Logistics Session
Full itinerary walkthrough
Full Itinerary PDFPrintable version
Umrah GuideStep-by-step rites
Hajj GuideStep-by-step rites
Before You Leave
Documents · health · baggage · mindset
- Passport, Hajj visa, meningitis record — hard + digital copies
- Bag tags: "Al Rajhi · Luxury 2 Muassim" + name + group number
- Keep meds, valuables, extra clothes in carry-on — never checked bag
- Make shopping list now — Madinah is best, Makkah is crowded & expensive
- Read sister's advice link (below) — essential first-time perspective
Advice from a Sister Who Went Before
#1 takeaway: Your experience is unique to you — customized for you by Allah. Two people in the same flight and same hotel room can have completely different experiences.
Expect delays. Waiting for transport, stuck in traffic, blocked routes, long bathroom lines, delayed buses — this is all part of the experience. Keep dhikr on your tongue at all times.
Prepare as if traveling alone — know your hotel, Mina, Arafah, Muzdalifah, Jamarat, and Haram entrances. Carry your own cash. Even if with family, you never know when you might get separated.
Expect the unexpected. Plans will change. Have the mindset to solve problems calmly. Uber works in Madinah. WhatsApp group is always active. You are not alone.
📄 Read the full sister's reflection →
Expect delays. Waiting for transport, stuck in traffic, blocked routes, long bathroom lines, delayed buses — this is all part of the experience. Keep dhikr on your tongue at all times.
Prepare as if traveling alone — know your hotel, Mina, Arafah, Muzdalifah, Jamarat, and Haram entrances. Carry your own cash. Even if with family, you never know when you might get separated.
Expect the unexpected. Plans will change. Have the mindset to solve problems calmly. Uber works in Madinah. WhatsApp group is always active. You are not alone.
📄 Read the full sister's reflection →
Salah on the Plane
- Dhuhr/Asr and Maghrib/Isha are easier — combine when the sun position is clear
- Fajr is hardest — the moment you see a streak of light, you have ~10–20 min. Ask the flight crew or check the in-seat day/night map
- Bathrooms on plane: lightest during mid-flight; busiest after food service and before salah time
- Text family before boarding — some airports cut cell service once on the plane
Madinah Block
May 18–21 · Maden Taiba Hotel · 3 nights
Day 1
May 18
Monday
1 Dhu al-Hijjah
✈ Arrive Madinah
Arrival at Madinah Airport · Check In
Hotel: Maden Taiba Hotel · 3 nights · Masjid Nabawi <600ft away
- Arrive Madinah airport → customs → immunization check → claim bags
- Meet Al Rajhi / Adam Travels team at arrivals booth
- Bus/cab to Maden Taiba Hotel (~20–30 min) · tip driver 10–15 SAR
Worst-case — no meet & greet: Don't panic. Uber and cabs are right outside. You know the hotel name. WhatsApp group is active. Reach out to Rami on group chat. Get with others on the same flight and share a cab.
Prayer Times (Madinah)
| Date | Fajr | Sunrise | Dhuhr | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18 | 4:10 | 5:37 | 12:18 | 3:42 | 6:59 | 8:29 |
| May 19 | 4:09 | 5:36 | 12:18 | 3:42 | 7:00 | 8:30 |
| May 20 | 4:08 | 5:36 | 12:18 | 3:42 | 7:00 | 8:30 |
| May 21 | 4:08 | 5:36 | 12:18 | 3:42 | 7:01 | 8:31 |
Iqamah is 5–15 min after Adhan in Madinah. During Hajj days in Makkah it is often immediately after — be in the masjid before Adhan.
Day 2
May 19
Tuesday
2 Dhu al-Hijjah
🕌 Madinah · Mazarat
Mazarat Sightseeing Tour
- Five daily prayers at Masjid Nabawi
- Mazarat tour after Asr (~4:30–8pm): Mount Uhud + Masjid Quba
- Pray Maghrib at Masjid Quba — reward of Umrah (per hadith)
At Uhud: Stay with the group — it's easy to wander off. Keep an eye on family members. Group gathers back at bus before heading to Quba. Allow extra time — it always takes longer than expected.
Second Mazarat option: If your flight arrives late (Monday evening or Tuesday), there will be a second tour offered Tuesday May 20 at 8am — both options available to accommodate different arrival times.
