AlUla. Day 3: Jabal Ikmah & Dadan Tour Start your tour visit Jabal Ikmah, An open air library across AlUla’s Valley, lie thousands of inscriptions in Aramaic, Dadanitic, Thamudic, Minaic and Nabataean, features one of the oldest inscriptions of the Islamic era dating back to 24AH (644 CE). Thousands of pre-Arabic inscriptions across numerous sites make AlUla an important location in studying the Arabic language. A mountain north of the AlUla Valley, AlAqra’a, features more than 450 early Arabic inscriptions. Naqsh Zuhayr, to the east, features one of the oldest inscriptions of the Islamic era — dating back to 24AH (644 CE). But no such site is more significant than Jabal Ikmah, home to the highest concentration of and most varied inscriptions in AlUla. In a beautiful desert landscape warmed by the sun, the largest “open library” in Saudi Arabia sits tucked away in a remote canyon valley. Dadan was a caravan way station for many peoples, and one of the clues that AlUla was truly a crossroads of civilisations is Jabal Ikmah, which was visited by those wishing to leave their inscriptions and offerings en route through AlUla. Records kept here — in the form of hundreds of inscriptions and carvings lining the cliff faces and rocks — ensured that Jabal Ikmah would be remembered throughout the ages. A visit to this magnificent site, with its inscriptions thought to date as far back as the 1st millennium BCE, is a glimpse into the past. Travel back to Riyadh. Note: sightseeing tours on Herga and Dadan & Ikmah will be sharing with a local tour guide and a small local group.

Discover the archaeological site of Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh, on a guided tour from AlUla. Explore the site, which is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia, and see the Elephant Rock and Jabal Ikmah. Start your tour by visiting the Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh, or Al-Ḥijr. A majority of the remains date from the Nabatean kingdom. The site constitutes the kingdom’s southernmost and largest settlement after Petra, its capital. The Archaeological Site of Al-Hijr (Madain Saleh) is the first World Heritage property to be inscribed in Saudi Arabia. Formerly known as Hegra, it is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan. It features well-preserved monumental tombs with decorated facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. The site also features some 50 inscriptions of the pre-Nabataean period and some cave drawings. Al-Hijr bears a unique testimony to Nabataean civilization. Then, enjoy the Elephant Rock, a spectacular rock formation that resembles an elephant with its trunk touching the ground. It is one of AlUla’s geomorphological wonders and has become one of AlUla's iconic landmarks. Next, visit Jabal Ikmah, an open-air library across AlUla’s Valley. Lie thousands of inscriptions in Aramaic, Dadanitic, Thamudic, Minaic, and Nabataean. It features one of the oldest inscriptions of the Islamic era dating back to 24AH (644 CE). Thousands of pre-Arabic inscriptions across numerous sites make AlUla an important location in studying the Arabic language. A mountain north of the AlUla Valley, AlAqra’a, features more than 450 early Arabic inscriptions. Naqsh Zuhayr, to the east, features one of the oldest inscriptions of the Islamic era — dating back to 24AH (644 CE). But no such site is more significant than Jabal Ikmah, home to the highest concentration of and most varied inscriptions in AlUla. In a beautiful desert landscape warmed by the sun, the largest “open library” in Saudi Arabia sits tucked away in a remote canyon valley. Dadan was a caravan way station for many peoples, and one of the clues that AlUla was truly a crossroads of civilizations is Jabal Ikmah, which was visited by those wishing to leave their inscriptions and offerings en route through AlUla. Records kept here — in the form of hundreds of inscriptions and carvings lining the cliff faces and rocks — ensured that Jabal Ikmah would be remembered throughout the ages. Travel back to your hotel in AlUla in comfort. If you have time and want to add more to your itinerary, let the tour operator know what you are interested in and they will arrange it for you.