The Maqam e Haram blog
Articles to help you plan your Umrah.
Plain guides for families planning Umrah: how to perform each step, when to travel and what to pack. If your question is not answered here, see our frequently asked questions or ask us.
Umrah guides
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NIMS NADRA vaccination certificate for Umrah: step by step
How to get the NADRA-linked vaccination certificate for Umrah from Pakistan: Pak ID or e-Sahulat, the airport vaccine centre, NIMS download and dated deadlines.
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Umrah and the regional situation: dated facts and where to check
What is known about the regional situation and Umrah travel, with dates and official sources: government travel advice, Saudi airports and flights, insurance and what to do.
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Miqat on flights: when to wear ihram on the plane
When to wear ihram on your flight to Jeddah from Pakistan or the UK: the five miqats, the crew announcement, transit, Madinah first and Jeddah.
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Umrah in Rajab and Sha'ban 1448: dates, virtue and planning
Rajab Umrah 2026 and Sha'ban Umrah 2027: expected dates, what scholars say about the virtue of these months, weather, crowds and prices.
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Umrah calendar 1448 AH: Umrah 2027 dates and deadlines
Umrah 2027 dates from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah: last visa 09/03/2027, last entry 23/03/2027, leave by 07/04/2027. Every Hijri month of 1448.
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Umrah with kids and babies
Umrah with kids or babies: visas and vaccines, Nusuk permits for children, pram rules in the Haram, a lost-child plan, heat, hotels and ihram for kids.
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Places to visit in Makkah: a family ziyarat guide
Places to visit in Makkah for families: Jabal al-Nour, Hira Cultural District, Jabal Thawr, Masjid Aisha, Arafat and museums, with notes for families.
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How to perform Umrah step by step
How to perform Umrah step by step: ihram, talbiyah, tawaf, two rak'ahs, Zamzam, sa'i and the haircut, plus Nusuk permits, floors and wheelchairs.
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How much is Umrah from Canada?
How much Umrah costs from Canada, in CAD: travel insurance your provincial plan won't cover, the visa, flights you book, our land package and spending.
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Umrah from the USA: what it costs
What Umrah from the USA costs: what a 'from $695' price leaves out, flights you book, the land package, visa, Medicare and insurance, in USD.
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How much does Umrah cost from the UK?
How much Umrah costs from the UK in GBP: a land quote against an ATOL package, e-visa, ETA or visa waiver, insurance, flights and spending money.
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Umrah in Ramadan 2027: dates, the last ten nights and the rules
Umrah in Ramadan 2027: expected dates, the hadith on its reward, the last ten nights, i'tikaf, Nusuk permit rules and the 09/03/2027 visa deadline.
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How to book the Rawdah on Nusuk (2026)
How to book the Rawdah on Nusuk in 2026: free permit, steps, men's and women's timings, how often you can go, wheelchairs, and what to do if no slot.
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Nusuk app guide 2026: Umrah permits, Rawdah and family
Nusuk app guide for 2026: get the real app, create an account, add family as companions, book Umrah and Rawdah permits, and fix common errors.
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Umrah with elderly parents
Umrah with elderly parents: free and paid wheelchairs, golf carts booked online, hotels near a gate, a slower pace, health and seated tawaf rulings.
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Jeddah airport to Makkah: what to do after you land
Jeddah airport to Makkah: which terminal, private car, Haramain train or bus, timing your Nusuk permit, and what to do if your driver is late.
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Best time for Umrah: a month-by-month guide for 2026 to 2027
Best time for Umrah, month by month: Makkah and Madinah weather, crowds by hour, price bands and school holidays in Pakistan, the UK, USA and Canada.
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Umrah cost from Pakistan 2026-27: every line added up
Umrah cost from Pakistan for 2026-27, line by line: visa, flights, hotels by class and distance, transport, ziyarat, food and extras, with examples.
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How long does Umrah take? The rites, and 7, 10 and 14-night plans
How long does Umrah take? The rites average about two hours in the Haram, longer in crowds. Plus sample 7, 10 and 14-night plans for Makkah and Madinah.