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8-Day Socotra CampingTour
  • Tour Category

    Private Tour

  • Tour Types

    Nature, Sun and Sand, Camping

  • Duration

    8 Days

  • Activity Level

    Easy

  • Language

    English

Description

Set out on this 8-Day long tour of Socotra Island and dive headlong into the unique treasures that the region has to offer. Explore the Hoq caves, Ras Israel, Wadi Shafa, Detwah, Daqub, Diksam, Shu'ab beach and much more. See the peculiar dragon blood trees and rare bird species. Go camping on the beaches and swim in freshwater pools, observe underwater life, uncover secluded caves and go on boat rides to marvel at the sight of spinner dolphins leaping out of the sea.

Highlights
  • Visit Ar-Ar, Shu'ab & Qalynsia beaches
  • Explore the Hoq & Dagub caves
  • Walk through the Yemeni Villages
  • Go to Diksam plateau, an extensive area in centeral Socotra  
  • Stroll in Detwah Protected Area, a coastal lagoon
  • Day 1: Camp at the Ar-Ar Beach expand_more
    • Meet your guide at the predecided location.
    • Visit the Ar-Ar Beach, located northeast of the Island, with the tour guide. Relax, swim or climb some massive dunes as the guide sets up camp and prepares dinner.
    • Spend the first night in Socotra camping at the Ar-Ar Beach.
  • Day 2: Walk through the Hoq Cave & Ras Israel expand_more
    • Visit the mysterious Hoq Cave in the village of Terbaik in the morning. Take a 3-km walk to its entrance. See the various geographic features like stalactites, stalagmites, magical crystalline formations, calcite floors and the recently discovered ancient writings and diagrams. 

    • Head to the eastern tip of the island, Ras Israel. Explore the area with the Socotra tour guide.

    • Have a sumptuous dinner and enjoy your overnight stay at Ar-Ar Beach.

  • Day 3: Visit the Homhil & Amek Beach expand_more
    • Drive to the bottom of Wadi Shafa in the morning. From here, continue on foot to the natural Homhil pool. Homhil is a fresh-water pool surrounded by indigenous dragon blood trees.

    • Visit traditional Yemeni villages. Here, catch a glimpse of the lives of locals and their culture.

    • Have dinner and stay overnight in Amek eco-campsite on the beach.

  • Day 4: Walk through the Dagub Cave & Zakak Sand Dunes expand_more
    • After lunch, visit the Dagub Cave overlooking the villages on the southern coast. Interestingly, the cave is of great importance to the local shepherds, as they gather their goat in the cave during monsoon season to protect them from the severe downpour. 

    • Explore the white sand dunes of Hayf and Zahek. Climb the dunes for a breathtaking view of the horizon as the day comes to an end.

    • Have dinner and stay overnight in the Amek eco-campsite.

  • Day 5: Visit the Diksam Plateau expand_more
    • After breakfast, visit Diksam Plateau and Shebahon viewpoint. The Shebahon viewpoint gives a fabulous vista overlooking the canyon's unusual rock formations. This area is home to the scarce Socotra Bunting bird, among other fascinating flora and fauna.

    • After lunch, take a stroll or go for a swim in the freshwater pool.

    • Have a delicious dinner and spend the night in Diksam.

  • Day 6: Drive to Qalansiyah & Detwah Protected Area expand_more
    • After breakfast, drive to the charming fishermen’s town of Qalansiyah. It consists of traditional Socotri houses, winding alleyways and a long beach full of fishing boats. 

    • Continue to the neighbouring Detwah lagoon, which is a protected area renowned for its astounding landscape. The beach around it is completely secluded. Swim in the shallow waters of the sea or relax in the lagoon. 

    • Enjoy your dinner and have a restful night on Detwah eco-camping site.

  • Day 7: Take a boat ride to Shu'ab Beach & Qalansiyah Beach expand_more
    • After breakfast in Detwah, go on a boat trip to Shu’ab Beach and get to see spinner dolphins leap through the air.  

    • Have lunch at Shu'ab Beach.

    • Embark on a boat ride back to Qalynsia. On this boat ride, enjoy line fishing.

    • Spend the night in Detwah's eco-camping site.

  • Day 8: Departure expand_more
    • After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for the return flight.

What's Included
  • Accommodation in Socotra

  • Camping equipment

  • One boat-trip
  • 4x4 private vehicles and a driver (maximum of 4 persons per car)

  • English-speaking Socotra guide's services

  • 3 meals per day

  • Water and soft drinks 

  • Local Socotra guides at specific/remote places

What's Excluded
  • Travel insurance

  • Visa fees 

  • Flights

 

Know before you go
  • Socotra at a Glance:
    To step foot on Socotra is to embark on a botanical odyssey in the most alien-looking place on Earth. This island, off the Horn of Africa, is the most isolated in the world of a non-volcanic origin. Scientists call it the Galapagos of the East; one-third of its plant species are unique to the island. Socotra is located 380 km from mainland Yemen. There are no safety or security issues here and travellers do not have to leave the airport in Rayan en-route to the island.
  • Socotra Travel Season:
    Travellers are recommended to visit Socotra only between October and May. During the summer months of June to September, the island is hit with high winds which makes it difficult for travellers to enjoy themselves. Moreover, if you want to avoid spending an overnight in mainland Yemen, you will have to depart on Wednesday from Sharjah as it is the only flight that gets you to Socotra without you having to spend an overnight in the mainland.
  • VISA:
    We could arrange your tourist visa for USD 130. However, in the rare case that we are unable to obtain visas for you, you will be refunded our visa fee (USD 130) and we will provide you with the documents required to apply for the visa in your country of residence at the Yemeni Embassy.
  • Flights:
    We can book return tickets at a cost of around 900 USD.

 

Meeting Point

Socotra Airport, Yemen, Yemen

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price Details
Per Person
1 To 1 USD 1800 Per Person
2 To 10 USD 1700 Per Person
11 To 20 USD 1600 Per Person

This is a private tour

Starting From

Fromss

see details
USD 1800 / person