Day 3
May 20
Wednesday
3 Dhu al-Hijjah
🕌 Madinah · Rawdah & Workshop
Last Full Day · Rawdah + Umrah Workshop + Pack Luggage
- Five daily prayers at Masjid Nabawi
- Umrah workshop between Asr & Maghrib (~4:45–6pm)
- Group Rawdah appointment — location via WhatsApp
- Pack large suitcase for cargo truck tonight — NO meds/valuables in it
Rawdah orientation: The area between the Prophet's ﷺ house and his minbar is Riyadh al-Jannah (Garden of Paradise). Brothers may also do the Salam gate (Gate 1) walk anytime — first row, walk all the way to the grille, say salaam on the Prophet ﷺ and companions, then exit. Sisters will be praying right next to the grave — a profound moment.
Thermostat tip: Set to 74–76°F. Big temperature swings between hotel and outside tire your body out — you need that energy for Hajj.
Prepare for Umrah — review before arrival in Makkah:
🎥 How to Put on Ihram (video playlist)
📖 Umrah Guide — step-by-step rites
📄 Umrah Rites Quick Reference (PDF)
🎥 Umrah Rites Workshop Recording
🎥 How to Put on Ihram (video playlist)
📖 Umrah Guide — step-by-step rites
📄 Umrah Rites Quick Reference (PDF)
🎥 Umrah Rites Workshop Recording
Makkah Block
May 21–31 · Hilton Suites · 10 nights
Day 4
May 21
Thursday
4 Dhu al-Hijjah
🚆 Madinah → Makkah · Umrah
Train to Makkah · Check In · Umrah
Hotel: Hilton Suites Makkah · 10 nights · across the road from Haram
- Bags out before Fajr for cargo truck · put on ihram (no intention yet)
- Bus to train station ~2pm · make intention on train when PA announces miqat
- Train ~2h15m · arrive Hilton Suites
- Group Umrah after Isha (~10–11pm) · tawaf → sa'i → halq/taqsir → exit ihram
Bus timing story: One year, a group leader saw a bus that wasn't theirs and everyone came down — then they were stuck in lobby for 6+ hours after checking out. We learned: come down only when the group leader confirms they see the right bus and calls you. Wait for that confirmation.
Umrah timing: Group Umrah starts ~10–11pm. With a group, plan for ~4 hours — you'll likely finish around 3am. Jumu'ah is next day (Friday). If you want a spot near the Kaaba for Jumu'ah, weigh that against rest needs.
Day 5
May 22
Friday
5 Dhu al-Hijjah
🕋 Makkah · Jumu'ah at Haram
Jumu'ah · Rest · Haram Time
- Five prayers at Haram
- Jumu'ah at 12:17pm — arrive after Fajr or by 7am for spot near Kaaba
- Free day · breakfast & dinner at hotel
Prayer Times (Makkah · May 21–30)
| Date | Fajr | Dhuhr | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21–22 | 4:15 | 12:17 | 3:33 | 6:55 | 8:25 |
| May 23 | 4:14 | 12:17 | 3:33 | 6:55 | 8:25 |
| May 24–25 | 4:14 | 12:18 | 3:32 | 6:56 | 8:26 |
| May 26–27 | 4:14 | 12:18 | 3:32 | 6:57 | 8:27 |
| May 28–29 | 4:13 | 12:18 | 3:33 | 6:58 | 8:28 |
| May 30 | 4:12 | 12:18 | 3:34 | 6:58 | 8:28 |
Day 6
May 23
Saturday
6 Dhu al-Hijjah
🕋 Makkah · Free Day
Maximize Haram Time · Conserve Energy
- Five prayers at Haram · free day
- Rest and conserve — Hajj starts in 2 days
Day 7
May 24
Sunday
7 Dhu al-Hijjah
🕋 Makkah · Hajj Prep
Hajj Workshop · Pack Backpack · Depart to Mina
- Hajj workshop (time TBA via WhatsApp)
- Pack Hajj backpack — see checklist
- Depart to Mina at TBD time · put on ihram
Review before putting on ihram:
🎥 How to Put on Ihram (video playlist)
☪️ Hajj Guide — step-by-step rites
🎥 Hajj Rites Workshop Recording
🎥 How to Put on Ihram (video playlist)
☪️ Hajj Guide — step-by-step rites
🎥 Hajj Rites Workshop Recording
Hajj Days
May 25–30 · Mina · Arafah · Muzdalifah · Jamarat
Day 8
May 25
Monday
8 Dhu al-Hijjah
⛺ Hajj Day 1 · Tarwiyah
Depart to Mina · Day of Tarwiyah
- Meet in lobby with ihram on · bus to Mina ~45 min
- All prayers: shortened, NOT combined
- After Asr: camp orientation · talks in tents
- Dinner at buffet · rest for Arafah tomorrow
Day 9
May 26
Tuesday
9 Dhu al-Hijjah
⛺ Hajj Day 2 · Arafah + Muzdalifah
Day of Arafah · Night at Muzdalifah
- Fajr at Mina → Bus to Arafah (~20–30 min walk from drop-off to tent)
- Khutbah → Dhuhr + Asr combined/shortened · du'a until Maghrib
- Depart Maghrib → bus to Muzdalifah · Maghrib + Isha combined · collect 49 pebbles
- Midnight group (~12:15am): women, elderly, mahram | Fajr group (~4:45am): all others
Bus queue reality: Expect 1–2+ hours waiting for your bus from Arafah to Muzdalifah. All groups are heading the same direction at the same time. Stand with your group, keep dhikr going, look after each other. The wait itself is worship — don't waste it.
