"The Best of Socotra 2020" - a two-week camping tour around Socotra island

 

Our specially-developed 2-week program includes the most interesting and beautiful places of the island of Socotra. The main idea of our program is to camp out in the most beautiful places of Socotra. We provide a full range of camping equipment, including single- or double- sleeping tents, travel mats, sleeping bags, etc.

Almost every day we arrange hiking trips for 2-4 hours. The program is specially-designed for photography enthusiasts. You'll see the most beautiful places of the island in the best time - at daybreak and at sunset. We will show you the places good for taking the most interesting and nice shots. We recommend you to take a good head light with extra batteries and a few spare memory cards.

All the groups will be provided with specially-arranged meals made of natural products – fish, meat and vegetables. We will try to make the menu as various as possible under the island conditions. We do not save on food. Various fresh fish, lobsters, local fruits and vegetables, a unique honey from Socotra and the world's best Yemeni coffee included in our menu.

 

 

"The Best of Socotra" camping program

 

Day 1

Lagoon Detwah, Socotra island

Coming to Socotra.

Transfer by car to the east part of Socotra, where we will see Detwah lagoon, the most beautiful and famous place of Socotra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Socotra, Detwah lagoonAfter seeing the lagoon from various points of view we will stay overnight in tents near the lagoon.

During the first dinner on Socotra we will introduce to you the guides and other members of the group and tell you how to behave on the island.

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

Day 2

Detwah, Socotra

After breakfast we will walk along the lagoon and swim in the sea. It will take you about three hours to go around the lagoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detwah lagoon, Socotra island

To see its magnificent panoramic view you can climb the adjacent hill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SocotraDo not forget to take water and sun-protection cream. We would recommend you to wear loose clothes covering your arms and legs, as well as a kerchief or Panama on your head. It is good to have a small backpack to get your hands free.

 

 

 

 

Camping in Shuab bay, Socotra

After lunch you will be transferred by car to Qalansiya village from where we will go by fishing boats to Shuab bay.

Along our way taking about half an hour you will see majestic cliffs, beautiful bays, dozens of oceanic birds and dolphins often swimming near the shore.

It is a perfect place for fishing. We will have a great change to hook tuna or barracuda. In any case you will have a fresh well-cooked fish for dinner and enjoy great sunset views of Shuab bay.

We will spend the night in tents on a sandy beach.

 

 

Day 3

Shuab bay,  Socotra

Full day of rest on the best beach of Socotra.

Here you can swim, fishing, watch dolphins, eat fresh tuna and lobsters, walking along a deserted beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shuab bay, Socotra island

Available trekking tour in "The Lost World". This is a unique place where only we drive excursions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Lost World", Socotra island

Here grow the biggest bottle trees on Socotra.

The height of some trees more than 5 meters.

Overnight in Shuab bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Day 4

Morning in Shuab bay, Socotra

We would recommend you to get up before daylight if you want to take great picture of Shuab bay. After swimming in its blue waters and breakfast we will come back by boats to Qalansiya where our cars will be waiting for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dixam, Socotra island

This day you will be transferred to Dixam plateau, a habitat of famous dragon trees.

On our way we will see Wadi Dirhur canyon from a viewing point. Afterwards the sheik of the local village will invite you for lunch. 

  

 

 

 

 

  

SocotraAfter lunch we will go down the canyon on foot or by car.

The walk takes about 3 hours and is recommended for physically active people. You will need good shoes to take hikes at Socotra. Except special sandals it is also good to have mountaineering boots.

This night we will stay in tents at the bottom of the canyon. Here you can swim in a natural fresh water pool.

 

 

 

 

Day 5

Dragon blood tree, Socotra

After breakfast we will explore to the other side of the canyon. We will walk for 3 hours through the mystic forest of dragon’s blood trees protected by the government.

We will reach the edge of the canyon, see various endemic plants of Socotra and drop in the house of the local sheik, where you can buy the famous dragon tree’s resin famous for its medicinal properties since ancient times.

 

 

 

 

 

Sand dunes, Stero, Socotra island After swimming in the natural fresh water pool and having lunch we will drive to the southern coast of Socotra. We will spend the night in tents among the beautiful dunes at a Stero place.

Here you can take off your shoes and walk barefoot through the dunes to enjoy magnificent sunset.

Do not forget to take your cameras and water!

 

 

 

 

 

 Day 6 

Socotra, Debur cave

After breakfast we will visit Dagub cave,

  

  

  

   

  

   

  

  

 

Socotra

 Hayf & Zahaq Sand dunes,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Socotra

then we cross Socotra from south to north along a beautiful country road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Socotra

On the coast, we will stop at a beautiful beach where you can snorkel.

