Umrah & Itikaf Retreat

RAMADAN UMRAH AND ITIKAF

Embark on a transformative journey this Ramadan with the ultimate retreat - Umrah Plus Itikaf in Ramadan.

Whereas Umrah in Ramadan is equiavalent in reward to a completed Hajj, Itikaf is the ultimate retreat, the sunnah of the Prophet (SAW).

Experience the sacred cities of Makkah and Madinah in the sacred month, with the company of our esteemed guide Sister Ronya of Fitra Healing, and other like-minded sisters and Muslims from all over the world.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Thursday, 20 March 2025 – Arrival in Jeddah, Transfer to Makkah & First Umrah

• Arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah)

• Transfer to Makkah, check-in at your hotel near Masjid al-Haram

• Rest

• Taraweeh prayers in Masjid al-Haram

• First Umrah after Taraweeh; stay at Haram until Fajr

Day 2: Friday, 21 March 2025 – Makkah - Friday

• Fajr at Masjid al-Haram

• Rest at hotel

• Friday Prayers at Masjid al-Haram

• Asr & Maghreb at Masjid al-Haram

• Iftar followed by Taraweeh prayers at Masjid al-Haram

Day 3: Saturday, 22 March 2025 – Makkah - Itikaf Day 1

• Suhoor at hotel

• Fajr prayers at Masjid al-Haram

• Itikaf begins in Masjid al-Haram for focused worship, Quranic recitation, and prayer

• Iftar at Clock Tower Restaurants

• Taraweeh Prayers at Masjid al-Haram

Day 4: Sunday, 23 March 2025 – Makkah - Itikaf Day 2

• Itikaf continues

Day 5: Monday, 24 March 2025 - Makkah - Itikaf Day 3

• Last day of Itikaf in Masjid al-Haram

Day 6: Tuesday, 25 March 2025 - Makkah

• Optional Second Umrah

• Optional Sightseeing around Mount Arafat, Mina & Muzdalifa, Museum

Day 7: Wednesday, 26 March 2025 – Departure to Madinah

• Suhoor at hotel

• Fajr at Masjid al-Haram

• Check out & departure to Madinah

• Travel via high-speed train to Madinah

• Check-in at the hotel near Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque)

• Taraweeh prayers at Prophet’s Mosque in Medina

Day 8: Thursday, 27 March 2025 – Madinah - Itikaf Day 4

• Itikaf at Prophet’s Mosque

Day 9: Friday, 28 March 2025 – Makkah - Itikaf Day 5

• Itikaf continues

• Friday prayers at Masjid an-Nabawi

Day 10: Saturday, 29 March 2025 – Makkah -Itikaf Day 6

• Itikaf continues

Day 11: Sunday, 30 March 2025 – Itikaf Day 7

• End of Itikaf in Madinah

• Optional Sightseeing around Mount Uhud, Masjid Quba, Masjid Qiblatayn, Dar Al Madinah Museum

Day 12: Monday, 31 March 2025 – Eid & Departure

• Participate in Eid al-Fitr prayers at Masjid an-Nabawi (subject to Eid timings)

• Eid breakfast celebration

• Transfer to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport Jedda for your return flight

What’s Included?

• Accommodation: Comfortable hotel stays near Masjid al-Haram (Makkah) and Masjid an-Nabawi (Madinah)

• SIM card

• Meals: Suhoor meals provided daily either at hotel or restaurants

• Transport: Transfers from Jeddah Airport to Makkah, Makkah to Madinah, Madina to Jedda, and all local transportation

• Guided Tours: Visits to significant Islamic historical sites in Makkah and Madinah

• Spiritual Guidance: Expert facilitators for Umrah rituals and Itikaf sessions during the trip, plus workshops before the trip to learn the Fiqh, and spiritual dimensions of the rituals

• Group Prayers and spiritual activities: Participate in group prayers, workshops and discussions in addition to congregational prayers in the Haramain.

