What's it all about?
What better way is there to spend your Easter holidays than traveling to Socotra Island!
For those unfamiliar with Socotra, the place is like no where else on earth. Over 30% of plant life on the island can only be found on the island. Situated off the Horn of Africa in the Indian Ocean, Socotra is an archipelago belonging to Yemen. Luckily it has been completely unaffected by the country’s ongoing civil war and has become one one of the world’s least visited and untouched gems. Since the re-introduction of direct flights in 2018, Socotra is now looking to put itself back on the tourist trail once again.
Socotra island is a remarkable place for camping, walking, hiking, wildlife spotting & cultural immersion. It’s for anyone who wants to experience a natural world like no other.
Abu Dhabi – Socotra – Abu Dhabi.
April 4 – 11th, 2023
We wlll apply for your visa and you can collect it from us on tour. The visa fee is $150 extra.
April 4th - Abu Dhabi - Hadibo - Detwah Lagoon
- Our Socotra tour begins in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi. Arrival at your own convenience.
- We’ll meet at AUH airport and catch the 10am flight (TBC) to Socotra.
- Arrival in Habido, Socotra. We’ll
be greeted by our local Socotri guide who will accompany us for the trip. - What better way to start the tour than heading straight for a swim at Detwah Lagoon! A beautiful white beach a sand-spit.
- Walk from the beach to our camp for a fresh seafood lunch.
- Stay at the beach before hiking a nearby hill to watch the spectacular sunset over the lagoon.
- Dinner and overnight at our beach camp.
April 5th - Qalansiya | Shoub Beach
- Take an early morning boat trip to Shoub beach – passing by stunning rock formations and plenty of native birdlife along the way. There’s a high likelihood we’ll come across numerous dolphins on the way here too!
- Arrive at Shoub – Relax & swim at the most beautiful beach on the island.
- Make our way back to Qalansiya by boat.
- After lunch, trek along the shores to visit the cave of Abdullah Alloi – known as the “caveman” Abdullah was born here and spends his time fishing the lagoon. We’ll have more fresh seafood here washed down with tea!
- He’ll take us a quick tour of the lagoon (if he’s home…!). We’ll see pufferfish, sea cucumber, squid, starfish, sea urchin and more.
- Camping at Detwah Eco-campsite.
April 6th - Diksam
- Up early to drive 2 hours to Diksam Plateau – home of the Dragon’s Blood Trees.
- Walk through endless Trees to the viewpoint overlooking Wadi Dirhar – an incredible canyon that splits Diksam and the Firmihin forest in half.
- Lunch under the shade of a Dragon’s Blood Tree.
- Go for a post-lunch dip at one of the many fresh water creeks in the Wadi Dirhar.
- Off road 4×4 drive to Firmihin forest and do a sunset hike to the top of the forest for one spectacular view overlooking thousands of Dragon’s Blood Trees.
- Set up camp at Diksam, Dinner and overnight.
April 7th - Dixsam | Amak | Dihamri
- Start the morning with a walk to the nearby Dragon’s Blood Tree nursery
- Walk through endless Trees to the viewpoint overlooking Wadi Dirhar – an incredible canyon that splits Diksam and the Firmihin forest in half.
- Drive towards the South coast towards the epic sand dunes that line the coast. Drive across the sand dunes and stop for plenty of photo opportunities.
- Visit the cave of Dagub (If there’s time)
- Swim at the nearby Amak Beach.
- Lunch surrounded by a forest of palm date trees next to the beach.
- 2 hour drive north to our campsite at Dihamri Marine Sanctuary
- Dinner and overnight
April 8th - Dihamri Marine Protected Area | Killisan Pools
- Spend the morning scuba diving and snorkelling! (extra cost).
- Drive inland and south towards the Killisan canyon and pools. It’s an off-road drive and a 45 minute trek to get here but it’s well worth it. Swim in the turquoise pools and jump from the ledges into the crystal clear water.
- Picnic Lunch.
- Drive to Arher Beach campsite. This is the spot where you can climb the massive sand dune!
- You are free to walk around the area on your own. Those capable can climb the 300m-high dune! (Top tip – do it for sunrise instead!)
- Dinner and overnight camping with a fire.
April 9th - Homhil National Park | Arher
- After breakfast head straight to Homhil National Park. The Park is famous for its supply of the famous Dragon blood trees. Lots of bottle trees and cucumber plants can also be found here. After walking for 30 minutes, we’ll reach an incredible crystal-clear pool complete with views over the whole southern part of the island.
- Swim and relax at the “infinity pool” before making our way back upstream for a picnic lunch under the palms.
- Drive back towards Arher beach.
- Stop at the Socotra folklore museum on the way.
- Dinner and overnight in Arher.
April 10th - Arher | Hoq’s Cave | Raw Ersil | Hadibo
- Wake up next to the ocean and climb the sand dune (again..!) before sunrise if you dare. Cool off in the sea and rinse off in the freshwater streams.
- Start our hike to Hoq’s Cave (3 hours return. Medium fitness required)
- Drive to Raw Erisel, the meeting point of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. This is the point where freshwater and saltwater meet creating a natural phenomenon.
- Lunch in a nearby cave for a sheltered lunch.
- Drive back to Hadibo for a rapid covid test
- Visit the Yemeni Foundation & development for Socotra. Learn how the foundation is doing great work educating the youth of the island in conservation, foreign languages and computer skills.
- Transfer to a well deserved hotel for our last night together – the newly opened Heathrow Hotel which is now the only hotel on the island with reliable showers AC & Wifi!
- Dinner and overnight in Hadibo.
April 11th - Habido – Abu Dhabi
- Quick city tour of Hadibo. Check out the local fish and meat market.
- Any last minute shopping requests will be taken care of here!
- Transfer to the airport for your departure to Abu Dhabi.
- Arrive in Abu Dhabi around 17:00 local time. (TBC)
- End of Socotra Tour.
You’ll be in the experienced hands of our English speaking local team and Rocky Road Travel tour leader. Flights to Socotra depart on Tuesdays every week. The itinerary is therefore standardised and perfected to fit this one week window.
Everyone gets their own separate tent, sleeping bag, mattress and pillow.
After each tour we will add you to dedicated email and social media groups so you can share photos easily with your travel mates. Just let us know is you want to opt out of this.
To book simply hit the button below and start the conversation today.
April 4 - 11th, 2023
Abu Dhabi - Socotra - Abu Dhabi
return flight from Abu Dhabi
Extra fee - $950 USD
Guesthouse & CAmping
7 nights on Socotra
The price
$1750 USD
