I. Introduction
If you are planning for Umrah or Hajj and are worried about finding a suitable package, this blog is for you. This blog explores essential tips for booking the best package, which may include lesser cost, maximum facilities, and simple guidelines. You must choose a package that is cost-effective, convenient and offers maximum facilities, and customizable options so that you can have a smooth journey.
II. Define Umrah and Hajj?
Umrah refers to a holy journey to Makkah and Medina. It is a religious act that can be performed in any month. Similarly, Hajj is a pilgrimage to Makkah and Medina. Performing Hajj is one of the five basic pillars of Islam, and it is performed only in the month of Zil Hajj (12TH month in the Islamic calendar). Both acts have a profound importance in Islam as they teach humanity, unity, tolerance, equality, and love.
III. Define Hajj and Umrah Package?
A travel package is a set of services that are offered by a travel agency to a traveler against the specific amount. Similarly, a Hajj or Umrah package includes travel arrangements, hotel bookings, etc.
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IV. Top Tips for Booking a Seamless Hajj and Umrah Package
There are a number of ways to choose the best package for your journey. You can do it by considering the following things:
1. Search for a Cost-effective package
a) Cheap tickets
While planning for any tour, a traveler always considers his or her budget level. Similarly, for a Umrah or Hajj travel, a traveler must choose a cost-effective package. It is imperative to look for a package that includes a reasonable flight ticket. Moreover, it must offer discounted tickets for children.
b) Competitive rates
In addition to reasonable tickets, a package must offer competitive rates in other arrangements. Try to pick a package that offers a discounted package on a group or family trip. It must offer cheaper rates for hotel, airport taxes and local transport.
Furthermore, always choose a package that attracts first-time travelers. It must offer them a special discount in order to make their journey comfortable.
2. Choose a Convenient Package
For choosing a seamless package, it is necessary to determine whether that package is convenient for you. The level of convenience can be determined through the following factors:
a) Quality Accommodations
Try to choose a package that can offer you comfortable accommodations. If you are traveling with family, including children and aged persons, the quality of accommodations matters a lot. The hotel must be in the vicinity of places of worship, so you can easily travel with your family. Moreover, the hotel must have a conducive environment.
- Reviews from other travelers (29%)
- Free WiFi (24%)
- Accommodation facilities (23%)
- Room photos (22%)
b) Transport Facility:
The package must include the better transport facility. It must offer comfortable flight and inter-city transport facilities at a cheaper rate.
c)Easy documentation process
As a traveler, you might get frustrated with the documentation process while applying for Umrah or Hajj. Choose a package that offers a smooth process, from acquiring a visa to getting documents verified. It must include a discounted package for visa fees.
Moreover, you must look for a travel facility where you are supposed to share your documents only once.
d)Travel Dates: Traveling in a Right Season
While choosing a package, you must consider the travel dates. In peak season, the journey might become hectic. It might become even more problematic if you are a first-time traveler. It is better see what season is offered in the package. So, you can plan accordingly for weather conditions in Saudi Arabia.
3. Pick the One Offering Maximum facilities: Set of facilities
a) Smooth visa process
For booking a seamless Umrah or Hajj package, you must ensure that it offers a smooth visa process. If possible, it must have an option of an online visa application.
b) Step-by-step guidelines on Rituals
A better package is one in which you are given step-by-step guidelines for Umrah or Hajj rituals. Sometimes, pilgrims get confused about the rituals. That’s why choose a package, under which an agency offers you a comprehensive guideline on each ritual in a simple way.
c) For a first-time traveler
It is suggested to opt for a package that offers maximum facilities to a first-time traveler.
d) A better option for a family
Choose a package that facilitates you and your family. Sometimes, you accompany an old member of your family. Additionally, you might get children along with you on your journey. In both conditions, you need assistance regarding health, mobility, communication, etc. It will be better to choose a package that includes all those facilities.
e) Dos and Don’ts
If your package informs you properly about dos and don’ts regarding your Umrah or Hajj journey, never skip that package. As a traveler, you need to know about each and everything that you are supposed to follow while visiting there. If a package contains all the necessary information. It is good to go.
f) Safety precautions
The package must contain safety precautions for travelers. It will ease your journey.
g) Cancelation and refund policies
While booking a package, it is necessary to consider the policies or terms and conditions. You must choose a package that guarantees you an alternate to cancelation and the mechanism for refunding.
h) Currency exchange facility
As far as currency is concerned, the package must provide exchanged currency to traveler. Otherwise, a traveler might face a problem in getting money at the time of traveling.
i) Health assistance
Among other facilities, the package must offer health assistance to travelers. It must ensure a first-aid facility to make your journey comfortable.
4. Look for More Customizable Options
While traveling, a traveler always wants flexibility in choice. The package must be designed to facilitate travelers in getting customizable options. It is suggested to opt for a package that gives you leverage in choosing options. For example:
a) Options for food choice or dedicated meals
Choose a package that allows you to choose a food menu according to your choice.
- For example, if you have been eating Western food for long, you will always prefer eating such food anywhere else. Look for a package that can get you food of your choice.
b) Adjusting itinerary to your needs
Try to get a package that can give you an opportunity to adjust your travel dates. It is important to know that the weather in Saudi gets hotter in some months. It is better to choose days and seasons of your own choice so that you can travel easily.
5. Ensure the Credibility of the Agency
In the current era, people witness frequent cases of scams. Many cases fall in the category of tourism as well. Given these experiences, it is necessary to ensure that the package you are availing is authentic and is offered by a credible agency. To check authenticity, you must acknowledge the agency’s license.
Moreover, you must check travelers’ reviews and ratings of an agency in order to get more information about package.
6. Consider Availability of Customer Support
Travelers need guidance anytime during their journey. As a traveler, you must consider the availability of a customer support facility in the Umrah or Hajj package. You should choose the package that can offer you customer support all the time. For example, you are on the Umrah journey and need health assistance urgently. In the presence of a customer support system, you are likely to get a first aid facility and the required medications on an urgent basis.
Moreover, a customer support system can help you whenever you face any trouble with respect to travel documents.
V. Conclusion
In conclusion, Umrah or Hajj travelers always wish to get the best services available for them. In this journey, choosing the best package is a decisive act. As a traveler, you need to look for a Umrah or Hajj package that offers maximum benefits at cheaper rates. While choosing a package, considering all social and economic aspects will make your journey comfortable and exciting.
