Women perform Umrah exactly as men do, with a few differences: they enter Ihram in normal modest clothing (no niqab or gloves), recite the Talbiyah quietly, do not jog in Tawaf or Sa'i, and trim about 2 cm from the ends of their hair. Current Saudi rules let women travel for Umrah without a mahram in an organised group, although scholarly opinions on this differ.
Travelling with or without a mahram
Since 2021 the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has allowed women to obtain Umrah visas without a mahram. In our groups, women travelling without a mahram share rooms with other women and are looked after by female coordinators.
Many scholars still require a mahram for travel; others allow it in a safe, organised group. Follow the view of the scholar you trust.
What's different for women
- Ihram clothing: any modest, loose clothes — no special colour. Face and hands uncovered; no niqab or gloves.
- Talbiyah and du'as are recited softly.
- No raml (brisk walking) in Tawaf and no jogging between the green lights in Sa'i.
- No idtiba' (uncovering the shoulder) — that is for men only.
- Hair: gather it and cut about a fingertip's length from the ends, in private.
If your period starts
- Before Ihram: you still enter Ihram at the Miqat (a bath is recommended) and recite the Talbiyah.
- You may do everything except Tawaf and praying — wait in Makkah until you are pure, then bathe and perform Tawaf and Sa'i.
- If it starts after Tawaf, you may complete Sa'i and the haircut — Sa'i does not require purity.
- If your return flight leaves before you are pure, tell our scholar early; there are recognised solutions and we can adjust dates when possible.
TipSome women take medication to delay their period after consulting a doctor; most scholars permit this if it is not harmful.
Practical tips
- Use the women's prayer areas — ask the female coordinator to show you on the first day.
- Wear comfortable socks: marble floors are cold in winter and hot in summer.
- Keep your phone and the group card (hotel name and our numbers) in a crossbody pouch.
- The Rawdah in Madinah has separate women's timings booked through the Nusuk app — we book the slot for you.
Where scholars differ we give the majority practice; follow the scholar or madhhab you trust. Rules on visas, fees and permits are as of October 2026 and can change.
