It is the dream of all Muslims to embark on a spiritual journey like Umrah. However, in our busy lives, it is tough to take time out from work or business to travel to Saudi Arabia. This is why to accomplish this journey, there needs to be careful planning and research.
Don’t worry, planning an Umrah trip has never been easier. There are many cheap Umrah packages to choose from, which have been created with thorough research. Many agents around the world are offering different Umrah packages that allow customers to have a religious journey that will bring peace and serenity. Continue reading to find out some tips on planning your next trip to Umrah.
What Is Umrah?
Before we dive into the different approaches to planning your Umrah, let’s understand what this trip is all about and its significance in Islam. The act of performing Umrah holds a really special place in a Muslim’s heart. It is a pilgrimage that they go on by taking a trip to Saudi Arabia, namely Madina and Saudi Arabia, and is similar to the main pilgrimage, Hajj, which comes once a year, and is part of the five pillars of Islam.
This trip is a very refreshing and calming experience, mainly involving individuals walking around the Kaaba, a religious monument situated in the center of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. Moving forward, the next part of the pilgrimage is walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times, before finally shaving or cutting a part of your hair.
Umrah is not done in normal clothes and there is a certain type of outfit that men and women are required to put on during this practice. For men, there is a specific dress called the Ihram, which is a garment that includes two pieces of white cloth that one should use to cover up. In the case of women, they can wear any simple clothing that covers their entire bodies.
What Is an Umrah Package?
Cheap Umrah packages are created to cater especially to pilgrims or individuals who wish to perform Umrah. Traveling agencies work hard to design a package fit for a hassle-free experience for someone looking to practice Umrah by looking at all the arrangements from the process of visa, accommodation, and transportation.
The main benefit of getting a travel agent to create your Umrah package is that the agent does most of the work making it convenient. Without this option, you will have to take care of all the arrangements yourself from flight tickets, hotels, and ground transportation, taking so much time.
Points to Remember for Cheap Umrah Packages
Get To Know the Vaccination Requirements
Before applying for a Visa, there are several vaccines like polio, meningitis, and yellow fever vaccine, that are necessary to get a Saudi visa. The requirements may be different for each country so stay informed about these.
Do Your Homework
To make your trip successful and to minimize unexpected costs, it is crucial to create a travel plan carefully. Search for hotels within the area of Haram and look for agents that are providing rooms in that specific area. It is helpful to calculate costs beforehand like visa fees, tickets, food, and hotels, to know if your budget is enough for the trip. This all plays a crucial part in efficient and cheap Umrah packages.
Get Knowledge About Ihram
The Umrah is performed in Ihram, so one should know what this is and why it is worn. Furthermore, it is important to consider that the Ihram is not just a piece of clothing, it is a mindset that must be adopted during Umrah.
Get Knowledge About the Steps of Umrah
There are plenty of ways that allow you to get knowledge about all the steps Muslims perform during Umrah. Guides in Arabic, English, and almost all languages are available for your benefit. Other things that should be important to search about are the prayers one has to recite during Tawaf and other activities.
Learn about Madinah and other Sites
A trip to Saudi Arabia is incomplete without visiting Madinah. Make sure the cheap Umrah packages that you are considering have the option of traveling to other popular places apart from the Kaaba and Masjid-Ul-Nabawi. Do some research about sites like Quba mosque, Jannat-Ul-Baqeeha, and Jabal-e-Uhud to get to know the significance of these places.
Types Of Cheap Umrah Packages
There are dozens of Umrah packages available for different budgets, here are some of the most common packages that travel agencies offer:
Economy
The most affordable options that travel agencies offer are the economy packages. These include basic accommodations, like a standard 3-star hotel which might also have transportation picking you up from the airport.
Deluxe
Deluxe cheap Umrah packages offer a higher quality of accommodation than the previous example. These commonly include housing options like a 4 or 5-star hotel, along with additional services like meals and guided tours.
Basic
This type of package includes the fundamentals for performing Umrah, such as visa handling, conveyance, and an affordable hotel famous landmarks like the Haram and Masjid-Ul-Nabawi.
Group
These types of cheap Umrah packages are intended for groups of people traveling together. It includes all of the basics for performing Umrah, as well as group transportation and a tour guide.
Family
This type of package is planned for families traveling on this spiritual journey together. It includes accommodations that can house larger groups, as well as facilities such as a children’s play area and family-friendly dining options.
Conclusion
Planning your Umrah trip is not a simple task and to plan a successful one requires careful research. Cheap Umrah packages are created so that people who are willing to spend different budgets can visit Saudi Arabia on an unforgettable spiritual journey.
