4x4 Start and Al-Ula

Start and Al-Ula on a 6-Day 4x4 Offroad Tour.

This tour takes you on a 6-day journey to the start of the Dakar Rally and to the famous Al-Ula.

After three days in Yanbu, where we watch the start of the Dakar, we drive to Al-Ula, where the rally camps for two nights before the marathon stage to Hail begins.

An incredible adventure in one of the most beautiful regions of Saudi Arabia. Racers agree that the north, along with the Sea of ​​Dunes in the Empty Quarter, is the most beautiful and challenging part of the rally.

A unique adventure with the comfort and safety of an off-road vehicle such as a Toyota Landcruiser, HiLux, or a similar vehicle.

Bring your own 4x4

Participate this unique trip in your own 4x4.

Rally Dakar Program

This year, the Dakar Rally starts in Yanbu and then moves north, stopping in Al-Ula.

The 2026 Dakar will take place from January 3rd to 17th. A prologue on January 3rd will be followed by 14 super-long days of racing. Two stages will again be contested as marathon stages over two days. A rest day will take place in Riyadh as usual. As one of the highlights, the Dakar Rally will stay in the famous Al-Ula for two days, giving us the opportunity to visit sights such as Elephant Rock and the Hegra Tomb.

Tour Offers

The Ride Xpower Start and Al-Ula 4x4 Tour meeting the Dakar is offered as a 6-day tour with 4 days of driving and 5 overnight stays in desert camps in the dunes.

4x4 Models

We offer latest 4x4 models like Toyota Landcruiser, HiLux, Changan Hunter or similar vehicles from leading Saudi 4x4 rental companies. The 4x4 can comfortably accommodate up to 4 people.

Driving Level

We run the 4x4 tour in a group, but split the route up during the day if not everyone wants to complete the full off-road program. We have different routes available and we can adjust the difficulty and scope of the off-road parts to suit the group's driving experience.

Routes

Our route leads from Yanbu to Al-Ula and follows the Dakar Rally.

We set up camp to witness the start of the rally and the drivers in the spectator areas. Optional visits to the Dakar bivouac provide in-depth insights into the teams' work and opportunities for small talk with the racers and team members.

Accommodation

We'll stay overnight in desert camps throughout the tour, meet the enduro and buggy riders, and listen to their stories. We'll feel like the Dakar Rally riders and set up our own camps in the dunes. The final program will be based on the Dakar Rally's stage schedule, which will only be announced shortly before the start. This is one of the challenges of the Dakar and this adventure tour.

Our desert camps in the dunes are simple, but offer all the comforts possible in the desert, basic showers and toilets, we cook our own food and sit together in the evenings around the open fire under the starry desert sky. Luxury tents as extra available.

More info about the Desert Camp.

Luggage and Equipment Transport, Rescue team

We have all our luggage, gear and camping equipment with us in the 4x4 giving us a max flexibility in having all our stuff with us in the car. We manage our rescue in the team as part of the adventure.

You bring a sleeping bag and a pillow with you on the tour. We will provide you with a tent for individual and shared use, with an insulating ground mat and a carpet in front of the tent to prevent sand from getting into the tent.

If you book the luxury tent option we provide all the sleeping equipment.

Dakar is a real Adventure

Participating in the Ride Xpower Dakar Adventure means you will feel and push your limits, even if you don't ride as extreme as the racers and Enduro bikers. The 4x4 tour is designed to give you a taste of what it means to compete in the Dakar and you will drive in some difficult off-road sections. We'll meet the Dakar racers at the spectator points, but we'll focus on driving an off-road adventure tour.

Final Tour Program

The rally will not announce the day's route and spectator points until late the previous day. Shortly before the start, the racers receive the road book for the next day. We have to anticipate and adjust our routes accordingly - that's part of the adventure, you never know what's going to happen tomorrow, managing it is the adventure of this tour. What we will know are the locations of the rally overnight camps between stages, but not the route taken by the racers.

The Ride Xpower team will be in Saudi Arabia throughout December exploring the routes, desert camps and hotels for the Meet Dakar Tour.

Visit to the Dakar Bivouac

The Dakar allows access to selected bivouacs in the form of a guided VIP tour. Limited day tickets cost approximately €300 and can be ordered through Ride Xpower. The access tickets are not included in the tour price.