Traversing very different landscapes, depending on the time of year, this route takes you to the remarkable ‘beach’ at Al Awshaziyah Lake and then into the Nufud as Sirr Desert for some adrenaline-fuelled dune bashing. Keep a lookout for different coloured camels as they roam the shrub-dotted dunes in search of food. During the rainy season, the area is surprisingly green, and being close to Buraydah – Saudi Arabia’s agricultural hub – you’ll notice an abundance of crop circles.

Although not featured on the main route, we recommend you also make time to visit the Al Qassim Camel Market and Al Musawkaf Souq.

Al Qassim Camel Market

Cited as the largest camel market in the world and peddling a variety of different livestock including goats, sheep and of course camels, this colourful spectacle offers a unique Saudi experience. Beginning every morning at 6am, people from all over the country circle the enclosures looking for a purchase. As the haggling begins against the backdrop of animal sounds (and smells), prepare to have your senses well and truly flooded. The action is generally all over by 10am, but it’s still worth a drive around if you arrive in the afternoon.

BURAYDAH DATE FESTIVAL

The annual Buraydah Date Festival is the biggest in the world. Held for 45 days from September to November, the event offers 45 varieties of dates with estimated sales of up to 300,000 tonnes each year. A multitude of cultural and heritage activities run alongside the festival, including a youth awareness programme designed to encourage the younger generations to enter the industry.

Al Musawkaf Souq

A replica of its ancient predecessor, Al Musawkaf Souq is both a popular tourist attraction and a traditional marketplace, selling everything from vintage toy cars to biscuits and spices. Also featuring a small café, the souq comes into its own in the evenings when locals gather to shop and socialise. The courtyard inside hosts regular cultural events and is especially busy during the celebration of religious and national holidays. The market is open daily from 4–10pm.

Al Awshaziyah Lake

Covering an area of 50km², this impressive salt lake, or sabkha when it’s dry, is bordered by the rolling dunes of the Nufud As Sirr Desert. Crowds flock to the lake for its white sands and clear waters, a beach experience in the middle of the desert. In drier months, when the lake is empty, a thick white crust made up of saline minerals sits across its surface.

 

BURAYDAH

The capital of the Qassim Region, Buraydah is a thriving modern city with plenty of parks, hotels, entertainment centres and shopping malls. For off-roaders looking to rest in comfort after their venturesome days, it is the perfect base to explore the northern area of the Kingdom.

DESERT AGRICULTURE

Buraydah and its surrounding desert landscape is abundant with crop circles. These round, green fields use an ingenious centre-pivot irrigation system to optimise a farm’s yield. Growing predominantly wheat, the area has witnessed an agricultural boom in recent years and despite its arid conditions, Buraydah has become one of the largest wheat producers in the country and a net exporter of cereal.

Nufud as Sirr Desert

Popular with local 4WD owners and visiting off-road enthusiasts, this scenic stretch of desert is known for its tall dunes and soft orange sand. There’s a petrol station close to the start where you can reduce your tyre pressure and stock up on supplies should you fancy a night camped out under the desert stars.

Al Mithnab Traditional Village

This beautifully restored heritage village is an architectural treasure. Made up of over 384 mudbrick houses and 30 shops, the buildings feature elaborately patterned doorways and a white edging typical of Najdi architecture. Spend time wandering the narrow streets and check out the majlis market where you might stumble upon an auction.