Hajj is once in a lifetime experience for most people. It requires lots of planning and preparation therefore early and adequate preparation is vital to avoid hardships and difficulties and to enable you to perform a trouble free Hajj/Umra with peace of mind.

Please make a note of following guidelines:

Tour operators

Arrangements must be started early enough so that you are not rushed and stressed in the last days before your journey commences.

Make your booking for Hajj/ Umra package with a reputable tour operator only.

Talk to your friends and relative who may have knowledge or used the services of different tour operators and ask them for their recommendations.

Check and ensure about each & every details for the package you are paying for from your tour operator.

What type of accommodation is your tour operator providing?

Duration of your stay in Makkah and Madina

How far away will you be staying from Haram both in Makkah and Madina?

With how many persons will you be sharing room?

On which floor will you be and are there any elevators available to be used.

Ensure that adequate guidance and assistance is available all the time from your tour operator during your stay in Saudi Arabia.

Does the price of the package include meals, what arrangements he is offering for your stay and providing food in Mina and Arafat?

Travel documents

Make sure your passport to be valid for at least six months after your planned return date.  

According to new Saudi rules and regulations, now only your tour operator will arrange your Hajj/ Umra visa for you.

Please check and ensure well in time before travel that your personal details are correct i.e. name, spellings, date of birth etc on your visa and air line tickets. Also make sure that departure and arrival dates are the same you have requested and are confirmed.

Make photocopies of your passport and tickets and keep them separate with your luggage.

Vaccinations

You must get yourself protected against meningitis and ask your doctor to give you 'quadrivalent' meningococcal vaccine (ACWY vac). Ensure that you get certificate of this vaccination from your doctor. Saudi embassy will not issue a visa without a valid certificate of meningitis vaccination.

Medicine

If you are taking any medication then you are strongly advised to take sufficient supply with you and also take some general medication such as headache tablets, muscle cramp ointment, throat lozenges, cough syrups, plasters, diarrhoea tablets etc.  

Baggage

Do not take excessive luggage with you, take the normal size suitcase. It will be very difficult for you to carry unnecessary luggage. Make sure you mark your luggage clearly inside and outside and write your full name and contact address.

Money's safety

Keep valuables (documents, money, traveller's check, credit cards etc) in the fanny pouch around your waist at all times. Be especially careful and wary in crowded places. Unfortunately, there are thieves and pickpockets even inside Haram. Hold on to the pouch with your hands in crowd e.g. while doing tawaf and Saie. Many pilgrims have their bags, wallets and money stolen from them while inside the Haram, performing tawaaf or salah.

Lost and Found

There is a lost and found area near to the Baab as Safaa door (no.11). It is actually at doors no.12 & 13. This is for lost pilgrims as well as for lost children and lost articles and documents.

If you are lost, go to this office. If you lose an article or your wallet, this office will assist you.

Finally you must understand all the rites of Umra and Hajj, for more details of rules and rites of Hajj/ Umra please study authentic reference books. Watch the training videos and discuss with those who have already performed Hajj so you can learn about any difficulties they may have faced.