About this activity
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Experience Duration:
Itinerary
Day 1 – First Steps on the Hejaz Route
📍 Meeting Point: Hilton Garden Inn Tabuk, 7701 Prince Sultan Road, Tabuk – 07:00 AM.
If no pickup is requested, guests meet in the hotel lobby. Our staff will be wearing Desert Paths T-shirts for easy recognition. Free pickup from Tabuk Airport or hotels in Tabuk is included. Extra pickup can be arranged from nearby cities (Haql, Duba, NEOM, Umlujj, Red Sea Airport, Al Ula, Aqaba, Amman) at an additional cost.
- Halat Ammar Hejaz Railway Station – explore one of the railway’s earliest stops.
- Al-Muhtab Station – a key point along the pilgrim route.
- Tabuk Hejaz Railway Museum – see original trains, artifacts, and stories from the Ottoman era.
- Tabuk Castle – an iconic fortress that once protected the region.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in a 3-star hotel in Tabuk (double or twin room, other options on request).
Day 2 – The Journey Continues on the Hejaz Trail
- Al-Athili Station – explore the ruins of an ancient stop along the route.
- Hejaz Railway Castle – one of the forts that secured the railway.
- Al-Baghaz Tunnel – walk through this remarkable engineering feat.
- Al-Mu’azzam Fort – one of the most significant forts along the line.
- Hejaz Railway Bridge & Cars – see the remains of the bridges and old wagons that carried pilgrims.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight in a local hotel apartment in Al Ula (double or twin room, other options on request).
Day 3 – Cultural Immersion at the End of the Hejaz Railway
- Hadiya Bridge – a famous bridge along the historic route.
- Beer Nassif Station – another important pilgrim station.
- Ottoman Railway Forts & Trains (Lawrence of Arabia site) – discover the remnants of history.
- Al-Madinah Hejaz Railway Museum – the symbolic final point of the railway, showcasing locomotives and stories from its past.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
No accommodation included on this day – tour ends in Tabuk.
Highlights
- Historic Hejaz Railway stations & museums
- Tabuk Castle & Al-Mu’azzam Fort
- Al-Baghaz Tunnel & Hadiya Bridge
- Ottoman-era trains & Lawrence of Arabia sites
- Cultural immersion in Al Ula & Medina
Includes
- 2 nights accommodation (Tabuk & Al Ula)
- 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
- Professional guide (Arabic & English)
- Ground transport throughout the tour
- Pickup & drop-off
- Tips (optional)
- Personal expenses
- Pickup from other cities (extra cost)
Details
The Hejaz Railway, built in the early 20th century to link Damascus to Medina, carried pilgrims on their sacred journeys and became a cornerstone of Arabian history. Today, its stations, forts, tunnels, and bridges remain as silent witnesses of the past.
On this 3-day guided cultural tour, you will start your journey in Tabuk, retracing the pilgrim’s path and exploring:
- The Halat Ammar Station, Al-Muhtab Station, and the Tabuk Hejaz Railway Museum with authentic locomotives and artifacts.
- Tabuk Castle, once an Ottoman stronghold.
- The Al-Athili Station, Al-Baghaz Tunnel, and the historic Al-Mu’azzam Fort.
- The iconic Hejaz bridges, once vital links along the railway.
- Finally, the Hadiya Bridge, Beer Nassif Station, and the Al-Madinah Hejaz Railway Museum, which mark the cultural and religious significance of this heritage route.
With overnight stays in Tabuk and Al Ula, comfortable transport, and professional guides in Arabic & English, this is more than a tour—it’s a step into the region’s fascinating history and culture.
Know Before You Go
- Meeting time is 07:00 AM at Hilton Garden Inn Tabuk (or your arranged pickup point).
- Pickup is free in Tabuk city and Tabuk Airport; extra charge for pickups from Al Ula, Haql, Umlujj, NEOM, Duba, Aqaba, or Amman.
- Travelers should have moderate fitness – walking is required at several stops.
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems, heart conditions, or serious medical issues.
- Some walks are in plain desert and hot areas – bring water, hat, and sun protection.
- Infants must sit on laps.
- Dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) can be accommodated – please notify us during booking.
- This tour requires good weather – if canceled due to weather, a new date or full refund will be offered.
- A minimum number of travelers is required – if not met, a new date or refund will be offered.
- Please confirm your pickup location 24 hours before departure by contacting info@desertpaths.co.
What To Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
- Light jacket for cooler evenings
- Passport or valid ID
- Refillable water bottle
- Camera for memorable moments
