Dadan and Jabal Ikmah tour: Ancient inscriptions in AlUla

Jabal Ikmah holds the largest collection of rock inscriptions in Saudi Arabia, carved into a desert canyon.

This two-hour guided tour visits Dadan and Jabal Ikmah, two of AlUla's most significant archaeological sites, with entrance fees and an English-speaking guide included. You travel by coach between the sites, a 10-minute drive separates them, and explore inscriptions, rock art and petroglyphs dating to the 9th century BCE. Pickup is included. Children from age one are welcome, and the pace suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore ancient Dadan and Jabal Ikmah

• Visit ancient Kingdom of Dadan
• Take 10-minute coach to Jabal Ikmah
• Explore inscriptions and petroglyphs at Jabal Ikmah

The experience

The tour begins at Dadan, the ancient capital of the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms that shaped AlUla's early history. A coach bus then carries you across the desert for ten minutes to Jabal Ikmah, where the real scale of the site becomes clear: this open-air library holds the most extensive collection of inscriptions and petroglyphs in the region, carved directly into the canyon walls and rock faces. The inscriptions span centuries of settlement, each one a record of the people who lived here.

Your guide walks you through both sites, pointing out the details that make each inscription distinct: the names, the dedications, the images of animals and figures that appear alongside the text. Jabal Ikmah's canyon setting means the petroglyphs are embedded in the landscape itself, not displayed behind glass or roped off. You move through the space where they were made. The two-hour timeframe keeps the pace steady without rushing, and the route is accessible for families with young children and strollers.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to both Dadan and Jabal Ikmah.
• coach transport between the two sites.
• English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (1 to 9 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Is this one for you?This is a shared guided tour, so you travel with other visitors and move at a group pace set by the guide. Choose it if you want the history and context of these sites explained as you walk, rather than exploring on your own: the inscriptions and petroglyphs make far more sense once you know what you're looking at and why they matter.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 9 years).

What exactly is Jabal Ikmah?

Jabal Ikmah is an open-air library set in a desert canyon, holding the largest collection of rock inscriptions, petroglyphs and rock art in Saudi Arabia. The inscriptions date to the 9th century BCE and cover the canyon walls, creating an outdoor museum carved directly into the stone.

How far apart are Dadan and Jabal Ikmah?

The two sites are ten minutes apart by coach, so the journey between them is quick and leaves most of the two hours for exploring each location.

What does the guide explain at these sites?

Your English-speaking guide interprets the inscriptions, petroglyphs and rock art at both Dadan and Jabal Ikmah, explaining the history of the Dadanite and Lihyanite civilisations and the significance of the carvings you see.

Is entrance to both sites included?

Yes, entrance fees to both Dadan and Jabal Ikmah are included in the tour price, along with pickup and the guide.