Pilgrims performing tawaf around the Kaaba at golden hour

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Ramadan Umrah in the First Ashra: The Days of Mercy (Rahmah)

Ramadan is traditionally divided into three ashras, or sets of ten days. The first ten are often called the days of mercy (rahmah). For UK pilgrims, the first ashra is a lovely balance: you get the spirit of Ramadan in Makkah, with noticeably lighter crowds and gentler hotel rates than the final ten nights.

5 min read · Updated 15 October 2026

Current package prices · Per person · GBP

Compare your Ramadan travel budget

3 Star: £599–£799 · 4 Star: £649–£999 · 5 Star: £750–£1,399 · Luxury: £1,129–£1,619. Use these current general package prices to plan your budget; your Ramadan quote covers the ashra, travel dates and room you choose.

Current prices per person for 7, 10, 12 and 14 nights.
Stay3 star4 star5 star
7 nights£679£659–£779£750–£1,099
10 nights£719–£729£699–£859£999–£1,199
12 nights£619£879–£999£799–£1,249
14 nights£639£689£1,349

First, second or last ashra?

PeriodPlan aroundBudget choice
First ashra · days 1–10Settling into fasting and time in both citiesCompare 7/10-night options and shuttle access
Second ashra · days 11–20Whether your Makkah stay crosses into the final nightsCompare 10/12/14-night stays on the same dates
Last ashra · final ten nightsLaylat al-Qadr, rest, Haram access and staying for EidAsk for a 10-night quote, comparing shuttle and walking hotels

A longer shuttle-hotel stay can cost less than a shorter walking-distance stay. Ten-night 3, 4 and 5 star packages include complimentary Ziyarat; selected 5 star Clock Tower packages include Makkah breakfast. For Ramadan, ask how breakfast is served as suhoor and whether iftar is included.

Explore Ramadan packages

Make a first-ashra budget work for your family

Choose seven or ten hotel nights, then decide whether Makkah or Madinah comes first. A shuttle option can reduce the hotel budget, but ask about Ramadan operating times before relying on it for every prayer. With children or older relatives, weigh a walking hotel against the cost and effort of repeated transfers. Ask for suhoor timings, family room beds and the full baggage allowance.

When is the first ashra in Ramadan 2027?

Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, so the first ashra would run roughly from 8 to 17 February 2027. These are astronomical estimates — the actual start depends on the moon sighting announced in Saudi Arabia, so we always build a day of flexibility into Ramadan quotes.

What the first ten days mean

Many Muslims know the three ashras as mercy, forgiveness and freedom from the Fire, from a narration reported by Ibn Khuzaymah. Scholars have graded that chain weak, but the meaning — seeking Allah's mercy from the very start of the month — is sound and widely loved. The first days are a time to settle into fasting, build a Quran routine and make intentions for the whole month.

Why the first ashra suits UK families

We often recommend the first ashra to families travelling with children or elderly parents, and to anyone doing Ramadan Umrah for the first time.

  • Lighter crowds in tawaf and sa'i than the last ten nights
  • Generally better hotel availability close to the Haram
  • Easier to fit around UK February half-term for some families
  • Time to visit Madinah and pray in Masjid an-Nabawi without the late-month rush

Planning tips

Fasting days in February are short in Saudi Arabia, and the weather in Makkah is mild. Book a hotel with suhoor and iftar arrangements, and plan your Umrah itself for after iftar or late at night, when the heat and crowds are lowest. All prices and seats for Ramadan are subject to availability and confirmed in your written quote.

Good to know

Questions about this guide

Umrah Packages and Costs

How early should I book an Umrah package?

Booking early can provide more choice of flights and hotels, especially during Ramadan, school holidays and other high-demand periods. However, early booking does not guarantee the lowest price. Check live availability and the terms attached to the quotation.Compare Umrah packages

How do I compare two Umrah packages fairly?

Compare the same travel dates, number of nights, number of travellers and room occupancy. Check hotel names, realistic walking routes, flight times, baggage, visa fees, transport, meals, cancellation terms and any applicable financial protection. The cheapest headline price may not be the cheapest complete trip.Compare Umrah packages

Nusuk and Rawdah Permits

Do I need a permit to visit the Rawdah in Madinah?

A booked Rawdah permit is required. Check available appointments in Nusuk for each traveller; a hotel booking or visa does not reserve a slot. Read our guide to how to perform Umrah for planning your Madinah visit.Visa and permit guidance

Can I arrange Nusuk permits before leaving the UK or Ireland?

Once your visa and traveller details are accepted by Nusuk, check whether appointments for your dates are available. Book early when possible and save the permit details on your phone. Our Umrah visa team can help you prepare the information.Visa and permit guidance

Have another question? View all Umrah FAQs

Ramadan 2027 dates are estimates and depend on the official moon sighting. Packages and prices are subject to availability.

Sources & further reading

By Al Furqan Travels · References checked on 15 October 2026. Recheck official requirements before travel.

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