Hajj Packages from Lahore!

Hajj is truly the journey of a lifetime. Preparation for this operation is multiple and often starts well in advance. And since there are many moving parts, it is important to be prepared accordingly. Emotional and spiritual preparation is paramount, but the importance of good packaging cannot be overlooked.

Hajj Packages from Lahore

Being lucky enough to have had the experience of hajj a few times, I have compiled a list of the essentials that you can consider putting in your bag. Please note that when it comes to clothing, this list is for women. The clothing of men obviously has different guidelines, which are addressed in most, if not all, pre-hajj conferences.

Another thing to keep in mind when browsing this list is that almost everything is in Mecca and Madinah. The desert has come a long way and all the amenities and material needs that come with it are available while we are there. In fact, you will find below a section called "Bin Dawood" where I will list the items you can buy. Therefore, if you forget something (even something that is not on this list), you need not worry - Bin Dawood will not let you down. In general, everything you need should be easily stowed in one big suitcase and another. Over packing will only make things more stressful for you when you move from one place to another.

Clothing

• Abayas and Hijabs - for obvious reasons. You do not need too much if you want to wash them in the bathroom of your hotel.
• If you have a first program in Madinah, I recommend you bring just one or two abayas, as you can easily get decent quality and affordable prices in Madinah. If you have a first program in Mecca, you will also get abayas, but they may be slightly more expensive.
• Small tees and harem pants for the interior of the abaya. I ordered harem pants from Amazon and bought a series of small t-shirts from H & M or Forever 21. I like having enough to not wash them. The sarouel is particularly suitable for manasik days, because it is closed at the ankle, which is useful to avoid touching the floors of the bathroom. For days in Medina, all the comfortable and light pants will do the trick.
• Underwear - Make sure you have or purchase comfortable cotton items that will not bother you in hot weather. I would recommend packing enough so that you have 1 to 2 a day depending on your use, so you do not have to wash these items.

Shoes

This is the only time in life where it seems that men's shoes are more complicated than women's (but are they really?)

• For / from the haram: Something that slips easily when entering the haram. This will probably be what you wear for most of the trip.
• For Mina: Something does not bother you to shower in Mina. Simple flip flops are good for that.
• For the manasik: something comfortable in which you can walk long distances. During the manasik, I prefer shoes type sneakers (obviously not an option for men). Not only are they more comfortable, but closing them means that your feet will not be locked in the ground until the end.
• For Umrah / tawaf / saee: A nice pair of non-slip socks will do the trick (included in the Bin Dawood list, but it might be better to find it here if you have a first program in Mecca). Alternatively, I also liked to wear a pair of house slippers (I buy one to be new when I use it for tawaf and saee) that have a cushion. Either option is fine because it will reduce the impact of marble floors on your feet. Your feet with thanks.

Medication/First Aid

• Any prescription medication you take. Keep it with you at all times (even when your luggage is picked up and sent to your next destination)
• Immune Supplements: Echinacea, zinc and olive leaf extract are some that you might consider. Personally, I start taking my supplement of choice 4 to 6 weeks before the haj to strengthen my immune system in advance. This year, I'm taking Viracid, recommended by a nutritionist.
• Analgesics: Advil, Tylenol, Motrin or the analgesic that suits you.
• Cough and cold medicine / fever reducer
• Imodium / Pepto Bismol: to help sensitive stomachs if something is not right
• Drops to relieve the inevitable hajj cough (which I managed to do without, Alhumdulillah, thanks to the precautionary approach - refers to stimulating supplements for the immune system - and to many DUA - say MASHAALLAH!)
• Antibiotic ointment and dressings: it is always good to be prepared
• Sun protection - because, well, the desert sun does not play (also on the Bin Dawood list)
• Electrolytes - this one is crucial. With the haj in summer by the hottest months, we do not even realize how much we sweat. Nor are we accustomed to recognizing the signs of dehydration. Use them throughout your trip and maybe bring a little more to share!

Purse

I like having a shoulder bag with a zipper or closing mechanism that requires some effort. The extra effort to open it will be worthwhile because pickpocketing is common. You can even choose a neck pouch (available on Amazon) that can go under your clothes.

Travel/Foldable Prayer Mat

Sounds strange, does not it? I like to keep one of these objects in my bag at all times to make sure that when I pray to the haram or during the Manasik, I will have a clean place for Sujood. This is particularly useful if I do not have the chance to catch a prayer rug when I go to the haram. Of course, the carpets are nice, but I prefer not to inhale the germs of millions of feet that have walked there before.

Sunglasses: We are in the desert after all.

Toiletries:

Fragrance-free products for the times you're in ihram

Soap / Body Wash - If you use a bar of soap, it will be helpful to cut it into small pieces well in advance so that they are big enough for a single use. This way, you will not have to put away a wet bar of soap trying desperately to prevent your pants from touching the wet floor while you dress in a small shower stall.

• Shampoo
• Facial wash
• Deodorant
• Lotion
• Hand sanitizer
• Hand wipes
• Scented toiletries for days without hajj - do not skip them. You will not realize how much you appreciate the opportunity to shower with scented products before being soaked in sweat for several days and surrounded by BO (probably including yours). Prepare to take the best shower of your life once you come out of an ihram after the hajj. If you do not have the scented products for that, you will certainly regret it. Just believe me on that.
• Toothbrush / toothpaste / Miswak

Personal Care

• A small chisel - it is important that you can cut your hair after finishing your Umrah / Hajj. Other women in your group will love you because people often forget to bring one.
• Nail clippers - especially for just before entering ihram. Do not skip this, even if your nails look pretty short. Nails grow faster when you are not allowed to cut them.
• Snacks - It's a good idea to keep energy bars, nuts, dates or energizing rubbers with you, especially during Manasik.

Random stuff

• Above the hooks of the door - for Mina, you will be able to suspend your toilet bag and / or your clothes for easy access to objects.
• A toiletry bag that can be hung on a hook
• A towel (or 2) for Mina. Although Yugo.pk supplies a towel to Mina, it would be good to have one. A small towel would not hurt either.
• Hijab pins. Many of them. These little things really have a way to get lost!
• In the past years, I would have included a sleeping bag on this list. Yugo.pk, however, supplies bedding to Muzdalifah and, unless there is a change, we will not have to carry a sleeping bag. If, for any reason, you want to get your own bedding for Muzdalifah, I would recommend buying it from Bin Dawood (this address is listed below).

Electronics

Unlocked mobile phone - check with your service provider if you have roaming options in Saudi Arabia. Alternatively, you can choose a local SIM card, which will only work if your phone is unlocked.

International adapter

All chargers

External Batteries - they are especially useful during the manasik (note that I used the plural - it's another one of those things that will make everyone your best friend)

Bin Dawood

You can list all these things and go to Bin Dawood the day of your arrival (there is one conveniently located near each of the hotels used by Yugo.pk in Mecca and Madinah)

• Detergent Powder: useful for hand washing small things (or big things too)
• Thick socks to wear during tawaf and saee
• Solar cream
• Sitting stool - if you need it to sit during the salah at the haram or for the manasik where you may have to sit if / when we walk or stand for long periods of time
• Spray fan - everyone around you will love you for the cooling powers you have and

Sleeping bag / carpet

This list is by no means exhaustive. The goal here is to cover all the essentials you will need to complete your hajj smoothly. Once everything is in order, we hope to start working on the real preparation: the heart and the mind.

May ALLAH facilitate our preparation, assure everyone a good journey, accept all our efforts and grant each of us a Hajj Mabroor. (Say Ameen!)