Socotra - Island
A visit to Socotra is just what you need.
The island in itself is already such an experience and worth a visit, which is why we couldn’t resist to add it to our list of itineraries.
Knowing that the locals also keep and ride camels, we teamed up with Socotra Specialty Tours to add an extra level of cultural deep dive by substituting the 4×4 with camels for an afternoon and one morning.
Socotrans have been the careful guardians of the island for millennia, creating complex traditional rules for managing the environment which has protected the biodiversity you still see today. People are heavily reliant on their livestock, fishing and tourism for livelihood.
The islanders speak their own Semitic language, Socotri, but Arabic is widely spoken as well. There are fears that since Socotri has no written form that it will become extinct.
The Socotra Archipelago is a hidden gem located in the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean. It’s known for its exceptional biodiversity, pristine landscapes and friendly locals. Visiting Socotra is truly an experience of a lifetime!
Join us in exploring Socotra’s unique biodiversity and geological wonders. This tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness this extraordinary island’s natural beauty and scientific significance.
Information
8 day trip
ADCRC departure: 03.-11. November 2024
Camels available: 7
Operator: Socotra Specialty Tours
Where: Socotra, Yemen
Riding level: Beginner, with at least 5 classes at ADCRC.
Weight limit: Maximum of 90kg / 198lbs
Time in the saddle: 2-4 hours on 2 days
Camels
Socotra is home to many camels, which are still used by locals to herd their livestock and to get around.
Their sturdy build and strong legs allow them to climb over rocky terrain, and decent into valleys easily.
They are ridden with basic tack, that consists of several levels of blankets stacked on the back, where the rider sits more towards the hump and front of the camel.
It is not mandatory to ride the camel trek element. The route is planned in a way that non-riding participants can still enjoy the trip while others are riding.
Accommodation
Once you land in Socotra, you will be introduced to your guide and driver who will be responsible for all of your transportation needs from the time you land to the time you take off on your flight home. Everyone will have a window seat in a 4×4 SUV for your entire tour.
The island is best experienced through camping, so you will sleep in your own private tent each night in a different beautiful location. Just wait until you see the views from your tent door!
Inclusions
The trip includes a 8-day adventure to Socotra with a round-trip flight from Abu Dhabi. Your journey includes a visit visa, a 4×4 vehicle with a skilled driver, and an English-speaking guide to ensure a seamless experience. Daily freshly cooked meals plus snacks, all camping equipment—tent, mattress, pillow, and blanket—will be provided, allowing you to rest comfortably under the stars.
Excluded
The price does not include international flights, or local transfer by car to Abu Dhabi, travel insurance, tips and souvenirs.
Full medical and holiday and r riding insurance is required to join the ride.
Transfers
Transfers to Abu Dhabi can be coordinated from Dubai with other riders. Costs are not included in the rate.
Meals
The chef will freshly cook 3 meals per day plus a snack once you’ve reached the campsite in the afternoon.
Throughout the week you will be served a variety of bean and egg dishes, freshly caught fish with spiced rice, chicken with spiced rice, pasta, potato stew, salad, homemade Yemeni bread, and fruit.
Packing List
We recommend long, light colored (linen or cotton) shirts, traditional jalabiyas and kandooras, or anything that blends in well with the stunning landscapes, covers your skin from the sun, and makes it easy for you to sit on the camel and on carpets to have meals. Riding pants, are recommended or any type of pants that do not have a high synthetic material content, to avoid sliding on the camel.
To protect your head, it is recommended to wear a sheila, or head scarf. Footwear can be either barefoot, or sandals, that are fixed to the foot to avoid falling off while riding. For some hikes, closes sport shoes are required.
Details will be shared upon confirmation.
Accommodation
The trip is similar to a backpacking trip, where the night is spent in small tents that are transported by support car. It is also possible to sleep without tent, but to avoid any disturbance from unwanted animal guests, we recommend tents.
Tents can be either supplied or you can bring your own for your own comfort.
Prices and Availability
Trips to Socotra can be arranged between October and April for private groups and individuals too. Please contact us should you wish to book a trip outside of the ADCRC departure dates.
ADCRC Trip:
We organise a special departure for confident riders this November:
3.-10. November 2024
USD 2,700 per person / 7 Nights / 8 Days / Six Riders
Send us an email to book and we will get back to you with more information.
Welcome to Socotra International Airport! Your tour guide will meet you right outside the airport to help you with your luggage and show you to the car.
Don’t worry, the airport is very small, so everything is easy to find.
From there, you’ll meet the rest of the Socotra Specialty Tours team, and the adventure begins! First stop is a homemade Yemeni meal with a lovely local family then off to Arher Beach.
