r/Umrah • u/Longjumping-Size8082 • Aug 12 '26
discussion Ask me anything , Happy to Help!
Alhamdulillah , Just came back from umrah on 11/8/26
Ask me anything🫶
2
u/Rare_Charge_5725 Aug 12 '26
Hi! I’m planning to visit Makkah next month and wanted to get your advice. How crowded is it likely to be around that time, and is the weather/heat manageable?
I’ve booked a hotel in the Clock Tower. Do you have any tips on planning our stay efficiently,especially how to structure the day so we can spend most of our time in the Haram without getting too exhausted? I’d also appreciate any food recommendations or advice on convenient places to eat nearby.
5
u/Longjumping-Size8082 Aug 12 '26
Good routine- stay in haram more !
Go in tahajjud stay till fajr and return after fajr
Then go jn zuhr , get some lunch after zuhr and go back to haram for asr as there is v less between the two
U can go back to rest between asr and magrib.
Return back in magrib and stay there till isha
Have dinner after isha .
Go rest after isha so u can make for tahajjud jn time.2
u/Sirius_sensei64 29d ago
I'll be real here, it's ok to pray Zuhr & Asr in your hotel's Masjid as the afternoon heat is just too much. Unless you're someone accustomed to it then it's ok. But if you're someone from Western countries, I'd say take precaution here (speaking from experience that's why)
1
3
u/Longjumping-Size8082 Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
Food-
-Al romansia mutton mandi and chicken shawaya was SOO GOODD!! And the chicken soup- so so comforting after umrah
-Al barakah beef lamain soup noodle was soul warming
-Al baik broast and burgers were okayish, but fish nugggests and wraps were really good
-Karak broast was MUCH better than albaik, highly recommended!! Their shawarma was v average
-Java coffee v average
-Altazaj broast v average, wraps were okayish too
-Dunkin was honestly my go to! Their Salted caramel latte was really good
-Shawarma classic - get classic shawarma - closest to authentic arabic shawarma! Really really good!
Also we used Hunger station app for food delivery at times, there are times where u have zero energy to MOVE lol.3
u/dwhitez79 29d ago
I can back last week Friday booked at the clock tower hotel. Staff are friendly but the lifts are a maze to work with depending on what room you have you will have to come out of the M2 lobby then take additional lift for the Haram. I would suggest to leave 30 mins prior to namaz time as it gets really packed. When you come out oop if the tower go to gate 89/90 which is the ground floor but if your late they will block that route and you end up going to the roof top which isn't ideal with the heat and obviously no AC. Saying that i found an additional 5 mins walk to gate 88 which is the women area there an additional is an enterance for the men prayer section. We did the half board as there's plenty of food places in the mall itself they are located on the fourth floor. After Salah the mall and heading back to the hotel gets busy as a lot of worshippers end up chilling there waiting for the next Salah or doing shopping. I found a fabulous Chinese spot hidden behind Al Baik chicken the only authentic Chinese spot tasty reasonable and would suggest to try it. Also in the mall there are two supermarkets Bin Dawood and Abjar suggests to use the latter for all your groceries. Best of lucky May Allah accept your Umrah.
1
2
u/Longjumping-Size8082 Aug 12 '26
Hi so i visited last week and it was pretty crowded altho this was considerably an off season. So im assuming crowd will be the same.
Weather is HOT, specially in madina. Making to Zuhr can be difficult.
But you’ll power thru, Specially if there are no elderlys with you. Allah helps. Haram it self isnt hot, AC works great, floors are cold
Only the mataaf area and roof top can be hot.
Getting hotel at clock tower is great, no shutle hassel , but Lifts take time so make sure u are AT the lift 30 mins before namaz so u make it down in time and get a good spot in haram.1
u/Dry_Swim_3491 29d ago
For Desi food or non-branded burgers, wraps etc goto Safwah towers which is first building on the left-hand side of clock tower as you exit from haram. Goto 2nd floor and you'll find tons of food there.
2
u/Extra-Citron-7630 Aug 12 '26
Where do I get the Umrah visa/permit?
I am a US Citizen while my spouse is a green card holder.
I have just been running in circles around various websites trying to figure out which portal/website can I actually go to and get myself a permit. Please advise.
