Umrah Guide 2026-2027: How Do You Perform Umrah, from Intention to Shaving?

Umrah is an act of worship completed by entering ihram at a designated miqat, performing tawaf around the Kaaba, walking sa’i between Safa and Marwah and then leaving ihram by shaving or trimming the hair (halq/taqsir). Umrah, a word that literally means “to visit”, can be performed at any time of year except for the few days of the Hajj season when the crowds are at their peak. For this reason, Umrah is also popularly known as the “lesser Hajj”.

According to the Hanafi and Maliki schools, Umrah is an emphasised sunnah (sunnah mu’akkadah) to be performed once in a lifetime by those who are able; in the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools, it is considered obligatory (fard). The Prophet’s hadith “An Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the next Umrah” (Bukhari, Muslim) sums up the spiritual value of Umrah. Authentic narrations also report that the reward of an Umrah performed in the month of Ramadan is equal to that of Hajj.

In this guide, we cover, in order, the topics most often asked about by guests performing Umrah for the first time: the obligatory (fard) and necessary (wajib) acts of Umrah, the intention (niyyah) and the talbiyah, ihram and the miqat, tawaf, sa’i, shaving or trimming the hair, the documents you need, the Nusuk app (Saudi Arabia’s official platform), health preparation and a packing list. Once you have read the guide from start to finish, you will travel to the holy lands knowing which step you are taking and why. You can compare programme and price options on our Umrah tours page.

The acts that must be fulfilled for Umrah to be valid are distinct from the acts whose omission requires a penalty (dam). The table below summarises the essential acts of Umrah and their rulings according to the Hanafi school:

If one of the fard acts is missing, the Umrah is not considered complete; omitting one of the wajib acts without a valid excuse requires an animal to be sacrificed. You can put your detailed questions about the rulings to our experienced religious guides at the pre-departure briefing. If you are curious about how Hajj and Umrah differ, you can read our article on the differences between Hajj and Umrah.

The Umrah rites themselves are usually completed within three to five hours, depending on the crowds. The order of the steps does not change; the table below shows where and how each step is performed. You will find the details of each step in the sections that follow.

You must be in a state of wudu (ablution) before tawaf; wudu is not a condition for sa’i, but being in a state of wudu is recommended (mustahabb). Drinking Zamzam and making dua between tawaf and sa’i is sunnah. You can reinforce the steps once more with the explanation in our how to perform Umrah article.

The intention (niyyah) marks the beginning of Umrah and is made in the heart; saying it aloud is sunnah. After putting on the ihram garments and, if possible, praying two rak’ahs of the ihram prayer, the intention is made as follows: “O Allah, I wish to perform Umrah seeking Your pleasure; make it easy for me and accept it from me.” It can also be said in Arabic as “Allâhümme innî urîdü’l-umrete fe yessirhâ lî ve tekabbelhâ minnî”.

Immediately after the intention, the talbiyah is recited: “Lebbeyk Allâhümme lebbeyk, lebbeyke lâ şerîke leke lebbeyk, inne’l-hamde ve’n-ni’mete leke ve’l-mülk, lâ şerîke lek.” When the intention and the talbiyah are made together, the person has entered ihram. The talbiyah is repeated often until you reach Makkah and begin tawaf; men recite it aloud, while women say it only loud enough to hear themselves.

For more information on the meaning of the intention and the talbiyah, and for supplications, take a look at our articles on the intention for ihram and the supplications to recite during Umrah. In our groups, as the miqat approaches, our guides lead the guests in making the intention and reciting the talbiyah together.

The miqat points are the boundaries that those coming to Makkah with the intention of Umrah or Hajj may not cross without being in ihram. The miqat at which you enter ihram depends on the direction from which you travel:

• Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali): The miqat for those coming from the direction of Madinah. Guests whose programme begins in Madinah enter ihram here on the way to Makkah.
• Juhfah (level with Rabigh): The miqat for those flying directly from Türkiye to Jeddah. An announcement is made on the plane as it approaches the line of the miqat; for this reason, the ihram garments are put on before boarding, and the intention is made on the plane when it is level with the miqat.
• Qarn al-Manazil, Yalamlam and Dhat Irq: The miqat points for those coming from the directions of Najd, Yemen and Iraq.

