7-Day Tour on Socotra Island
Day 1:
Sana'a - Hadibo
In the early morning we will take you to Sana'a International Airport. After short flight to Hadibo (capital of Socotra) we will pick you up at Hadibo Airport. We will drive with 4W Car to Ayheft Canyon National Park where zou will be able to see many of hundreds of plant spieces on Island and 30% of which are endemic and many birds' spieces. There are also water pools and tamarine trees in Ayheft Canyon. Then drive to Delisha (Di-Lishah) beach. If you are full of energy you can climb a huge sand dune overseeing the beach.
In the afternoon, we will drive to nearby Dihamri marine protected area. It boasts with one of the richest coral reefs on the archipelago. You can relax on the beach in palm leaf huts and swim and snorkel in Dihamri Bay. Snorkeling gear can be hired there. Marine species you will see underwater include: Parrotfish, Moray eel, Rays, Sea urchins, if you are lucky you will meet turtles. Divers can also use the services of Dihamri Diving center and go for a dive in Dihamri or another of superb diving spots of Socotra. Dinner and night in Dihamri.
Day 2:
This morning, we will make an early start to drive to the base of Hoq cave in Terbak village. Before the sunshine gets too hot, we will walk up to the entrance of the Cave. It is more than 3 km long with a water pool at the end and holds a wealth of Socotri history. Inside, you will see ancient stalactites, stalagmites and crystallic formations. Ancient writings on the cave walls and also what appears to be a picture of an old trading ship have been preserved over the ages by a calcite glaze. There is also evidence to suggest that the cave was once used for ritual purposes by the presence of mysterious ‘alters’.
After our trek from the cave will have our picnic lunch in a small cave (Dedom cave). The rest of the day we will spend in Arher where a fresh creak coming out from a granite massive is meeting salty sea water on the beach. You can relax on green grass around the creak, swim in the sea or if you feel fit you can climb a huge sand dune to get a fantastic view over this charming spot. Dinner and overnight in Arher beach.
Day 3:
After breakfast, we will make our way by 4x4 vehicle to Diksam plateau and Shebahon viewpoint. This area is renowned for dragon blood trees, the resin of which is collected, used and traded by the people of Socotra. The area is also home to the endemic and rare Socotra Bunting (estimated at 1,000 pairs). The Shebahon viewpoint gives a fabulous vista overlooking Daerhu canyon (wadi) where we will see unusual yet beautiful rock formations. We will then make our way down to the wadi for lunch and an easy walk and maybe also a swim in a freshwater pool with a natural slide.
Today we will drive to the western part of the island where a little fishermen’s town of Qalansyia is located. It consists of traditional Socotri houses, narrow alleyways and a long beach full of fishing boats ready to set off for today’s catch or to take you to Shu’ab beach. We will continue to neighboring Detwah lagoon which is a marine protected area renowned for its magic landscape. You will be charmed by a white sandy tongue surrounded by turquoise waters of the bay. This surely is one of the best views on the island. You can jump in the shallow sea there and enjoy the paradise. Only be careful with sting rays that can be seen in the lagoon. There is also an array of sea birds to be seen in the lagoon. Dinner and night in an eco-camp in Detwah.
Day 4:
Golden sands of Shua'ab
After breakfast in Detwah, we will go for a boat trip to Shu’ab. We will surely meet some Spinner Dolphins along the way with cormorants flying over our heads. Once at Shu’ab, we can have a look at a mangrove area. We will have a lunch on the long and clean Shu’ab beach. In the afternoon, feel free to swim and enjoy this pristine place. In late afternoon, we will take a boat ride back to Qalansyia. Line fishing is possible from the boat if you want to catch your today’s dinner. Dinner and night in Hadibo, hotel.
Day 5:
Socotra - Sana´a
After an early breakfast, we will drive you to the Socotra airport. You can visit a souvenir shop there while waiting for a short flight to the mainland. After arrival booking from the airport and after some rest visit Old City Sana´a. Overnight in Sana´a or transfer to the airport and departure.
