7 Nights, 8 Days

Kicking off with the laid-back charms of Socotra, this tour is all about beautiful beaches, coastal walks, and glamping under the stars.

Inclusions

  • Flight ticket and, entry visa

  • Camping gear and tour guide

  • Transportation in 4×4 vehicles

  • Full board, drinking water, and refreshments

  • All entrance fees, short boat trip

Exclusions

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal expenses

  • Anything outside itinerary

Cost

  • Group Tour $2750 pp

  • Private Tour $3550 pp

Tour itinerary

Upon your arrival at Socotra airport, you will be transferred to the hotel in Hadibo/Adeeb’s eco-lodge to acclimatize and have lunch. After lunch, we will be heading to Ayhaft Canyon National Park. In the canyon (valley), you will enjoy large freshwater pools where you can swim or soak. All around you, there will be a variety of endemic plants like Dessert Rose, Tamarind trees, Cucumber trees, and a wide variety of birds such as Socotra Sparrow, Socotra Sunbird, and both Socotri and Somali Starlings.

After swimming, we will drive to Delisha beach which consists of pristine white sands full of crabs. You will relax while swimming both in the sea and in a freshwater lagoon. If you are full of energy you can climb a huge sand dune overseeing the beach. There is also a possibility of watching a fabulous sunset from Delisha.

  • Overnight: Camping or at a local hotel/guest house
  • Suitability: Kids and older persons

Our first stop will be Qalansiya; a small traditional fishing town. From there we will hop on a boat and head to Shuaab. We are very likely to see Spinner Dolphins and other sea life during this boat ride. Once in Shuaab, feel free to swim, relax and enjoy this pristine place as well as have a look at a mangrove area.

After exploring the surrounding mangroves in the areas we will head back to Qalansiya in time to explore the Detwah lagoon which is a marine protected area renowned for its magical landscape. This area has some of the best views on the island where you can swim, sunbathe and relax in the shallow sea there.

  • Overnight: Camping
  • Suitability: Kids and older persons (life jackets available)
  • Waterproof cover is required for phones and cameras 

After breakfast, we will make our way to Dixam plateau (approx. 700 m above sea level) and Shebahon viewpoint. This area is home to an endless number of the Socotri endemic plants such as Dragon’s Blood Tree and other trees as well

The Shebahon viewpoint gives a marvelous vista overlooking Daerhu canyon where we will see breathtaking sceneries and unusual yet beautiful rock formations. We will then make our way down to the Wadi in the canyon for lunch and an easy-going walk to swim in the freshwater pools. In the late afternoon, we will prepare our way to a very expansive beach of Omak in the Indian Ocean.

  • Overnight: Camping
  • Suitability: Kids and older persons (walking shoes required)

After a quick swim in the crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean, we will head to Digub cave, which overlooks a scattering of traditional villages below, the cave itself is of interest as there are many stalactites, stalagmites, and pools of water that have seeped through the rock over time. After the cave, we will drive to Hayf and Zahek village to witness the massive sand dunes which have been pushed up against the mountainside by the seasonal winds of Socotra.  Then we will make our way to Digub cave, which overlooks a scattering of traditional villages below.

After that, we will drive to the northeast coast of the Island, through the interesting Defarhu Valley. Alongside, you will see traditional villages, natural water pools at the bottom of the canyon, and the unusual Desert Rose tree that clings to many places on the canyon walls. The vegetation here is lush green and there are many birds. Then we will continue our way to the marine of Dihammri.

  • Overnight: Camping
  • Suitability: Kids and older persons

After breakfast, you can swim, snorkel and dive in the marine protected area of Dihammri, which is home to dozens of species of colorful marine life and it is one of the richest coral reefs in the archipelago. Diving/snorkeling gear can be hired from Dihammri Diving Center.

After Dihammri, we will depart to the natural protected area of Homhil; which is home to an endless number of the Socotri endemic plants such as Dragon’s Blood Tree, Frankincense Tree, Desert Rose, etc. Once in Homhill, we will walk along with a selection of trails, one of which takes us to a viewpoint where there is a natural swimming pool and a view of villages below on the plain and of the Arabian Sea.

  • Overnight: Camping
  • Suitability: Kids and older persons

We will hike down from Homhil Plateau to the northeast coast of the island to Wadi Shifa (medium –two hours walking) where the cars can meet us. Then after a quick lunch, we will drive to Ras Erisel which is situated at the eastern end of the island where the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean are meeting and many ships have been sinking there.

After that, we will make our way to Arher beach. Here a fresh creek comes out and meets the salty ocean water. We will have time to relax, swim or climb some of the massive sand dunes as we set up camp and prepare dinner.

  • Overnight: Camping
  • Suitability: Kids and older persons (walking shoes required)

After an early breakfast, we will drive to Terbak village where Hoq Cave is located. Then we will hike up for one hour and a half till we reach the entrance of the cave, then about 1 hour in the side of the cave. After exploring the cave, we will walk down for one hour and a half. Hoq is the largest cave on the island and it is 3.2 km deep, the cave holds a wealth of Socotri history and hides archeological findings such as pieces of pottery, paintings, and wooden tables with inscriptions in Aramaic language dating back to 258 AD. The cave offers an overwhelming beauty and a variety of crystal decorations, like stalagmites, stalactites, and calcite floors.

In the late afternoon, we will proceed to the marine protected of Rosh to explore one of the best snorkeling/diving sites on Socotra. Rosh is home to dozens of species of colorful marine life and it is one of the richest coral reefs in the archipelago.

  • Overnight: Camping
  • Suitability: Kids and older persons with no knee issues (walking shoes required)

After breakfast, we will be transferred back to the airport to visit the visitor Information Center before taking your flight back home.

FAQ

The most convenient way to get to Socotra is via a chartered flight from Abu Dhabi international airport, alternatively via Yemen Airways depart from Cairo, Egypt or Amman, Jordan, with a layover (usually one day) in Aden city. We arrange visas and flights for all of our guests. The visa processing time is 3 to 4 business days.

The national mobile carrier of UAE Etisalat works in Socotra. Make sure you buy the sim card when you arrive in the UAE if you would like to stay connected. You can bring alcoholic beverages to Socotra, It’s permitted for foreigners by the Yemeni law. However, drinking in public is prohibited. Please click here to see the complete list of what to prepare for the Socotra trip.

Our food options contain meat (beef, goat, chicken), eggs, cheese, sweets, rice, white or wholemeal bread, coffee, tea, and drinking water. We also offer vegetarian and vegan meals per request. Showers and toilets are available on most campsites, and we also have portable showers.

No PCR is required or proof of vaccination. It was announced by the Yemeni department of health a few months ago. However, if you are flying to Socotra from Abu Dhabi, you must follow the UAE covid-19 requirements.

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