Umrah in December 2026 and January 2027: weather, crowds and booking

Why December and January are the busiest months

December and January are the busiest Umrah months for Indian families. The weather is the mildest of the year, schools close for the winter holidays, and many people take leave at Christmas and New Year. So demand is high, and the holiday weeks fill first.

Here is the quick picture:

• Weather: the mildest of the year in Makkah, with cold nights in Madinah
• Crowds: busy all season, and busiest from Christmas to the first week of January
• Price: highest in the last week of December and the New Year week
• Booking: 6–8 weeks ahead, and earlier for the holiday weeks
• Next: Ramzan 2027 is expected from about 8 February, subject to the sighting of the moon

School holiday dates differ by state and by school. Check your children’s school calendar before you choose dates.

Makkah and Madinah weather in December and January

This is the coolest and most comfortable time of the year for Umrah. Walking to the Haram, tawaf and sa’i are much easier than in the summer heat, and elders and children cope far better.

These are typical averages:

• Makkah: about 29–31°C by day and 18–21°C at night. Days are warm and sunny, and evenings are pleasant.
• Madinah: about 23–26°C by day and 11–14°C at night. Early mornings and nights feel cold, especially in January.
• Rain: rare, but a short shower is possible. Marble floors can be slippery when wet.
• Air: dry. Lips and skin dry out quickly.

The Haram, hotels and buses are air-conditioned and can feel cold. Keep a shawl or light jacket in your small bag.

Crowds: how to plan your days

In the holiday weeks, the Haram is full at every prayer and tawaf takes longer. A little planning makes the days much easier:

• Do your first Umrah on a weekday if you can. Thursday night and Friday are usually the busiest times of the week.
• In winter the sun is mild, so the late morning and early afternoon are good times for tawaf, when many pilgrims rest.
• Book your Rawdah permit in the Nusuk app as early as the app allows. Slots fill fast in this season. As reported (October 2026), each person can get one permit every 365 days.
• Fix a meeting point at a gate number you can remember, and agree a time to meet after each prayer.
• Keep every child and elder with an adult, with the hotel card and a phone number in their pocket.
• Reach the Haram well before the adhan, especially for Jumu’ah.

Our itinerary plan includes a Rawdah visit booked for the group when slots allow, but no one can promise a slot.

Prices, and when to book

Umrah prices follow demand. In the last week of December and the New Year week, flight fares and hotel rates near the Haram go up, and package prices go up with them. Mid and late January are often a little calmer.

Book 6–8 weeks before you travel. That gives time for flight seats, hotel and Nusuk bookings, documents and the visa. For the Christmas and New Year weeks, that means booking by early November. Late bookings usually cost more, and the holiday weeks fill first.

Our groups leave from Mumbai every week: 15 days for ₹89,999 and 20 days for ₹99,999 per person, on 5-bed average sharing, with GST and TCS extra as applicable. Seasonal rates differ, and our team confirms the price for your exact dates before you book.

• 15 Days Umrah: 10 nights in Makkah, then 4 nights in Madinah
• 20 Days Umrah: 15 nights in Makkah, then 4 nights in Madinah
• Included: return flight ticket, visa, hotels, three Indian buffet meals a day, transport, ziyarat, laundry, Zamzam and a travel kit
• Hotel in Makkah up to 650 m from the Haram
• Customised Umrah: your own dates, hotels and flights, priced for your trip

Seats on each weekly departure are limited. Ask our team for the next dates and seats.

Visa timing for a winter Umrah

The visa comes last. As reported for the 2026–27 season, hotel and transport must be booked through Nusuk first, and the visa must be used for entry within about 30 days of issue. So it is applied for close to your travel date, once your bookings are fixed.

Visa rules change from season to season, sometimes at short notice. Our team confirms the current rules when you book.

What to pack for a winter Umrah

Pack as for any Umrah, and add a few warm things for Madinah and the air conditioning:

Keep one warm layer in your cabin bag for the plane and the buses.

Umrah with children in the school holidays

The winter holidays are often the only time families with school-going children can travel. It works well with some planning:

• Every child, even a newborn, needs his or her own passport and Umrah visa. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months from travel.
• Winter breaks are often shorter than 15 days. Check the school calendar, and speak to the school early about leave for the extra days.
• Children’s prices depend on age and bed, and are confirmed with your quote.
• Dress children warmly for Madinah nights and the air-conditioned halls.
• Rest after each prayer. Children tire faster than adults.
• Tell children about the Kaaba, tawaf and sa’i before the trip, so they know what to expect.

After January: Ramzan 2027 and the end of the season

Ramzan 2027 is expected from about 8 February to 9 March 2027, subject to the sighting of the moon. If you cannot travel in December or January, Ramzan is the next big season. It is busier and usually costlier, so book as early as you can, ideally by December.

A trip that starts in late January may run into the first days of Ramzan. Ask our team how that affects your dates and price.

As reported, the last date for Umrah visa issue is around 9 March 2027, the last date to enter Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa is around 23 March 2027, and pilgrims must leave by around 7 April 2027. Umrah visas are not issued in the Hajj period.

Visa dates are as reported in October 2026 and can change. Check the current dates with us before you fix your plan.