Umrah Companion

Umrah Companion: UK pilgrimage packages to Makkah and Madinah

Umrah Companion is a travel agency that organises Umrah and Hajj journeys for pilgrims travelling from the United Kingdom. Its catalogue is built around packages that combine return flights, accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, visa processing and round-trip bus transport from the UK. The agency presents itself as a licensed operator and states that it has accumulated 15 years of experience in pilgrimage travel.

The company positions its service around the practical side of the journey: paperwork, hotel selection and support during the trip, so that pilgrims can concentrate on their worship. It describes its team as available before, during and after travel, and states that it can be reached by WhatsApp, text message or email while clients are in Saudi Arabia, in the Saudi time zone.

Package tiers and durations

Umrah Companion structures its Umrah offer in three accommodation tiers, each available in three lengths of stay:

• 5 Star Luxury Umrah Packages: 14, 10 and 7 nights.
• 4 Star Premium Umrah Packages: 14, 10 and 7 nights.
• 3 Star Affordable Umrah Packages: 14, 10 and 7 nights.

Each package is presented with the same set of included elements: hotel, plane, visa and bus. The site also groups departures by season, with dedicated sections for December Umrah Packages, Ramadan Umrah Packages and Easter Umrah Packages. The published package cards displayed placeholder pricing at the time of compiling this profile, so no rates are reproduced here.

Hotels, flights and ground transport

On accommodation, the agency states that it can book any hotel requested by the customer in Makkah and Madinah, although it says it always tries to secure the closest available hotels to the Holy Haram. Flights are described as return, and the packages include round-trip bus transport from the UK. The company also handles airport transfers as part of its pilgrimage service.

Visa assistance and other travel services

Beyond pilgrimage packages, Umrah Companion advertises visa services covering visit visas and work permits. The listed destinations are the UAE, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, with multi-country and other countries handled on request. It also mentions family visas for the UAE and Saudi Arabia. For Umrah itself, the agency describes end-to-end visa processing and claims high approval rates.

Booking process and payment terms

The agency explains a four-step process: initial contact by phone or WhatsApp to establish travel dates, group size and budget; selection of a package; handling of documentation, including visa forms, hotel bookings and flight tickets; and departure. Bookings can be started through a form on the website or by contacting the Umrah desk directly.

On payment, the company states that it does not charge the full amount upfront. Only the airfare is charged at the time of booking, with the remaining balance requested 45 days before travel.

Pilgrim guidance and first-time travellers

The site includes a guide to performing Umrah aimed at UK pilgrims. It explains that Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed through most of the year, unlike Hajj, which falls on specific dates. The guide outlines preparation advice such as passport validity, confirmed flights and accommodation, learning the rites and packing Ihram clothing, walking shoes and medication.

It also summarises the main steps of the rite: entering the state of Ihram and making the intention, performing Tawaf by circling the Kaaba seven times, performing Sa'i between Safa and Marwah seven times, and finally shaving or trimming hair. Advice for first-time pilgrims includes avoiding rushing, staying hydrated, wearing comfortable footwear and allowing extra time to reach the mosque at busy prayer periods.

The guide further lists the factors the agency considers relevant when choosing a package: hotel location, flight schedule, airport transfers, visa assistance, family requirements, customer support and transparent pricing. It also addresses a practical question about ZamZam water, noting that bottles must be sealed and produced by a licensed manufacturer and cannot be carried in hand luggage or as checked baggage.

Client feedback shown on the site

The website displays testimonials attributed to pilgrims from Birmingham and other guests, describing visa handling, hotels near the Haram, organisation of the itinerary and the availability of the team. The agency also presents counters for happy pilgrims, positive reviews, years in the UK and expert guides, although the figures appeared as placeholders at the time of compiling this profile.