Strategies of Choosing a good Hajj Package

Hajj, which purifies man of all sins, is just a very sacred journey whose spiritual aspect can be overshadowed when faced with logistical troubles. Therefore choosing the "perfect" hajj package is crucial to allow you to focus on the spiritual facet of the journey wholeheartedly.

Following are some aspects to think about when choosing a hajj package:

Choosing an agency registered with the Ministry of Hajj over a sub-agent boost your odds of a clean journey. Registered agencies tend to be more aware of the newest rules and regulations of processing visas, can contact Ministry of Hajj to eliminate a challenge, are accountable to Ministry if pilgrims file a problem and tend to be more resourceful for making airline, hotel and transportation arrangement. They are also cheaper because travel arrangement in Saudi Arabia can only just be achieved by authorized agencies. Sub agents have to get services from these agencies and therefore sell the package at a mark up price Visit site.

Despite all the advantages of licensed agents stated earlier, you are able to choose a sub agent when you have heard good reasons for having them. All Authorized agents might not give a good service though some sub agents are extremely professional. Therefore one should choose a hajj package provider based on referrals.

Company of a knowledgeable and experienced guide in your group is necessary. Regardless of simply how much information you have accumulated from books and lectures, you might face questions, you had not anticipated before. It can also be important to know if the travel agency seeks advice from their guide. For logistical ease, some agents may plan departure to Arafat and Muzdalifah before the time recommended by Islamic law. Choosing an agency that plans the trip under a reliable imam can mitigate risks of taking shortcuts or going against Sunnah.

Make sure you check that the Imam will do the hajj with the pilgrims of the package you have selected. It is difficult to contact the Imam if he is remaining in an alternative hotel, travelling in an alternative bus or residing in an alternative tent in Mina from yours. This dilemma is especially common with agencies that provide large number of packages underneath the guidance of 1 or 2 Imams only.

Having a female guide will be of added benefit for sisters performing pilgrimage.

It is beneficial to see if the travel agency has a full-time employee in US and Saudi Arabia. The more an agency relies on outside resources, the more likely it is to suffer with mismanagement. Also the longer an agency has provided Hajj services, the better equipped it is to provide a organized service.

Most Hajj packages advertise price with fare from New York to Jedda. If your home is elsewhere, make sure to include the expense of domestic air fare to New York when choosing a package. Also add the expense of Hajj fees and Zabiha to obtain an estimate of the precise amount you will soon be spending per person.

Accommodation in an easy site is very useful. Hotel near to the Haram and Masjid - e- Nabwi is more important than how many stars of a hotel as it would cut travel time, conserve energy for worshiping and save time by devoid of to stand in long lines to accomplish wudu or use restrooms. It may be better in cases to talk about your room with 4 people in a hotel near Haram and not sharing room with one other person but at a better distance from the Haram. Moreover hotel ratings are per Saudi Government standards which will vary from the American standards of rating hotels.

Do not worry a lot of in case a hajj package does not offer meals in Makkah and Medina. There are lots of options around Haram to consume and drink among prayer times, but may occupy a lot of your time waiting in a line. Hotel buffets is actually a time saver or a big distraction, as often people may spend a lot of time socializing too much. It is however good to get food in Mina and Arafat as options will soon be limited. If you should be performing Hajj with family it could be better to choose a package that offers meals through the trip.

Choosing hajj packages that land in Medina first, can save time spent in immigration lines. Pilgrims landing in Jedda can experience 14 - 18 hours in immigration before leaving for Makkah. However choosing package where pilgrims land in Jedda opens up a lot more flight options and may be cheaper. Same holds true for leaving Saudi Arab. Medina as a slot of entry or exit could save a lot of time.

Ask the agent concerning the precise location of the tent in Mina. VIP Tents are mostly (if not all) at a brief walking distance from Jamarat. However regular tents in the North American Camp are in terms of a 50 minute walk to Jamarat one way. In reality some tents aren't even pitched in Mina. They are located beyond huge sign boards that say "Mina ends here"!

Hajj packages promising usage of private apartments during stay static in Mina is just a plus. Tents in Mina are small with just enough space for people to sleep. Pilgrims can thus leave their luggage in their rooms in their stay static in Mina. In addition, it opens up the possibility to utilize the bathrooms and showers of the room and not the ones setup in Mina camp.

Hajj packages that provide free shuttle service from Mina to Haram can allow you to save money. Taxi fares increase exponentially during Mina days. Lured by the profits, a number of individuals result from other cities to work as taxi drivers and might even get lost while trying to operate a vehicle pilgrims to Haram. Buses though cheaper take quite a long time to arrive. Therefore a shuttle service given by your agent will be quicker and free.

Most hajj packages give out SIM cards. This is actually a time saver too. Otherwise you might have to hold back in lines to acquire a SIM card.

Considering these logistical issues while choosing the right hajj package will hopefully cut your worldly worries of performing hajj and allow you to focus on your worship to your heart's content.