Ready for Umrah in 2022? Plus a visit to Masjid al-Aqsa and surrounding lands?

December 2022 Umrah, Jordan and Masjid al-Aqsa Itinerary

Sacred Links: Thursday 8th December to Monday 26th December 2022

• Departure is insha Allah on the morning of Thursday 8th December 2022 at 6:00AM from Sydney (or other capital city).
• Return is on the evening of Monday 26th December 2022.
• The full trip will therefore be 3 weeks duration, with 18 days / 17 nights booked accommodation
• Priority will be given to travellers who undertake the entire 18 day journey.
• We are also taking bookings for Umrah Only (10 nights), or Amman/Jerusalem Only (7 nights)

UPDATES

✅ 30 September 2022: Our first group allotment was fully booked. Today we were pleased to be able to open up some limited spots and expand the group since we have been able to arrange additional ground transport and hotel rooms in all locations. Any new additions as part of this second attached group will be in all the same hotels except Makkah, they will be in Swissotel Maqam (instead of Swissotel Makkah) with Haram views. The price has increased since the first group allotment, and this will be advised upon registration. Our group flight reservations are nearly exhausted, so some new travellers may end up needed to book separate flight tickets (same dates/route are still possible). We have given a 14 day window from today to confirm all new bookings. Please only enquire if you are seriously considering the Sacred Links journey. This second attached group will only go ahead if we have enough full confirmations by the end of the 14 day window period.

✅ 23 September 2022: We are now FULLY BOOKED.  There are people on the waiting list and we are exploring ways to secure additional spots (this will be a second bus group). If you haven’t already registered at the below form, please do so and you will be added to the waiting list. Once we make an announcement to open up the additional spots, you will need to be quick to confirm, make payment, and book your flights. Please don’t place your name on the waiting list unless you are really serious in attending

✅ Note that the Emirates Airlines have moved our group departure from Wednesday 7 December evening to Thursday 8 December morning 6:00am Sydney flight to Dubai. The rest of the flight itinerary remains the same, departing Dubai at 2:20pm 8 December arriving Madinah at 4:10pm.

Madinah

Relive the Madinan Era and experience the deep spiritual memories of Prophetic locations and events

• 6 Nights in Madinah staying at the Frontel Al Harithia Hotel or similar (5 star, very close to Masjid al-Nabawi)
• Relive the journey to Badr, stopping at points along the way as the Prophet Muhammad (s) did with his companions
• See where the angels descended in support of the companions
• Witness the site of the famous battles (Uhud, Badr) and picture the events before you
• Picture the Masjid al-Nabawi as it was when the Prophet Muhammad (s) first visited Madinah with a special walking tour of the sacred haram area and places where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prayed Eid Salah
• Visit historical sites such as Mt Uhud, Masjid Qiblatayn and Qubā, Madina Museum, Prophetic wells, site of the Battle of Badr (see where the Prophet ﷺ camped), plus other significant places
• Discover the love that sparked between Mt Uhud and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
• Walking tours, day trips, guided bus tours to the above Prophetic sites and more
• Daily lessons
• Daily buffet breakfast

Makkah

Relive the first revelations at the Cave of Hira (if you’re ready to climb Jabal al-Nur)

• 4 Nights in Makkah staying at the Al-Ghufran Safwah Hotel or similar such as Swissotel Makkah (in the Abraj, with side access so you don’t have to walk through the shopping centre in the Abraj)
• Remember the sacrifice and struggle at the Cave of Thawr
• Spiritually connect to the Mother of the Believers, Sayyidah Khadijah, at Jannatul Mu’allah
• Feel the mercy as you climb Jabal al-Rahmah at Arafat and pour your heart out to your Lord
• Drink from Zamzam to your heart’s content and take some back home with you (5L)
• Daily lessons
• Daily buffet breakfast

Amman

Relive the miraculous story of the youth of the cave (ashabul kahf) and remember their steadfastness

• 3 Nights in Amman
• Retrace the steadfastness of the great companions such as Jafar al-Tayyar, Zayd ibn Hārith and Abdullāh ibn Rawāha , at the Battle of Mu’ta
• Reflect on the story of Prophet Shu’ayb at his maqam, remembering his peaceful welcoming of Prophet Musa
• Learn companionship as you visit the maqam of Prophet Yūsha’, the companion of Prophet Musa during his journey to al-Khidr
• Remember the close companions and one who was promised paradise, such as Abu Ubaydah bin al-Jarrāh
• Visit the Blessed Tree, the tree which it is believed shaded Rasulallah (s) on his trade journey passing by the Monk Bahirah
• Mt Nebo where Prophet Musa saw Palestine
• Breakfast and dinner included, plus lunch upon arrival the first day from Jeddah

Jerusalem

Experience the sanctity of the first qibla in Islam and the second house of worship of Allah built on earth

