Saudi Arabia March 2026

Below is just a suggested itinerary, but you can customize your own trip with other suggested locations upon request on dates that suit you.

Day 1 - Al Ula Old Town

Upon arrival at Al Ula Airport (anytime), we’ll transfer to our accommodation and check in. In the evening, we’ll visit Al Ula Old Town for dinner and a relaxed tour briefing, where we’ll get to know one another and go over the exciting plans for the days ahead.

This first evening offers a gentle introduction to your Al Ula photography tour, giving you time to settle in, explore, and prepare for the adventures that await.

Day 2 - Jabal Al-Fil

Tonight, we’ll photograph the iconic Jabal Al-Fil — one of Al Ula’s most recognizable landmarks and a true highlight for any Saudi Arabia photography tour.

The morning is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace. After lunch, we’ll make our way to Jabal Al-Fil, where we can enjoy a meal at one of the nearby restaurants before our evening session.

As night falls, we’ll head to Sparhawk Arch to capture a few night shots under the stars, before returning to Jabal Al-Fil to photograph the Milky Way rising in the early hours leading up to sunrise.

If the group prefers, we can take a short rest between 23:00 and 02:00 before heading back out. We’ll stay at Jabal Al-Fil through sunrise, then return for breakfast and some well-deserved rest before our next location the following evening.

Day 3 - Rainbow Arch

Tonight, we’ll be camping at Rainbow Arch, one of the most stunning natural formations in the Al Ula region — a dream location for landscape and night-sky photography.

We’ll depart a few hours before sunset, stopping along the way to gather supplies for dinner and breakfast, as we’ll be wild camping overnight beneath the stars. For those without their own camping gear, rental equipment is available. We’ll also have hot water and cooking equipment to prepare meals or heat anything as needed.

We’ll spend the night immersed in the silence of the desert, photographing the night sky and enjoying an unforgettable outdoor experience.

Day 4 - Gharameel

Tonight, we’ll be camping at Gharameel — one of the top highlights in the Al Ula region and a must-visit spot on any Al Ula photography tour. Known for its dramatic rock spires and some of the darkest skies in Saudi Arabia, this location is a true playground for photographers.

We’ll arrive about an hour before sunset to scout the best compositions, capturing the warm light as it illuminates the unique rock formations. As night falls, Gharameel offers incredible opportunities for Milky Way and long-exposure photography under pristine, unpolluted skies. This evening promises unforgettable shots and an immersive experience in one of Al Ula’s most iconic landscapes.

Day 5 - Hegra

Tonight, we’ll be at Hegra — Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous locations in Al Ula. Renowned for its monumental Nabataean tombs carved into striking rock formations, Hegra offers a unique blend of history, culture, and desert landscape — making it a must‑visit for any Al Ula photography tour.

We’ll arrive a few hours before sunset to scout compositions and capture the warm light on the iconic façades and surrounding spires. During our visit, we’ll explore Face Rock and other remarkable spots within Hegra, finding the best angles for both landscape and detail shots.

As the sun sets, we’ll take a short break for dinner, similar to our schedule at Elephant Rock, before returning to Hegra to continue shooting through the night and into the early hours. With the Milky Way rising over the ancient tombs and the desert stretching beyond, this evening promises unforgettable night‑sky and long‑exposure photography opportunities.

Day 6 - Mount Mhaja

Tonight, we’ll be camping at Mount Mahaja — a completely off-the-grid location offering the darkest skies of the entire Al Ula photography tour. This remote spot is a dream for night-sky photographers, with minimal light pollution and unparalleled views of the Milky Way.

Mount Mahaja is home to one of the most spectacular rock arches you’ll ever see. The site features a striking trip arch formation alongside a separate massive arch, creating an almost surreal composition that’s perfect for both landscape and night photography. We’ll arrive in time to scout the formations before sunset, capturing the warm light on these incredible natural structures.

As night falls, we’ll set up camp and focus on long-exposure and Milky Way photography, taking full advantage of the pristine skies and extraordinary rock formations. This evening promises some of the most memorable shots of the entire tour.

Day 7 - Raven Arch

Tonight, we’ll be camping at Raven Arch, one of Al Ula’s most stunning natural formations. After a day of rest back at the hotel, we’ll head out in time for sunset to scout and capture the warm light on the arch and surrounding landscape.

As night falls, we’ll spend the evening photographing Raven Arch from multiple compositions, taking advantage of the dark skies for Milky Way and long-exposure shots. This location offers endless creative opportunities, making it a highlight of your Al Ula photography tour.