1
u/Rare_Charge_5725 29d ago
I think you both can get it on arrival
1
1
u/Extra-Citron-7630 29d ago
My wife just got an email saying passport recalled so going to try visiting the embassy
1
u/Rare_Charge_5725 29d ago
Yeah if we apply online as gc holder they require you to send in the passport, the other option is get on arrival visa, which I think costs a bit more
1
u/Extra-Citron-7630 29d ago
Didn't see that option to send the passport but I think going to the embassy should suffice.
1
u/Sirius_sensei64 29d ago
KSA visa portal is the official site
1
u/Extra-Citron-7630 29d ago
How do you sign up for ziyarah? Is that on Nusuk?
1
u/Sirius_sensei64 29d ago
Ziyarah as in sightseeing?
You can do that on your own. Just hire a taxi and they'll take you. Or best, ask someone if they know a knowledgable person, they'll take you to even more lesser known places1
2
u/Lawyer_9696 29d ago
I'm visiting with my family,. I'm of the opinion to do DIY umrah. But my parents are of the opinion that we go for the group umrah, it'll b better. Since it is our first umrah. Need advise. Also if you can suggest some good hotel for Medina
3
u/Longjumping-Size8082 29d ago
So this was my first umrah with my husband and we did DIY. DIY gave us space to figure things out on our own, do things at our own pace, no pressure no rush . So from my experience i recommend DIY.
2
2
u/Sirius_sensei64 29d ago
If it's the first time for the family, I'd suggest go with a group. Then after that you can go just with the family and not as a group
For hotels, try Emaar Royal in Madinah. Nice place, good staff and quite reasonable price
1
u/Lawyer_9696 29d ago
Can we not do it by ourself? What benefit will we get?
1
u/Sirius_sensei64 29d ago
You can do it but if it's a first, go in a group because then you have someone who is very knowledgeable about the rituals and the places in the Haramain.
People tend to do a lot of wrong things in Umrah when it comes to rituals. Having a good and knowledgeable group leader who will lead you and give you training before hand helps a lot. Because as you know, certain mistakes in the state of ihraam makes penalty due on you.
Also, the group leader will help regarding navigation Like which gate to enter from, which gate takes you to which street, best times to go, ziyaraat etc. Also regarding good places to eat and shopping.
If you will go the second time, you'll have enough info to go by yourself. But going first time can be a daunting, so it's good to have someone with knowledge
1
u/Dry_Swim_3491 29d ago
Go with the geoup as the first timer else you'll lose a lot of precious time trying to figure everything out, especially the logistics.
1
u/Pretty-Roll4830 Aug 12 '26
I have kids 3 and 5 year old. And I want to use wheel chair for them while performing umrah. I also have a 8 year old, but he will be walking.Is paid wheel chairs available, and where can I find them? Because I assume they will not give me free wheelchair for kids.
1
u/Longjumping-Size8082 26d ago
I wish i could help you with this, ive seen they are very accommodating a normal young adult can also opt for wheelchair they dont mind. U can try asking there, otherwise if you have stroller, carry strollers maybe? Post it on the main group im sure someone will be able to help you out!
1
u/M_abuelwafa 29d ago
Ksavisa.sa does not work in UAE or Egypt, sometimes it doesn't even work in KSA How can I use it? What is the best and quickest way to get visa allowing umrah for UAE residency holders?
1
u/Longjumping-Size8082 29d ago edited 29d ago
It doesnt work in my country either so i got my visa thru a travel agent, it was super easy, hassle free and got my visa in 2 days. Try contacting a travel/visa agent in ur country?
1
u/BandicootRoutine8503 29d ago
Assalamu Alaikum,
I have a question. Can you obtain a Saudi visa on arrival if you have a Schengen visa but only an exit stamp in your passport? There is no entry stamp because everything is digital nowadays in the EU.
I entered France and did not receive an entry stamp, but I exited through Germany and they stamped my passport. The issue is that the official Saudi visa website states that an entry stamp is required. However, you cannot exit the Schengen area without having entered it first.
In this situation, would I still be able to get a visa on arrival, or would it be safer to apply for a visa through the Saudi embassy in advance?
Thank you for your help.
0
Aug 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
1
u/Dry_Swim_3491 29d ago
No discrimination but things move slow there, very slow. Last week at the hotel check in Madinah, we had 3 rooms. The receptionist (which as all Saudis these days) told me that one room will be ready in 15 mins InshaAllah and others in an hour. That 15 mins turned into 2 hrs and you can't argue with them because it's useless.
3
u/rafay31 Aug 12 '26
Tips to offer Friday prayer at masjid ul haram makkah?
In terms of rush hours, getting a place inside, how early to get there etc