The actual ritual days of Hac span five to six days, taking place from the 8th through the 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The timeline unfolds as follows: On the 8th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah), hacilar enter the state of ihram and travel to the tent city of Mina, where they spend the day and night in namaz and preparation. On the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Arafat), hacilar travel to the plain of Arafat for the wuquf — the standing — which is the most essential pillar of Hac. After sunset, they proceed to Muzdelife where they spend the night under the open sky, collecting pebbles for the stoning ritual.
On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr, which is also Eid al-Adha), hacilar return to Mina to stone the largest pillar (Jamrat al-Aqabah), offer their animal sacrifice, shave or trim their hair (partially exiting ihram), and then travel to Mekke to perform Tavaf al-Ifadah and Say. This is the busiest and most rite-intensive day of Hac. On the 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah (Ayyam al-Tashriq), hacilar remain in Mina and stone all three Cemerat each day after the sun passes its zenith. Pilgrims who wish to depart early may leave Mina on the 12th after the afternoon stoning, provided they depart before sunset. Those who remain for the 13th must stone all three Cemerat once more, which is sunnet and provides additional reward.
While the ritual days themselves are five to six, most hacilar spend considerably longer in Saudi Arabia. A typical Hac trip lasts two to four weeks total. This includes: travel days to and from Saudi Arabia (1-2 days each way); arrival in Mekke for pre-Hac Umre (Umre al-Tamattu') and acclimation (3-7 days); the Hac rites themselves (5-6 days); post-Hac days in Mekke for rest and additional worship (1-3 days); and often a visit to Medine to pray at Hz. Peygamber's Mosque (4-7 days, typically before or after the Hac rites). Many Hac packages are structured as 14-day, 21-day, or 30-day itineraries to accommodate these elements.