• Gift bag including abaya, scarf and bag, toiletries

Budget Package Details

• Three-star Hotel in Aziziyah District in Makkah. Travel to hotel via shuttle bus or taxi/ride-share. Please bear in mind that traffic will get intense during the last 10 days of Ramadan so consider this package only if you are planning to spend most of your time in the mosque in Itikaf.

• Three-star hotel in Madinah within 5 minutes walking distance to the Masjid al-Nabawi

• All other inclusions are identical between the packages

Premium Package Details

• 3-4 star hotel in Tayseer district in Makkah. Within 20 minutes walking distance to the Haram. The walk involves slight elevation.

• Four-star hotel in Madinah within 5 minutes walking distance to the Masjid al-Nabawi

GUIDE

Our guide, Ronya Naboulsi, based in Australia is the founder of Fitra Healing and has been active in the community for many years, guiding hajj and umrah groups, delivering programs to help women with their mental health and wellbeing, and coaching/mentoring/counselling Muslim women to achieve their various goals in life.

Ronya’s journey into guiding pilgrims is rooted in her deep understanding of holistic well-being—both physical and emotional.

Holding a Bachelor of Health Science and a degree in Counselling and Life Coaching, Sister Ronya has spent years helping individuals heal, grow, and find balance. Through her work, she came to recognise the profound connection between the mind, body, and soul—a connection that has become invaluable in her role as a Hajj and Umrah guide. Pilgrimage is more than a physical journey; it is a test of patience, endurance, and spiritual depth.

Sister Ronya’s ability to support both the emotional and spiritual needs of others allows her to guide pilgrims with empathy, wisdom, and care. Ronya understands the challenges that come with this sacred journey and is dedicated to ensuring that every pilgrim feels mentally prepared, spiritually enriched, and emotionally supported every step of the way. Beyond her role as a guide, Sister Ronya is an active member of the community, collaborating with various Muslim organisations to uplift and empower others.

Through Fitra Healing, she has helped countless women grow into the best versions of themselves, strengthening their faith while fostering resilience and self-discovery. Sister Ronya wholeheartedly embraces the trust of guiding pilgrims with sincerity and devotion, ensuring that each pilgrim experiences Hajj and Umrah not merely as an obligation, but as a deeply transformative journey that strengthens their faith and connection with their Creator.

RULES

Please note the below rules in addition to our Terms of Service:

1. You must remain with the group at all times. Where the group separates into two, we will ensure that each sub-group has a guide with them and you must not leave the your group.

2. You must follow all instructions of our guides and facilitators.

3. We will supply you with a sim card. You must ensure that your phone is charged at all times and that you are reachable at all times.

4. If you leave the group or for whatever reason you are not reachable for more than 3 hours, we may terminate our contract of service with you, and inform your emergency contacts.

5. In case of sickness or other emergency, we will ask you to sign a waiver of liability.

FLIGHTS

It is your responsibility to book your flights. We recommend the below flight if departing from Melbourne:

Emirates Melbourne-Dubai 6.15AM EK409

Emirates Dubai - Jedda 3.45PM EK803

This flight lands in Jedda at 6PM.

If you wish to book other flights, or are departing from another city or country, please speak to our team to confirm that we can arrange transfer to the hotel for you at your time of arrival.

You may also wish to fly in to Jedda, and fly out of Madinah.

If you wish to extend your stay and add additional nights, please let us know and we may be able to arrange additional nights for you at a charge of $200 per day in Makkah. We will only arrange additional nights if we have a guide present in the country at the time.

BOOKING PROCEDURE

1. Research your flights

2. Speak to our team to discuss your needs and the trip in more detail

3. Purchase your flights

4. Complete our booking form and pay the booking fee or deposit of $1,000. If you choose the deposit option, the remainder of trip price is payable before 15 March 2025. You will receive payment request via PayPal.

5. Organise your visa (please obtain Saudi eVisa through online portal)

6. Organise vaccinations (if applicable)

7. Attend our pre-Umrah workshops before trip. We will also provide a recommended reading list to ensure you are spiritually prepared for this trip and will maximise the benefit.