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 - AlUla Old Town

Upon arrival at AlUla Airport (anytime), we’ll transfer to our accommodation and check in. In the evening, we’ll visit AlUla 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 AlUla photography tour, giving you time to settle in, explore, and prepare for the adventures that await.

Day 2 - Jabal AlFil

Tonight, we’ll photograph the iconic Jabal AlFil — one of AlUla’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 AlFil, 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 AlFil 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 AlFil through sunrise, then return for breakfast and some well-deserved rest before our next location the following evening.

Day 3 - Rainbow Rock

Tonight, we’ll be camping at Rainbow Rock, one of the most stunning natural formations in the AlUla 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 - AlGharameel Nature Reserve

Tonight, we’ll be camping at AlGharameel Nature Reserve the first ever certified Dark Sky Park in the GCC — one of the top highlights in the AlUla region and a must-visit spot on any AlUla 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, AlGharameel Nature Reserve 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 AlUla’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 AlUla. 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 AlUla 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 Muhajjah

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

Mount Muhajjah 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 Rock

Tonight, we’ll be camping at Raven Rock, one of AlUla’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 Rock 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 AlUla photography tour.

Day 8 - Wadi Al-DIssah

After resting back at the hotel and preparing our gear, we’ll move to the Wadi Al-Dissah region — a dramatic change in landscape from the rest of AlUla. 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 Wadi 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 - Wadi Al-Dissah Caves

After resting during the day, we’ll head to the caves of Wadi 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 - Wadi Al-Dissah Spire

Tonight, we’ll be camping at The Spire in Wadi 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 Wadi 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 - Wadi Al-Dissah Mud Cracks

Tonight, we’ll visit another stunning mountain range in Wadi 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.

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Day 11 - Departure

We will head back to AlUla 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 (worth 300 CHF)

Not Included

• Travel & Health Insurance

• Flights to & from Saudi Arabia

• Food & Beverages

• Single Supplement 600 Swiss Francs

• 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: 8

• Minimum participants: 4

• Languages: English or German

• No level of fitness is required

(Basic English required for communication)

Prices

To secure your spot, a non-refundable deposit of 1,500 CHF per person is required.
The remaining balance is due 90 days before the tour.

• 5200 CHF per person — Twin room sharing

• 5900 CHF per person — Single room

Currency Guide

• USD ≈ CHF × 1.25

• EUR ≈ CHF × 1.07
  (Actual rates may vary slightly.)

Deposits are paid via bank transfer. Full payment details will be provided after completing the contact form.

Because each tour is boutique and personalised, I connect with every guest beforehand to ensure expectations, group dynamics, and physical requirements align—this guarantees a high-quality experience for everyone.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

If you wish to cancel your reservation, please notify us as soon as possible at:
barakatphotography@outlook.com

Please note:

• The initial 1,500 CHF deposit is non-refundable.

• Cancellation 90+ days before the tour: no additional fees.

• Cancellation less than 90 days before departure: the full amount is non-refundable.

However — to make the process easy and fair:
If you find another person to take your spot and pay the full amount, we will transfer your booking to them at no extra cost. This makes cancellations flexible and helps keep the group numbers stable.