Day 8 - Al DIssah

After resting back at the hotel and preparing our gear, we’ll move to the Al Dissah region — a dramatic change in landscape from the rest of Al Ula. This area is home to some of the most epic mountain ranges and spire formations in the world, offering a completely new backdrop for landscape photography.

Following a scenic three-hour drive, we’ll check into our hotel before heading out for a light session in the Al Dissah Valley. This first evening gives us a chance to explore the unique terrain, capture the soft light on the towering spires, and scout compositions for the next day’s photography sessions.

Day 9 - Al Dissah Caves

After resting during the day, we’ll head to the caves of Al Dissah, with epic mountain ranges providing a breathtaking backdrop. This location offers dramatic compositions for both landscape and night-sky photography.

We’ll spend the evening capturing the caves and surrounding terrain, before taking a short break during the night. Photography will continue in the early hours until sunrise, when the first light illuminates the mountains and spires, creating unforgettable opportunities for golden-hour shots.

Day 9 - Al Dissah The Spire

Tonight, we’ll be camping at The Spire in Al Dissah — one of the tallest and most striking rock spires I’ve ever seen. We’ll head out a few hours before sunset to scout compositions and capture the golden light on this dramatic formation.

As night falls, we’ll settle in for an unforgettable night under the stars, photographing The Spire against the dark Al Dissah skies. This location offers incredible opportunities for long-exposure and Milky Way photography, making it a true highlight of your Al Dissah photography tour.

Day 10 - Al Dissah Mud Cracks

Tonight, we’ll visit another stunning mountain range in Al Dissah, known for its dramatic mudcracks — if we’re lucky! We’ll arrive about an hour before sunset to scout compositions and capture the warm light on the landscape. Rest assured, there are plenty of breathtaking angles in this area that will leave every photographer inspired.

After nightfall, we’ll return to the hotel for some rest before heading back out in the early morning to capture the Milky Way, continuing our session through sunrise. This schedule allows you to experience the full magic of Al Dissah’s landscapes under both stars and the soft morning light.

Day 11 - Departure

We will head back to Al Ula Airport for 16:00.

Benjamin Barakat

I am your host and guide on this tour.

After receiving a full introduction on the first day to Astrophotography, I will then prepare you with the knowledge and tools to go out and capture stunning nightscape and landscape photos just like mine.

In the following days, you will shadow me and try to take the exact same compositions as me in order to learn the workflow and the correct way to capture your images.

Alternatively, you are free to roam the beautiful landscapes around us and capture your own images where I would then come follow up, give tips, and also my feedback.

We will also be doing landscape, sunset/sunrise photography and so on.

Included

• Hotels 6 Nights (Twin Sharing)

• All logistics in Saudi Arabia

• Photographic Tour guide (myself)

• Entry Fees to National Parks & Permits

• One year access to my online Master Class

Not Included

• Travel & Health Insurance

• Flights to & from Saudi Arabia

• Food & Beverages

• Single Supplement

• Camping Gear (Available to rent)

Equipment Required

• DSLR or mirrorless camera

• Sturdy Tripod (Rental is availble)

• Remote shutter release Cable

• Wide angle lens aperture (f1.4-f2.8) preferably

• Tele-focal lens for Moon & Sun shoots

• Hiking Boots

• Warm jacket as temperatures can drop low in the desert at night

• Additional batteries & memory cards

• Camera lens cleaning equipment as it can get dusty in the desert

Participation

• Maximum participants: 10

• Minimum participants: 3

• Languages: English or German

• No level of fitness is required

(Basic English required for communication)

Prices

To book the trip, a non-refundable deposit of 1500 CHF (Swiss Francs) per person is required to secure your spot and the outstanding balance must be paid 90 days prior to the start of the trip.

5,700CHF (Swiss Francs) per person (Twin room sharing).

Deposits need to be made via Bank Transfer.

All details will be sent to you once you have filled out the contact formula at the bottom of the page.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

If a participant decides to cancel their reservation, they can do so at any time by communicating it as soon as possible to the official email address of the organiser barakatphotography@outlook.com.

However, you should keep in mind that the cancellation by a participant would create management difficulties in bookings as well as the risk of not reaching the minimum number of participants for the trip (and consequently the need to search for a new person).

For this reason:

The initial deposit of 1500 CHF (Swiss Francs) per person is non-refundable and non-negotiable.

If the cancellation request is submitted 90 days prior to the tour no additional cost will be charged.

If the cancellation request is presented LESS than 90 days before departure, it will NOT be possible to receive a refund of the full booking amount.

Unless the customer that desires to cancel his booking brings in another person who is willing to take their place by paying the total amount of the trip itself.