Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Your First Umrah Journey 2025

There is no denying that planning an Umrah for the first time is a daunting task. It is an overwhelming experience for everyone, especially knowing they will be at the Holy Kaabah soon. So, everyone wants to do it right. This is why taking help from a step-by-step guide to planning your first Umrah journey. A comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know to ensure a smooth Umrah journey. 

The key is to take care of everything beforehand, whether it is all the bookings or any of your worldly matters. But booking the right services is also essential. There is so much preparation that you must do, and we are here to help you know where to start. So, let’s not waste any time, so get to the guide. 

Explore Your Visa Options 

Umrah Visa

An Umrah visa is the first option for every Muslim worldwide to perform a voluntary pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia issues this visa explicitly for this purpose. Any Muslim can apply for an Umrah visa. As it is a pilgrimage-specific visa, it indeed has some pilgrim perks. 

You will have to wait a long time to get an Umrah visa. Also, you must contact an authorized travel agency to apply for this pilgrimage-specific visa. Therefore, make sure that the travel agency you choose has a license from the Saudi Embassy. 

Tourist Visa

US citizens also have the option of getting a tourist visa. This is relatively new, and the country introduced it after opening its doors to tourism. However, only citizens of 49 countries can also perform an Umrah with this visa.  

Getting this visa is more convenient than getting an Umrah visa. You can apply for the visa online without contacting a travel agency. You can do it all independently; just fill out the application on their official website and upload the required documents. The processing time for this visa is also less, making it the most convenient and time-saving option. 

Create an Umrah Budget

Even though all the pilgrims arrive at the same place for pilgrimage, the costs might not be the same for everyone. You get all kinds of facilities in the country, from the most luxurious to basic budget-friendly ones. You will have endless options for flights and accommodations. Therefore, the first thing you must do before booking everything is create a budget. This will help you avoid overspending during planning your Umrah and even during the journey.

You must create everything and then mention the budget, such as the budget for the Umrah packages or the flights, accommodation, food, transport, and everything else. You will have to be more vigilant if you have a tight budget. 

Book the Perfect Packages

Getting the perfect Umrah packages is the key to getting everything beforehand. You will not have to worry about the Umrah visa, flight, or accommodation once you have got this package. But with countless travel agencies around the region and the types of Umrah packages, you must make the right decision while choosing them. First, you must get familiar with the types of Umrah packages.

Types of Umrah Packages

• Standard Umrah packages provide services for one person. You will get a visa, flight, and accommodation in these packages. 

• Group Umrah packages are for people traveling in groups. These packages are relatively cheaper because the expense gets divided. So, it is a good option for budget travelers. Moreover, it is also a good option for you if you want to have company during your pilgrimage. It makes the journey much easier as you get help at every point. 

• Customized Umrah packages are also offered by various travel agencies. As the name makes it obvious, you can customize these packages yourself. You can ask your travel agents to add as many services as possible. Whether you want them to cover the meals and transport as well or you want some special services to facilitate your family, you can do it all. 

After you understand the types of Umrah packages, you can choose a travel agency that provides the best services for the package you want. Also, look for the services of various travel agencies and compare their reviews, services, and costs before making the right decision. 

 

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Learn the Significance of Umrah and its Rituals

How can you benefit from the most rewarding act of worship if you are unaware of its significance? Umrah is a gift for the Muslims. It is a source of forgiving all your mortal sins and adding more blessings to your life. Moreover, anyone who performs Umrah is the guest of the Almighty. As the pilgrims spend their wealth on the way of the Almighty with pure intention, Allah Almighty promises to remove poverty from their lives. There is no denying that Umrah revives your faith, softens your heart, and brings you closer to Allah Almighty. 

After you have learned about the significance of Umrah, you can become familiar with its rituals and rules. As this will be your first time performing the pilgrimage, you must be clear about the Umrah rituals. Let’s tell you the basics of the primary Umrah rituals. 

1. Make the Intention and Observe Ihram

Making the intention and observing Ihram is the first ritual of Hajj and Umrah. You must ensure that you have pure intention and that your only purpose is to please the Almighty. It is vital that you submit to the Almighty and get rid of all worldly distractions. Ihram requires you to wear specific clothes. 

Men must wrap them in two unstitched white pieces of clothing with their right shoulder bare. Women can wear any clothes but must be adequately covered. You must follow specific rules to maintain the state of Ihram. Make sure to learn about them all before you embark on your spiritual retreat. 

2. Perform Tawaf

Once pilgrims have entered the state of Ihram, they can enter the Grand Mosque’s vicinity. Here, they must perform Tawaf around the Kaabah. It involves making rounds around the cubic structure. Seven rounds make one Tawaf. 

3 . Perform Sa’i

Performing rounds between the two sacred and historic hills is called Sa’i. This Umrah ritual symbolizes the struggles of Muslims and how, if they trust the Almighty, he will help them in miraculous ways, like he helped Hajar and her son Hazrat Ismail (AS). 

4. Halq/Taqsir

The final Umrah ritual is Halq/Taqsir. Men must shave their heads or cut their hair to equal lengths. Women must also cut their hair to the length of their fingertips. Nail cutting is also mandatory. This marks the end of Umrah and enables the pilgrims to end the state of Ihram. 

Summing Up

Now that you know how to start preparing after going through a step-by-step guide to planning your first Umrah journey, it is time to start an Islamic travel agency and get going. In case of any confusion about the tourist or Umrah visa or which one you prefer, you must consult your travel agents beforehand. Choose the perfect Umrah packages and start preparing for an incredible journey. 

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