Umrah is a dream journey for every Muslim whether they are residing in London or in any other corner of the world. Performing Umrah from London can be a smooth and peaceful journey if planned wisely. With the right preparation and by choosing reliable Umrah packages London, you can focus fully on your spiritual experience instead of dealing with travel stress. Here are six easy ideas take will make your trip hassle-free:
01- Selecting a Reliable Travel Agency
One of the most crucial steps is to choose the right travel agency. You will find a number of such agencies that offer different types of Umrah packages London. What you need to do is look for expert and licensed Umrah tour operators in the UK.
Play smart and check the reviews of Umrah agencies. We suggest shortlisting some of them and then comparing them on the basis of their ratings. Many people share their travel experiences on different social platforms. You can approach them and ask for the pros and cons of opting for a particular agency.
Another thing that you must remember is that it is always smart to dig deep into the package offerings. You should select those Umrah deals that offer the amenity of visa handling, flights as well as hotel arrangements in Saudi Arabia. It thus frees you from the worry of managing things and allows you to experience the spirituality of Umrah to the fullest.
02- Booking Flights and Hotels Early
Make sure to commence your preparation early if you want to have a stress-free Umrah experience. Flights and hotel options often get limited during peak months like Ramadan. You can thus enjoy a cheaper trip from London to the holy cities of Saudi Arabia. Early booking of flights also allows you to pick a timing slot of your desire with fewer chances of delay or cancellation.
Always look for direct flights from Heathrow or any other airport for convenience and comfort. This is especially helpful for those who are elderly and it also prevents fatigue right after arrival in Saudi Arabia.
If we talk about hotels, then it is wise to select those that are close to the Masjid al Haram and Masjid an Nabawi. This is because it prevents excessive travelling from your hotel to the House of Allah Almighty and other prominent sites. Do not forget to opt for the early bookings as the last-minute bookings can have skyrocketing prices and it can also boost your stress.
03- Visa Processing and Document Preparation
You need to prepare your documents and apply for the visa in order to start your Umrah journey. The visa processing is a time-consuming process so it should be started well in time to avoid any delays. We suggest starting your visa processing at least 4 to 6 weeks before your intended date of travel. You should thus start gathering all the important documents like the vaccination certificate and passport with a validity of at least 6 months. It is also wise to keep digital copies of important documents such as a passport.
On top of that, you can use apps like Nusuk for e-visa guidance and you can also track its progress until it is confirmed. It keeps you updated and lets you know about any problematic or missing documents on time, so you can take the necessary measures to deal with them. Those planning to go with the Umrah packages London should see if their respective deal offers visa guidance or not. If yes, then this facility can help you save your time as well as energy.
04- Pack Your Luggage Wisely
Here comes another idea to make your Umrah journey hassle-free. It is about packing the right things in your luggage. It may seem less important but many people ignore this part and regret it later. We suggest keeping only those things in your luggage that you are really going to need. Rest assured as we will suggest you some of the important ones that are not to be missed in any case.
- Pack the Ihram in your bag that you will need some time before passing the Meeqat. Moreover, your ibadah essentials such as a prayer mat and tasbeeh, are going to be your best friends in Haram.
- There is a very small chance that you will find a power plug at the point where you will be sitting in the Haram. A power bank is really going to save you from stressing out. Plus, you should also take some toiletries with you, just in case it is not included in your hotel amenities.
- Carefully study the season in which you are going to visit the holy cities to fulfil the sunnah of Umrah. You should thus pack comfortable shoes as well as clothes accordingly to make your stay hassle-free.
- Pay special attention to this point, especially if you have some health concerns or you are travelling with elderly people. Make sure to keep the necessary medicines and prescriptions of your doctor in a small bag that you will carry everywhere during your pilgrimage.
- Reusable water bottle and light snacks are also important to keep yourself hydrated and vigilant during the rituals of tawaf and sa’i.
05- Spiritual Preparation Before Departure from London
Preparing yourself spiritually before starting the pilgrimage is an unavoidably important thing. Doing this will keep you motivated and connected to the purpose of Umrah. Many people think that Umrah is all about taking a flight to Makkah and circumambulating the Kaaba, along with physically performing the rituals of sa’i and taqseer. However, that is not actually true. You need to set the right intention and prepare your mind before embarking on the journey of Umrah.
Follow our advice and attend the religious sessions related to performing Umrah rituals before your intended date to fly. Moreover, memorise duas as well as understand the purpose of each step. We suggest making a list of your duas that you want to make at special occasions like witnessing the Kaaba for the first time.
It is thus important to make a habit of praying five times a day. Those going with children or younger siblings should also advise them to immerse themselves in dhikr and recite the holy Quran daily to deepen their connection with Allah Almighty. Bringing your heart and mind on track thus provides peace and an enhanced connection to one’s creator.
06- Stay Connected During Travel
Digitalisation has now made it easy to maintain a connection with the world during travel. We suggest downloading and using the Nusuk app for navigation purposes and knowing about the prayer schedules. Such apps also keep you updated about the crowd situation in the Haram so you can plan performing your rituals accordingly.
Make a WhatsApp group and add all your group members to it. Many travel agencies also provide you with an expert guide who is always available to assist the pilgrims. Moreover, make sure that you have a SIM card and internet, so that you can cope with any unforeseen circumstance or emergency.
Wrap Up
We have shared some of the best ideas that you can follow for a convenient Umrah journey from London. Whether it is about selecting the reliable Umrah packages London or spiritual preparation before starting your pilgrimage, this article covers a bunch of it. Choose Muslims Holy Travel and say yes to the most fulfilling spiritual journey of your life.
