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A small group walking through the Saudi desert at dawn

The journey · Itinerary

Day by day.
Step by step.

The GO Hijrah Journey — Makkah → Madinah

Follow the journey from preparation in Makkah to arrival in Madinah. Discover what each day looks like, where we walk, what we experience, where we rest and the stories connected to the route.

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The journey

Makkah
Hijrah Route
Desert Stages
Quba
Madinah

Sample journey: 5 days
Direction: Makkah → Madinah
Walking experience: Multi-day trek
Personal experience: Small groups

Important journey note

Daily walking distances, route segments, camp locations and timings may change due to weather, local conditions, route access, safety requirements and operational decisions.

01Day · Makkah

Makkah — Prepare for the Journey

Umrah, orientation and the beginning of the story

“Before the first step, we gather. We meet the group, settle our intentions and learn the story we are about to walk.”

Illustrative visual

Start: Makkah
Destination: Makkah accommodation
Walking: No main walking stage
Time: Light walking only
Start time: 05:00
Difficulty: Easy
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Water
Sleep: Hotel
Support: Route team / Journey leader / First aid

Road

Values are indicative and may change. Difficulty estimates depend on weather, terrain and route conditions. Demo

Journey briefing, group introduction, Seerah orientation and equipment check. Visits to historical locations such as the Jabal Thawr area are subject to current Saudi regulations and operational access.

What you will experience

Spiritual

Umrah coordination where applicable and setting our intention.

Historical

A Seerah orientation on why and how the Hijrah happened.

Physical

Equipment check and a light warm-up walk.

Community

Group introduction and the first shared meal.

A day in the journey

05:00

Morning preparation

07:00

Breakfast

09:00

Orientation

Meet the team and the group

11:00

Seerah session

The background to the Hijrah

13:00

Rest / lunch

15:00

Equipment check

Shoes, packs, water systems

17:00

Journey briefing

Route, safety and the days ahead

20:00

Early rest

Sample times only — confirmed per journey.

Landmarks & stories

Mountain

Jabal Thawr area

The mountain area south of Makkah associated with the cave where the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr (RA) sheltered at the start of the Hijrah.

Widely cited in Seerah literature as the first refuge of the Hijrah.

What we'll experience: A viewing stop and Seerah reflection, subject to access.

South of Makkah (approximate)

Access to historical locations is subject to current Saudi regulations and operational access.

NextDay 02 · The Journey Begins

02Day · The journey begins

The Journey Begins

The first steps along the historic route

“We leave the city behind. The horizon opens and the story starts to feel close.”

Illustrative visual

Start: Makkah
Destination: First overnight camp
Walking: Approx. 15–20 km (DEMO)
Time: Approx. 5–6 hours
Start time: 05:30
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Snacks / Water
Sleep: Camp
Support: 4x4 support / Water / First aid / Navigation

SandGravelRoad

Values are indicative and may change. Difficulty estimates depend on weather, terrain and route conditions. Demo

Early departure, the first walking stage, desert landscapes, storytelling, rest and water stops, with a support vehicle throughout.

What you will experience

Spiritual

Walking in remembrance on the first day of the route.

Historical

Stories connected to the identified route segment.

Physical

The first sustained walking stage.

Community

Setting up camp together.

A day in the journey

05:00

Wake up

05:30

Fajr / preparation

06:00

Breakfast

06:45

Transfer to the route

07:00

Start walking

09:30

First rest

12:00

Midday break

Shade and hydration

13:00

Lunch

15:00

Continue walking

17:30

Camp arrival

19:00

Dinner

20:00

Seerah / reflection

21:30

Rest

Sample times only — confirmed per journey.

Landmarks & stories

Historic area

Qudaid

An area on the old route between Makkah and Madinah.

Mentioned in historical accounts of the coastal route.

What we'll experience: A rest stop and storytelling.

North of Makkah (approximate)

Historic area

Umm Ma'bad

The area associated with the tent of Umm Ma'bad, who hosted the travellers.

Her description of the Prophet ﷺ is preserved in Seerah sources.

What we'll experience: A pause to hear her account.

Identified route segment (approximate)

Historic path

Old caravan route

A historical travel corridor used by caravans for centuries.

Shows how travellers crossed this landscape before modern roads.

What we'll experience: Walking a section of the corridor.

Along the route (approximate)

Access to historical locations is subject to current Saudi regulations and operational access.

NextDay 03 · Through the Valleys

03Day · Through the valleys

Through the Valleys

A longer stage through wadis and wells

“The longest day. Valleys, rock and silence — and the reminder of why we came.”

