Umrah is a sacred pilgrimage to the two most holy cities of Saudi Arabia, Makkah and Madinah. Muslims from every corner of the world wish to fulfil this sunnah at least once in their lifetime. 1 in 3 people in Birmingham are Muslims, many of whom travel every month to Makkah to offer this sacred pilgrimage. If you are also a part of this fraction and planning to embark on this journey soon, then Umrah Package from Birmingham can help you complete your travel efficiently and comfortably.
This article covers everything from the ways one can plan their Umrah journey, whether alone or with a group. You will also get to know about the important things that will be helpful during your stay at Makkah. Keep reading till the end to equip yourself with the maximum knowledge.
Choosing the Right Umrah Package
Choosing the right Umrah package not only saves your time and energy but also ensures a safe travel and stress-free stay in Saudi Arabia. Several travel agencies take care of you from the point of departure till arrival at your home country. Pilgrims can choose any deal depending on their budget and needs. For example, if you want to commence the revered journey with your family, then family Umrah packages are here to accompany you.
Moreover, these packages are available in a diverse price range. Simple ones are affordable and are designed for people who are searching for an affordable deal. Others are standard and luxury. Those who want a business class flight, fine dining, along with premium accommodation and transport within Saudi Arabia can opt for the luxury packages to facilitate their itinerary.
Visa and Documentation
You need an Umrah visa to travel to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. It is recommended to apply at least two weeks before your intended date of flight. Make sure to gather all the essential documents, including the passport and passport-sized photos, with the original required documents, such as your ID or identification proof. Also, make sure to keep copies of these documents with you as well, including the hotel booking record.
However, the pilgrimage becomes more convenient if you are going with a travel agent. They take complete responsibility for your visa processing. From applying for the visa to finalising the process and confirming its validity, everything is sorted. Besides, vaccination documents are a must for pilgrims coming from any region of the world. Prepare your vaccination documents for Meningococcal Meningitis ACWY timely to avoid any on-time inconvenience.
Flights from Birmingham to Saudi Arabia
Another noteworthy thing before commencing your journey is to check for flights. Keep a firm focus on the most trustworthy airlines, including Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Saudi Airlines. Compare the airfares of every flight before going for the final one. It is also important to keep visiting their website every now and then so you can get to know when there are any discounts. In this way, people can get a significant benefit, especially in the case of a family pilgrimage. On the contrary, Umrah Packages Birmingham frees you from all this worry by booking the most reliable flight for you with appropriate airfare.
Comfortable Accommodation
Finding the right accommodation can be a challenging task, especially for first-time pilgrims. There are several accommodation options there, ranging from the five-star hotel to the affordable ones. Moreover, female pilgrims who are coming alone can opt for the safe, comfortable and even premium hotels near Haram. Try to book a hotel near the House of Allah or within walking distance. Umrah can be quite an exhausting process as it demands extensive walking during tawaaf and sa’i. When your accommodation is near Masjid al-Haram, it saves your energy and time. This becomes especially advantageous when you have elderly members of your family.
Those looking for a luxury accommodation can book a premium hotel near Haram offering a sky view of the Kaaba. These accommodation options offer premium amenities like 24/7 housekeeping and meal service. Moreover, they also have expert babysitters and a play area for the kids. They take complete responsibility for taking care of your children, while you can indulge yourself in Umrah rituals.
Transportation During the Stay
Pilgrims can use public buses and taxis to commute to the grand mosque. A high-speed train that connects the airports of Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah operates specifically for the Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. However, when you go with a travel agency, their representatives guide you on everything about the transportation service within the city. Most of them offer buses and cars to conveniently take you to Haram. One can also demand a wheelchair facility on the bus and even a private air-conditioned car, depending on the type of package they are selecting.
This becomes exceptionally helpful during the time of ziyarat when you want to cover maximum religious places like the Cave of Thawr, Mount Uhud, and Jannat ul-Baqi in the minimum time. Moreover, there are no language barriers as your tour guides are multilingual and they will tell you everything about the historic significance of that site.
Packing Essentials
It is important to pack wisely and add only those things in the luggage that you are really going to need. As Saudi Arabia remains hot for most of the year so it’s important to keep light and breathable clothes, especially when visiting between May and October. The most important thing is Irham clothing which is two separate white pieces of clothes for men, while women are allowed to wear any modest clothing that covers their head and body completely except hands and face. Pack a pair of slippers so you can stay comfortable throughout the day. It is very important to keep yourself neat and clean while performing Umrah, hence don’t forget to keep unscented toiletries. One can skip this part if they are planning to book all-inclusive or luxury packages, as they mostly cover this in their amenities.
Another important thing is to keep a reusable water bottle with you in a small backpack to keep yourself hydrated. Moreover, in the scorching heat of Makkah, an umbrella can be your best friend during tawaaf and sa’i.
Travel Tips for the First Timers
If this is your first time travelling for Umrah, remember to stay with your group to avoid getting lost. Take special care of kids and inform them about the gates of Haram and different sports to reconnect in case of separation. Besides, understand every step of Umrah carefully and discuss with those who will accompany you to avoid missing any part.
Talking about the travel tips, note which time of the year is ideal for you to perform this sunnah. If you want to avoid excessive crowds and expect a more peaceful ambience, then you should choose the off-peak season like Easter holidays. On the contrary, if you’re looking for the maximum spiritual experience, Ramadan Umrah is ideal for you.
Wrap Up
Muslims from all over the world gather in the holy mosque of Makkah and circumulate the Kaaba seven times to complete a part of Umrah. You can also become one of these lucky ones by booking the best Umrah Packages Birmingham. Sign up for this highly rewarding and expert-guided journey by choosing Muslims holy travel.
