Hajj, which purifies man of sins, is just a very sacred journey whose spiritual aspect could be overshadowed when confronted with logistical troubles. Therefore choosing the "perfect" hajj package is crucial to permit you to give attention to the spiritual part of the journey wholeheartedly.

Following are some aspects to take into account when selecting a hajj package:

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

Despite all the benefits of licensed agents mentioned above, you can pick a sub agent when you have heard good things about them. All Authorized agents might not give a good service though some sub agents are very professional. Therefore you need to pick a hajj package provider predicated on referrals Read more.

Company of a knowledgeable and experienced guide in your group is necessary. No matter simply how much information you've accumulated from books and lectures, you may face questions, you'd not anticipated before. It can be important to learn if the travel agency seeks advice from their guide. For logistical ease, some agents may plan departure to Arafat and Muzdalifah before the full time recommended by Islamic law. Choosing an agency that plans the trip under a respected imam can mitigate risks of taking shortcuts or going against Sunnah.

Make sure you check that the Imam can do the hajj with the pilgrims of the package you've selected. It's difficult to make contact with the Imam if he is staying in a different hotel, travelling in a different bus or surviving in a different tent in Mina from yours. This issue is especially common with agencies that provide large selection of packages beneath the guidance of a couple of Imams only.

Having a female guide will be of added benefit for sisters performing pilgrimage.

It's beneficial to see if the travel agency has a full-time employee in US and Saudi Arabia. The more an agency depends on outside resources, the much more likely it is to suffer from mismanagement. Also the longer an agency has provided Hajj services, the greater equipped it is to offer a organized service.

Most Hajj packages advertise price with fare from New York to Jedda. If you reside elsewhere, make sure you include the cost of domestic air fare to New York when selecting a package. Also add the cost of Hajj fees and Zabiha to have an estimate of the exact amount you is likely to be spending per person.

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

Don't worry a lot of in case a hajj package does not offer meals in Makkah and Medina. There are many of options around Haram to consume and drink among prayer times, but may use up lots of your time waiting in a line. Hotel buffets might be a time saver or perhaps a big distraction, as frequently people may spend lots of time socializing too much. It's however good to get food in Mina and Arafat as options is likely to be limited. If you're performing Hajj with family it may be better to decide on a package that provides meals through the 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 many more flight options and might be cheaper. Same is true for leaving Saudi Arab. Medina as a port of entry or exit could save lots of time.

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

Hajj packages promising usage of private apartments during stay in Mina is just a plus. Tents in Mina are small with only room enough for people to sleep. Pilgrims can thus leave their luggage within their rooms during their stay in Mina. In addition, it opens up the option to use the bathrooms and showers of the room and not those create in Mina camp.

Hajj packages that provide free shuttle service from Mina to Haram can assist you to save money. Taxi fares increase exponentially during Mina days. Lured by the gains, a amount of people result from other cities to work as taxi drivers and can 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 provided by your agent will be quicker and free.

Most hajj packages give out SIM cards. This might be a time saver too. Otherwise you could have to hold back in lines to obtain a SIM card.

Considering these logistical issues while choosing the perfect hajj package will hopefully cut your worldly worries of performing hajj and permit you to pay attention to your worship to your heart's content.