Saudi Arabia launches Hajj packages for domestic pilgrims via Nusuk app

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The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched this year’s Hajj packages for citizens and residents of the Kingdom. (SPA)
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The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched this year’s Hajj packages for citizens and residents of the Kingdom. (File Photo)
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The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched this year’s Hajj packages for citizens and residents of the Kingdom. (AN Photo)
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The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched this year’s Hajj packages for citizens and residents of the Kingdom. (File Photo)
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Updated 31 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia launches Hajj packages for domestic pilgrims via Nusuk app

  • Priority given to Muslims undertaking Hajj for the first time
  • Only those with mandatory meningitis vaccination eligible to book packages

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched this year’s Hajj packages for citizens and residents of the Kingdom, now available for booking through the Nusuk app and its dedicated electronic portal.

In line with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to expanding access to the annual pilgrimage, the ministry has launched Hajj packages with priority booking for first-time pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

According to the ministry, pilgrims must have completed the mandatory meningitis vaccination to access packages, with appointments available through the Sehhaty app.

The Nusuk platform offers a user-friendly experience, allowing pilgrims to browse and book packages with various payment options.

The Nusuk app also enables pilgrims to purchase essential Hajj items, including ihram clothing and personal necessities, as well as book flight tickets within their packages, streamlining the entire pilgrimage journey.

Welcoming the announcement, Arif Anwar, an Alkhobar resident, told Arab News: “It’s great news, I was waiting for it. Now I will make the booking via Nusuk for me and my family, and (we are) looking forward to it as priority will be given to individuals who have not previously performed this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage, to allow more Muslims to fulfil this one of the five pillars of Islam in a spiritually inclusive and accessible environment.”

Abdulrahman Qahtani, a Jeddah native, said: "It was awaited. I am keen to perform Hajj this year, and by fulfilling the requirements mentioned by the ministry, I will now apply via Nusuk to perform this one of the five key pillars of Islam."

Wissam Dekmak, a Lebanese resident in Riyadh, said: "It is exciting for all residents to hear this announcement, allowing us to plan and book Hajj well in advance. We can now easily reserve packages through the Nusuk app and portal. It is an amazing initiative that simplifies the process and prioritizes those who haven't yet experienced Hajj."

Packages are accessible through the electronic portal at masar.nusuk.sa/individuals/local-pilgrims.

"We offer pilgrims a variety of Hajj packages provided by authorized service provider companies, ensuring a seamless Hajj experience," according to Nusuk portal.

The Hajj package starts at SR8,092 ($2,157) for the Al-Diyafah camp in Mina with shared accommodation. The second package is offered at SR10,366 with an upgraded camp providing high-quality service.

The third package costs SR13,150 for the six towers in Mina, located near the Jamarat bridge. The fourth package, Kidana Al-Wadi Towers, is valued at SR12,537, offering luxurious accommodation in modern towers with advanced facilities and meals.

The launch is part of a wider digital transformation of the Hajj experience, with the Nusuk platform serving as a comprehensive digital companion.

The ministry receives pilgrims’ inquiries via the Pilgrims’ Care Center at 1966 (available 24/7) or the beneficiary care account on X (@MOHU_Care).


Saudi Arabia’s Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah nature reserves win Dark Sky recognition

Updated 25 December 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah nature reserves win Dark Sky recognition

  • The two reserves in AlUla join more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution
  • AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve, also both in AlUla, received Dark Sky Park designations last year

ALULA: Two more nature reserves in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla have won recognition as Dark Sky Places, joining more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution.

The official accreditation of Sharaan National Park and Wadi Nakhlah reserves from the DarkSky International builds on AlUla’s 2024 achievement, when AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve became the first sites in the Kingdom and the Gulf region to receive Dark Sky Park designations.

The latest recognition further strengthens AlUla’s position as a leading global destination for night sky protection and astronomical tourism, said the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Dark Sky International also announced the recognition in an earlier report, noting that the Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah’s combined area of 6,146 square kilometers reflects the “expanded scope of environmental protection efforts aimed at preserving AlUla’s pristine night skies and reducing light pollution across a vast geographical area.”

DarkSky International works to reduce light pollution in both urban and rural areas and to raise global awareness of the importance of protecting the night sky.

AlUla’s natural isolation from urban light sources, combined with ideal atmospheric conditions, makes it a world-class destination for stargazing, astronomy education, and immersive dark-sky experiences.  (SPA)

 

AlUla’s protected areas are located in the heart of northwest Arabia, near the ancient oasis city of AlUla in Madinah Province.

“Towering sandstone cliffs, labyrinthine canyons, tranquil basins, and volcanic formations create a dramatic setting where geological diversity, cultural heritage, and thriving biodiversity converge beneath exceptionally dark, open skies,” Dark Sky said.

Scientists have noted that AlUla’s natural isolation from urban light sources, combined with ideal atmospheric conditions, makes it a world-class destination for stargazing, astronomy education, and immersive dark-sky experiences. 

With the phased development of its reserves, AlUla is now ranked 3rd globally in the Dark Sky Park category, solidifying its status as one of the world’s premier destinations for astronomical discovery.

The RCU reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the natural environment, preserving the night sky, and promoting sustainable tourism, further positioning AlUla as a leading global destination for astronomy, scientific research, and advanced environmental experiences, in line with AlUla Vision and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.