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Socotra at NBC News
Socotra at NBC News

Located 250 miles off the coast of Yemen, the tiny island of Socotra is usually overlooked by even the most adventurous of tourist hordes. But as NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent Richard Engel discovers, the Arabian island's remote location has made it a capsule of antiquity with time-honored traditions not found elsewhere on the planet.

Tourism Canyons Mumi trekking
Socotra opens a new tourist season
Socotra opens a new tourist season

Overcoming strong summer winds Socotra starts the next tourist season.

Tourism Canyons Mumi trekking
Lower part of Wadi Dirhur canyon
Lower part of Wadi Dirhur canyon

This season we have explored the lower part of Wadi Dirhur canyon – from Dixam camping site to the south coast of the island.

Wadi Dirhur Trekking Canyons
Fairytale country
Fairytale country

Socotra’s foothill gorges harbor dozens of grottos and caves. One feels here like being in a fairytale country!

Canyons Trekking
Cascade waterfalls on Socotra
Cascade waterfalls on Socotra

In the eastern part of the island, far from the paths beaten by tourists, you can find cascade waterfalls in small gorges.

Trekking Canyons
Dixam - Skant
Dixam - Skant

The canyon part from Dixam to Skant is one of the most interesting places for trekking.

Dixam Skant Trekking Canyons
Central canyon
Central canyon

Despite its rather small size Socotra has many places rarely visited by tourists.

Trekking Canyons
Continue exploring the canyon
Continue exploring the canyon

Mounting another side of Wadi Dirhur canyon we appeared in a small valley inhabited by locals.

Canyons
Wadi Dirhur Canyon

From Dixam Plateau we went down to Wadi Dirhur Canyon, where it is good to stay in tents overnight and to swim in natural pools before going on.

Wadi Dirhur Dixam Canyons
Wadi Dirhur Canyon
Wadi Dirhur Canyon

Passing by Dixam Plateau you can go down a steep earth-road to Wadi Dirhur Canyon, where you can have a swim in a small fresh water pool.

Wadi Dirhur Attractions Canyons Camping
Dragon Tree in Dixam Plateau
Dragon Tree in Dixam Plateau

Dixam Plateau is located in the central part of Socotra. It is famous for its Dragon Trees.

Dixam Attractions Canyons Bottle tree Dragon blood tree
    The Socotrans greet each other by touching their noses.