Now that Saudi Arabia has lifted the ban on women traveling without a mahram to perform the pilgrimage, thousands of women embark on the spiritual retreat every year alone. If you want to be one of them, you should know tips for female travelers in Umrah. Going for an Umrah for the first time comes with much responsibility. We all want to do it right and maximise this golden opportunity. You must make extra preparations as a woman traveling alone or with a family or group. 

Make Thoughtful Travel Arrangements 

The first thing you must start with while preparing for your pilgrimage is all the travel arrangements. If you care for everything independently, you must start months before planning to go on an Umrah. 

If you have chosen the Umrah visa from the USA, the application and booking process begins much earlier than for those who might want to get a tourist visa. The process for this visa is much more extensive, so keep that in mind. After that comes the accommodation and the flight, which you must book beforehand. 

Also, making the travel arrangements in advance is essential if you have a tight budget. It helps you save the additional cost of last-minute bookings. You can also save the hustle of making all the travel arrangements separately if you hire a reliable travel agency. 

Many travel agencies in the region offer Umrah packages from the USA. You can consult your travel agents and customize these packages to make them fit your needs if you are traveling as a solo woman. Moreover, you can also ask for group packages if you want to have company during your pilgrimage. This is an excellent option for women traveling alone without any family members. 

Familiarize Yourself with Umrah Rules for Women

Once you have all your travel documents in place and bookings made, you can start working on yourself and your knowledge of the pilgrimage. You can start by learning the significance of the Umrah and the rewards and blessings it promises. After that, you can learn about the Umrah rituals. Even though Umrah rituals are the same for men and women, some rules differ for both genders. 

The main rituals of Umrah are;

  1. Ihram 
  2. Tawaf
  3. Sa’i
  4. Taqsir

How Umrah Rituals Are Different for Women? 

In all these rituals, the rules of Ihram mainly vary between men and women. Women must dress modestly with clothes that cover them from head to toe. Men have different Ihram rules, and garments that you might already know are comprised of white unstitched clothes. 

Moreover, another ritual you must learn about as a woman pilgrim is that you don’t have to recite Talbiyah loudly as men do during the Tawaf. Women must recite it in their hearts or in a lower voice. Also, men are encouraged to perform Raml (an act of running at a moderate speed) during the first three circuits of Tawaf. But this doesn’t apply to women. Women must also not run between the green spots that separate Safah and Marwa during Sa’i.

The final Umrah ritual is Halq or Taqsir. Halq is shaving one’s head, which doesn’t apply to women. But women must cut the locks of their hair equal to the length of their fingertips, called Taqsir. This final act marks the completion of Umrah and rids you of the obligation of the state of Ihram. 

Pack All Your Essentials and Comfortable Clothing

If you are traveling alone as a woman, with your family, or in a group, you must pack carefully for a smoother pilgrimage. You will have to pack comfortable and modest clothing. When it comes to modest dress, you can choose from numerous options. So, make sure you select the ones that will keep you comfortable. 

You must have all your other essentials, from towels and face wash to gadgets and any prescribed medicines. This will save you a lot of inconvenience and distraction during your pilgrimage. 

Keep Connected With Your Family and Friends

If you are traveling alone as a woman, you must keep connected with your friends and family back home. This will help ensure your safety and keep your family updated and satisfied. Moreover, you must also keep your smartphone with you at all times and give your emergency contacts to your travel agents and that of travel agents to your friends and family. 

If you travel with a group, exchange their contacts and share them with your family. Traveling in groups has many advantages for female pilgrims. The group members will keep you company, help you navigate the sacred cities, and help you in emergencies. 

Final Words

Women were not allowed to perform Hajj or Umrah for centuries without their mahram. But the times have changed now. And every year, countless Muslimahs embark on the faith-reviving pilgrimage. Whether traveling alone, with your family, or with a group, you will need tips for female travelers on Umrah to ensure a safe and smooth journey. If you’re planning your trip with the help of an Umrah travel agency, they can provide essential guidance to make your experience even more seamless. We have mentioned some of the most important things, but there are a lot more that you must consider while planning your trip, so be thoughtful and vigilant.