‘Dream of the Desert’ is set to showcase the wonders of Arabia

Dream of the Desert, the world’s first project dedicated to ultra-luxury rail travel in the desert and the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, has officially opened bookings for its itineraries in the north of the country, with the first departures scheduled for October 2027. The project, developed by the Italian company Arsenale, is thus entering its marketing phase. Dream of the Desert offers a new perspective on the Kingdom, combining on-board hospitality with carefully curated experiences at the destinations along the route. Each itinerary takes shape through the landscapes, cultural heritage and living traditions of Saudi Arabia, on a journey of discovery that extends far beyond the train. The journey begins in Riyadh, heading north through regions whose natural and historical heritage remains largely unknown to the international public. Ancient settlements, mountainous landscapes and desert expanses provide the backdrop to itineraries that reveal the Kingdom’s many facets, through experiences that extend beyond the railway and engage with places and communities along the route.

In its initial phase, Dream of the Desert will feature 24 suite cabins, a dedicated dining carriage and a Majlis carriage, inspired by the Saudi tradition of gathering and hospitality. The dining experience and moments of conviviality will take place in the Majlis, accompanied by personalised service and cuisine that showcases the flavours and traditions of the Kingdom. Life on board will be an integral part of the experience

The inaugural routes comprise two itineraries, ‘The Desert Kingdoms’ and ‘Shadows of Aja’, which offer different perspectives on the landscapes, cultural heritage and living traditions of Saudi Arabia. Both combine the intimacy of ultra-luxury rail travel with experiences curated exclusively for Dream of the Desert guests, including historic sites that come to life after sunset, private nature excursions, cultural encounters, stargazing and destination-inspired culinary experiences.‘The Desert Kingdoms’, a four-day, three-night itinerary, takes guests on a journey of discovery through Al Jouf and Hail, exploring the stories, landscapes and traditions that have shaped the north of the Arabian Peninsula. In Dumat Al-Jandal, the ‘Legends of Marid’ Gala Dinner and Signature Show transforms the historic Marid Castle into an immersive setting of storytelling, music, light displays and theatrical performances, culminating in a candlelit gala dinner inspired by the flavours and culinary traditions of Al Jouf. The journey continues through the mountains of Aja, with an exclusive experience in the heart of nature, amidst imposing granite formations in shades of red and purple. Arabian horses, local hosts, poetry, music, fire and storytelling accompany the exploration of Hail’s traditions.

‘Shadows of Aja’, a three-day, two-night itinerary through Hail and Al Qassim, takes guests into the wildest landscapes of northern Saudi Arabia. During the Aja Mountains Wilderness Escape, guests travel by 4x4 to a remote desert area, where they explore the mountains accompanied by Arabian horses, Saudi horsemen, storytelling, art and music. As night falls, an al fresco dinner precedes a session with specialist astronomers, who recount stories of the heavens and the ancient navigation traditions that guided travellers across the Arabian Peninsula. The journey continues to Al Qassim, where, amongst the date palms, encounters with local farmers, artisans and storytellers culminate in ‘The Oasis Table’, an immersive farm-to-table dining experience celebrating regional produce, Saudi coffee, dates, live cooking demonstrations and local traditions. At certain times of the year, the itinerary may also extend to the evocative expanses of white salt flats at Al-Awshaziyah.

The collection will soon be expanded to include an itinerary dedicated to AlUla, which will open a new chapter in the Dream of the Desert story. Dream of the Desert will also offer private and exclusive trips, ranging from one-day experiences to overnight stays, right through to multi-day itineraries across the Kingdom, such as The Signature Escape, a private one-day experience, and The Desert Odyssey, which will take place over two days and one night in the Aja Mountains. It will also be possible to book private departures for The Desert Kingdoms and Shadows of Aja, with bespoke itineraries.