How to choose your Umrah agency in Morocco: the 7 criteria that matter

Why criteria beat word-of-mouth

Every year, Moroccan families pick their Umrah agency on a vague recommendation or an ad — and discover too late a hotel "near the Haram" that is a 40-minute walk away, or fees never announced. The right method is simple: ask every agency the same verifiable questions and compare written answers. Here are the 7 questions.

1. Is the licence verifiable?

Every Moroccan travel agency must hold an official licence. Ask for the number and check it — our detailed guide explains how to verify an Umrah agency's licence. A serious agency displays this without being asked.

2. Is there a written contract and a receipt?

The booking must be confirmed with a written contract signed at the agency, with an official receipt — never a voice note or a transfer to an individual. That is our systematic practice, and it should be that of any agency you consider.

3. Are prices detailed per tier AND per room?

"From X MAD" is not enough. Demand the exact price for YOUR configuration: hotel tier, double, triple, quad or quint room. Our offers display every price per tier and room publicly — if an agency cannot give you that detail in writing, be careful.

4. Are hotel distances given in metres?

"Near the Haram" can mean 50 metres or 3 kilometres with a shuttle. Ask for the hotel name and its distance in metres, then check a map. Our hotel comparison shows this distance for every property — it is the criterion that most changes your daily experience on site.

5. Are the reviews public and verifiable?

Private screenshots prove nothing. Look for the agency's Google listing (ratings, volume, review age), video testimonials with real faces, and a publicly owned reviews page. Unverifiable reviews are a warning signal, not proof.

6. Who accompanies you on site?

A ticket and a hotel booking do not make a guided Umrah. Ask who gathers the group at the airport, who assists with formalities, who answers on site if a problem arises, and how the Madinah visit unfolds. The guidance program must be described before you book.

7. What does the price NOT include?

Transparency is also judged by what is excluded: travel to the departure airport, certain meals, personal expenses. A reliable agency lists inclusions AND exclusions on every offer, in writing. A missing "not included" section is rarely a good sign.

Warning signals to know

• A price far below market with no clear explanation;
• pressure to pay "today, last seat" with no verifiable data;
• no physical address, no contract, payment requested to a personal account;
• "reviews" with no name, no date, no public listing.

Ask these 7 questions — of us too

This guide applies to every agency, ours included. Ask us these 7 questions on WhatsApp: you will receive every answer in writing — licence, contract, per-room price, hotels and distances, reviews, guidance program and the exclusions list. That, in our view, is the standard every Moroccan pilgrim should demand.