Going on Hajj is a spiritually and physically enduring but fulfilling journey. As one of the five pillars of Islam, it’ll be a pilgrimage we, as Muslims, will all have to take at least once in our life if we’re able. Which is why, when we get the chance to go, it’s important that we prepare ourselves well in advance to ensure our trip is as smooth as possible!
How to Plan for Your Trip
More than 3 million people worldwide come for Hajj every year during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. With so many people going at the same time, it makes Hajj a very hectic but exciting situation to be in. So, first and foremost, you should start planning your trip at least a year before you travel to make sure you’re mentally prepared for the journey ahead.
So, be sure to tick these off your checklist before you start packing your bags!
Get your visas, passport and travel essentials in order. Check the entry requirements with the Saudi Arabian embassy to make sure you’re okay to travel. Likewise ensure you also have travel insurance, as well as enough funds (in local currency – Australian dollars and Saudi Riyals – and emergency funds) to get through your trip.
Get your travel itinerary out of the way. Book your tours and accommodation well before your leave for your trip. Aside from visiting Makkah, you may also want to travel to Madinah or other areas of Saudi Arabia, so take those into account when sorting out your itinerary.
Check-in with your doctor to ensure you’re physically fit to travel. With how strenuous Hajj is on your body, it’s important for you to be up to date with your vaccinations and take care of your physical health. If you’re required to take any medication, ensure you take enough to last you the whole trip.
Inform your loved ones. Tell your friends, family and workmates about your trip and arrange for them to check in on your home to see if everything’s okay. It’s also good to leave emergency contact details and information about where you will be staying, in case something goes wrong.
Prepare yourself spiritually for Hajj. Purify your heart and make sure your intention for wanting to go is sincere. Likewise, learn the steps and rituals of Hajj long before you travel. Chances are there will be times when you won’t have time to look at a guide when you’re in Makkah, so it’s best to have some supplications ready to recite them onsite by heart.
With these checkpoints in mind, it’s now time to work on your packing list!
What to Pack for Your Trip
Hajj requires a lot of specifics for you to bring as you’ll be moving around a lot – often on difficult terrain. As such, here are some travel essentials you should bring with you on your trip to make it easier for yourself.
Bring ALL your required paperwork – this includes your Visa, Passport (as well as copies of these two documents!), passport-size photos and money (cash and card).
Spiritual supplies for Hajj and for daily use – this includes your Ihram (as well as, for women, a headscarf), dua books, a small Quran, tawaf and tasbih counter, travel prayer mat and spare prayer clothes (if needed).
A suitable wardrobe to last you your entire trip – this includes plenty of clean undergarments (especially underwear!), shoe covers (for Hajj), comfortable walking shoes (or sandals), comfortable cotton outfits (ideally two per day during Hajj), pyjamas and hat and sunnies for the hot weather.
All required toiletries – including sanitary items for women. Make sure any sunscreen, shower items (soap, shampoo, conditioner), moisturisers, deodorants, vaselines, tissues and wipes you bring are unscented.
All required and emergency medical supplies – this includes disinfectant spray and cream (unscented), hydration tablets, energy tablets, anti-diarrhoea medication, cold and flu tablets, bandages (plasters of various sizes, micropore tape and dressings), and any regular prescription medication and medication for hayfever or allergies.
Different types of bags – you’ll need one to store supplies, a small backpack for Hajj, a pouch for money, one or two large fold-up bags for shopping, your suitcases and carry-on bag (all labelled and padlocked with keys), as well as plastic bags (for rubbish or dirty laundry).
General daily travel essentials – this includes non-perishable snacks, mosquito repellent, a collapsible water bottle, sleeping bag and liner, towel, extra small blankets and pillows, umbrella, ear plugs, sleeping mask, sewing kit (with scissors), old phone (to prevent your regular phone from getting lost), phone charger and power bank, power adapters and extension cords.
You may also want to do your own laundry or bring your camera to capture the memories of your trip so be sure to prepare supplies (such as clothes line and pegs and unscented washing liquid, or extra camera batteries and its charger) which account for these!
While it may seem like a lot, if you prepare at least three months before your trip, you’ll be ready in no time! So have the items you need to take with you and double-check that you are allowed to bring these essentials with you!
If you need to stock up on your list, several of these items – such as travel prayer mats, ihrams, dua books, tasbih and Qur’ans – are available to purchase here at Darussalam.
Ensure that you’ll be able to expect the unexpected on your Hajj trip by having these travel essentials with you from this checklist! All the best to everyone embarking on Hajj this year!