Ramadan Umrah: Why to Book It Early

Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, and our groups leave twice a month throughout it. But Ramadan is different, and everyone who has been will tell you so.

Why the month is busier

Ramadan draws pilgrims from everywhere at once. The Haram is fuller, the nights are longer, and the whole month has a weight to it that pilgrims remember for years afterwards. It is also, for exactly that reason, the hardest time to get a seat.

The practical consequence is simple: Ramadan groups fill first, and they fill long before the departure date. If you are planning to go in Ramadan, the enquiry should be made months ahead, not weeks.

What to expect if you go

• Crowds. Considerably heavier than the rest of the year, particularly in the last ten nights.
• Longer nights, shorter days. The rhythm of the trip changes completely — much of the activity happens after Taraweeh.
• Walking in the heat while fasting. Worth thinking about carefully if you are travelling with elderly parents.

The alternative worth considering

If Ramadan does not work out, do not treat that as a loss. The months outside it are quieter, cooler in parts of the year, and considerably easier for a first-time pilgrim or an older one. The Ziyarat programme — 18 sites in Makkah and 15 in Madinah — is often more comfortable to do outside the peak.

How to plan it

Message the office with the month you have in mind and how many are travelling. We fly from Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Lucknow and Ahmedabad, and we will tell you which group still has room rather than which one we would like to sell you.

Book leave, and anything else that depends on a date, only after the office has confirmed your group in writing.