For First-Timers
How to Perform Umrah
A detailed, practical overview of the four rituals that make up Umrah — useful for knowing what to expect and plan around. This is a travel guide, not a religious ruling: for detailed guidance on your own situation, a knowledgeable guide or scholar is the right source, not a website.
Ihram
Before crossing the boundary (miqat) around Makkah, pilgrims enter the sacred state of ihram — a specific set of intentions and restrictions that remain in place until Umrah is complete.
- Men wear two unstitched white garments (also called ihram); women wear modest dress of their own choosing — there's no prescribed colour or style for women, just modesty and coverage.
- The intention (niyyah) for Umrah is made at or before the miqat — the specific boundary point that depends on which direction you're arriving from. If you're flying into Jeddah, cabin crew or your airline typically announce when the plane is approaching the miqat, giving you time to prepare beforehand.
- Once in ihram, certain things are paused until Umrah is complete: cutting hair or nails, using perfume or scented products, and marital relations, among others. Your guide or provider will typically go through the full list before departure.
- Many UK travelers change into ihram at home or at the airport before the flight, since some miqat points are crossed mid-flight and changing on board isn't always practical.
Tawaf
Seven counter-clockwise circuits around the Kaaba, starting and ending at the Black Stone corner. This is usually the first ritual performed on arrival at the Haram.
- Each circuit is called a shawt — seven shawt make one complete tawaf. There's no strict time limit, but most people complete it in 30–60 minutes depending on how busy the Haram is.
- Men are encouraged to walk briskly (raml) for the first three circuits if performing tawaf for Umrah specifically, then at a normal pace for the remaining four — this applies to men only.
- Touching or kissing the Black Stone is a sunnah (recommended practice), not a requirement — with how crowded it usually is, simply gesturing toward it as you pass is completely acceptable and what most pilgrims actually do.
- After tawaf, it's customary to pray two rak'ahs near the Maqam Ibrahim if space allows, though praying anywhere in the mosque is fine if the immediate area is too crowded.
Sa'i
Seven passes between the hills of Safa and Marwah, inside the Masjid al-Haram complex, commemorating Hajar's search for water for her son Ismail.
- The distance between Safa and Marwah is roughly 450 metres each way — seven passes adds up to around 3.15km total, so comfortable shoes matter more than people expect.
- Covered, air-conditioned walkways make this accessible for most travelers, including those with mobility considerations — wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to rent on-site for those who need them.
- There are dedicated lanes for wheelchairs and slower-paced walking, separate from the main flow, which is worth knowing about in advance if it's relevant to your group.
- Sa'i starting at Safa counts as one pass, and Marwah back to Safa counts as the next — you finish at Marwah on the seventh pass, not back at Safa.
Halq or Taqsir
Umrah concludes with cutting the hair — a full shave (halq) or a trim (taqsir) for men, and a small trim for women. This marks the end of the state of ihram.
- For men, a full shave is considered more virtuous, but a trim of at least a fingertip's length across the whole head is sufficient and equally valid.
- For women, cutting is symbolic — typically a fingertip's length from the ends of the hair, gathered together, not a visible haircut.
- Barbers are available right outside the Haram complex for men wanting a full shave or trim on the spot — this is normal, expected, and quick.
- Once this is done, all the restrictions of ihram lift immediately and Umrah is complete.
Common Questions
How long does Umrah take from start to finish?
The rituals themselves — tawaf, sa'i, and the hair-cutting — typically take 2 to 4 hours total for most people, depending on how busy the Haram is. Most UK packages build in several days in Makkah beyond that, both for additional worship and simply because flights don't align with a same-day return.
Can I perform Umrah more than once during the same trip?
Yes — many pilgrims perform Umrah more than once during a single visit, traveling to a nearby miqat point (commonly Masjid Aisha in Makkah itself) to re-enter the state of ihram and repeat the rituals. This is a personal choice, not a requirement.
Do I need a visa specifically for Umrah, or can I use a tourist e-visa?
Most UK nationals travelling outside the Hajj season are eligible for the Saudi e-visa or electronic visa waiver, which covers Umrah travel without needing a separate dedicated Umrah visa. Visa routes and requirements are set by Saudi authorities and do change, so always confirm the current process with your provider or the official Nusuk platform before booking.
What should I do if I'm not sure I've done a ritual correctly?
This is genuinely common, especially for first-timers, and it's exactly what a knowledgeable guide is for — someone who can walk alongside you and answer questions in the moment. It's also worth knowing that many concerns people have (missing part of a circuit, forgetting the exact du'a) have well-established, straightforward remedies — this is a common enough situation that guides and scholars on-site are used to helping with it.
Is Umrah physically demanding?
Tawaf and sa'i together involve a few kilometres of walking, mostly on flat, covered ground, plus standing and moving through crowds. It's manageable for most people, including many with mobility considerations thanks to wheelchair lanes and rental mobility scooters — but it's genuinely more physical than a typical day of sightseeing, so it's worth being realistic about your own fitness when planning, especially in warmer months.
What's the difference between Umrah and Hajj?
Umrah can be performed at any time of year (aside from a short Hajj-season blackout window) and takes a few hours to complete. Hajj happens during a specific set of days each Islamic year, involves several additional rituals over multiple days, and is obligatory once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able — Umrah is not obligatory in the same way. The packages on this site are for Umrah, not Hajj.
Consider a guide for the journey itself
A knowledgeable guide — someone who can walk you through each ritual as it happens, answer questions in the moment, and help first-timers feel prepared rather than unsure — is a separate thing from choosing a travel package. Many travelers arrange one specifically for the days they're performing Umrah, independent of who they booked flights and hotels through.