For many Muslims, preparing for Umrah involves not only obtaining a visa, purchasing appropriate clothing, or booking flights to Saudi Arabia, but also choosing the ideal time to perform Tawaf, which is circumambulating the Kaaba in Mecca, as this can significantly affect the pilgrimage experience.
The importance of choosing the right time becomes even more relevant during hot summer months, even though the entire Umrah ritual may take less than two hours.
To facilitate the religious visit, which is not mandatory in Islam, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia recently established peak congestion hours at Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca, when crowds reach their maximum, as well as periods with fewer visitors.
Most Umrah rituals take place around the mosque. The Ministry reported that from five in the morning to eight in the morning, the Kaaba receives a moderate number of pilgrims; during this period, fewer people circumambulate the Kaaba, but in other time slots, the density of pilgrims decreases even further.
Typically, from five in the evening to nine in the evening, the mosque becomes extremely crowded, as most people prefer to start Umrah after sunset to avoid the heat. This peak period is even more intense during the month of Ramadan.
The Saudi Ministry advised pilgrims who wish to perform rituals away from crowds—which could negatively affect concentration during the visit—to choose one of two low-traffic periods: from ten in the evening to four in the morning or from nine in the morning to four in the afternoon.
Since temperatures in the Kingdom can rise sharply and reach 50°C on some days, the authorities also strongly recommend that pilgrims stay well-hydrated and use umbrellas for sun protection.
The General Administration of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat announced on Monday that UAE citizens wishing to perform the Hajj pilgrimage next year can register their names starting from September 14, 2026.
The administration specified that pilgrims will be selected through an automated verification process according to approved criteria and requirements. In 2026, the country approved the names of 6,228 Emiratis to participate in Hajj. Overall, more than 1.7 million people from 165 countries participated in Hajj this year.
It is expected that the application review will be completed, and the names of approved UAE pilgrims will be announced on October 9; after that, they will be contacted to complete the necessary procedures. The Awqaf administration emphasized that adhering to this schedule will allow for timely preparation for the new Hajj season and ensure the best service to pilgrims both in the UAE and at the holy sites in Mecca.
The registration period for Hajj 2027 in the UAE will last until September 25, and UAE citizens can submit applications through the special Awqaf application and website.
In July, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reviewed plans to improve the Hajj experience for Emirati pilgrims, focusing on enhancing service quality, strengthening support, and ensuring smoother journeys from departure to return.
Sheikh Mohammed noted that ensuring the well-being of Emirati pilgrims—from arrival at the holy sites to safe return home—remains a top priority.
According to Saudi authorities, the deadline for Umrah pilgrims to leave the Kingdom is set for April 7, 2027, before the start of the Hajj 2027 season. According to astronomical calculations, the Day of Arafah, the culmination of the Hajj season, is expected on May 15, 2027.
Thanks to the announcement of Friday, August 28th, as a public and private holiday in observance of the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (peace be upon him and blessings of God), residents of the UAE will have a three-day break until August 30th without using annual leave.
Residents can spend these three days by taking a short international trip, crossing the border into Oman, or simply organizing a staycation within the UAE.
Travel websites such as Musafir.com, Holiday Factory, and Travelwings offer short international tours to countries like Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and Thailand.
According to Khaleej Times, three-night packages cost from approximately 1,200 to 3,000 dirhams per person, depending on the chosen destination, hotel, and included services. Georgia, Baku, and Armenia are options for those planning to fly in and out before work resumes.
Those willing to take additional leave have more options. For example, a package to Montenegro is available from August 26th to 31st, which would require extending the three-day weekend.
Georgia is gaining popularity among travelers from Gulf countries. According to the National Tourism Administration of Georgia, the country welcomed 145,513 visitors from GCC markets in 2025, a 3.4% increase from the previous year. Due to the approximately four-hour flight time from major Gulf cities, simpler entry options, and a combination of urban, mountain, and natural experiences, Georgia has become a popular destination for a short getaway. Furthermore, Tbilisi was recently added to the list of global trend destinations for 2026.
Salalah in southern Oman presents another option for UAE families who prefer long road trips. Using an approximate distance of about 1,200 km one way from Dubai, the entire route would be between 2,400 and 2,500 km. A family car with an average consumption of 10–12 km per liter would require approximately 200–250 liters of gasoline for the return journey. Depending on the car and refueling stops, families can budget between 600 and 850 dirhams for fuel.
Hotels can cost approximately 200 to 550 dirhams per night, based on analyzed options. Adding two nights of accommodation, food, border crossing expenses, insurance, and entertainment could lead a family of four to spend between 3,000 and 4,500 dirhams on the trip. Families can spend time visiting the Harif attractions in Salalah, including Wadi Darbat and Mughsail, and visit the new Salalah Eye, scheduled to open in the second week of August. Those who do not wish to spend hours driving can find flight and hotel packages to Salalah, some of which start from approximately 1,499 dirhams.
Musandam in Oman, often called the 'Norway of Arabia,' is a much simpler choice for residents wishing to cross the border without undertaking a long trip to Salalah. Online packages to Hasab start from approximately 250 dirhams, and residents can also plan their own trip by personal car.
The three-day break allows residents to leave on Thursday evening, spend one or two nights there, and return on Sunday. Dhow cruises, mountain landscapes, and time by the water make this option suitable for a short road escape.
Residents who do not want to fly or cross the border can turn the weekend into a staycation. The platform Cobone currently offers hotel and resort deals starting from under 200 dirhams. Reviews of travel offers conducted by Khaleej Times show that the average cost of staycation packages is 300 dirhams in Ras Al Khaimah, 375 dirhams in Dubai, 450 dirhams in Abu Dhabi, 495 dirhams in Al Ain, 500 dirhams in Ajman, 590 dirhams in Umm Al Quwain, and 600 dirhams in Fujairah.
The final price will depend on the chosen hotel, room type, meals, and dates. For those looking for something more unusual, Sir Bani Yas Island can also offer island relaxation without leaving the UAE. Regardless of whether residents choose a short flight, a long trip, or a nearby hotel, the break from August 28th to 30th gives them a last chance to relax before returning to the usual routine.
