Tricks for Choosing a new Hajj Package

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

 

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

 

 

Choosing an agency registered with the Ministry of Hajj over a sub-agent raise your chances of a smooth journey. Registered agencies are more alert to the latest rules and regulations of processing visas Easy Haj, can contact Ministry of Hajj to resolve an issue, are accountable to Ministry if pilgrims file an issue and are more resourceful for making airline, hotel and transportation arrangement. They are also cheaper because travel arrangement in Saudi Arabia can only just be done by authorized agencies. Sub agents have to buy services from these agencies and therefore sell the package at a level up price.

 

Despite most of the advantages of licensed agents mentioned previously, you are able to select a sub agent when you yourself have heard good reasons for them. All Authorized agents may not provide a good service though some sub agents are extremely professional. Therefore you need to select a hajj package provider predicated on referrals.

 

Company of a knowledgeable and experienced guide in your group is necessary. Regardless of simply how much information you've accumulated from books and lectures, you may face questions, you had not anticipated before. It can also be important to understand if the travel agency seeks advice from their guide. For logistical ease, some agents may plan departure to Arafat and Muzdalifah before enough 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.

 

Be sure to check that the Imam can do the hajj with the pilgrims of the package you've selected. It's difficult to get hold of the Imam if he is staying in an alternative hotel, travelling in an alternative bus or residing in an alternative tent in Mina from yours. This issue is particularly common with agencies offering large selection of packages beneath the guidance of 1 or 2 Imams only.

 

Having a lady guide could be of added benefit for sisters performing pilgrimage.

 

It's useful to see if the travel agency features a full-time employee in US and Saudi Arabia. The more an agency utilizes outside resources, the much more likely it's to suffer with mismanagement. Also the longer an agency has provided Hajj services, the higher equipped it's to give a organized service.

 

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

 

Accommodation in a convenient site is very useful. Hotel close to the Haram and Masjid - e- Nabwi is more important than how many stars of a hotel because it would cut travel time, conserve energy for worshiping and save time by devoid of to stand in long lines to do wudu or use restrooms. It might be better in cases to fairly share your room with 4 people in a hotel near Haram and not sharing room with another person but at a better distance from the Haram. Moreover hotel ratings are per Saudi Government standards which are very different from the American standards of rating hotels.

 

Don't worry a lot of if a hajj package doesn't offer meals in Makkah and Medina. There are lots of options around Haram to consume and drink in between prayer times, but may use up a lot of your own time waiting in a line. Hotel buffets is actually a time saver or even a big distraction, as often people may spend a lot of time socializing too much. It's however good for food in Mina and Arafat as options will soon be limited. If you are performing Hajj with family it might be better to decide on a deal that provides meals through the entire 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 additional flight options and may be cheaper. Same is true for leaving Saudi Arab. Medina as a port of entry or exit could save a lot of time.

 

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

 

Hajj packages promising access to private apartments during remain in Mina is just a plus. Tents in Mina are small with only room enough for individuals to sleep. Pilgrims can thus leave their luggage within their rooms in their remain in Mina. Additionally it opens up the option to use the bathrooms and showers of the area and not those setup in Mina camp.

 

Hajj packages offering 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 people originate 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 a long time to arrive. Therefore a shuttle service given by your agent could be quicker and free.

 

Most hajj packages give out SIM cards. This is actually a time saver too. Otherwise you might have to attend 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 enable you to focus on your worship to your heart's content.