Umrah travel is something that Muslims don’t opt for on a regular basis. Traveling for the holy pilgrimage with all inclusive Cheap umrah packages is once in a lifetime opportunity for a majority of believers. Therefore, the majority of pilgrims don’t know about the particulars of the Umrah pilgrimage; when to perform it, where to offer the holy rituals as well as other specifics of Umrah travel.
So, here are the top 10 travel tips for umrah.
Early Planning:
It is best to plan your Umrah journey well in advance and make arrangements for it as early as possible. Ideally, prebook your Umrah travel and accommodation arrangements at least 4-6 months in advance, as you will get affordable fares in addition to the added travel benefits because of the larger availability of options. This is especially true for the cases when there’s s a peak travel time for Umrah i.e. the month of Ramadan as well as the winter season. So, booking early ensures that you get all of your desired arrangements made without any hassle.
Documentation:
For your Umrah travel, having the necessary documentation along is very essential. It includes your;
- Passport that is valid for at least six months (beyond your return date).
- A valid Umrah visa or an Umrah permit on your work visa, tourist visa or family visa to the kingdom.
- Vaccination certificates.
- Copy of a non-refundable return airline ticket as well as your prebooked hotel accommodation for your entire stay period.
- Travel insurance (optional).
- Personal IDs.
- Medical/health certificate and list of emergency contact numbers for emergency.
Make sure that you carry all of these items in their original form and also bring a copy of all of these documents with you.
Health Preparations:
Makkah has a hot desert climate; therefore, it might be challenging for some people to offer Umrah rituals provided old age, illness or any other reason. So it’s advised for the pilgrims to schedule a pre-travel health check-up with a registered medical practitioner and receive necessary guidance on the precautions to take for a smooth umrah journey. Especially if you are suffering from any chronic disease; on a medical treatment or pregnant. Additionally, make sure that your routine vaccinations are up-to-date.
Financial Planning:
Establish a fixed budget for all of your Umrah travel needs. It includes;
- Airfare
- Hotel accommodation.
- Daily meals.
- Local Transportation.
- Shopping
- Healthcare and other miscellaneous expenses.
On average the economy umrah packages that remain all inclusive of everything start from £750 per person to more luxurious packages reaching up to £999 and more per person. So, be mindful of that.
In addition, keep some amount in reserve as well to facilitate yourself in case of any unforeseen incident or emergency.
Educate Yourself:
Familiarize yourself with the rituals of Umrah; the proper way of performing them as well as the technicalities associated. It includes everything from assuming Ihram, Tawaf of Holy Kaabah, Sayee of Safah and Marwah Hills, Halq/Tasir to the prohibitions of Ihram and other acts of worship.
You can get help from the numerous online resources, videos, and guides on the matter or consult a religious scholar if you have any specific concerns.
Pack Wisely:
It is intelligent to pack light for Umrah travel by only keeping your essentials. Therefore, your bags should only consist of;
- Modest clothing.
- Comfortable footwear.
- Necessary medicines.
- Items of personal and oral hygiene.
- A small first aid kit.
- Some snacks.
- Prayer supplies.
- Documents
- An umbrella.
- A small backpack.
Everything else you need can easily be purchased from the kingdom.
Learn Basic Arabic Phrases:
Learning basic Arabic phrases goes a long way because it enhances your communication with the locals there, thus, streamlining your Umrah travel experience. Therefore learn Arabic phrases for simple greetings, basic questions, expressions of gratitude, as well as asking for directions because it will be helpful for you.
Respect Local Customs:
Respect local customs throughout your stay period in Makkah and Madinah. It includes;
- Being friendly to everyone.
- Not quarreling or arguing with anyone.
- Wearing modest clothes.
- Avoiding public displays of affection.
- Following the law.
- Adhering to local customs and traditions.
Stay Hydrated and Energized:
Since the cities of Makkah and Madinah have high temperatures and intense sunlight, it’s essential to keep yourself hydrated enough during the Umrah rituals and prevent issues of heatstroke and physical exhaustion. Therefore;
- Drink plenty of water.
- Use sunscreen.
- Consume energy-boosting snacks.
Patience and Flexibility:
Exercise patience and a positive attitude because you will be dealing with a crowd of thousands of pilgrims during your Umrah travel. Be flexible and adapt to different living situations even if you don’t like your fellow pilgrims or have issues with them.
So, these are the top 10 travel tips for your December Umrah Packages.