For men, ihram consists of two unstitched white pieces of cloth: one wrapped from the waist down (izar) and the other draped over the shoulders (rida). The head and face must be left uncovered, and slippers or sandals that leave the heel and the top of the foot exposed must be worn. Women enter ihram in their normal modest clothing and leave their face and hands uncovered. To tie your ihram in a practical way, see our how to wear ihram guide.

Once you are in ihram, using scented products, cutting the hair or nails, hunting, picking plants, marital intimacy and (for men) wearing sewn clothing are prohibited. That is why it is important to use unscented soap, shampoo and deodorant. You can find all the restrictions, and the penalties required if they are violated, in detail in our article on the restrictions of ihram.

You enter Masjid al-Haram with your right foot, making dua. It is recommended (mustahabb) to make dua when you first see the Kaaba; we describe the etiquette of this moment in our article on the dua to recite on seeing the Kaaba. Before starting tawaf, men perform idtiba by passing the rida under the right armpit and throwing it over the left shoulder.

Tawaf begins from the line of the Black Stone. Turning towards the Black Stone and raising your hands, you say “Bismillâhi Allâhu ekber” and salute it from a distance (istilam). You then walk with the Kaaba on your left. Each time you return to the line of the Black Stone, one circuit is complete and the istilam is repeated. Tawaf ends when seven circuits have been completed. The way men walk in the first three circuits, with short steps and moving their shoulders, is called raml.

What to do after tawaf

After tawaf, two rak’ahs of the tawaf prayer are performed behind the Station of Ibrahim if possible or, if it is crowded, at a suitable place in the mosque. It is sunnah to make dua at the Multazam, between the door of the Kaaba and the Black Stone, and then to drink Zamzam. Getting to know the parts of the Kaaba helps you perform tawaf more mindfully: our articles on the parts of the Kaaba, how to perform tawaf and the Zamzam dua are devoted to these topics.

Tawaf in the crowds

At busy times, tawaf can also be performed on the upper floors instead of the ground floor; although the distance is longer, walking is more comfortable. Tawaf by wheelchair is available for our elderly guests. When moving with our group, noting the meeting point set by your guide, especially the gate number, reduces the risk of getting lost.

Sa’i commemorates Hajar running between the hills of Safa and Marwah while searching for water for her son, Prophet Ismail. Sa’i begins at the hill of Safa. On climbing Safa, you face the Kaaba, recite the takbir and tahlil and make dua. You then walk towards Marwah; arriving at Marwah from Safa counts as one circuit, and returning from Marwah to Safa counts as the second circuit. The seventh circuit ends at Marwah.

This route, known as the Mas’a, is today a fully enclosed, air-conditioned, multi-storey gallery. In the section in the middle of the route marked with green lights, men jog lightly (harwalah), while women carry on walking at a normal pace. The total length of the seven circuits exceeds three kilometres, so comfortable shoes or sandals are important. There are separate wheelchair lanes for those who find walking difficult.

There is no specific dua that must be recited during sa’i; verses from the Qur’an, salawat and personal supplications in your own words may be recited. When sa’i is finished, you move on to shaving or trimming the hair, the final step of Umrah.

After completing sa’i, men have their hair shaved off (halq) or shortened (taqsir). Shaving is more virtuous. According to the Hanafi school, when shortening, a fingertip’s length must be cut from the hair on at least a quarter of the head. Women, on the other hand, cut a fingertip’s length from the ends of their hair; shaving the head does not apply to women.

With the shaving or trimming, the restrictions of ihram end and the Umrah is complete. There are many barbers around the Haram; our female guests can do this themselves in their hotel room or with the help of a relative. Afterwards, normal clothes may be worn and fragrance may be used. During your stay in Makkah, those who wish may perform voluntary (nafl) tawaf; for an additional Umrah, you need to go back out to the miqat boundary (Tan’im or Ji’ranah).

The documents required for the Umrah visa application and registration may be updated from time to time. Guests travelling with RotaNur are generally asked for the following:

For detailed information on the visa process, the ways to apply and how the Umrah visa differs from a tourist visa, see our article on how to get an Umrah visa. Visa procedures are included in the price of all our Umrah packages.

Nusuk is the official digital platform developed by Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah visitors. Visiting the Rawdah in Madinah is done by appointment, and these appointments are issued through Nusuk. In busy periods, you may also be required to obtain a permit through the platform in order to perform Umrah in Masjid al-Haram.

Our guides help guests travelling with our group with their Nusuk procedures; installing the app on your phone before you set off and logging in with your passport details speeds up the process. Because appointment slots open according to available capacity, the Rawdah visit is planned flexibly within the programme. As the app’s rules may be updated by the Saudi authorities, we also share the current situation at the pre-departure briefing.

For the etiquette of visiting the Rawdah and the supplications to recite, take a look at our articles on the Rawdah dua and the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi).

Saudi Arabia requires certain vaccinations from Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, above all the meningitis (meningococcal) vaccine. The vaccine is given by appointment at travel health centres run by the Turkish Ministry of Health, and it must be administered sufficiently in advance of your trip. The seasonal flu vaccine is also frequently recommended for the protection it provides in crowded settings. Consult your doctor about the current requirements and the vaccinations suitable for you; you will find the details in our Umrah vaccination article.

Temperatures in the holy lands are high for most of the year. Drinking plenty of water and Zamzam throughout the day, not staying outdoors for long when the sun is at its highest, and using a light-coloured umbrella are the most effective precautions against heatstroke. For the long walks, walking regularly in the weeks before your trip, taking good care of your feet and using an unscented cream against chafing all reduce fatigue.

• Carry the medicines you take regularly in your hand luggage, together with their prescriptions, in sufficient quantity for the length of the trip.
• If you have a chronic condition, get a short medical report from your doctor and inform your guide.
• Take care against throat infections when moving suddenly from air-conditioned spaces into the heat; keep a mask with you.
• Request wheelchair and escort support for elderly guests when registering.

Performing Umrah on a guided programme means having a religious guide by your side at every one of the steps above. The table below compares our Umrah packages by duration, key services and price per person; the information is pulled automatically from the product pages.

The main difference between the packages is the distance of the hotel in Makkah from the Haram and the accommodation class: economy Umrah programmes use hotels with a shuttle service, walking-distance packages use hotels 300-500 metres from the Haram, luxury Umrah packages use hotels 200-300 metres away, and premium Umrah packages use hotels 50-100 metres away.

In the 2026-2027 season, our Umrah tour prices start from 75,000 ₺ per person. The main factors that determine the price are the hotel’s distance from the Haram, the room type (for 2, 3 or 4 people), the length of the programme, the departure city and the travel period. Current starting prices per person:

• Economy Umrah Tour — 7 Days: 75,000 ₺ per person
• Walking-Distance Umrah Tour — 7 Days: 108,500 ₺ per person
• Economy Umrah Tour — 10 Days: 81,500 ₺ per person
• Luxury Umrah Tour — 7 Days: 141,500 ₺ per person
• Economy Umrah Tour — 15 Days: 82,500 ₺ per person
• Walking-Distance Umrah Tour — 10 Days: 123,500 ₺ per person
• Luxury Umrah Tour — 10 Days: 167,500 ₺ per person
• Premium Umrah Tour — 50–100 m from the Haram: 221,500 ₺ per person
• Short Umrah Tour — 4 Days (Walking Distance): 100,500 ₺ per person
• Luxury Umrah Tour — 4 Days: 118,500 ₺ per person
• Walking-Distance Umrah Tour — 15 Days: 158,500 ₺ per person
• Economy Umrah Tour — 20 Days: 93,000 ₺ per person
• Extended Umrah Tour — 23 Days: 105,500 ₺ per person
• Full Ramadan Umrah — 33 Days: 110,500 ₺ per person

Our prices include return flights, the Umrah visa, accommodation, transfers and guidance from a religious guide. You can find detailed prices by date and room type in the date table on the relevant product pages. For dates whose prices have not yet been announced, the amount shown is marked as “estimated” and is updated once it is confirmed.

Umrah can be performed at any time of year; however, the weather, the crowds and the prices vary noticeably depending on the period. The table below provides a general overview:

Because the Hijri calendar moves about ten days earlier each year, Ramadan and the holy nights fall on different Gregorian dates every year. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin in early February. For more information on choosing your travel period, read our article on when to go on Umrah.

Although the Umrah itself is completed in a few hours, the length of the programme matters if you want to spend enough time in Makkah and Madinah. If your time off is limited, short Umrah tours offer a 4-day programme in hotels close to the Haram. For those with a week off, the 7-day Umrah is suitable, while the 10-day Umrah and 14-day Umrah programmes suit those who want a calmer pace in Makkah and Madinah.

