Aamir Khan leaves for Hajj

Quite the family man, Aamir Khan is busy keeping his promise to his mother, Zeenat Hussain. He had recently told her he would accompany her on a pilgrimage to Mecca.

So, in between returning from the hectic Chicago schedule of Dhoom 3 on Thursday and attending the music launch of Talaash, his upcoming coproduction with Excel Entertainment, the actor, like a dutiful son, left for the 14-day holy trip to Mecca on Friday evening, along with his mom, eight other family members and a Maulana. And, he left no stone unturned to make the Haj pilgrimage a memorable one.

We've learnt he has booked the tour from Byculla's Al Khalid Tours and Travels that specialises in providing luxurious Haj and Umrah packages. He has chosen the best available option - the Platinum package, which implies he and his family will stay at hotels closest to the sacred sanctuaries with twin-sharing room (costing Rs 6.65 lakh; break-up Rs 85,000 plus $10,300) as the likely option.

The group will stay at Hotel Al Massa in Mecca and Hotel Elaf Taiba in Medina; both four-star hotels that are at a walking distance from the holy spots and are known to cater to the most discerning of international travellers. One of the officials at the tour office refused to divulge further details saying, "Aamir is lucky to get a chance to embark on Haj with his mother. This will be his first Haj trip."

While Aamir and group left Mumbai by the 6.30 pm direct flight of Saudi Airlines on Friday, they will board the flight back to maximum city from Jeddah Airport on November 3.