Pilgrims’ rush shoots up Umrah package prices

Pilgrims are given half an hour to don their Ihrams at the Meeqat point so that pilgrims could offer their Fajr prayers in Makkah. (SPA)

RIYADH: Local travel operators here have increased the Umrah package up to SR600 in the holy month of Ramadan, as against SR80-SR200 per pilgrim in other months.
This is to exploit additional rush of pilgrims during the holy month, according to a Umrah operator.
The “peak season” this year coincides with summer holidays when a large number of vacationers including Saudis go for Umrah, more so in Ramadan.
A Riyadh-Makkah return fare includes luxury coach with accommodation in the holy city, costing SR160 per pilgrim for singles and there will be an additional charge of SR40, if the pilgrim opts to visit Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah en route to Makkah.
A couple pays SR400 for a package that includes separate rooms. Couples seeking a five-day deal for Makkah and Madinah has to pay SR600.
According to a spokesman from Al-Sai, a travel operator in the city, the weekend package to Makkah and Madinah starts at 4 p.m. from Riyadh on Thursdays, concluding at midnight on Saturdays. While families are provide a spacious room, the singles are accommodated on a sharing basis with three or more pilgrims in one room. Children under 12 have to pay half the fare.
An officer at Anver Al-Shareefaine, travel agent, said a five-day package to Makkah and Madinah including travel and accommodation will cost a pilgrim only SR250 for bachelors and SR600 for a couple.
The offer includes a two- day stay in a three-star hotel in Madinah and another two-day lodging in a similar hotel in Makkah. The journey begins on Monday and ends on Friday. The pilgrims would leave the holy city of Makkah after Jumma prayers so that they reach Riyadh around midnight. Pilgrims are given an option to choose a five star facility on an additional payment.
The places of for tourist interests are the Quba Mosque, the first mosque in Islam, Madinah, the Qiblatain Mosque where the Qibla was shifted from Baitul Muqadis (Al-Aqsa Mosque) to Holy Kaaba and the graveyard on the foothills of Mount Uhud where many companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) were martyred and are buried.
There are nearly 200 Umrah travel operators spread out in the capital but largely they are concentrated in Batha.
During the journey, coaches stop over at three points for Magrib prayers, Isha prayers and dinner and at Meeqat in Taif for allowing the pilgrims to wear ihram.
Pilgrims are given half an hour to don their Ihrams at the Meeqat point so that pilgrims could offer their Fajr prayers in Makkah.
Eight counters at the Haj terminal have been set up for incoming pilgrims and five for outgoing pilgrims and one counter as a reserve counter with facility for various operations.
The Meeqat points include Dhu’l-Hulayfah, 9 km from Madinah; Juhfah, 190 km to the northwest of Makkah; Qarn Al-Manazil, 90 km to the east of Makkah; Dhat Irq, 85 km toward the northeast side of Makkah; and Yalamlam, 50 km to the southeast of Makkah.