Overnight in hotel in Hadibo.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Day 7

crab houses on Ras Erissel, Socotra island

After we will go to the north-east of Socotra. Ras Erissel, the east endpoint of the island, is a perfect place for swimming and sunbathing.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Dunes, Archer, Socotra

After swimming in the sea you can have a bit of a wash in fresh water streaming between two huge sand dunes in Archer where we will spend the night in tents.

 

  

  

 

Socotra You can try to climb to the top of the dune, but it will not be easy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 8

Hoq cave, Socotra islandAfter breakfast we will drive to Terbah place to take a walk to Hoq cave, the largest of easily accessible caves on the island. It will take you about 4 hours to climb to the cave and explore it in the company of a local guide.

After the walk we will have lunch on the beach good for swimming and taking fresh water shower.

Overnight in tents at the same place.

 

 

 

 

Day 9

Dunes on the east part of Socotra island

Early morning you will be brought to the dunes easy for climbing to see breath-taking views. It will take you about 1,5 hours to walk up the mountain formed by the wind of impalpable white sand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dunes on Socotra Do not forget to protect your camera from sand and to take a small backpack to get your hands free and put your shoes in.

   

  

  

   

   

 

 

     

  

  

Sandboarding on Socotra island

Here you can try sandboarding - riding on the boards with dunes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottle tree on Mumi area, Socotra island

After lunch we will drive to Mumi plateau, which is undeservingly visited by tourists very rare. This is a remote part of the island of Socotra famous for many beautiful and mysterious places. Here we will admire flourishing odd-shaped bottle trees most of which are higher a man's height.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bottle trees on socotra island

We plan to spend the first night in the middle of the plateau, a habitat of a great many bottle trees, from where we will see magnificent panoramic views at sunset.

Overnight at the edge of the canyon Wadi Kalesan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 10

Wadi Kalesan, Socotra island

This day we will take a 4-hour walk to the largest fresh water pools on Socotra.

  

  

  

 

 

   

  

  

  

Socotra

You will need to take  trekking shoes, a backpack and water.

 

 

  

  

   

   

   

  

  

 

fresh water on Socotra

Do not forget to take your swimming things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homhil Area, Socotra island

After lunch we will drive to Homhil, a protected environmental zone famous for a great many endemic plants.

Here you will be able to buy the best frankincense in the world, collected in small parts from the trees growing in this area.

This night we will stay at the campsite.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 11 

Di Hamri marine preserve, Socotra island

In the morning we will drive to Di Hamri marine preserve. It is an ideal place for snorkeling and diving. Snorkeling equipment can be hired at the campsite. You can also rent diving equipment and dive with a local guide.

When swimming alongshore you can see big fish, turtle and beautiful corals.

Snorkeling equipment can be hired at the campsite.

Note: if you aren’t tired, you can take a 2-hour trek down from the Homhil campsite to the coast. The path ends near the Socotra Museum, where a car will pick you up.

Overnight in campsite. 

 

 

 Day 12 

Socotra island

We will go to the pass Hagaher Daadha.

 

 

 

  

 

  

   

 

Socotra island

A country road leads from the Hadibo Valley, but it will be interesting to walk there on foot.

Top offering great views of the mountains and the coast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Socotra island

Socotra island

Socotra island

Before to come back to Hadibo we will stop at the beach Delisha. 

Overnight in hotel in Hadibo. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Day 13

Socotra islandThe mountainous region of Skant is rarely visited by tourists. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Socotra islandThis is the highest part of Socotra island. We will make a 3-hour tracking, after which we will spend the night at home at the sheikh in Dixam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 14 

Ayaft gorge, Socotra island

We will drive to Ayaft gorge, a preserved area for many endemic plants.

In the evening we will enjoy magnificent views of the mountains.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Ayaft, Socotra

Ayaft gorge has its own unique microclimate. Several types of frankincense trees grow here.

Overnight in hotel in Hadibo.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 15

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport.

 

 

That's not all the interesting places of Socotra. Our basic program can be modified according to your wishes. Alternatively, you can see the Berber waterfalls on the south coast, giant through dips on the Mumi Plateau, beautiful cliffs in the east of the island, make tracking with camels, fishing and boat trips.

 

A flight to Socotra by Yemenya airways is on Wednesdays from Cairo. The return flight is also on Wednesday.

Ticket price at the moment - 950$

 

Tour price (per person):

private tour 3950$
2 persons 2715$
3 or more ask

 

The tour price includes:

  • Visa and documents for the purchase of airline tickets
  • Transfers in comfortable Land Cruisers with good drivers
  • English-speaking educated guides 
  • Local trekking guides’ services
  • A quality camping equipment
  • Rental fee of boats, entrance tickets and etc.
  • Specially arranged well-cooked meals and cook
  • Normal hotel in Hadibo (DBL). SNGL + 50$
  • Water and beverages during day trips

 

© Socotra Tamam Travel & Tourism Agency

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    The most beautiful postal stamps issued for the Mahra Sultanate of Qishn and Socotra were the stamps devoted to Arab culture and folklore.