We know that Umrah is an excellent opportunity for every Muslim worldwide to seek forgiveness and blessings from Allah (SWT). Although this sacred pilgrimage has enormous spirituality, anyone must recognize its practical considerations and factors. Furthermore, every Muslim wants to make his religious trip to Mecca more memorable and comfortable. To start the Umrah journey, first-time travelers should find some necessary information, including the acquisition of Umrah Packages before leaving for Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims can perform their religious duties without any issues by following various exceptional guidelines or tips. If you’re interested in additional information, consider the whole description of this article: “Top Tips Before Planning Umrah Travel.”
Best Tips Before Planning Your Umrah Trip
Pilgrims should follow numerous extraordinary guidelines or tips to complete a holy journey successfully before departing. These guidelines include the following:
- Improve Your Stamina
- Choosing the Right Time
- Mental Preparation
- Getting a Proper Visa
- Essentials to Bring
Improve Your Stamina
An individual should remember that Umrah can be a physically exhausting trip due to a lot of walking. Pilgrims may be tired early if they do not have proper stamina. Therefore, in this scenario, good endurance is essential for accomplishing the pilgrimage successfully and comfortably. However, the question, “How do you get proper stamina for Umrah?” strikes in the mind of every traveller. The answer is straightforward: you must know different things to achieve this goal.
You must start regular exercise a few months before your departure date. Moreover, pilgrims should eat a healthy and digestive diet, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc. They must sleep for 7 to 8 hours daily because it is essential for developing good stamina.
Choosing the Right Time
Choosing the proper time for Umrah is another essential factor to remember before arranging a trip to Mecca. Travellers should recall various factors before choosing the best time to travel to Mecca and Medina. Climate, cost, and crowds are many examples of the variables you should keep in mind when deciding on the best time of the year. Mecca and Medina experienced humid and hot weather for most of the 12 months. On the occasion that you need to keep away from the scorching heat during your adventure, you must pick out the winter months (December to February). During these months, the climate in Mecca and Medina is more relaxed, excellent, and mild.
Additionally, you can stay away from crowds by choosing the shoulder months (March to May and September to November). During this time of the year, Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabawi are less congested. Finally, someone remembers that the cost of airline tickets and accommodation depends upon the time of the year. The price of flights and lodging is distinctly high at some point in the peak season, which includes the sacred month of Ramadan. So, it would help if you chose the off-peak season for travelling in case you’re on a budget.
Mental Preparation
Pilgrims should prepare themselves mentally before embarking on an Umrah because it is a spiritual journey. They should set a proper intention before starting the minor pilgrimage to Mecca. According to numerous Islamic narrations, actions are dependent on intentions. Moreover, you must gather all information about the pilgrimage, its rituals, its significance and rewards, and its history. Pilgrims can get this information from various Islamic books and social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Google. You can face different language barriers all through Umrah if you do not speak Arabic; however, do not panic. You can overcome these language barriers with the help of various language translation apps.
Getting a Proper Visa
Obtaining a proper visa for Umrah is critical for ensuring a memorable and enjoyable experience during your pilgrimage. Travellers can travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah on any visa by according to the recent visa policy of the Saudi government. Pilgrims generally travel to Mecca with an e-visa. This visa is valid for 365 days, and travellers can stay in Saudi Arabia for three months. A valid passport (as a minimum six months valid out of your departure date), two passport-sized photographs, and a completed online application form are crucial for applying this visa. Pilgrims can get this visa from the officially via online Saudi web immediately or by hiring a reliable Umrah Agent.
Essentials to Bring
You can only bring some things with you when travelling to any location. So, this rule is applied in the case of an Umrah journey. Many pilgrims ask the question, “What essentials should I bring for Umrah?” The answer is simple: choose items as essentials you need during the pilgrimage. Pilgrims must make a small bag and put only essential items in it. A small suitcase will protect travellers from irritation during the pilgrimage, particularly in congested areas. Pilgrims must bring travel documents, Ihram clothes, necessary medicines, toiletries, a mobile phone, cash, comfortable footwear, emergency contact numbers, etc.
Suggestions
Umrah is an incredible time for seeking forgiveness, blessings, and rewards from the forgiving God, Allah (SWT). Apart from the guidelines mentioned above, you must adhere to numerous tips before planning your trip to Mecca. Pilgrims must choose a reputable and licensed travel agency to avoid numerous difficulties throughout the pilgrimage. Moreover, travellers should book their flights, accommodations, and transportation early if they travel during the peak season. You can make your minor pilgrimage more enjoyable and smooth by adhering to all the tips and tricks.
