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Umrah Planning Guide 2026
Verified hotels near Masjid al-Haram, flights from 25+ countries, and a complete rituals guide — all in one place.
Unlike Hajj, Umrah can be performed at any time of year. Prices and crowds vary significantly by season.
Most spiritual, highest prices — book 6–12 months ahead
Extremely crowded around the Haram; flights fill instantly
Popular for GCC families — good availability if booked 3+ months ahead
Popular for European diaspora — mix of Umrah and leisure
Best value; shorter crowds; pleasant weather Oct–Nov
A step-by-step guide to the rituals of Umrah, with practical tips from experienced pilgrims.
Pilgrims enter the state of ihram (ritual purity) at one of the Miqat stations before entering Makkah. Men wear two seamless white cloths; women wear modest dress covering all except face and hands.
The Miqat for air travelers is usually Qarn al-Manazil (near Taif Airport) or declared on board. Notify cabin crew if you wish to change into ihram before landing.
Perform seven counter-clockwise circuits around the Kaaba beginning and ending at the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). Men are recommended to do Raml (light jogging) in the first three circuits.
Tawaf is performed 24 hours a day. Quieter periods are typically after Fajr and before noon. The ground floor is most crowded; upper floors offer more space.
After completing Tawaf, offer two rak'ahs of prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim (the Station of Ibrahim) if possible, or anywhere in the mosque if the area is crowded.
Crowds at Maqam Ibrahim can be very dense. The obligatory aspect is completing the two rak'ahs in the mosque, not necessarily immediately behind the Maqam itself.
Walk seven lengths between the hills of Safa and Marwa, commemorating Hajar's search for water for her son Ismail. Each one-way passage counts as one length.
Sa'i is a brisk walk. Wheelchair-accessible lanes are available. The distance between the hills is approximately 450 metres; total Sa'i is about 3.15 km.
Men shave the head (halq) or trim the hair (taqsir) to exit the state of ihram. Women cut a small amount from the ends of their hair. This marks the completion of Umrah.
Barbershops are plentiful near the Haram. If performing multiple Umrahs in one trip, shaving is preferred for the first; trimming is sufficient for subsequent ones.
Reference pricing for common Umrah durations. Exact prices depend on your departure city, season, and hotel choice.
From SAR 2,800
per person (twin share) · 7 nights
Prices vary by origin country and season. Ramadan prices 2–4x higher.
Book HotelsFrom SAR 5,200
per person (twin share) · 10 nights
Best balance of value and proximity to Haram.
Book HotelsFrom SAR 12,000
per person (twin share) · 14 nights
Ideal for elderly pilgrims or families requiring extra support.
Book HotelsPackage prices are illustrative reference ranges only. Actual prices depend on origin, season, and availability at time of booking.
For tailored group or corporate Umrah packages: groups@utubooking.com
Verified 5-star properties with confirmed proximity data.
Abraj Al-Bait Towers
Fairmont / Swissôtel / Raffles
Jabal Omar Marriott
Marriott / Westin
Kempinski Jabal Omar
Kempinski
Hyatt Regency Jabal Omar
Hyatt
Makkah Hilton Towers
Hilton
Grand Millennium Makkah
Millennium
Al Safwah Royale Orchid
Independent
Dar Al Tawhid IHG
InterContinental
Advice from pilgrims and our travel specialists.
Hotels within 500m of the Haram during the last 10 nights of Ramadan are sold out 8–12 months in advance. If Ramadan Umrah is your goal, set a calendar reminder.
Saudi regulations require Umrah pilgrims to travel through licensed operators. Verify your agent's license on the Nusuk platform (nusuk.sa) before paying any deposit.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj's official Nusuk app is mandatory for Rawdah booking in Madinah and includes prayer time alerts, guided itineraries, and ziyarat maps.
June–August temperatures in Makkah regularly exceed 45°C. Carry a small spray bottle, stay hydrated, and avoid peak sun hours (11am–3pm) for outdoor walking.
Saudi Riyals (SAR) are the only accepted currency at most local vendors. ATMs are widely available near the Haram but queues peak after Friday prayers.
An average Umrah involves 5–8 km of walking per day. Begin a daily walking programme 4–6 weeks before travel. Compression socks help on the marble floors.
While not an obligatory part of Umrah, visiting Madinah is strongly recommended (Sunnah) and forms part of virtually every Umrah package. Pilgrims typically spend 3–5 nights.
Masjid al-Nabawi
The Prophet's Mosque is the second most sacred mosque in Islam. Visit at any time; the mosque operates 24 hours.
Rawdah Sharif
The area between the Prophet's grave and his pulpit. Booking via Nusuk app is now mandatory — slots available 30 days ahead.
Mount Uhud
The site of the Battle of Uhud. The martyrs' cemetery is a place of deep historical and spiritual significance.
Masjid Quba
The first mosque built in Islam. Praying two rak'ahs here is equivalent in reward to an Umrah, according to authentic hadith.
Al-Baqi' Cemetery
Resting place of many Companions of the Prophet and members of his family. Open to visitors at set times.
Book Madinah Hotels
Stay Near Masjid al-Nabawi
Hotels within 300m of the Prophet's Mosque fill 3–6 months ahead of Ramadan. Available year-round for shoulder season travel.
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Group or corporate Umrah bookings: groups@utubooking.com