A Moroccan father and son drive from their home in a French suburb to Mecca, on the pilgrimage that is one of the pillars of Islam - the Hajj. The journey also marks a cultural coming of age for Reda. For his father, it brings the realization that he and his son may have more in common than they imagine.

They start out as two most unlikely co-travellers, with generational differences evident in their regard for tradition and life's priorities and even in their use of language. Reda has little respect for the illiterate older man, who has to assert his authority early on in the voyage - the mobile phone is one of the first encumbrances to be left behind. The importance of their journey is gradually revealed as father and son are isolated and forced to talk. Reda learns why they are driving - instead of flying - across seven countries to Mecca.