Arher beach is where high coastal cliffs merge with pristine white sand dunes just steps from the beach. Fresh water flows from the cliffs into the sea, making small streams.
After unpacking your things, we will drive to the Easternmost tip of the island to see and explore where the Indian Ocean meets the Arabian Sea. The sunset from this point is spectacular! You will then head back to camp for dinner and a comfortable sleep on the beach.
Your second day will start with breakfast on the beach to prepare you for your first hike to Hoq Cave. Hoq Cave is the most unique cave on the island.
The hike start point is just a 10 minute drive from camp. We will hike approx 1-1.5 hours up to the cave, walk about 45 minutes to the deepest point of the cave, 45 minutes back out and another 1 hour hike down. Inside you will see stalagmites, stalactites, and flowstones.
The cave is magnificent in its original state, so there are no lights or boardwalks, only nature in its wildest form.
After the hike, lunch will be prepared on the beach. You will then relax or swim until the late afternoon before setting off on another amazing hike! This is a more strenuous hike, but the views from the top are worth it.
You will watch the sunset from the top and then quickly make your way down to camp where dinner will be waiting. This hike is optional, so feel free to relax at the campsite and watch the sunset from the close by dunes. You will fall asleep once more on the beach at Arher.
An amazing third day will start before sunrise! A short hike will take you to the perfect place to see one of the most breathtaking sunrises of your life. Once the sun fully rises you will make your way back to camp for breakfast, pack your things, and head to the next destination…Homhil!! Homhil pool is located in one the most attractive protected areas in Socotra.
This area is also home to a versatile selection of Socotri trees including Boswellia, Desert Rose, the legendary Dragon Blood and many others. Wandering among these rare species and seeing the natural pool is an extraordinary journey.
You will hike approx. 30 minutes down to the pool, take in the sights and then hike approx. 30 minutes back up. You will have lunch in Homhil before driving to Dihamri Marine Reserve.
Good morning, everyone! Your delicious, freshly cooked breakfast is ready! Once you
finish eating, we will drive to Kilisan Wadi. It is home to the largest natural pool on the island and is surrounded by different endemic trees and white limestone cliffs. If you keep an eye out, you can also spot some colour-changing chameleons! We will be there until noon, so you will have all the time in the world to swim in the breathtaking wadi and jump from cliffs of different heights.
After swimming and lunch, we will drive to the south of the island where you will meet your trusty camel to ride to the campsite nestled next to the pristine Zahek sand dunes.
After having an early breakfast, you will ride your camel back to the farmer’s house where you will then get back into the car and make a quick trip to explore Dagub cave: a cave of wet rocks where over time water droplets have made marvelous shapes throughout. Then it will be time to drive to higher ground…to a place like no other on Earth: Diksam plateau, the home of the legendary Dragon Blood Trees!
We will drive through the national park where the alien-looking trees line the roadsides. Here, beauty is as alive as the nature itself.
Before heading up to the forest you will have lunch in the deepest canyon on the island. Wadi Dirhur. Here palm trees grow at the bottom of the wadi and chunky Bottle Trees grow straight out of the towering canyon
walls. It is a sight to behold!
From the wadi, we will head up as high as we can to Firmhin forest where the famous trees are found in the hundreds.
You will have the rest of the afternoon to explore the forest. You will also go for a sunset photo walk with a local guide to see the most stunning views. You will have dinner and sleep amongst the trees.
After having breakfast in the forest, we will leave the high central plateau behind and head to western Socotra. We will arrive first to Qalansiya, the second largest village on the island.
From here, we will take a short journey to Detwah Lagoon, a protected area home to puffer fish, stingrays, starfish, and even turtles. You will have all morning to swim and explore the nearby white sand beach.
After lunch at the campsite, you will have the option to relax or explore Qalansiya.
This morning is for sailing the waves! Your day will start with a boat ride to Shoab beach, a ride that takes approximately 1.5 hours. You will likely see large pods of dolphins playing in the waves on our way. You will then have plenty of time to swim at Shoab beach before returning to the camp for lunch and relaxing.
After lunch, you will take a short hike to meet the caveman! You will enjoy tea with an amazing view from his cave before he shows you around the lagoon, introducing you to the many creatures which call it home.
A short hike takes you back to the campsite where you’ll get into the car and head to Hadiboh! If you choose to stay in a hotel, you will check into your hotel on the way. You will have the chance to explore Hadiboh, shop from the local market and have a traditional Yemeni meal at a restaurant before returning to your hotel for the night or going to Delisha, your last campsite.
We will bid you farewell with a delicious breakfast (or have breakfast in your hotel), then drive you to the airport for your flight home
Arabic 
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