YEMEN
Expedition to the South of Mainland Yemen & the magical island of Socotra

Day 1 - Wed 2 March 2022: Arrival in Cairo, Egypt

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Welcome to the start of this expedition. Today, you will arrive in Cairo and enjoy a free day to explore around the city while we wait for everyone to arrive. We will have a group dinner together by the Nile and get a good rest before taking off to Yemen tomorrow.

 

Accommodation: Best view pyramids hotel (or similar)

Meals: -

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Day 2 - Thurs 3 March 2022: Cairo, