Plan YOUR Umrah Package, YOUR way!

1. Flights between each of your selected Al Haram's
2. A choice of hotels near the HOLY SITES
3. Optional Airport transfers 
4. A complete and personalised DIY Umrah package tailored to your choice of budget.
5. Inter Al Haram Transfers
6. Coming soon: Ziyarah's (Mazarat)

1. Enter your UK departure airport (this is the Departure & Arrival Airport)
2. Enter your first Al Haram city
3. Select your departure date
4. Select the number of nights you’d like to stay at the destination
5. Select the number of Room(s) and number of guests per room 
6. Select you preferred property rating
7. Select the board basis in the advanced search
8. Click the next destination button
9. Repeat the above, until you have no further Al Haram's to visit

Understanding Hotel Availability and Booking Standards in Saudi Arabia  

As Saudi Arabia continues to welcome global tourism, the nation is aligning itself with international hospitality standards. The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Hajj & Umrah are actively removing unlicensed hotels from international booking platforms. This initiative not only enhances quality control and regulatory compliance but also fosters a more competitive and transparent marketplace.

However, many travellers who have booked Umrah packages in advance have experienced unexpected changes when hotel providers are required to reconfirm reservations. In some cases, hotels may no longer meet updated regulatory requirements, resulting in last-minute relocations and understandable disappointment when guests are moved to alternative properties.

At Cypher Travel, we partner exclusively with providers who work only with hotels approved by the Saudi government. This significantly reduces the risk of booking disruptions. Nevertheless, due to high demand and the competitive nature of the market, confirmed hotel availability and pricing are typically released no earlier than 120 days before travel. Even then, initial prices may not always reflect final, accurate rates.

Because Cypher Travel utilises real-time integrations with hotel suppliers’ booking systems, you may occasionally notice unusually high prices. Hotels often set these elevated rates to discourage bookings during maintenance periods, temporary closures, or when they are fully booked. While hotels could remove their listings entirely, many are connected to multiple international supplier networks, and not all systems allow for complete suspension of availability.

 Our recommendation:  

 If a hotel price appears unreasonably high, please do not book it. If you choose to proceed, ensure that your booking is fully refundable to protect yourself from potential changes.  

 At Cypher Travel, your payments are safeguarded in a client trust account, and we have special arrangements with our suppliers to release funds only shortly before or after your travel. This ensures that any unforeseen circumstances can be resolved fairly and amicably. Nonetheless, we encourage all travellers to exercise caution and, as the saying goes, “Tie your camel” — take sensible steps to safeguard your journey.  

Umrah is a pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of the year; however, it closes temporarily to international pilgrims annually during the Hajj season to manage the large crowds and logistics associated with the main pilgrimage. The specific closing and reopening dates follow the Islamic lunar calendar, so they shift slightly each year relative to the Gregorian calendar. 

Typical Annual Timeline

• Closure Period: The Umrah season for international pilgrims typically closes in the Islamic month of Dhul-Qi'dah and remains closed during the Hajj rituals which take place from the 8th to 13th of the following month, Dhul-Hijjah.
• Final Dates: The final date for international Umrah pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia is usually around the middle of Shawwal (the month before Dhul-Qi'dah), and all pilgrims must depart the Kingdom by the beginning of Dhul-Qi'dah, or shortly after, to make way for Hajj pilgrims.
• Reopening: Umrah for international pilgrims officially reopens shortly after the Hajj concludes, usually around the 15th of Dhul-Hijjah, a few days after the Hajj rituals are completed. 

 There are many Hijri to Gregorian calander convertors online where you can confirm the potential dates of closure and reconfirm based on the availability of hotels and the reasonable nature of the per night price. Remember if you are unsure book a fully refundable hotel and a fully refundable flight. https://www.islamicity.org/hijri-gregorian-converter  

The Ministry of Hajj & Umrah also announce closure and reponing dates on their official website https://www.haj.gov.sa/Umrah. Whilst Cypher Travel makes all efforts to communicate the same dates you should always recheck these dates yourselve to be sure.

For the 2026 (1447 AH) season, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has officially scheduled the reopening of Umrah visa issuance for 10 June 2026 (24 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH), with the first international pilgrims expected to arrive starting 11 June 2026. https://haj.gov.sa/en/Umrah

Why the Reopening is Fixed

The temporary suspension of Umrah before Hajj is a mandatory logistical measure to ensure the safety and comfort of over two million Hajj pilgrims. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, this pause allows for: 

• System Resets: Technical maintenance of the Nusuk Umrah Platform and other digital visa databases to transition from Hajj permits back to Umrah issuance.
• Sanitisation: Professional deep cleaning and maintenance of the Mataf and holy sites in Makkah following the peak Hajj crowds.
• Infrastructure Preparation: Reallocation of transportation and hotel services to welcome the new season's visitors.

Verified Visa Status

Visa processing services are now actively accepting request documentation for the new season. By submitting your application early, you ensure your details are ready for immediate lodging when the Nusuk Hajj Platform and broader visa portals go live on June 10th. Official regulations require all holders of all types of visas (visit, transit, or tourist) to adhere to these strict seasonal timelines to avoid penalties or entry issues. 

Cypher Travel can assist you in navigating these official windows, handling your documentation and Nusuk permit bookings to guarantee a smooth return to the Holy Cities.