Illustrative visual

Start: Previous camp
Destination: Next camp
Walking: Approx. 18–25 km (DEMO)
Time: Approx. 6–8 hours
Start time: 05:30
Difficulty: Challenging
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Snacks / Water
Sleep: Camp
Support: 4x4 support / Water / First aid / Navigation / Camp logistics

WadiGravelRockSand

Values are indicative and may change. Difficulty estimates depend on weather, terrain and route conditions. Demo

A longer desert walking stage through valleys and historic wells.

What you will experience

Spiritual

Reflection on patience and trust.

Historical

Wells and valleys along documented travel corridors.

Physical

The most demanding walking stage.

Community

Supporting one another through a long day.

A day in the journey

05:00

Wake up

05:30

Breakfast and water preparation

06:15

Equipment check

06:30

Departure

09:30

First rest

12:00

Midday rest

Shade, hydration and lunch

15:00

Continue walking

Storytelling and landmark stops

18:00

Camp arrival

Recovery and dinner

20:00

Reflection

Sample times only — confirmed per journey.

Landmarks & stories

Well

Desert wells

Wells that sustained travellers along the route.

Water sources shaped which paths travellers took.

What we'll experience: A landmark stop where accessible.

Valley stage (approximate)

Access to historical locations is subject to current Saudi regulations and operational access.

NextDay 04 · The Final Approach

04Day · The final approach

The Final Approach

The landscape turns towards Madinah

“Tomorrow, the journey reaches Madinah.”

Illustrative visual

Start: Camp
Destination: Overnight accommodation
Walking: Approx. 15–22 km (DEMO)
Time: Approx. 5–7 hours
Start time: 05:30
Difficulty: Moderate
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Snacks / Water
Sleep: Resort / camp
Support: 4x4 support / Water / First aid / Navigation

WadiGravelRoad

Values are indicative and may change. Difficulty estimates depend on weather, terrain and route conditions. Demo

Morning departure through valleys towards the Madinah region, with an afternoon arrival and preparation for the final day.

What you will experience

Spiritual

Preparing the heart for arrival.

Historical

The final stages of the Hijrah story.

Physical

Another long walking stage.

Community

A last evening together on the route.

A day in the journey

05:00

Wake up

06:00

Breakfast

06:45

Start walking

12:00

Midday break

14:30

Continue walking

17:00

Arrival at overnight accommodation

20:00

Preparation for Madinah

Sample times only — confirmed per journey.

NextDay 05 · Arriving in Madinah

05Day · Madinah

Arriving in Madinah

The final steps of the journey.

“The last kilometres. Quba, then Madinah — the end of the walk and the beginning of what it leaves in you.”

Illustrative visual

Start: Final stage
Destination: Madinah
Walking: Approx. 8–12 km (DEMO)
Time: Approx. 3–4 hours
Start time: 05:00
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Water
Sleep: Hotel
Support: Route team / Water / First aid

RoadGravel

Values are indicative and may change. Difficulty estimates depend on weather, terrain and route conditions. Demo

The final walk, Quba, arrival in Madinah and a closing group reflection.

What you will experience

Spiritual

Arrival in the city of the Prophet ﷺ.

Historical

Quba — where the Prophet ﷺ first stopped.

Physical

A shorter, emotional final stage.

Community

A closing reflection together.

A day in the journey

04:30

Wake up

05:00

Final walk begins

08:00

Quba

Arrival at the Quba area

10:00

Madinah

The group reaches Madinah

13:00

Lunch

17:00

Closing reflection

Sample times only — confirmed per journey.

Landmarks & stories

Mosque

Masjid Quba

The first mosque built by the Prophet ﷺ on his arrival in the Madinah area.

Quba marks the arrival point of the Hijrah before entering Madinah.

What we'll experience: A visit and prayer, subject to local regulations.

Southern Madinah

Access to historical locations is subject to current Saudi regulations and operational access.

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Support

You are supported every step of the way

4x4 support
Water
First aid
Navigation
Route team
Camp logistics
Emergency communication

Support arrangements are confirmed per journey. They do not replace personal responsibility for your own health.

What to carry each day

Water (at least 2–3 litres)
Daypack
Broken-in walking shoes
Sun protection
Personal medication
Power bank
Head covering
Extra layer
Personal essentials

You made it.

The journey ends in Madinah. But the meaning of the journey stays with you.

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Before you join

Please understand the physical demands of the journey before you apply.

Route conditions

Walking schedules and route segments may change due to weather, heat, rain, road conditions, local access restrictions or safety decisions.

Historical note

Historical route descriptions and landmark identifications are based on available Seerah, historical and geographic research. Exact route segments, access and landmark identifications may vary, and some locations may not be accessible.

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