By Hafiz Amjad, Team Lead, Azzam International Tours, Wah Cantt
How do you plan Umrah from Islamabad? Choose your travel dates, decide between a group or a customised package, book through a licensed travel company, get your passport, vaccinations and Umrah visa ready, then prepare for the rituals before you fly from Islamabad International Airport to Jeddah or Madinah. Most pilgrims plan the whole journey in four to six weeks.
Islamabad International Airport is the departure point for pilgrims from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Wah Cantt, Taxila, Attock, Haripur and the surrounding districts. This guide walks through each step, from the first enquiry to landing back home.
Step 1: How long should an Umrah trip be?
Most packages from Pakistan last between 14 and 21 days, divided between Makkah and Madinah. First-time pilgrims usually prefer around 20 days, which gives time for worship in both cities without rushing. A common arrangement is to stay in Makkah, then Madinah, then return to Makkah before flying home.
Step 2: Should you choose a group or a customised package?
| Group package | Customised package | |
| Dates | Fixed departure dates | Your own dates |
| Hotels | Chosen in advance by the company | You choose |
| Price | Lower, because seats and rooms are booked in bulk | Higher |
| Guidance | Group leader travels or supports the group | Depends on the company |
| Best for | First-time pilgrims, elderly parents, budget-conscious families | Families wanting flexibility or nearer hotels |
Step 3: What does an Umrah package usually include?
- Return air ticket from Islamabad
- Umrah visa, which includes Saudi medical insurance and transport between Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and the airport
- Hotels in Makkah and Madinah
- Ziarat (visits to historic sites) in Makkah and Madinah, on many packages
Meals are often extra at smaller hotels, while larger hotels may include breakfast. Always ask for the inclusions in writing.
Step 4: What decides the price of an Umrah package?
Five things decide the price more than anything else:
- Hotel distance from the Haram. Walking-distance hotels cost much more than hotels with a shuttle service.
- Room type. Sharing is the most economical, then Quad, Triple and Double.
- Season. School holidays, Ramadan and especially its last ten nights are the busiest and most expensive.
- Flight. Direct flights cost more than flights with a stop, but save time and energy.
- Group or customised. Group packages are cheaper for the same hotels.
Ask two or three licensed companies for written quotations with the same hotels and dates, and compare like with like.
Step 5: Which documents do you need?
- ☐ Passport valid for at least six months from the travel date
- ☐ CNIC, and B-Form for children
- ☐ Recent passport-size photographs with a white background
- ☐ Vaccination certificates required for Umrah and for travel from Pakistan
- ☐ Booking confirmation from a licensed travel company
Visa and health requirements are set by the Saudi and Pakistani authorities and can change. Your travel company should confirm the requirements that apply on your travel date.
Step 6: How should you prepare before flying?
- Attend a pre-departure training on Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i and the rules of the Haram.
- Start walking daily; pilgrims often walk 10 to 15 km a day.
- Install the official Saudi pilgrim app and register before you travel; it is used for permits such as visiting the Rawdah in Madinah.
- Save the contact numbers of your group leader and your company’s representative in Saudi Arabia.
Step 7: What should you pack?
- Two sets of Ihram for men; comfortable, modest clothing for women
- Soft walking shoes and light sandals
- A small backpack, refillable water bottle and unscented toiletries
- Your regular medicines with prescriptions
- A power bank and a universal plug adapter
Frequently asked questions
How early should I book Umrah from Islamabad? Four to six weeks ahead is usually enough. For school holidays and Ramadan, book three to four months ahead, as group seats sell out early.
Do flights from Islamabad land in Jeddah or Madinah? Most land in Jeddah, which is close to Makkah. Some packages fly into Madinah, so pilgrims visit Madinah first.
Can children and elderly parents go on a group package? Yes. Infants under two travel without a bed, and children usually get a reduced price. Tell the company in advance about wheelchair needs.
How long does the Umrah visa take? Usually a few working days once all documents are complete.
To compare group dates, hotels and packages, see Umrah packages from Islamabad by Azzam International Tours, an IATA-accredited company in Wah Cantt that has served more than 5,000 pilgrims since 2019.
