Rise in Umrah trips from Qatar this spring break

Due to spring break in schools, it has been found that many expat families have begun setting out on Umrah trips by roads. In addition to this, tour operators and travel agencies in Qatar have come up with attractive packages too.

According to tour operators, most expatriates prefer to travel by bus due to the low charges. . Most tour operators have reduced the charges for Umrah trips (by bus) by more than 10 percent to win more customers, enquiries in the market have revealed.

The Peninsula says that a tour operator said that the charges per person have been reduced from QR1,200 to QR1,050. Children below 10 years have been charged QR800 per head.

Charges include the cost of transportation from Doha to Makkah and Makkah to Madinah and back to Doha and hotel fares during the trip which normally takes 10 days.

Some operators arrange guided tour to historic and holy sites in Makkah and Madinah as part of the package. Fares could vary depending on the trip.

“Bookings have gone up remarkably. We sent two buses a month since the beginning of the Umrah season last December. But due to high demand, we have arranged big buses this month and all will leave on Thursday,” said a tour operator based in Doha Jadeed.

Pilgrims include Egyptians, Indians and Pakistanis, among other nationalities, and families, including women and children, form about half of the total passengers. “Our trips end on the second Saturday. A trip from Doha to Makkah takes about 22 hours through Abu Samra border post, Riyadh and Taif, with stops for prayers and food,” he said.

A pilgrimage visa is required to enter Saudi Arabia. Visa is stamped by the Saudi embassy in Qatar as per the request of the tour operator.

The pilgrims are required to submit their passports having minimum six-month validity and a copy of the Qatari residency permit (RP) valid at least for three months.

Many people in Qatar, mostly citizens, extend a helping hand to expatriates wishing to perform Umrah but cannot afford the cost.

 They visit the operators and pay the charges on behalf the beneficiaries. “We received such donations from time to time. Free offers are being arranged in collaboration with local religious organisations,” said the operator.

Unlike the mandatory pilgrimage, Haj, Umrah can be performed any time of the year in keeping with the rules set by Saudi authorities.

(Cover image courtesy: Alsay)