Day 1 : Arrival, Ayhaft National Park & Hadibo city
Meeting you at the airport, you’ll be given a true Socotri welcome with lunch in the capital city Hadibo. Once full & your luggage settled into nights’ accommodation, we’ll head out to Ayhaft, the natural botanical garden of Socotra. Here we can swim in the many freshwater pools and get our first glimpse at the density of endemic flora and fauna the island has to offer. If you’re lucky you might find the chameleons sunning themselves.
Dinner and overnight at Ayhaft National Park
Day 2 : Kalisan Canyon & Homhil Protected Area
After breakfast, we’ll drive inland towards Kalisan Canyon and pools. Mostly off-road, with a 45-minute hike at the end, this is a destination worth the effort. The drive will go through the Momi Plateau that hosts a large number of blooming Adenium obesum and other endemic rare plants.
Once we arrive in the canyon, we’ll take an easy walk and you’ll be blown away with the beauty of the landscape. Expect to see a spectacular riverbed and natural pools at the bottom where we can swim, chill or get some adrenalin jumping from the ledges into the crystal clear water below. After a tasty picnic lunch, we’ll have a short climb up back to the cars.
Next stop is Homhil Plateau – a terrestrial protected area offering real prehistoric vibes. Around a 2 hours drive Homhil is the northeastern tip of the island with a large concentration of Dragon’s blood trees (Dracaena Cinnabar) , desert rose and frankincense trees. Its also home to natures finest infinity pool! We should reach Homil at golden hour for some gorgeous photo opportunities. The local children will be around if you want to buy dragon blood resin and frankincense.
Dinner and overnight at Homhil campsite.
Day 3 : Homil infinity pool , Wadi Shifa , Arher freshwater creek and beach camp
After breakfast , We’ll take a little climb in the dragon blood tree territory, amongst hundreds of jurassic looking trees to be treated to a refreshing dip in the natural infinity pool, overlooking the valley to the Arabian Sea. The pool water is so clean and refreshing, and its probably the most beautiful infinity pool you’ll ever see. Once refreshed, we’ll hike for a couple of hours down along Wadi Shifa.
Meeting the car, we then head to Arher; envision the whitest sand, a beautiful long beach, stunning blue waters with sand dunes that blend into the ocean. The is the highest dune on the island, challenge yourself to climb this behemoth, head for a swim in the sea or simply relax on Arher beach to see if you can see the spinner dolphins go by. A small freshwater stream feeds into the ocean, where you can rinse off the salt & sand. For sunset we’ll head to the island’s eastern end, Ra’as Erisel – the meeting point of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Dinner and overnight camping at Arher.
DAY 4 : Hoq Cave & Dihamari Marine Protected Area
After breakfast, we’ll head to the village of Terbak, the home of the Hoq cave. Taking to our feet, we’ll hike for around an hour and a half to reach the cave’s entrance. Being around 3.5 km long, we can take some time heading into the bowels to see the towering stalagmite/stalactite formations. During archaeological research the oldest traces of settlement on the island were found there and discovered wooden tablets in Aramaic dating back to 258 AD – the time the island was inhabited by Christians.
Once we’ve explored the cave & wound our way back down to the cars we’ll continue to Qariya date palm trees oasis for a picnic lunch beneath the trees.
After lunch has settled, we’re heading to nearby Dihamari marine protected area, boasting one of the richest coral reefs on the Socotra. Snorkel around the bay to see what you can find hiding in the reef, Parrotfish, Moray eel, Rays, and Sea urchins are in abundance & if you are lucky, you will meet one of the three species of turtles found on the island.
Dinner and overnight at Dihamari campsite .
DAY 5 : Omaq white sandy Indian ocean beach, Hayf (Zahaq) sand Dunes & Dagub cave
If you wake up early in the morning, you can grab a short swim with morning light in the Dihamari Bay. After breakfast, we will head to the less populated southern coast to the beautiful turquoise blue Indian Ocean, a place of endless white sand beaches.
A relaxing afternoon awaits you; rest in the shade of palm trees, enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters or exploring the surroundings. At sunset, we will visit the sand dunes near the village of Hayf. Evoking a sense of calm, these towering sand dunes offer a great photo opportunity, or test those hip flexors as you explore the views. Depending on the time, we can visit the Dagub cave (or tomorrow morning) on our way inland. At the entrance to the cave, the most valuable item of the dry south coast – pure water – flows down the impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations. Digub cave is also a popular meeting spot for locals, and enjoy a picnic or a cup of tea.
