Socotra (Yemen) – 15 Days

Itinerary

Day 1 – Jeddah – Hadibo – Delisha Beach

• Arrive at the airport in Jeddah at 08:00 a.m. for check-in.
• Fly at 11:00 a.m. to Socotra.
• Arrival in Hadibo at 02:00 p.m.
• Transfer to the hotel for a welcome lunch.
• Enjoy a day unwinding at Delisha Beach with sunbathing, swimming, dune climbing, and spectacular sunsets.
• Overnight stay in Hadibo.

Day 2 – Haggier Mountains – Kishan – Adoho Dema’alah

• Begin the day with a trek of the Haggier Mountains, alternating between hiking and camel rides. Explore the traditional Socotri villages, traverse lush wadis, and marvel at endemic flora.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch in Kishan.
• Continue to Adoho Dema’alah for a scenic mountain camp under the stars.
• Overnight camping in Adoho Dema’alah.

Day 3 – Fa’arh Peak – Wadi Di-Azaqaloh – Wadi Dahmedeher – Wadi Di Haza’az

• Begin the day by ascending to Fa’arh Peak with the highest peak of around 1,525 meters. The peak is surrounded by dense, jungle-like vegetation.
• Trek through Wadi Di-Azaqaloh, admiring the iconic Dragon Blood Trees and unique wildlife.
• Lunch at Wadi Dahmedeher’s natural pond.
• Continue through the lush canyon to Wadi Di-Haza’az for dinner.
• Overnight camping in Wadi Di-Haza’az.

Day 4 –  Canyon Pools – Fermhin Plateau – Fermhin Forest

• After breakfast, we hike deeper into the canyon and refresh with a swim in the pristine natural pool. 
• Continue to the Fermhim Plateau, home to the world’s last great woodland of Dragon Blood Trees. Discover the ancient tradition of harvesting the tree’s precious red resin with your local guide.
• Dinner and camping amid the forest.
• Overnight camping stay in Fermhin Forest.

Day 5 – Dirhur Canyon – Omaq – Diksam Plateau

• Enjoy a traditional Yemeni breakfast before exploring Dirhur Canyon’s lush, bird-filled oasis. 
• Journey south to the untouched beaches of Omaq on the Indian Ocean.
• Afterwards, we’ll drive to Diksam. The Diksam Plateau and gorge are the most spectacular limestone formations on the island. The gorge drops 700 meters vertically to the valley floor.
• Walk along the edge of the gorge to see the extensive limestone pavement. Sections of the plateau have partially slipped into the gorge, leaving ‘lost worlds’ accessible to only buzzards and vultures.
• Overnight camping stay in Diksam campsite.

Day 6 – Ayhaft National Park

• Visit Ayhaft National Park, a lush wadi filled with freshwater pools and a haven for endemic birds and trees. It’s often referred to as Socotra’s “nature nursery”.
• Overnight stay camping around Ayhaft.

Day 7 – Dihmari Marine Protected Area

• After breakfast, drive to the nearby Dihmari Marine Protected Area. It boasts one of the richest coral reefs in the archipelago.
• Choose to snorkel, swim, or relax in Dihmari Bay. Diving is also available with rented equipment ($5-10).
• Overnight stay camping in Dihmari.

Day 8 – Wadi Kalisan – Qaria Lagoon – Homhil Protected Area

• Journey towards Wadi Kalisan, with its dramatic cliffs and large freshwater swimming pools.
• On the way, we’ll stop at Qaria Lagoon to spot flamingoes and herons.
• Afterwards, we’ll drive to Homhil Protected Area, known for its dragon blood trees, desert roses, and breathtaking infinity pool.
• Overnight stay at Homhil campsite.

Day 9 – Hoq Cave – Rosh Marine Protected Area

• We set out early heading towards Hoq Cave, a 3 kilometer long cavern featuring ancient inscriptions, crystalline formations, and a freshwater pool. 
• In the afternoon, we relax at the Rosh Marine Protected Area.
• Overnight camping at Rosh campsite.

Day 10 – Ras Erisel – Arher Beach

• Today we visit the stunning Arher Beach, where towering white sand dunes meet turquoise waters.
• We then continue to Ras Erisel, where the Arabian and Indian Sea converge.
• Overnight camping at Arher.

Day 11 – Wadi Defarhu – Omaq Indian Ocean Beach – Dagub Cave

• We begin the morning by crossing Wadi Defarhu, passing traditional villages, date palms, and freshwater pools.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch.
• Continue journeying south to Omaq, where you can relax under palm trees, swim in the water, and visit the photogenic sand dunes near Hayf village.
• Depending on time, explore the Dagub Cave, famed for its stalactites and pure water springs.
• Overnight stay at Omaq campsite.

Day 12 – Qalansiyah – Detwah Lagoon

• In the morning, we head west to the charming fishing village of Qalansiyah. We explore town. From here, boats leave for the archipelago’s other islands, among others.
• Continue to the stunning Detwah Lagoon.
• Enjoy the wetland area with seagrass habitats, stingrays, and endemic wildlife.
• Overnight stay camping at Detwah.

Day 13 – Shuaab Golden Beach – The Cave Man of Detwah

• After breakfast, we take a boat trip to the remote Shuaab Beach, where white sand meets clear water. Be sure to watch for dolphins along the way.
• Return to Detwah for a picnic lunch and a visit to the ‘Cave Man’ Ala’ai’.
• Overnight stay camping at Detwah.

Day 14 – Detwah – Hadibo

• Drive back to Hadibo. 
• Highlight: Spend the day on a city tour of Hadibo to learn more about life on the island. 
• Our first stop is the local store run by women, where you can purchase souvenirs.
• Visit the fish market. Local fishermen bring in a variety of fish, which are then quickly traded. 
• You make a stop at one of the doormakers’ workshops. Here they make beautiful doors as you can find them in many countries in the Middle East. Making the doors is truly an art. Each door is unique and serves to protect the family. 
• Finish your tour with a visit to a local school. Meet teachers and students, with perhaps a spontaneous lesson in English? 
• It is the last night of the trip. Time for a final feast! 
• Overnight stay in a hotel in Hadibo.

Day 15 – Hadibo – Jeddah

• Breakfast before transferring to Socotra Airport.
• Transfer to the airport.
• Departure from Socotra to Jeddah at 02:45 p.m.
• Arrival in Jeddah at 07:10 p.m.
• End of tour.