Babul Haram Travels

Babul Haram Travels: Umrah and Hajj packages from the UK

Babul Haram Travels is a UK-based travel agency that organises Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages for UK residents. Its approach is built around a fixed itinerary and a written, itemised quote that the client receives before paying any amount. The company states that no booking is confirmed until the traveller has reviewed that quote and given their approval.

What each Umrah package includes

According to the information published, all Umrah packages sold include return flights from the UK, accommodation in Makkah and Madinah with breakfast, processing of the Umrah visa, transfers between the airport and both cities, and guided visits (ziyarat) to the holy sites. Prices are per person sharing a room.

The agency structures its offering into three tiers according to hotel category:

• 3 star: 7, 10 and 14-night packages, with three-star hotels, transfers and visa included.
• 4 star: same durations, with four-star accommodation and greater comfort.
• 5 star: 7, 10 and 14-night stays in higher-category hotels, generally the closest to the Haram.

The site's catalogue showed starting prices per person ranging from £780 for the 7-night three-star package to £1,415 for the 14-night five-star package, including £770 (7 nights, four star), £810 (10 nights, three star), £850 (14 nights, three star), £895 (10 nights, four star), £970 (7 nights, five star), £1,115 (10 nights, five star) and £1,170 (14 nights, four star). The agency itself warns that prices rise notably during Ramadan, Easter and school holiday periods, so each quote is calculated based on the traveller's specific dates.

Traveller profiles it serves

The company notes that most of its bookings are not from individual travellers, but from three recurring groups:

• Families: connecting rooms, shorter walks and suitable flight times for travelling with children and older relatives are sought.
• Groups: mosques, communities and extended families have a single point of contact, a coordinated rooming list and joint organisation of travel arrangements.
• Women: tailored planning, suitable accommodation and clear arrangements for those travelling with family members or as part of an organised group.

Visa, transfers and support

The agency processes the Umrah visa application based on the passport details and a photograph provided by the client. Outside the Hajj season, Umrah travel is normally made with an electronic travel authorisation, an e-visa or an electronic visa waiver; Hajj requires a specific visa. The company reminds travellers that the passport must be valid for at least six months from arrival in Saudi Arabia and that a meningococcal ACWY vaccination certificate is mandatory, requirements set by the Saudi Government.

On arrival, the traveller is met and transferred to the hotel; travel between Makkah and Madinah and the return to the airport are part of the package. Guided visits to the holy sites in both cities are also included. The company states that hotels are selected for their cleanliness and their walking distance to the Haram, and that during the stay the client has a UK phone number for issues, rather than an overseas call centre.

Hajj options

In addition to Umrah packages, the agency offers information on 14, 21 and 27-day Hajj programmes, in shifting and non-shifting formats. The main difference lies in the accommodation in Makkah: the shifting format involves a planned hotel move, while non-shifting maintains the stated hotel arrangement. The company notes that the choice depends on mobility, budget and the full written itinerary, and reminds travellers that, according to current UK Government advice, a Hajj place can only be booked through Nusuk Hajj, the official platform supervised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Flights and booking conditions

The written quote details the airline, route and departure airport before the client decides. Flights are organised with a connection as standard, and direct flights can be requested when available, at an additional cost. The agency allows booking with a deposit and paying the balance before departure; the deposit amount, payment dates and final deadline are specified in the written confirmation. Items such as travel insurance, meals other than breakfast and personal expenses are not included in the package, and the quote itemises each line.

The company operates from the UK and serves departures from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bradford, with departures organised by month throughout the year.