• 4 Nights in Jerusalem
• Tour of Masjid al-Aqsā and its surrounds, discovering the many masjids that form Masjid al-Aqsa
• Witness where the Prophet Muhammad (s) tied the buraq before ascending to the heavens
• See where the Prophet Muhammad (s) led the 124,000 Prophets in salah on the night of Isra’ and Mi’raj
• Discover al-Khalil, the Masjid of Prophet Ibrahim that marks the place of his burial. This is considered the fourth sacred precinct by many locals.
• Recall the struggle of Prophet Yunus at Halhul, where he spent a period of his life
• Stroll through the Old City of Quds, speaking and dealing with locals
• Breakfast and dinner included

Other inclusions

• Pre travel preparation seminar
• Backpack
• Ihrām clothes for men

Package price: $8,300 AUD

NOTE: There are a limited number of places available at the above price. Once we reach a certain number of confirmed travellers and as we approach December, there is a HIGH likelihood that prices will increase. Therefore our advice is to be prompt in confirming your place and paying a deposit (50% of package price = $4,150).

Travellers Outside Australia

For our international travellers (ie. you reside outside Australia) we are happy for you to join us on this journey. You will be responsible for arranging your own airfares (inbound/outbound), and we will provide you with the full package from Madinah, Makkah, Jeddah, Amman, Jerusalem, Amman. We will book your internal Jeddah to Amman flight. You will book your other two flights – we can provide details once you are ready to confirm your place.

Families Travelling with Children

Infants under 2 will usually travel free as long as they do not occupy a seat on the aeroplane and bus, nor do they occupy a separate bed in the hotel rooms. There will however be unavoidable costs for infants under 2 years of age such as border entry/exit fees, visas etc. Please confirm with us to check on pricing. For children above 2 years of age, let us know how many. Depending on the airline tickets issued, we may be able to obtain a child discount.

Summary of Conditions:

• Accommodation is triple share (some rooms may end up quad share due to distribution of numbers). Twin share upon request (additional fee per person). Flights from Sydney (or any other capital city) to Madinah on Emirates, then return from Amman to Sydney. Travellers from other Australian capital cities and New Zealand are welcome. Price is correct at time of publishing and subject to change due to fluctuations in airfares. Places are confirmed when online form has been completed, application accepted, passport details provided, deposit paid, and flight itinerary confirmed with issued tickets upon your final approval. Since your Saudi entry Visa is included in this package, please advise if you already have an active entry visa to Saudi.
• You MUST (at your own expense) take up travel insurance with COVID Cover as this is a requirement to enter Jordan / Israeli border. This travel insurance must cover all your family members who are travelling with you. We can suggest some companies that can provide this, or seek your own.
• If you would like to travel to another destination at the end of the Sacred Links tour, please advise us immediately. This will mean we need to request a custom airfare and will advise of the amended price for you to confirm the new flight itinerary.
• Cancellation fees will apply, which will be advised upon booking.

 

The outline of our overall itinerary is as follows:

• Thursday 8th December at 6:00am: Depart Sydney (or other capital city) to Madinah (via Dubai on Emirates Airlines)
• Thursday 8th December: Arrive Madinah Airport at 4:10pm. Take a private bus from the Airport to our 5 star Hotel close to haram. Staying for 6 Nights stay with 4 full daily tours. Includes walking tour of the Haram, plus entry to Madinah Museum and multiple daily bus tours to Sacred Sites with expert tour guide.
• Wednesday 14th December: 9:00am Depart Madinah by bus after putting on our Ihram clothes, heading towards Makkah. First stop would be Dhul Hulayfa, where we make intention for Ihram and pray our two rak’at of sunnat al-ihram. Bus trip is usually around 5 hours long. Arrive into Makkah late afternoon/early evening to perform Umrah and stay 4 Nights at our 5 star Hotel (in the Abraj, in front of the haram). We will have a day bus tour to visit the Sacred Sites of Makkah, including Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, Caves of Hira and Thawr, and more.
• Sunday 18th December: Depart Makkah (private bus) at 8:00am to Jeddah. Leave Jeddah to Amman (Royal Jordanian Airways). Arrive into Amman for 3 Nights stay (4 star hotel) and daily tours. We have included many sites such as Ashabul Kahf, site of the Battle and Shuhada’ of Mu’ta and Nabi Shu’ayb.
• Wednesday 21st December: Arrive into Jerusalem (bus travel from Amman) for 4 Nights stay and tours
• Sunday 25th December: Depart Jerusalem by 8:30am to Amman (private bus) to catch flight back to Sydney (or any other return destination)
• Monday 26th December at 10:30pm: Arrive into Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (or other capital city) inshallah

 

Additional Conditions

Your acceptance of travelling with us for this journey in December 2022 means you have accepted the following conditions:

https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/travel/rules-and-notices/

Included

Not Included

If you have any further enquiries, or would like to proceed with your registration, please fill in the form at the bottom of this page. We will be in touch to confirm details, answer queries, and receive your passport copy to commence reservation of your place.