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Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) migration from Makkah to Madina — the Hijrah — is considered one of the most pivotal moments in Islamic history, marking the prelude to the foundation of the first Islamic state and the start of the Islamic calendar.

Ala Khutah (In His Footsteps), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s latest initiative to provide meaningful experiences in the land of the Two Holy Mosques, allows visitors travel along the 470-kilometre route with visits to 41 different historical sites and a number of interactive exhibits.

The project’s inauguration by the governor of the Madina region was announced by Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority. In a post on X, he said the project documents the “historic milestones” of the Hijrah and “promotes deeper understanding of the Prophet’s life”.

The trip can be booked through a dedicated mobile app, available on both the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store. The Primary Package — the only one available on the app at time of this story’s publication — spans four days from the Cave of Thawr on the outskirts of Makkah to the Quba Mosque in Madina and is priced at 4,230 rial (Rs315,300) for four people.

The package includes overland transport on public buses, accommodation for three nights, entry to all ticketed attractions and five interactive experiences, according to the app. Meals are not included in the package and while non-Muslims are welcome on the trip, their entry to the Cave of Thawr is barred.

Interactive experiences include a 30-minute presentation on The Wonders of the Camel, sensory storytelling at Khaymata Umm Ma’bad — where the Prophet’s arrival brought life to the drought-struck desert — and an immersive experience of how travel in the area differs between summers and winters.

Across the seven stations built along the route — corresponding to the seven places the Prophet spent the night during his journey — over 68 shops and 112 restaurants have been built to cater to visitors.

The experience, which was inaugurated just in time for Ramazan, is sure to attract large numbers of devotees and even visitors interested in Islamic history and Arab culture. Al-Sheikh, who oversees most of the Kingdom’s tourism initiatives, said the Ala Khutah aims to attract a million visitors in its first phase, reaching a target capacity of five million by 2030.

Cover photo: Ala Khutah/App