SOCOTRA
At Adventuremore, we do UNIQUE destinations
OCTOBER 3-10
The Itinerary - 8 Days, 7 Nights
The only way to Access Socotra is a flight that leaves once/week from Abu dhabi. So it’s your responsibility to get to Abu Dhabi and we’ll handle the rest!
We depart Abu Dhabi at 9am for a 1.5hr flight to Socotra.
Our local guide will meet us right outside the airport. Don’t worry, the airport is very small, so everything is easy to find.
First stop is a homemade Yemeni meal with a lovely local family then off to Arher Beach.
Arher beach is where high coastal cliffs merge with pristine white sand dunes just steps from the beach. Fresh water flows from the cliffs into the sea, making small streams.
After unpacking your things, we will drive to the Easternmost tip of the island to see and explore where the Indian Ocean meets the Arabian Sea. The sunset from this point is spectacular! You will then head back to camp for dinner and a comfortable sleep on the beach.
DAY 1 - Arrival and Arher Beach
Your second day will start with breakfast on the beach to prepare you for your first hike to Hoq Cave. Hoq Cave is the most unique cave on the island. The hike start point is just a 10 minute drive from camp. We will hike approx 1-1.5 hours up to the cave, walk about 45 minutes to the deepest point of the cave, 45 minutes back out and another 1 hour hike down. Inside you will see stalagmites, stalactites, and flowstones. The cave is magnificent in its original state, so there are no lights or boardwalks, only nature in its wildest form.
After the hike, lunch will be prepared on the beach. You will then relax or swim until the late afternoon before setting off on another amazing hike! This is a more strenuous hike, but the views from the top are worth it. You will watch the sunset from the top and then quickly make your way down to camp where dinner will be waiting. This hike is optional, so feel free to relax at the campsite and watch the sunset from the close by dunes. You will fall asleep once more on the beach at Arher.
DAY 2 - Hoq Cave and Sunset Hike
An amazing third day will start before sunrise! A short hike will take you to the perfect place to see one of the most breathtaking sunrises of your life. Next up...Homhil :)
Homhil pool is located in one the most attractive protected areas in Socotra. This area is also home to a versatile selection of Socotri trees including Boswellia, Desert Rose, the legendary Dragon Blood and many others. Wandering among these rare species and seeing the natural pool is an extraordinary journey. You will hike approx. 30 minutes down to the pool, take in the sights and then hike approx. 30 minutes back up.
Dihamri Marine Reserve is a protected area onthe northern coast of Socotra, and one of the best places to snorkel on the island. A dive master is available on site to help you with renting equipment if you want to explore the deeper waters of the sea. You can easily spend hours in the water spotting countless species of marine life from sea turtles and octopuses to leopard, eels, parrot fish and more. After snorkeling, you can relax until dinner and then fall asleep under the stars once again.
DAY 3 - Sunrise Hike, Homhil and Dihamri
Kilisan Wadi is home to the largest natural pool on the island and is surrounded by different endemic trees and white limestone cliffs. If you keep an eye out, you can also spot some colour-changing chameleons! We will be there until noon, so you will have all the time in the world to swim in the breathtaking wadi and jump from cliffs of different heights. After swimming and lunch, we will drive to the south of the island where the Zahek sand dunes will be waiting.
The Zahek dunes are a vast expanse of glistening white dunes right on the shores of the Indian Ocean. You will watch the sunset here before moving to our camp on Aomak Beach where dinner will be prepared. You can explore the beach before falling asleep to the sound of waves.
DAY 4 - Kilisan Wadi, Zahek and Aomak Beach
After having an early breakfast, we will make a quick trip to explore Dagub cave: a cave of wet rocks where over time water droplets have made marvelous shapes throughout. Then it will be time to drive to higher ground…to a place like no other on Earth: Diksam plateau, the home of the legendary Dragon Blood Trees! We will drive through the national park where the alien-looking trees line the roadsides. Here, beauty is as alive as the nature itself. Before heading up to the forest you will have lunch in the deepest canyon on the island, Wadi Dirhur. Here palm trees grow at the bottom of the wadi and chunky Bottle Trees grow straight out of the towering canyon walls. It is a sight to behold!
From the wadi, we will head up as high as we can to Firmhin forest where the famous trees are found in the hundreds. You will have the rest of the afternoon to explore the forest. You will also go for a sunset photo walk with a local guide to see the most stunning views. You will have dinner and sleep amongst the trees.
DAY 5 - Diksam (Dragon Blood Tree Forest)
After having breakfast in the forest, we will leave the high central plateau behind and head to western Socotra. We will arrive first to Qalansiya, the second largest village on the island. From here, we will take a short journey to Detwah Lagoon, a protected area home to puffer fish, stingrays, starfish, and even turtles. You will have all morning to swim and explore the nearby white sand beach. After lunch at the campsite, you will have the option to relax or explore Qalansiya. As afternoon turns to evening you will have the opportunity to watch the sun sink over the lagoon from the viewpoint before making your way back to the camp.
Dinner and overnight in Detwah Lagoon.
DAY 6 - Detwah Lagoon
This morning is for sailing the waves! Your day will start with a boat ride to Shoab beach, a ride that takes approximately 1.5 hours. You will likely see large pods of dolphins playing in the waves on our way. You will then have plenty of time to swim at Shoab beach before returning to the camp for lunch and relaxing. After lunch, you will take a short hike to meet the caveman! You will enjoy tea with an amazing view from his cave before he shows you around the lagoon, introducing you to the many creatures which call it home. A short hike takes you back to the campsite where you’ll get into the car and head to Hadiboh! If you choose to stay in a hotel, you will check into your hotel on the way. You will have the chance to explore Hadiboh, shop from the local market and have a traditional Yemeni meal at a restaurant before returning to your hotel for the night or going to Delisha, your last campsite.
DAY 7 - Shoab Beach
DAY 8 - Final Farewells
We have one last delicious breakfast, you plan your next trip with your new travel friends and then we all head back to Abu Dhabi
Travel makes you realize that no matter how much you know, there’s always more to learn
We’re beach camping!
Everyone gets their own tent :)
The last night we’ll all be in a hotel
ACCOMODATION
We leave Abu Dhabi on Oct 3rd at 9am, so you might want to arrive in Abu Dhabi a day early and stay the night.
Jorden and Mark will provide the details of the hotel they’ll be staying at.
Travel reminder:
What’s Included
Return flights from Abu Dhabi
Airport transfer to and from the airport
All ground transportation and water transportation
All entry fees
Accommodation for all 7 nights
All Meals
All inclusive!
TRIP PRICE: $2900 USD
DEPOSIT: $1000 USD
Terms and Conditions
Non-refundable deposits buys your $1000 return flights from Abu Dhabi to Socotra(these flights are only available once/week so they need to be reserved well in advance
The trip price includes the $1000 deposit
We can’t offer full payment refunds 1 month prior to trip
Not Included
International Flights to Abu Dhabi
Travel Insurance
Gratuities to drivers
