AlUla and Hegra

AlUla, in northwestern Saudi Arabia, is about 380 km northwest of Madinah by road (an estimate) and is home to Hegra (Mada'in Salih), the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hegra holds more than 100 monumental tombs carved into sandstone outcrops by the Nabataeans, the builders of Petra, including the famous Qasr al-Farid, a lone tomb carved into a freestanding rock. The drive takes about 4-5 hours each way, so a same-day return is very demanding. Options are a rental car, a private driver at roughly SAR 1,500-2,500 round trip (an estimate), or a flight to AlUla's airport (ULH) via Riyadh or Jeddah; check Saudia, flynas and flydubai. Self-driving inside Hegra is not allowed, so visitors join guided tours that start at the Hegra Visitor Centre, with tours from SAR 95, booked at experiencealula.com or by phone on +966 920 025 003. Beyond Hegra, AlUla also offers Jabal Ikmah with its ancient inscriptions, the old town of AlUla, Elephant Rock and the Maraya mirrored concert hall. A suggested arc for those who attempt it in one day is to leave Madinah before dawn, reach Hegra by late morning for a pre-booked tour, visit the old town or Elephant Rock in the late afternoon, and have dinner before an overnight stay. Most travellers sensibly treat AlUla as a two-day or longer trip. The best season is October to April, when temperatures are mild; summer is very hot, and winter nights can be cold. Food is available at the visitor centre cafe and at restaurants in AlUla town and around Elephant Rock. Tours should be booked ahead because capacity is limited, and visitors should carry water and sun protection. Dress modestly.