AlUla 5-Day Itinerary

How this 5-day AlUla plan works

AlUla premium week

Each day below is grouped geographically so you spend your time in AlUla rather than in transit. The AlUla Old Town free tram/tuk-tuk hop-on service links main sights; official Experience AlUla shuttles run to Hegra, Elephant Rock and Maraya. Rental cars and hotel 4x4 transfers cover the wider valley and Ashar. Ride-hailing is limited — rely on hotel drivers.

Day by day

• Day 1

  Day 1 — Ashar Valley arrival and sunset drive.

• Day 2

  Day 2 — Hegra ranger tour + traditional Bedouin lunch.

• Day 3

  Day 3 — Hot-air balloon sunrise + Elephant Rock afternoon.

• Day 4

  Day 4 — Sharaan Nature Reserve safari or e-bike Old Town tour.

• Day 5

  Day 5 — Dadan, Jabal Ikmah, spa afternoon and Maraya show.

Where to base yourself

• Ashar Valley

  Sandstone-cliff resort zone — Banyan Tree, Our Habitas, Chedi Hegra and Maraya mirrored concert hall.

• AlUla Old Town

  Restored 12th-century mud-brick village with artisan shops and cafés.

• Hegra Archaeological Site

  UNESCO Nabataean tombs — the sister city of Petra, accessed via ranger-guided tours only.

• Dadan & Jabal Ikmah

  Dadan ruins and the 'open library' rock inscriptions in a palm oasis.

Best time to run this itinerary

October–April is the main tourist season with 15–28°C days and cool desert nights — ideal for Hegra, Elephant Rock and hot-air balloons. Winter (Dec–Feb) is coolest and hosts AlUla Moments festivals. May–September is very hot (40°C+) with limited outdoor programming.

Before you go

• Book Hegra Rawi tours and Maraya shows on Experience AlUla weeks in advance.

• AlUla is a dry destination — no alcohol at any resort or restaurant.

• Bring layers — desert nights drop to 5–10°C in winter even when days are warm.