Sana'a - Hadibo
In the early morning we will take you to Sana'a International Airport. After short flight to Hadibo (capital of Socotra) we will pick you up at Hadibo Airport. We will drive with 4W Car to Ayheft Canyon National Park where zou will be able to see many of hundreds of plant spieces on Island and 30% of which are endemic and many birds' spieces. There are also water pools and tamarine trees in Ayheft Canyon. Then drive to Delisha (Di-Lishah) beach. If you are full of energy you can climb a huge sand dune overseeing the beach.
In the afternoon, we will drive to nearby Dihamri marine protected area. It boasts with one of the richest coral reefs on the archipelago. You can relax on the beach in palm leaf huts and swim and snorkel in Dihamri Bay. Snorkeling gear can be hired there. Marine species you will see underwater include: Parrotfish, Moray eel, Rays, Sea urchins, if you are lucky you will meet turtles. Divers can also use the services of Dihamri Diving center and go for a dive in Dihamri or another of superb diving spots of Socotra. Dinner and night in Dihamri.
Day 2:
This morning, we will make an early start to drive to the base of Hoq cave in Terbak village. Before the sunshine gets too hot, we will walk up to the entrance of the Cave. It is more than 3 km long with a water pool at the end and holds a wealth of Socotri history. Inside, you will see ancient stalactites, stalagmites and crystallic formations. Ancient writings on the cave walls and also what appears to be a picture of an old trading ship have been preserved over the ages by a calcite glaze. There is also evidence to suggest that the cave was once used for ritual purposes by the presence of mysterious ‘alters’.
After our trek from the cave will have our picnic lunch in a small cave (Dedom cave). The rest of the day we will spend in Arher where a fresh creak coming out from a granite massive is meeting salty sea water on the beach. You can relax on green grass around the creak, swim in the sea or if you feel fit you can climb a huge sand dune to get a fantastic view over this charming spot. Dinner and overnight in Arher beach.
Day 3:
After breakfast, we will make our way by 4x4 vehicle to Diksam plateau and Shebahon viewpoint. This area is renowned for dragon blood trees, the resin of which is collected, used and traded by the people of Socotra. The area is also home to the endemic and rare Socotra Bunting (estimated at 1,000 pairs). The Shebahon viewpoint gives a fabulous vista overlooking Daerhu canyon (wadi) where we will see unusual yet beautiful rock formations. We will then make our way down to the wadi for lunch and an easy walk and maybe also a swim in a freshwater pool with a natural slide.
Today we will drive to the western part of the island where a little fishermen’s town of Qalansyia is located. It consists of traditional Socotri houses, narrow alleyways and a long beach full of fishing boats ready to set off for today’s catch or to take you to Shu’ab beach. We will continue to neighboring Detwah lagoon which is a marine protected area renowned for its magic landscape. You will be charmed by a white sandy tongue surrounded by turquoise waters of the bay. This surely is one of the best views on the island. You can jump in the shallow sea there and enjoy the paradise. Only be careful with sting rays that can be seen in the lagoon. There is also an array of sea birds to be seen in the lagoon. Dinner and night in an eco-camp in Detwah.
Day 4:
Golden sands of Shua'ab
After breakfast in Detwah, we will go for a boat trip to Shu’ab. We will surely meet some Spinner Dolphins along the way with cormorants flying over our heads. Once at Shu’ab, we can have a look at a mangrove area. We will have a lunch on the long and clean Shu’ab beach. In the afternoon, feel free to swim and enjoy this pristine place. In late afternoon, we will take a boat ride back to Qalansyia. Line fishing is possible from the boat if you want to catch your today’s dinner. Dinner and night in Hadibo, hotel.
Day 5:
Socotra - Sana´a
After an early breakfast, we will drive you to the Socotra airport. You can visit a souvenir shop there while waiting for a short flight to the mainland. After arrival booking from the airport and after some rest visit Old City Sana´a. Overnight in Sana´a or transfer to the airport and departure.