Best time for Umrah from Pakistan

Last checked against official Saudi sources: 9 November 2026. Rules change, so we confirm current requirements before every booking.

For most travellers from Pakistan, the best time for Umrah is the cooler part of the year, roughly November to February, outside Ramadan and school holidays. Ramadan, and especially its last ten nights, is the most rewarding time for many people but also the most crowded and in the highest demand.

The right time for you depends on what matters most: weather, crowds, budget, or the blessing of a particular month. Season dates were checked on official Saudi sources on 9 November 2026.

First, the Umrah season itself

Umrah visas for travellers from abroad are issued in a season set each year by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Visas are not used during the Hajj period. For the current season (1448 AH), the Ministry announced:

• Season opened: 31 May 2026 (14 Dhul Hijjah 1447) for visas and entry.
• Last visa issue date: 9 March 2027 (1 Shawwal 1448).
• Last entry date: 23 March 2027 (15 Shawwal 1448).
• Last departure date: 7 April 2027 (30 Shawwal 1448).

The multiple-entry Umrah visa announced in July 2026 also cannot be activated from 1 Dhul Qadah to 13 Dhul Hijjah. So whatever month you prefer, it has to fall inside these windows.

Ramadan

Many Muslims hope to perform Umrah in Ramadan because of the hadith about its reward. If this is your priority, plan early and plan carefully.

• When: the Ministry lists 1 Shawwal 1448 as 9 March 2027, so Ramadan 1448 is expected to run through roughly the first week of March 2027. The exact start depends on the moon sighting.
• Crowds: the Haram in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah are at their fullest, especially in the last ten nights.
• Demand: hotels close to the Haram and flights around Ramadan are booked early, and costs are usually at their highest.
• Deadlines: the season’s last entry and departure dates fall soon after Eid this year, so your return date matters.

Because the Islamic calendar moves about 11 days earlier each year against the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan will fall in the cooler months for the next few years. That makes the weather easier, but not the crowds.

Pakistani school holidays

Families often travel during the long summer break and the winter break. Exact dates vary by province and school, so check yours.

• Summer break: convenient for families, but it falls in the hottest months in Makkah and Madinah, and many families travel at the same time.
• Winter break: pleasant weather and a popular time, so demand from Pakistan rises.

If your children’s school allows a short absence, travelling just before or after a holiday can mean calmer days at the Haram.

Weather in Makkah and Madinah by season

Both cities are hot for much of the year. Madinah, being further north and higher, is usually a little cooler than Makkah, especially at night in winter.

November to February

The mildest months. Days in Makkah are warm and comfortable for walking between the hotel and the Haram. Nights in Madinah can feel cool, so pack a light jacket or shawl. Occasional rain is possible.

March to May

Temperatures climb steadily. Early spring is still manageable; by May, midday heat is strong and you will want to plan Tawaf and Sa’i for early morning or night.

June to September

The hottest part of the year. Midday heat in Makkah is intense. The Saudi Ministry of Health advises pilgrims, especially older people, to avoid direct sun during rituals and to drink enough fluids. If you travel now, a hotel close to the Haram makes a real difference.

October

Still hot in the first half, easing towards the end of the month.

Crowd and demand patterns

We do not quote prices here, because they change with exchange rates, airlines and hotel availability. But the pattern of demand is fairly steady:

• Busiest: Ramadan, especially the last ten nights, followed by school holiday periods and long weekends.
• Busy: the weeks right after the season opens, when many people who waited through Hajj travel.
• Calmer: weeks outside Ramadan and school holidays. These usually offer better choice of hotels near the Haram.

Within any week, the Haram tends to be fuller around Friday and after the main prayers. The Saudi Public Health Authority also advises avoiding peak times and severe crowding where you can, and wearing a mask during Tawaf and Sa’i and in crowded places.

Who should pick which time

• Older parents or anyone with a health condition: the cooler months outside Ramadan, with a hotel within walking distance.
• Families with children: winter break if possible, booked well ahead.
• Those seeking Ramadan: book as early as you can, and decide whether you want the first, middle or last part of the month.
• First-time travellers: a calmer month gives you space to learn the rituals without pressure.

Plan around the Rawdah too

If you are visiting Madinah, praying in the Rawdah at the Prophet’s Mosque needs a booking in the Nusuk app. Slots are separate for men and women. In busy months, book as soon as your dates are fixed.

Planning your trip? Request a custom Umrah package with your dates, number of travellers and hotel preferences, and we will check the current visa and document rules for your case before you book.

Frequently asked questions