Hajj packing list

* This is NOT a sponsored post, all opinions are my own.

Hajj packing list:

Most or the established tour groups, give you a few essentials to start you off, some include a hand luggage bag, a back-pack and umbrella as well as other things. It’s important to know what you get from your operator, so you don’t double pack or expect something you will not receive.

My list below is not exhaustive, and is focussed on women. For men, there are a few specific things but most of the below work too.

Clothing:

Walking shoes – I cannot recommend these Sketchers enough these enough I went for a size 5 from the children’s range.
These were worn on a daily basis, and my feet were extremely comfortable from start to end.

Crocs – great to use in between wudu, I wore mine more in Mina.
Jubbah/Abaya – 4, for your travels, including Hajj days. I would recommend taking one nice one too, when your Ihram is over, and you can shower etc. It’s nice to change into something a little more special on Eid day. There is no fixed colour or material you must wear, try the ones on you want to take beforehand, try and stick to lightweight closed ones, linen are good options too.
Full headscarf You can put it on without putting an abaya on, when in the segregated tents in Mina.

Hood scarf x3 – I loved these during the days of Hajj, as I didn’t need to worry about pins and under caps.
Sunglasses
Scarfs safety pins and under caps
Socks – I packed a few socks with gel supports (from Primark) – which came in useful within the haram and when in the Mina tents.
Leggings
A few Pyjama sets (During the days of Hajj in Mina, I wore one and took a spare, I didn’t need the second. (I found ones with cuffed ends from M&S, which are great to pull up when doing wudu)
Spare flip flops

Other essentials:

Dua list – English and Arabic, something you can relate to, your own list or a printed one
Hair bobbles and clips
Headphones/iPod Plus charging cables loaded with Islamic lectures and Quran recitation.
SIM card – We didn’t pre-purchase this, but we did convert money before leaving for Saudi, which came in useful for buying sim card, once you leave the airport there are a few booths that will be selling these.
Steel water bottle – Allows water to stay at a cooler temperature
Spray bottle (I had the one with a fan, which I didn’t find overly useful)
Hajj Diary (and pens): I started to write in it, soon after we booked our Hajj and took it with to include daily feelings, events, duas, lists etc
Saudi adapter plug + extension cable – Saudi plug sockets are two pins.
Zip lock bags/Sharpie – I used these to label and separate items for Mina – ie. Bathroom items, medicines, snacks.
Portable charger + all charging cables needed 10,000 mA with a built-in cable from Amazon – This came in very handy, and it was used more so during days of Hajj.
Snacks – A lot of my snacks were made up of cereal and protein bars, and mainly packed and taken to Mina.
Single bed sheet for Mina beds – I didn’t need this as the beds that Dome tours provided were brand new and very clean.
Drawstring bag to store and carry your shoes in when going to the Haram to avoid misplacing them (can also be used as a storage bag when using the bathrooms during the days of Hajj

Toiletries/Bathroom:

Vaseline – a small tub should be enough – feet may get dry and lips chapped due to coming in and out from AC.
Unscented moisturizer; During the few days of Hajj, you’re required to refrain from using unnecessary things, and forbidden from using any scented items. I highly recommend just taking the ‘Simple’ brand moisturizer with. (Dome tours supplied us with an unscented toiletries pack)
Microfiber towels, are flat to pack and take up very little space.
Door hooks + Drawstring bag (can also be used as a shoe storage bag for the Haram) – You NEED these in Mina/Muzdalifa/Arafat to use in the toilet cubicles, the drawstring bag is to hold the zip lock bag and items you’re taking to the bathroom, as you would not want to leave them on the floor.
Nappy sacks – You need these for the toilets, to dispose of used tissue/wipes.
PLEASE DISPOSE OF YOUR RUBBISH!
Water wipes – Water wipes are unscented, and perfect to have with you during the days of Hajj, to use in the toilet.
Dettol wipes – I didn’t actually end up using these, but I bought them originally to ‘clean’ the toilets.
Plastic gloves – I bought these with the intention to avoid touching the detol wipes (as they are scented), but again didn’t end up using these either, as I didn’t find any reason to ‘clean’
Simple make up wipes and deodorant (fragrance free) I bought these after seeing them on lots of Hajj packing sites, but once again I didn’t use these either.
SPF / Sunblock– I managed to get a scent free one from Marks and spencers.
Scissors – These came in useful post umrah/Hajj for myself and some other girls in the group, to cut our hair.
Unscented panty liners – During the Hajj days, I used the same underwear, but just changed panty liners.
Unscented hand sanitizer which came in very useful as sinks became very occupied during wudu times.
Elastic bands – During the days of Hajj, most toilets are the ‘hole in the ground style’ before you enter, the elastic bands are super helpful to tie and hold your abaya up.
Face masks – post Hajj I did one of these to refresh my skin.

Pharmacy items:
Lozenges – I found these really useful – especially during Mina days, when everyone started to cough etc.
Dissolvable Vitamin C tablets – I bought enough for the 14 days we were there – more were needed for the days of Hajj. (You can only take one tablet daily, but spares were appreciated by fellow group members)
Panadol/Paracetamol
Hydrating eye drops During summer it can get quite dusty which can also make eyes quite dry.
Immodium (for diarrhea) – I didn’t end up using these, but some girls did take them in Mina just to avoid going to the toilet. Which I am totally against, please do not take Immodium for that reason, as you’ll end up giving yourself constipation/or painful stomach aches.
IBS tablets (Buscopan) – These were really helpful, I tend to get stomach cramps when I eat out often, these helped to calm it down a lot.
Diaorolyte – Just like the Vitamin C these are great to take during hot days and help you to stay hydrated.
Probiotics – I swear by these, take one daily to help keep unwanted illnesses away!
Insect Bite cream – I didn’t need to use this, but some packing lists I saw online advised to pack it, in case of bites during Mina days.
Deep heat (This can’t be used during the days you are in ihram, but once you’re out of ihram, its brilliant to rub on aching muscles)
Epipen & antihistamines (If like me you have extreme reactions, then carry your Epipen with)
Blister plasters – I didn’t need these, but blisters can occur.
Bandage wrap – my husband ended up using this to support a sprain.
Lucozade tablets (from Amazon or Holland and Barrat) – These came recommended from the group, and are excellent to take during the long extensive days.
Norethisterone – this is a tablet which must be take a few days prior to your expected date your period will start, it is not available over the counter and must be prescribed to you from a doctor.
Isotonic Energy gels – these were brilliant in keeping up my energy.

Items you will need (I did not need to purchase these, as Dome tours provided us with these)
A drawstring sun hat
Umbrella
lightweight backpack (to be held from Mina, to Arafat, to Muzdalifah and back to Mina and in some cases, like ours back to Makkah)
Hand luggage
A small pouch to store your stones for Jamarat.
A book to explain the rituals you will perform for Umrah and Hajj
Prayer mat (All the carpets in the haram are removed)