Field Trip: Taif Rose Festival in Saudi Arabia

The Taif Rose Festival in Saudi Arabia is an annual festival that brings together rose farms and distillation factories to exhibit the finest roses and rose-related products. The Tamashee Experience in Taif aims to visit these farms/factories and neighboring landscapes whilst experiencing first-hand Taif’s culture through its people (food, dances, clothing, etc).

 

This trip is being organized by Tamashee, a high-end Arabian Gulf footwear brand based in Dubai.  Tamashee carefully studies the history, form, and function of each cultural design and revives certain key elements of the past through its products.  As part of completing the cultural experience, Tamashee offers guided tours to cultural locations in the Arabian Peninsula with emphasis on elements which Tamashee has researched and documented.  Photos from a previous TRF trip can be found on this link:- https://tamashee.com/tamashee-experience/taif-rose-festival/

 

ITINERARY

 

Day 1 - Thursday March  28, 2019

10:45 AM (UAE time)     Departure - DXB

12:50 PM (KSA time)     Arrival - TIF

01:00 - 02:00 PM           Arrival & Check-in Hotel

02:00 PM                        Meet at hotel lobby

02:30 - 04:30 PM           Lunch at Rose distillation factory and tour of factory

04:30 - 06:30 PM           Take cable car down Taif mountain to tourist heritage village

06:30 - 08:30 PM           Visit Taif Rose Festival location and enjoy various cultural activities

08:30 - 09:30 PM           Return to hotel (dinner optional)

Notes for Day 1:

• Airport transfers are included for 8:30 AM and 12:50 PM arrival
• Tour begins meeting point will be 02:00 PM on Thursday March 28th to start tour.  If group timing is not met then transportation is additional and the responsibility of the customer (throughout trip).

 

Day 2 - Friday March  29, 2019

07:00 AM                        Meeting in breakfast hall

08:00 - 10:00 AM           Visit a rose farm in Al Shafa heights and enjoy wonderful views, learn how to pick rose flowers,  and  buy Taif Rose extract

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM    Leave to visit historical palaces

- Al Shabra Palace

- Bait Al Katib (Sharif Home)

- Al Kaaki Residence

- Museum

12:30 PM - 01:15 PM    Friday Prayer at Al Abbas Mosque or rest

01:30 - 02:30 PM           Traditional Taifi food for lunch

02:45 - 05:30 PM           Visit Bilad Tuwaireg and enjoy local hospitality watch and participate Tasheer performance

06:00 - 08:00 PM           Old Souq

08:00 - 10:00 PM           Dinner and hangout at Al Montazah (optional)

10:00 PM                       Return to hotel

Notes for Day 2:

• Museum visit will depend on time left.  These are private museums of individual antiquities collectors.
• Friday Prayer is optional and will be at the mosque of The Prophet’s (PBUH) uncle’s mosque or rest.
• Tasheer is a traditional war dance from the Hijaz region, where the dancer shoots downward while jumping in the air.
• Al Montazah is a location known for Taif families to hang out for socializing in the evening (This is optional and not included in package price)
• Dinner optional

 

Day 3 - Saturday March 30, 2019

08:00 AM                        Meeting in breakfast hall

09:00 AM                        Meet in lobby to begin tour

09:30 - 10:45 AM           See historic rock carvings at Al Sharafa palace and visit camel racing areas

10:45 - 11:15 AM           Transfer to Taif airport

01:50 PM (KSA time)     Departure - TIF

05:45 PM (UAE time)     Arrival - DXB

Notes for Day 3:

• Breakfast is served earlier if more time is needed.
• Airport transfers are included for 01:50 PM departure.

 

TRIP COST:

AED 2,700 on twin share basis (sharing basis will depend on availability) or AED 3,255 (single)

VAT is included in package price.  Once package is paid, it is non-refundable (unless the visa application is not approved).

 

Package Price Per Person INCLUDES:

• 5 star hotel or equivalent stay for 2 nights including breakfast
• March 28 & 29 lunch included
• Tour guide(s)
• All entry fees, activities and shows, except for those not included in the itinerary
• Transportation with the group vehicle for the entire trip, if group timing is not met then transportation is additional and the responsibility of the customer
• Tamashee fabric tote bag
• Tamashee cardholder
• Offer 50% off any sandal from Tamashee's 1439 collection upon signing up for this trip (Terms & Conditions apply)

 

Price EXCLUDES:

• Flight tickets
• Transportation to meeting point(s) (if group timings are missed)
• Any required visa application
• Dinner(s)
• Personal shopping and any extras

 

VISA ENTRY:

• Visa entry costs are excluded in the price
• If Visa is required to enter Saudi Arabia kindly contact us
• Minimum 3 weeks needed for visa application (However, there is now a new “Event visa” which takes less time but you still need to submit your application ASAP)

BOOKING & PAYMENT DEADLINE: 14th March 2019 (or ASAP if visa is required).  Only 4 spots left as on 05.03.19!

Requirements Upon Booking:

1. Choose a Package:
   • Single
   • Sharing - If sharing package do you have someone specific (friend/partner/family) who will be sharing the room with you? If not, we will be pairing you up with another person who will be joining us on the trip. (sharing package is based on availability of partner)

1. Payment (BOOK YOUR SPOT): 
   • Step 1: visit link > https://tamashee.com/product/taif-rose-festival-tamashee-experience/ 
   • Step 2: choose your package
   • Step 3: proceed to payment check out

1. Passport copy 

1. If you need a visa to Saudi, kindly let us know. We will need your passport and visa residency copy. Tamashee will try to apply for an “Event” visa which was only recently introduced. If that doesn’t work, they will be processing the letter and preliminary approval for a "business visa" which you can then take to the Saudi consulate in Dubai or Embassy in Abu Dhabi. 

1. Full Name and Contact number (preferable with whatsapp as it will be used to communicate updates, share photos, etc during the trip)

1. Once you have booked your spot for the package you will be entitled to 50% off from our 1439 collection, please let us know if you would like to avail this offer by sharing your foot size and we will provide you with the available models in your size to choose from. 

 

SUGGESTED FLIGHTS

Depart Thursday 28th March 2019 - Return Saturday 30th March 2019

Fly Dubai flight no. FZ875 from DXB (depart 10:45am) and arrive TIF (12:50pm)

Fly Dubai flight no. FZ876 from TIF (depart 01:50pm) and arrive DXB (05.25pm)

 

Please note that Tamashee are working on arranging a special rate via different carriers which fly from the UAE.  If interested, please contact Tamashee below:

 

E-mail: info@tamashee.com

Contact no. (whatsapp only): 0505908567

Contact person would be Muneera Al-Tamimi (co-founder of Tamashee)