Our retired guests and those who wish to spend a long time at the Prophet’s Mosque prefer long-stay Umrah programmes; on these programmes, the daily pace is relaxed and the cost per night is lower. When deciding which length suits you, consider your health, your walking ability and your time off together. We cover the topic in detail in our article on how many days Umrah takes.

Accommodation is the most important factor in the comfort of your Umrah. In Makkah, the hotel’s distance from the Haram makes the difference between waiting for a shuttle for each of the daily prayers and walking there and back. In Madinah, most hotels are in the Markaziyah area surrounding the Prophet’s Mosque. You can find detailed information on hotel areas, distances and room types on our Makkah hotels and Madinah hotels pages.

Our programmes begin with a return flight from Türkiye; you can see the departure points in Istanbul and across Anatolia on our Umrah departure cities page. Our guide meets you at Jeddah or Madinah airport. The journey of about 450 kilometres between Makkah and Madinah is made by comfortable coach and, on some dates, by high-speed train.

Alongside worship, our Umrah programmes also include guided visits to important sites in Islamic history:

• Makkah: Jabal al-Nour and the Cave of Hira, Mount Thawr, Arafat and Jabal al-Rahmah, Muzdalifah, Mina, Jannat al-Mu’alla and the Ji’ranah Mosque.
• Madinah: the Prophet’s Mosque and the Rawdah, Jannat al-Baqi, Quba Mosque, Masjid al-Qiblatayn, Mount Uhud and the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery, the Khandaq (Trench) area and the Seven Mosques.

Reading about the history of these sites beforehand makes the visits far more meaningful: our articles on places to visit in Makkah, places to visit in Madinah, the Cave of Hira and Quba Mosque will guide you.

Women perform Umrah with the same steps as men; the differences lie in clothing, raml and idtiba during tawaf, and the way the hair is cut. In ihram, women leave their face and hands uncovered, may wear sewn clothing and may wear normal shoes. Raml and idtiba are not performed in tawaf, and women do not jog between the green lights during sa’i. The hair is cut by trimming a small amount from the ends.

Tawaf cannot be performed during menstruation; in this case, the other acts can be carried out, and tawaf is performed once the woman is ritually pure again. It is helpful to take this into account when planning the length of the programme. For the Saudi authorities’ current regulations and the scholarly (fiqh) opinions on whom women can travel to Umrah with, see our Umrah guide for women article.

• For worship: at least two sets of ihram and an ihram belt for men, comfortable and modest clothing for women, a prayer mat, prayer beads and a pocket-sized dua book.
• For personal care: unscented soap, shampoo, deodorant and wet wipes; sunscreen, anti-chafing cream and nail clippers (to use before entering ihram).
• For your feet: ihram slippers or sandals that leave the heel uncovered, tawaf socks and comfortable, worn-in shoes for walking.
• Practical items: a neck wallet or waist bag, a phone charger and power bank, a small backpack and an umbrella.
• Documents: passport, printed visa, hotel information card, vaccination certificate and medicine prescriptions.

You can get the products you need in one place from our Umrah essentials category. For a detailed thirty-item checklist, take a look at our Umrah packing list article.

• Passport: check its validity early; if it needs renewing, start the process in good time.
• Visa and documents: submit your documents in full; visa procedures are handled by us.
• Vaccination: book your appointment at a travel health centre early.
• Briefing: attend the pre-departure briefing on the rites (manasik); note down your questions in advance.
• Physical preparation: walk every day in the weeks before your trip.
• Money and communication: carry some Saudi riyals with you; set up an international roaming plan or a data package.
• Seeking forgiveness: seek forgiveness from your loved ones and put your debts in order; for kind words to say to someone setting off for Umrah, see our article on what to say to someone going on Umrah.
• Cancellation and changes: the conditions are set out on our cancellation and refund page.

RotaNur is a travel brand that treats the Umrah and Hajj journey not as a holiday but as an act of worship. On our programmes, we transparently share all dates, departure cities and prices by room type, and we show availability in the date table. An advisor follows your process from registration to your return, and visa, flight and hotel information is sent to you regularly.

Our experienced religious guides stay with your group at every step of Umrah, from the intention to shaving or trimming the hair, and demonstrate on the spot what you have read in this guide. You can ask your questions at any hour on our 24/7 WhatsApp line and work out the right package together with us. You can also reach us through our Contact page.