Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Middle East
Middle East Topics specific to the Middle East countries, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman and the Emirates
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Beirut / Lebanon
Posts: 197
Mada'in Salih - permit necessary?

Are there any recent experiences around about visiting Mada'in Salih in Saudi Arabia?

Hotel websites like this

[url=http://www.arac.com.sa/arac/english/smvistors.html]
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dubai
Posts: 103
We visited last year (while we were still living in Saudi Arabia, so we had Saudi resident permits) and just landed up at the gates where they kept our resident permits and entered the details in a log book. They then let us in to the site. We collected our RP after signing out.

Hope its not too difficult for visitors. Its a nice place to spend some time. Sunsets especially are amazing. While there, dont miss Elephant rock. Will post a few pics of medain salih and places around later.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Beirut / Lebanon
Posts: 197
Thanks Vicky! Seems, I will get the permit on time. Will post my experiences later.

Greetings, still in Sudan
Achim
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2 Dec 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dubai
Posts: 103
here are some pics from and around medain saleh....





elephant rock



















enjoy your visit...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Dec 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Beirut / Lebanon
Posts: 197
A permit is indeed necessary when visiting Mada'in Saleh!

In my case, the Arac Al Ula Resort (url=http://www.arac.com.sa/arac/english/smvistors.html) helped and organized it. Its Manager Ahmed Saleh is a Sudanese and was so happy that I arrived from his home country that he organized in only one day.

The Arac Al Ula Resort is not cheap, a single room costs 350 SR, a double room 430 SR (approx. 70 and 87 Euro) per night including breakfast. The other hotel in Al Ula, the Madain Saleh Hotel, is said to have burned out.

Whether there are other, cheaper hotels who could also organize the permit, I don't know. I don't know either what happens if overlanders arrive without a permit. In my case, the police at the entrance just noted the information about my car. Whether it is possible to camp at Mada'in Saleh was also unclear. There are abundant parking lots - but there were only a handful of other, mainly Saudi, visitors at the site which also hosts a museum of the Hejaz railway and of the old Syrian pilgrimage route (in the Islamic Fortress).

Permit and entry to Mada'in Saleh are free of charge!

The area of Al Ula and Mada'in Saleh is worth the detour from the coast road between Jeddah and the Jordanian border: The 160 kilometers from the intersection north of Khayber to Al Ula are like a giant Wadi Rum, as is Al Ula, a city nestled into a magnificent scenery of red-brown hills and mountains. Apart from the Elephant Rock and the Nabatean city of Mada'in Saleh itself (see Vicky's pics above), the "house mountain" of Al Ula Harrat Uwayrid is worth a visit in the early morning or late afternoon!

Greetings
Achim
Attached Thumbnails
Mada'in Salih - permit necessary?-afrika-2012-1231-komp.jpg  

Mada'in Salih - permit necessary?-afrika-2012-1234-komp.jpg  

Mada'in Salih - permit necessary?-afrika-2012-1247-komp.jpg  

Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Renew Permit and Insurance in Panama Steve aka Ratty / frozen rat Trip Paperwork 0 30 Oct 2012 18:04
Bike stuck in Cartagena - permit ran out and I need a new one Neil Jarrett Trip Paperwork 0 14 Oct 2012 20:54
Russian linguists: what does this GBAO permit say? khpostma Northern and Central Asia 6 8 May 2012 21:21
Keeping Mexican vehicle permit Foflappy Central America and Mexico 6 10 Mar 2012 20:08
International Driving Permit needed Road Hog Trip Paperwork 3 12 Feb 2012 07:23

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:29.