Makkah & Madinah

About the destination: Mecca or Makkah located in western Saudi Arabia, is the holiest city in Islam. Every year millions of pilgrims flock to Mecca. As a result there has been a lot of construction to cater for the accommodation of the pilgrims, and extensions to the mosque itself. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the holy city. Mecca also has a very rich history as it is a very old city which has been considered sacred since the early Middle Ages. In Mecca’s city center there is the Sacred Mosque, considered the holiest site in Islam. The Kaaba is located at the center of the Sacred Mosque, all Muslims pray in the direction of Kaaba, believed to have been originally built by Adam and rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ishmael. Other major sites to see in Mecca are Mina, the Hill of Arafat and Jabal Rahma, the cave Jabal Al Thur and Masjid e Taneem Mosque. Undeniably, Mecca is one of the most spiritual places on Earth.

About the destination: Medina is a city located to the north of Mecca and is considered the second holiest city in Islam. It is a city of peace and tranquility, home to many historic and archaeological sites, as well as several significant Islamic battle sites. Medina is rich in culture, heritage, and museums. The city is surrounded by vast date plantations and features ancient traditional markets (Souks) alongside modern shopping malls and arcades. Yanbu boasts some of the most beautiful beaches, where sunlight gently caresses the coral reefs beneath the sea, creating a unique and rarely seen landscape akin to a painting. It is a city of creativity that competes with other cities around the world. Madain Saleh, also known as Al Hijr, is a UNESCO World Heritage pre-Islamic archaeological site located in Al Madina Province. Upon entering the area, you will find yourself surrounded by interconnected mountains and separate rocky cliffs spread across a vast landscape. Madain Saleh was the capital and an important city of the Nabataeans, second only to Petra in Jordan.