Official Name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lies at the furthermost part of southwestern Asia. It is bordered by the Arabian Gulf, United Arab Emirates and Qatar in the east; Red Sea in the west; Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan in the north; Yemen and Oman in the south.
Languages Spoken: Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, but English is widely spoken. It is used in business and is a compulsory second language in schools. Among the non-Saudi population, many people speak Urdu, the official language of Pakistan, and other Asian languages such as Farsi and Turkish..
Population: 35 million (around 31% of whom are expatriates)
Time: Gulf Standard Time (GST), GMT +3 hours
Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR)
ATMs are widespread throughout the country, even in smaller towns and cities. Visa and Mastercard are the most common forms of payment, and foreign currencies are unlikely to be accepted directly. Tipping is accepted, and highly encouraged!
Although the crime rate in Saudi Arabia is relatively low, petty crime does occur and there have been some isolated incidents of more serious crimes. Take particular care when traveling outside towns and cities and as with travel to any other country in the world, be respectful of local rules and customs, be mindful of your surroundings, and carry out due diligence before traveling.
Petty crime does also occur.the majority of tourists and locals feel safe exploring. As with travel to any other country in the world, be respectful of local rules and customs, be mindful of your surroundings, and carry out due diligence before traveling. The odd instance of petty theft is reported and as such we would advise you to take the necessary safety precautions and to store passports, money and valuables in a closed bag or hotel safe.
VISAS
Saudi Arabia opened its doors to visitors from all over the world in September, 2019. Visitors can acquire a multiple-entry visa valid for a year that will allow them to stay in the country for up to 90 days. The visa is relevant to tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj season) and excludes other activities such as studying. The visa system is a historic milestone in opening Saudi Arabia to tourism. International visitors can discover the rich heritage, vibrant culture, and diverse and breath-taking landscapes.
Tourists from 49 eligible countries can apply for a tourist visa online through the fast and easy-to-use eVisa portal ahead of their trip, or upon arrival in Saudi Arabia through visa kiosks at immigration.
Tourists from other countries should apply for a consulate visa through Saudi embassies and consulates. Holders of US, UK, or Schengen visas can apply for the visa upon arrival.
For more information visit.
Climate
With the exception of the province of Asir on the western coast, Saudi Arabia has a desert climate characterized by extreme heat during the day, an abrupt drop in temperature at night, and very low annual rainfall. Because of the influence of a subtropical high-pressure system, there is considerable variation in temperature and humidity. The two main differences in the climate of Saudi-Arabia can be felt between the coastal areas and the interior. Humidity is low, except along the coasts, where it can be high and very oppressive.
Husaak operate year-round experiences in AlUla, Medinah. The average temperatures in AlUla in the coolest months, December through February, is 64.4 °F (18 °C). During Summer months from May to August, temperatures can exceed 107 °F (42).
In May 2021 Husaak will launch a new center in the south of the Kingdom. This new center in Tanimah will offer adventurers the option to explore Saudi in summer months. From May to August, the average temperature in Tanomah is 77 °F (25) with highs of 99 °F (37) and lows of 57 °F (14).
Health & Safety
As with any country, the odd instance of petty theft is reported and as such we would advise you to take the necessary safety precautions and to store passports, money and valuables in a closed bag or hotel safe.
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations when travelling to any destination. Importantly, this includes Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), tetanus and typhoid vaccines. There are no compulsory vaccinations for those visiting Oman but recommendations include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Rabies for those who will make contact with animals. If you are travelling from a Yellow Fever area a vaccination may be compulsory.
Husaak are the only adventure tour operator in the GCC with ISO Certification in Safety Management. However, we operate in regions where standards of safety, hygiene, transport and medical facilities may be lower than you would normally expect. Please bear this in and when making your booking. All activities, especially those in remote areas or regions with dangerous wildlife, can which involve risk of injury, disease and inconvenience and discomfort. Husaak will not accept liability for any such events that occur outside of our control.
Culture & Etiquette
It is important to respect local values as we explore new areas. Saudi custom is highly influenced by Islamic teachings and the local dress code is modest. It is important that visitors respect this by covering knees and shoulders. In more conservative areas it is expected that you cover arms and in mosques and other religious sites, a headscarf is necessary for women.
Bad language, loud behavior, and encroaching on other people’s boundaries are considered disrespectful in the Kingdom.
The sale, purchase, and consumption of alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia. Tourists are not permitted to take alcohol into Saudi Arabia.
It is always best to exercise judgement and sensitivity when taking pictures of others. We also suggest that overt, public displays of affection be avoided in busy areas. In villages, avoid picking fruits or vegetables, as villagers depend on these for their livelihood. Take care to avoid polluting traditional irrigation systems (falaj), as these are used by villagers for domestic and agricultural use.
Infrastructure & Transport
Saudi has well-developed infrastructure networks connecting the most important regions. The 2 main Airports for exploring Saudi with Husaak are AlUla Airport and Abha Airport in the South.
Traveling by road is the most common mode of travel within Saudi and fuel is cheap. If exploring off-road regions please ensure you have a 4x4 and enough fuel, food, water, GPS and a map for use in areas where network coverage isn’t available. When driving, remember to keep an eye out for camels and goats!
Public transport within the cities is common. Saptco, the national bus network is often the cheapest and easiest way to get around the Kingdom, especially to the more remote corners. The train is reasonably priced and very comfortable, but there are only three lines; Riyadh–Dammam, Riyadh–Jauf, and Mecca–Medina via Jeddah. Taxis are found in most of the larger towns and are known as ‘limousines’; they can be hailed anywhere. although it is much cheaper to negotiate the fare first (as locals do) rather than use the meter. Some major cities and towns support taxi apps Uber and Careem.
Disabilities & Medical Conditions
The nature of the destinations we travel to means that in some cases they may be unsuitable for those who use a wheelchair or have limited mobility. However, we are happy to tailor your program in a way that considers your level of mobility and capabilities. Contact a member of our team in advance of booking and we are more than happy to discuss your options!
Special Dietary Requirements
We are able to accommodate most dietary restrictions. For private trips we can create meal plan that suits your group. If you are joining a mixed tour, please provide 48 hours notice to allow the team to source alternative options. Unfortunately, if your trip involves staying within accommodation provided by third parties, we don’t always have control over the meal options provided.
Eco and Ethical Tourism
As enjoyable as exploring new destinations can be, international travel has proven to be less than enjoyable for the environment. Responsible travel is at the heart of Husaak Adventures and it is imperative that we maintain the regions we explore. Husaak ensure our business practices are ethical and minimize waste. The designed programs take care to not disturb the integrity of the ecosystem and we avoid key routes used by wildlife in Saudi. We like to engage clients in our environmentally conscious practices too and this is part of our contribution lies in utilizing our recycling program and eliminating heavy reliance on single use plastics. Before you leave, we will give you designated bags for you to sort any recyclable materials you may have, such as plastics, cardboard and paper. We will advise you on proper waste disposal for most of the areas you will visit. We also provide you with reusable bottles for water. Husaak encourage travelers to engage in beach/coast clean-ups when and if they wish to – Husaak’s 3 Minutes for Saudi program asks all of our adventurers to collect rubbish for 3 minutes. Our goal is to leave each destination cleaner than we found it, it’s a simple way for us all to make a difference.
If you have any further questions please check out our Frequently Asked Questions or email the team here.