Socotra Tours and Travel

The following is the standard itinerary we use for our Socotra tours. Our current standard tour starts and finishes in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Day 1 – Tuesday – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Hadibu, Socotra

• Depart 8:00am at Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport for check-in at the Yemen Airways counter. You’ll be able to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers
• Depart on our 11:00am flight to Hadibu, Socotra, arriving at 2:30pm. Upon arrival we’ll be greeted by our local Socotri guide who will accompany us for the trip.
• Begin our drive to Ayhaft Canyon National Park where you can enjoy a short walk to stretch your legs after the flight and lunch.
• Continue to Delisha Beach – a beautiful white beach next to the sea and a lagoon where we can enjoy the sunset and beverages
• Dinner at the Delish Tourist Complex.
• Overnight in our centrally located hotel in Hadibu

Day 2 – Wednesday – Qalansiya – Shuaab – Detwah

• Breakfast and early morning drive to Qalansiya, the second largest city on the island.
• We’ll take an half an hour long boat trip to Shuaab, passing by huge rock formations and flocks of birds. If we are lucky we might spot a few dolphins!
• Relax at the most beautiful beach of Socotra and meet the local goat herder, guarding his flock against the lupine hordes.

Afternoon

• Lunch on the beach.
• Upon returning to Qalansiya we’ll drive to Detwah Lagoon.
• Here we’ll make our camp and you can walk around the big lagoon and see the amazing landscape.
• Located by the lagoon is a hidden cave where Ellai, famously known as the Socotra caveman spends his days fishing, preparing aloe vera and goat skins. He’s incredibly welcoming to our groups and will show you what he days on a daily basis.
• Overnight camping at Detwah Eco-campsite.

Day 3 – Thursday – Dixsam – Derhur – Fermahin

• Breakfast and begin drive to the Dixsam Plateau. This is the most famous spot for the Dragon’s Blood trees, where you can also spot many rare birds.
• Along the drive we’ll stop for photos at Shehahon’s viewpoint

Afternoon

• We will have lunch in the village of Dixsam. Here we’ll meet the head of the village who will happily tell more about his functions here and the situation of the people living on Socotra Island.
• Stop at Wadi Derhur where we can take a walk. This used to be a famous camping spot, but sadly, after a major storm everything was damaged.
• Hike through the beginning of Fermahin – a forest of Dragon’s Blood trees.
• Tonight we’ll mingle with the people of a typical Socotri village!
• Dinner and overnight at a homestay in Dixsam.

Day 4 – Friday – Arher

• After breakfast, we drive to Arher, where towering white sand dunes meet the sea and a freshwater stream flows directly into the ocean.
• In Ahrer, you’ll have the opportunity to swim in both the sea and the freshwater creek, relax on the beach or climb the dunes for sweeping views.
• Free to explore around the area on your own. Those up to the challenge may climb the 300 meter high sand dune found here.

Afternoon

• Lunch
• After lunch, we’ll drive to Raw Erisel, the meeting point of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
• Dinner and overnight in Arher.

Day 5 – Saturday – Hoq’s Cave – Homhil

• Breakfast, then a hike to Hoq’s Cave (4 hours). This is one of the most important spots on the island.
• After the hike to the cave entrance, you’ll have time inside to see stalactites, stalagmites and ancient inscriptions dating back to early settlements on Socotra.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll head for Homhil National Park – famous for its Dragon’s Blood trees, which cannot be found anywhere else outside of Socotra. But that’s not all: many other impressive forms of flora like the bottle tree and the cucumber plant can be found here. After an hour’s walk we’ll reach an amazing crystal-clear pool with a view over the whole southern part of Socotra.
• Overnight at our campsite in Homhil.

Day 6 – Sunday – Dixsam – Zahek & Hayf – Dagub – Amak – Dixsam

• Breakfast
• We’ll then travel to Wadi Kalisan, stopping at Qaria Lagoon along the way, where flamingos and other birdlife are often seen.
• You’ll walk down into Kalisan Canyon, known for its clear freshwater pools and lush surroundings.

Afternoon

• We’ll have lunch and drive to Dihamri Marine Protected Area. While the beach may not be so spectacular here, in the sea you’ll find a great diversity of flora and fauna.
• Here, diving and snorkelling are available (rental available, extra cost) or you can also decide to join the local fishermen for sea expedition!
• Overnight in Hadibu

Day 7 – Monday – Hadibu – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

• Early breakfast and before heading back to the airport
• On the way, we stop at a small women-run heritage and souvenir shop, supporting local Socotri women and their livelihoods.
• We’ll board the 10:30am flight, arriving in Jeddah at 2:00pm
• Tour concludes