Umrah, arranged with care

Europe26 DMC arranges tailor-made Umrah journeys from the United Kingdom and Europe. We look after flights, hotels close to the Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah, transfers and guided Ziyarat, so that you can give your attention to worship rather than logistics. Every journey is planned around your dates, your group and your budget, and quoted on request.

What Umrah is

Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage to the Sacred Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, in Makkah. Unlike Hajj, which takes place on set days in the month of Dhul Hijjah, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year. It is a deeply valued Sunnah, and for many Muslims in the UK and Europe it is the first pilgrimage they make, often with parents, a spouse or children.

The rites can be completed in a few hours, but most pilgrims stay for a week or more, dividing their time between Makkah and Madinah.

The rites in brief

This is a short outline only. We always recommend learning the rites in detail beforehand and asking a trusted scholar about any questions of practice.

• Ihram. Before passing the Miqat, the boundary for pilgrims, you make the intention for Umrah and enter the state of Ihram. Men wear two plain white unstitched cloths; women wear modest everyday clothing. Certain things are not permitted while in Ihram, such as cutting hair or nails and using perfume. Travellers flying from the UK usually enter Ihram before or during the flight, as the aircraft passes the Miqat before landing in Jeddah.
• Tawaf. Seven circuits around the Kaaba, anticlockwise, beginning and ending in line with the Black Stone, followed by two units of prayer.
• Sa’i. Seven passages between the hills of Safa and Marwah, now enclosed within the mosque, remembering Hajar’s search for water for her son Ismail.
• Halq or Taqsir. Men shave the head or shorten the hair; women cut a small length of hair. This completes the Umrah and releases the pilgrim from Ihram.

Madinah and Masjid an-Nabawi

Most pilgrims also visit Madinah, the city of the Prophet, peace be upon him. Visiting Madinah is not part of the Umrah rites, but few would travel so far without praying in Masjid an-Nabawi and sending greetings at the Prophet’s resting place. Madinah has a calmer rhythm than Makkah, and many families find two or three nights here before or after Makkah gives the journey a gentle balance. Visits to the Rawdah are by appointment through the official app, and slots can be limited, so we advise booking as soon as your dates are fixed.

Ziyarat

Guided Ziyarat bring the history of Islam to life. In Makkah these commonly include Jabal al-Nour and the Cave of Hira, Jabal Thawr, Mina, Muzdalifah and the plain of Arafat. In Madinah, Masjid Quba, Masjid al-Qiblatayn, Mount Uhud and the martyrs’ cemetery are usually visited. We arrange Ziyarat with a knowledgeable guide and a private vehicle, at a pace that suits older travellers and children.

When to go

Because Umrah is possible all year round, the timing is yours to choose, and it shapes the experience.

• Ramadan is the most sought-after time, especially the last ten nights. The atmosphere is extraordinary, but the mosques are at their fullest, hotels near the Haram book up many months ahead and costs are at their highest.
• The winter months, roughly November to February, are cooler and more comfortable for walking between the hotel and the mosque. UK school holidays at Christmas and February half term are busier, so travelling just outside them can make a difference.
• Summer is very hot, with daytime temperatures that often pass 40°C. Many families still travel in the school holidays, and planning around the cooler hours of the day helps a great deal.
• Umrah is not usually possible for international pilgrims in the weeks around Hajj, when access to Makkah is restricted. We will advise on the dates that apply each year.

Visas and planning

Saudi Arabia has made it much simpler to travel for Umrah in recent years, with online applications, Umrah visas and tourist visas that can also be used for Umrah. The rules, eligibility and required documents change from time to time, so we check the current requirements for your nationality and residency before we confirm anything. You will need a passport with sufficient validity, and some vaccinations, such as the meningitis ACWY vaccine, may be required or advised. Your GP or a travel clinic can give you up-to-date health advice.

Other points worth thinking about early:

• Distance from the Haram. A hotel within a short walk makes a real difference, particularly for elderly relatives, and it is usually the biggest factor in the cost.
• Room arrangements. Families often prefer connecting rooms or a suite; groups need rooms close together.
• Mobility. Wheelchairs and electric carts are available for Tawaf and Sa’i, and we can plan transfers and hotels with step-free access in mind.
• Travel insurance that covers the whole journey, including medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

How we arrange your Umrah

We build each journey from the pieces you need, and nothing you do not.

• Flights from UK and European airports to Jeddah or Madinah, direct where possible, with sensible connection times when not.
• Hotels in Makkah and Madinah chosen for their distance from the Haram and from Masjid an-Nabawi, at the standard you prefer.
• Transfers between Jeddah airport, Makkah and Madinah in private vehicles, or by the Haramain high-speed railway, which links Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah in comfort. Many families choose the train for the Makkah to Madinah leg.
• Guided Ziyarat in Makkah and Madinah with a private vehicle and guide.
• Family and group journeys, from a couple travelling with their parents to a community or mosque group, with one point of contact before and during the trip.
• Extending the journey with a few days in Europe on the way home, if you would like to combine your Umrah with a family visit or a short break.

Everything is tailor-made, so we do not publish fixed packages or prices. Tell us how many people are travelling, your preferred dates, your departure city and anything we should know about the group, and we will come back to you with a proposal.

Before you book

Umrah arrangements are confirmed only after we have checked the current visa rules for every traveller and the availability of flights and hotels for your dates. Until then, any itinerary we send is a proposal rather than a booking. We will always tell you plainly if something you have asked for is not possible.

Send us an enquiry using the form on this page. You will receive a reference number straight away and can continue the conversation with us on WhatsApp.