Hajj and Umrah are the most holy journeys for Muslims. For them, no trip is more important than these two. The above two statements are fully supported by the number of people entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia each year for pilgrimage. In 2023, around 13.55 million did Umrah and 1.84 million went for Hajj.
Since Hajj is a costly and annual affair, most Muslims go for Umrah whenever they can. Today we will talk about Umrah. If you break down the mammoth 13.55 million number into months, you’ll find that the most number of pilgrims went for Umrah in the month of Ramadan and during the peak window of November to February. Out of this window, going for Umrah in December is the most preferred option for millions of Muslims. This post explains why December is the best month to perform Umrah and how to book an ATOL & IATA-certified December Umrah package.
Why is December the Best Month to Perform Umrah?
Pleasant Weather
Saudi Arabia is known for its harsh weather. The temperature in summer can go as high as 44°C with scorching heat and humid conditions. On the contrary, the weather in the winter is pretty pleasant, and the mercury hovers around 8°C to 20°C in Mecca and Medina.
The cool temperature motivates Muslims to fulfil their religious obligations without bearing the intense heat. Muslims from all over the world, especially Europe and North America, head over to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. Most of them get affordable December Umrah packages for travelling peacefully. These packages are often all-inclusive and come with facilities like meals, hotels, flights, transportation, and guided tours.
Long Nights for Praying
The winter months are characterised by long nights and short days. This is a great opportunity for pilgrims to stay back in the Holy Mosque of Mecca or Medina and pray as much as they can. The mosques are open 24 hours, so there is no stopping you.
Many people who travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah in December typically adopt this routine. They come into the mosques after Zuhar prayers and stay there till Fajr prayers. Since the weather is pleasant, you don’t have to worry about humidity and heat.
Local Holidays in the World
The month of December sees local holidays in most parts of the world. The winter break starts on December 24 and runs until the new year’s eve. Muslims make use of this and head to perform Umrah without affecting their schedule. This is why, if you go to Umrah in December, you’ll see thousands of European and North American Muslims in Mecca and Medina.
These people not only perform Umrah, but they also visit the top tourist spots in the country. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to foreign tourists in the last decade. Now many people go there to explore the mystic country. The top places frequently visited by tourists include Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Al Jubail.
How Do I Select the Best Umrah Travel Agency Near Me?
Selecting the right Umrah package for December 2024 or 2025 is an easy but technical thing to do. If you follow the process explained below, you will be able to pick the best December Umrah package in an hour.
Finding the Right Travel Agency.
The search for your next Umrah package begins with finding the best travel agency. You can do this in two ways. Either you can ask your friends or family for a credible reference or you can locate the best agency online.
The first way has its benefits, as you can get a first-hand account of the services offered and how the trip went. However, you must do your own research before finalising the deal.
The other route is also easy but requires some attention to detail. Simply go to a web browser and type your preferred month to perform Umrah and departure city. For example, if you live in London, you can search for December Umrah Packages 2024 in London. You will get a list of Umrah packages from various travel agencies. Select at least 4–5 packages from the top results.
Filtering Reviews and Ratings
Now find these companies on different platforms like Google, Instagram, Facebook, Yelp, and Trustpilot. Check out the overall ratings and the last two months’ reviews. Scrutinise the reviews to ensure that they are actual and not just a ploy to attract people. A real review often mentions both the good and bad parts of the deal. Moreover, if a majority of the reviews appear like sales pitches, stay away from such companies.
Checking the Legal Status
Another important step is to check the legal status of the shortlisted companies. If you are checking a company in the UK, you can go to Companies House to verify the current status. Further, you can go to the Saudi Government’s Hajj and Umrah website to see if the company is registered there. A travel agency must be ATOL-protected and IATA-certified. Make sure all these things are a green light before proceeding to the next step.
Comparing Prices and Services in the Packages
By now, you will be left with only legit companies, so go ahead and check the details of different packages. Compare prices, see hotels, flights, and other facilities like meals, transportation, and guided tours.
We recommend that you don’t go for a cheap December Umrah package. Instead, look for one that offers the best value for money. Spending a few pounds extra can elevate your experience and make the journey more memorable.
Verifying Hidden Costs
The last step is to go over the terms and conditions of the deal. Make sure you specifically ask if there are any hidden costs in the package. Also, discuss what happens if you cancel your trip. How will you get a refund, or do you have a chance to reschedule your trip?
These small things may not look too vital on the surface, but they have a deep impact on how your journey goes. We don’t want you to repent later by selecting a bad travel agency. So be careful during selection so you can do Umrah in peace.
Final Words
Allah orders Muslims in the second chapter of the Holy Quran to do Hajj and Umrah for His sake. Only He knows the exact rewards for these trips, but various Hadiths and Muslim scholars have explained some of the numerous benefits of Umrah. Firstly, you become a guest of the Almighty, and He never sends His guest back home empty-handed; secondly, Umrah assures forgiveness, and all the previous sins of a pilgrim are washed away; thirdly, it eliminates poverty and flourishes sustenance.
If you are looking to perform Umrah this year or next year, book December Umrah packages from MHT. Muslims Holy Travel (MHT) is a leading travel agency for Muslims living in the UK. We offer bespoke Umrah packages, along with halal tours and honeymoon deals. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us right now and let us manage your next Umrah trip, so you can pray in peace while in the House of Allah.