Dinner and Overnight at Omaq Campsite.
Day 6 : Dixam Plateau , Derhur Canyon & Fermhin Forest (Home of the Dragon Bloods Trees)
After having a succulent Yemini breakfast, let’s get going to the center of the island “Dixam Plateau” (Diksam). At 700m above sea level, the most spectacular limestone landscape on the island awaits you. Continuing down to “Dirhor Canyon” (Dirhur) where you’ll find a natural pools that are extremely inviting for a quick swim. The canyon is inhabited by birds of all kinds. Lush vegetation overgrows the canyon a stark contrast to the barrenness of Dixam. If you’re a nature lover, it will feel like paradise.
After lunch in the canyon, we’ll drive up to Fermin forest which is the last forest of Dragon Blood Trees. And the only place in the world you’ll find such a forest. Local people will show us how they collect the precious red resin of the trees & we stroll around this jurassic landscape.
Dinner and camping at Fermin campsite.
Day 7 : Qalansiyah/Detwah Lagoon, Shu’ab beach & Hadibo
Heading acrossvto the western part of the island, “Qalansia” (Qualansiah). A long sand bar of fine white sand, where you’ll see crabs skittering across. Qalansia is the second largest town, consisting of traditional Socotri houses, narrow alleyways and a beach full of fishing boats ready to set off for today’s catch or to take you to Shaab beach. On the way, we’ll stop at a viewpoint overlooking Detwah Lagoon protected area. In 2007, Socotra’s Detwah Lagoon Joined the global network of wetlands of International importance under the Ramsar convention. Take a short walk up in order to see the panoramic view of the Lagoon that connects to the Arabian sea before heading to camp for a hearty meal.
Once full we’ll take to the boat to take us to the white sands of Shuab. Along the way, chances are high we’ll see the spinner dolphins & the fisherman will give the opportunity to try out the local fishing techniques yourself! Passing gigantic rock massifs that line deserted small sandy beaches, cave formations inhabited by flocks of cormorants, our boat ride ends at Shu’ab. You will swim in turquoise water, relax under the mangroves, take a snorkel and enjoy your last day on the magical island.
Dinner & overnight at hotel
DAY 8: The Fond Farewell
After a final delicious breakfast in Hadibo, we’ll bid our farewells to this glorious island as we head back to the airport. On the way, we can stop off at a heritage and souvenir shop run by Socotri women, an initiative to allow the island women to support themselves creating a livelihood, for any last-minute souvenirs.
OCTOBER 2024-MARCH 2025 TOUR DATES
October
Every Tuesday-Tuesday
Every Friday-Friday
Sunday-Sunday Starting Oct 20
November
Every Tuesday-Tuesday
Every Friday-Friday
Every Sunday-Sunday
December
Every Tuesday-Tuesday
Every Friday-Friday
January
Every Tuesday-Tuesday
Every Friday-Friday
February
Every Tuesday-Tuesday
Every Friday-Friday
Every Sunday-Sunday
March
Every Tuesday-Tuesday
Every Friday-Friday
Sunday-Sunday Until Mar 23
***April dates will be added as soon as the flight schedule is released!
Service inclusions
- Socotra Island tourists visa a & fees
- Guidance and consultations for acquiring international flights connections.
- Step by step purchasing tickets for any flights departing and arriving Socotra Island
- Visa fees and assistance at Socotra airport
- Final night in the Hotel Hadibo/Eco lodge – Sharing room with bathroom & air-conditioning.
- 6 days camping in the most beautiful places of Socotra, with all equipment provided.
- All transfers starting & ending at the airport, in comfortable, air conditioned 4WD car/ Toyota Land cruisers including fuel.
- English-speaking local guide & drivers
- Full board – quality fresh food, including snacks and soft drinks, unlimited water, all cook daily in the camp. Daily fresh fruits & vegetables
- Local trekking guide at national parks
- Boat excursion to the farthest Shu’ab beach
Service not Included
- Personal insurance
- Guide´s and driver´s tips
- International flights
Please Note: Packing list will be sent to you upon the confirmation of the tour and participation.