Day 10
May 27
Wednesday
10 Dhu al-Hijjah
⛺ Hajj Day 3 · Eid al-Adha
Jamarat · Halq · Tawaf al-Ifadah
- Walk/bus → Mina camp → Jamarat · stone Jamrat al-Aqaba (7 pebbles)
- Halq (shave) / taqsir (trim) · wait for sacrifice email ~9am → exit ihram fully
- Bus to Hilton Suites (~45min–1hr) · Tawaf al-Ifadah + Sa'i
- Return to Mina by bus after Asr · must be back before midnight
Tawaf al-Ifadah crowds peak between 8am–2pm on Eid. After Asr or after midnight is far less crowded — both are valid. Plan wisely. Note: buses from near Jamarat area go to Ajyad Station (near Clock Tower); you walk under the Clock Tower to reach the Haram.
No Eid prayer required for hujjaj — performing Hajj is the act of worship for this day. The 4 rites are: (1) stone Aqaba, (2) sacrifice, (3) halq/taqsir, (4) Tawaf al-Ifadah. After 3 of 4: exit partial ihram. After all 4: full exit including marital relations.
Day 11
May 28
Thursday
11 Dhu al-Hijjah
⛺ Hajj Day 4 · Tashreeq 1
Rami of All 3 Pillars · Tashreeq Day 1
- Fajr & Dhuhr at Mina · breakfast & lunch at Mina
- After Dhuhr: stone all 3 Jamarat — Sughra → Wusta → Aqaba (21 pebbles) · must be before Maghrib
- Option: return to Makkah or stay in Mina overnight
Getting between Mina and Makkah: Buses pick up near Ajyad Station (behind Clock Tower). You can also take a shared cab — negotiate 20–25 SAR/person (6–8 per cab). Free public Hajj bus routes are listed online. Walking is ~1h 30min from Jamarat to Hilton Suites via the 80% covered tunnel route.
Majority of night rule: On the nights of 10th and 11th DH, you must spend the majority of the night in Mina. Calculate the midpoint between Maghrib and Fajr — being there past that midpoint satisfies the obligation. Coordinate with group leaders on bus timing.
Day 12
May 29
Friday
12 Dhu al-Hijjah
⛺ Hajj Day 5 · Tashreeq 2 · Return to Makkah
Rami · Gather Belongings · Return to Hilton Suites
- Fajr & Dhuhr at Mina · breakfast & lunch at Mina
- After Dhuhr: stone all 3 Jamarat (21 pebbles) · before Maghrib
- Gather all belongings · bus to Hilton Suites · dinner at hotel
Option to stay for 13th DH (optional). Staying means one more stoning on Saturday then return to Makkah. Majority of group leaves on 12th — speak to group leader if you wish to stay.
Return to Makkah & Departure
May 30 – June 2 · Tawaf al-Wada · Jeddah Airport
Day 13
May 30
Saturday
13 Dhu al-Hijjah
🕋 Makkah · Final Day
Final Day · Tawaf al-Wada
- Five prayers at Haram · free day · breakfast & dinner at hotel
- Tawaf al-Wada — do it today, do not delay
- Check flight itinerary — some depart May 31
Days 14–15
May 31–Jun 1
Sun–Mon
14–15 Dhu al-Hijjah
✈ Depart for Home
Jeddah Airport · Fly Home
- Tawaf al-Wada if not yet done
- Checkout (generally before noon) · bus + cargo truck to Jeddah Airport (~2hr)
- 5L Zamzam provided at airport · free Qur'an at security · Hajj Mabroor!