Umrah is a deeply personal journey for every Muslim into the heart of Mecca. Following Hajj, it’s the most important pilgrimage that renews faith and rejuvenates the soul. However, it’s a physically challenging journey, and there are financial considerations you must keep in mind as it’s not cheap to perform the holy pilgrimage. This is where affordable Umrah packages UK with flights, transport, and living arrangements help you. Here is why you should book the Umrah package to embark on the holy pilgrimage.
Benefits of Umrah Packages
Booking a tour package has its benefits, and it’s often a better option compared to touring on your own. Umrah packages with flights, visas, flight, living arrangements, food, and transportation are a complete bundle. It’s customizable and the price will vary according to the services you get. The following are the benefits of booking an Umrah package compared to planning the whole trip yourself.
Affordable
Umrah package is cheap compared to going on your own. The travel agency can negotiate bulk deals with hotels and airlines to get a discount. You don’t get any of it if you go on your own and have to pay full price for everything.
Furthermore, you might not even find a room near Haram on your own, as they are booked by travel agencies for their clients throughout the year. Not only will you have to pay more for a hotel room, but also have to travel a long distance to get to Haram.
While you get a discount on the overall cost, you can further reduce the cost by booking a group package. Due to cost sharing between a group of people, the amount an individual has to pay is reduced. Add to that, the travel agency can negotiate even better deals with airlines, hotels, and transport companies to get a further discount. No matter from which angle you look at it, the Umrah package is the best way to perform the holy pilgrimage.
Customizable
A tour package in a collection of services provided to you for a price. You can customize the package by adding or removing services from it. You can negotiate with the travel agent to provide or exclude services, for a premium or discount respectively.
It gives you the freedom to customize your Umrah tour. Need accommodations like wheelchairs or airport transfers? The travel agency can provide them for a premium. However, it’ll still be cheaper than if you try to get accommodations on your own. Likewise, you can remove services from the package to lower the overall cost of the Umrah tour.
In short, you decide how much you pay and for what services. Umrah packages with flights, hotel bookings, and complete accommodations will cost you more than if you remove one or more services or accommodations.
Security
It’s a good idea to tour foreign countries through a travel agency. You might get stuck in a situation where you need help. Alone, you’ll have to deal with the situation yourself and you might not be able to resolve it. With an agency, all you have to do is to contact them and they’ll take care of any issues with your trip. This is why you should book an Umrah package for your peace of mind.
Tips to Book Umrah Package
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of performing the holy pilgrimage through a travel agency, it’s time to discuss how to choose your package.
Ensure There are no Hidden Costs
Cost is the main reason you are choosing the Umrah package, instead of doing it on your own. Ensure there are no hidden costs that you have to pay during your time in Mecca and Medina. Thoroughly read and familiarize yourself with the payment schedule and cancelation policies. Find references for the travel agencies, and people who have previously used their services and find out if they were charged extra. A reputable agency will provide you with a detailed cost breakdown of your Umrah package.
Compare Packages
Don’t be the one that books the first package he/she learns about. You can always get a better deal. Gather information on packages from different travel agencies and compare their prices and the services they offer. Book the Umrah package with better flights, hotel bookings, accommodations, and transport.
Choose an Experienced Travel Agency
Aside from cost consideration, book your Umrah package with an experienced travel agency that has, at least, a few years of experience under its belt. Ensure the agency is ATOL certified and is recognized by the relevant authorities. The travel agency with an experienced staff will ensure your pilgrimage goes smoothly.
Best Time to Perform Umrah
Throughout the year, Mecca and Medina are full of Muslims performing the holy pilgrimage. The cities and holy sites are crowded with pilgrims making it difficult for many to perform Umrah due to increased prices of hotels and flights. However, there are a few small windows throughout the year, when the crowd of pilgrims is down by 50%. You should perform Umrah right after Hajj, or in November and December.
During the final months of the calendar year, there is less crowd of people and the weather is also good. Throughout the year Saudi Arabia’s weather is hot, which makes it difficult for many to perform the pilgrimage as it’s physically challenging. During November and December, the weather is significantly better. Umrah packages with flights in these months are also cheap because there is less demand for hotels and transport, making it financially viable to plan your Umrah with your family.
Tips Before Leaving for Umrah
Before you leave for the holy pilgrimage, the following will help ensure the best possible experience.
Pack Smartly and use Comfortable Footwear
The weather in Saudi Arabia is hot for most of the year. Check the weather before departing for the holy pilgrimage and pack clothes accordingly. Also, pack one or more comfortable pair of footwear. You’ll be walking a lot during the pilgrimage and comfortable footwear will ensure your feet don’t get sore.
Check Your Documents
Before leaving for the airport, confirm your travel documents are complete like passport, visa, and airline ticket. It’ll save a lot of hassle at the airport.
Carry Local Currency
Carry some local currency of Saudi Arabia with you, as there will be situations where you’ll have to buy something. While most places accept credit or debit cards, it’s good to have cash with you for situations when the card isn’t working or isn’t acceptable.
Conclusion
Umrah packages assist the entire pilgrimage journey, and cover everything including flights, hotels, and transportation at a lower or discounted price. You won’t be able to get the same prices if you do it on your own. You can get further discounts by opting for a group Umrah package. Everything is organized for you, giving you more time and energy to focus on the pilgrimage. Visit our website and get a quote instantly.