We booked this "tour" due to our lack of research prior to our trip. There wasn't much info about Saudi so were not aware about how easy or difficult it was to get to places in AlUla and wanted to make sure we would see the highlights. The "tour" was non-refundable. Once in AlUla we learned that the Elephant Rock site is free. Free parking, no entrance fees (which are advertised as "included" on this ad). The pick up was included, which is probably the expensive bit if you don't rent a car there as distances can be long. But we were staying 9 mins away from the rock and we even didn't get our return ride as we met a friend there who drove us back. The driver was very kind but his job was just to drive us, he was not a tour guide (shared no info whatsoever about the rock formation or the desert). But a taxi ride does not cost £106 and I know this for sure as we did take taxis there for much longer distances and they did not cost more than £30. I contacted the company later on to complain about this and all they did was to pass the message on to the driver who, bless him, had nothing to do with this and texted me back very offended. So, if you want to see the Elephant Rock, which is totally worth a visit, don't book a tour. Drive by yourselves or book a taxi for a more convenient price. And thank that girl from that TripAdvisor review who saved each one of you £54. You're welcome! :)
Elephant Rock - min 2
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $137 / person
- Location
- AlUla
- Rating
- 3.4 / 5 · 7 reviews
- Languages
- AR, EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 30
- Cancellation
- See policy below
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Gray Line - Kurban Tours
Description
One of AlUla's many geological marvels, set in golden desert sands and climbing three storeys into the sky. With its "trunk" and "body" of this formation, it is also known as Elephant Rock.
Tour Options
Itinerary
SET IN GOLDEN DESERT SANDS AND CLIMBING THREE STOREYS INTO THE SAUDI ARABIAN SKY, IS THE AWE-INSPIRING ELEPHANT ROCK (ALSO KNOWN AS JABAL ALFIL), ONE OF ALULA’S MANY GEOLOGICAL MARVELS. Unlike the ornate, hand-carved facades of nearby Hegra’s Nabataean tombs, the "trunk" and "body" of this monolithic red sandstone beast were shaped by natural forces — millions of years of wind and water erosion. The beauty of the unrefined structure is enhanced by a landscape of golden sands, studded with rocky outcops, many of which are equally impressive in size and have interesting shapes and figures
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Tour start: Our tour will start at 16:00 Hrs, but pick up is 30-60 minutes before. Pick up: We will pick up its customers from Winter Park in Al Ula. The pickup time varies between 1 hour to 30 minutes before the start of the tour at the terminal point. We will confirm with you one day earlier at a precise time by email. Drop off: After the tour, our vehicle will drop off the passengers to Winter Park in Al Ula
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Elephant Rock - min 2 take?
Elephant Rock - min 2 lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Elephant Rock - min 2 cost?
Prices start at $137 per person for this AlUla experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Elephant Rock - min 2 for free?
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Tour start: Our tour will start at 16:00 Hrs, but pick up is 30-60 minutes before. Pick up: We will pick up its customers from Winter Park in Al Ula. The pickup time varies between 1 hour to 30 minutes before the start of the tour at the terminal point. We will confirm with you one day earlier at a precise time by email. Drop off: After the tour, our vehicle will drop off the passengers to Winter Park in Al Ula Pickup points include Viola furnished rooms, Mabiti Alula.
What languages is Elephant Rock - min 2 offered in?
The experience is available in AR, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 30 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Elephant Rock - min 2 worth it?
Travellers rate it 3.4 out of 5 across 7 verified reviews; it is run by Gray Line - Kurban Tours.
Reviews(7)
Frankly, this particular tour is a scam in that it essentially involves being driven to the location from your hotel and brought back. It is a very expensive car hire with driver. The access to the elephant rock is free. I already had a car on hire and had I known this, I would have never opted for this.
it's 52 m high and totally amazing during the day and/or at night. Seating areas built in below the sand allow for comfortable viewing of this sandstone monolithic.
Hello Mwha, I'm glad you found the description thrilling! Uluru's magnificence truly captivates visitors with its grandeur and beauty, making it an unforgettable experience both day and night.
Great experience, excellent service I would highly recommend to anyone that visits alula to definitely visit elephant rock
Dear Francis, We're delighted to hear that you had a great experience and received excellent service during your visit to Elephant Rock in AlUla. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated, and we hope that more travelers have the chance to explore this fantastic attraction. Thank you for sharing your positive experience, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors to AlUla's wonders.
So nice to see this Elephant Rock. Walking along n inside saw people were sitting in the sofa. Incredible atmosphere. N relaxing .I wished I had more time. N try the restaurant. If I knew it I could have eaten there. I ate before .I asked the driver to stop
Dear Irma, It's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Elephant Rock and experienced such a relaxing atmosphere. It's always a great feeling to discover unexpected gems during your travels. It's a shame you didn't have more time to try the restaurant, but maybe next time you can plan for a delightful meal there. Your spontaneous stop was a great decision to make the most of your visit.
Aesthetically, the rock of vague elephantine morphological inspiration (as it is named with a certain perverse imagination) is undoubtedly a suggestive place (but there are better and much more genuine ones in the same area of AlUla). To ruin the charm and magic of the place is the intensively touristic aggression brought to its surroundings by intrusive fences, hyper consumerist kiosks and chairs / tables of various kinds, which besiege the site closely. Of course it is a place to visit, especially if you are nearby, but the charm of its atmosphere is inevitably compromised. I would recommend looking for more rewards in other sites, even just in the AlUla area, much more exclusive and unspoilt.
Elephant Rock was interesting. The best part of visiting the site however was talking to people there. It is free to visit and after 4:30 there are juice/coffee stands and a small restaurant open. The coffee and pineapple juice were nice.
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