Umrah is a spiritually rewarding journey, and every year, many Muslims from around the world embark on it. It holds great significance for the Muslims as it provides a chance to refresh one’s soul, build a strong bond with the Creator, and earn His countless favours. Every little deed done here multiplies in rewards and becomes a source of purifying the soul and seeking Allah’s mercy and blessings.
As many pilgrims decide to take an Umrah trip every year, managing the travelling process on their own can be hard for them. That is where travel agencies come to the rescue and provide assistance to all pilgrims with their Umrah packages. They advertise different types of packages, like all-inclusive group Umrah packages for people wanting to perform Umrah together with their relatives, friends or colleagues.
Performing Umrah is the same for both men and women. However, there are some guidelines and set rules for both genders regarding this sacred journey that they need to abide by to perform it correctly. If you are a lady who is planning the sacred journey of Umrah and is worried about what to take and how to manage the holy trip, you are in the right place. This guide covers everything from essential items, travel documents, and preparations to various Umrah packages to ensure a smooth Umrah trip for you.
A Guide to Umrah Essentials Checklist for Ladies
1. Essential Travel Documents
Before preparing to depart, make sure that you have a valid passport from your home country to travel to Saudi Arabia. Check its expiry date, and if it is near, apply for a new one to avoid any last-minute trouble. Moreover, apply for an Umrah visa at least 15 to 30 days before your actual departure date to Saudi Arabia. You also need to keep extra sets of your ID cards and passport-size pictures just in case you need them later.
2. Look Out for a Reputed Travel Agency
Planning an Umrah trip on your own can be a challenging task, especially if you are travelling for the first time. So, it is always better to reach out to an approved travel agency for Umrah deals. These Umrah group packages cover everything from visa processing and flights to hotel stays and transport, making it easier for women to perform Umrah without any stress. They also offer deals with varying prices such as 5-star, 4-star or 3-star packages. Out of these three, 4-star Umrah packages are the most famous among pilgrims as they are the most affordable and offer maximum value of money.
3. Clothing Essentials for Women
Unlike men, women are advised to wear stitched garments as ihram. It is a loosely fit garment that covers your whole body and is the most essential item for Umrah. Most commonly, women wear abayas with scarves as Ihram. The weather in Saudi Arabia remains hot and humid for most of the year. So, make sure to wear a simple and plain abaya made from breathable and comfortable fabric so you may feel relaxed in the warm environment. Moreover, it should have enough drapes and flares to promote ease of movement during performing rituals.
4. Packing Personal Care Items
It is important to keep your personal care items with you even if your hotel provides them. So, make a checklist and keep everything in the bag that you might need during the trip. Most importantly, pack odourless soaps and shampoos, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and wet wipes. Moreover, pack anything else as per your preference or liking, but make sure everything you use or keep does not have any fragrance, as wearing perfumes or scents is prohibited during Umrah.
5. Keep Your Medicines
If you are on a medication, make sure to get a proper checkup from your doctor and get enough medicines to avoid any health issues on Umrah. Moreover, make sure to pack basic medical items like bandages, wound cleaning creams, and painkillers (for headaches and muscle twitching) in your first aid kit. Lastly, do not forget to keep a hand sanitiser because, during Umrah, you will be touching various points, so it is better to keep your hands clean.
6. Tech Accessories
It is always good to keep a charger and its adapter in your handbag to avoid any problems. Moreover, get a power bank as well to charge your mobile phones in case you remain outside your hotel for a long time or do not find any socket to plug in the charger.
Umrah Travel Tips for Women
Women travelling to Umrah must be mindful of safety and religious regulations. Here are a few key travel tips for them:
- Saudi Arabia follows a strict dress code for women. Even outside the holy cities, you must ensure that your attire aligns with the Saudi dress code.
- If you are travelling with a group, make sure you follow all the group rules so that the entire trip proceeds smoothly.
- Holy cities usually remain crowded with pilgrims for Umrah. So, when you go to perform Sai, make sure to plan it wisely by doing it at a less crowded time. The most preferable time is in the early morning or late at night after Isha’s prayers.
- The climate of Mecca is hot and humid, so it is necessary to keep yourself hydrated during the Umrah journey. Drink a lot of water, and take breaks during the rituals to not tire yourself out.
Wrap Up
As you have read the Umrah checklist for women, it will be easy for you to plan your Umrah. If you are travelling alone, it is necessary to either avail yourself of group Umrah packages or embark on the holy journey with a Mahram (not compulsory) to avoid any problems. However, if you are planning an Umrah in the upcoming months, then contact Muslims Holy Travel. It is the leading travel agency in the UK and offers special women-only Umrah deals to make the pilgrimage smooth and easy.
