Shaqra and Ushaiqer Trip

Walking around Ushaqer and Shaqra is like walking through a live museum loaded with treasures of a bygone era. Ushaiger Heritage Village, located in the heart of Najd, offers a glimpse into traditional Saudi society. Ushaiger, where Bedouins originally inhabited 1,500 years ago, quickly became a popular halting site for pilgrims traveling to Makkah, thanks to its springs and low-brimmed olive and palm orchards. But, far from being a dusty, lifeless museum piece, Ushaiger – named after the adjacent red mountain that stands over the yellow mud dwellings – still has a modest population that makes use of its schools, shops, and mosques.

• We'll be stopping at a bird reserve, so I hope you enjoy birds.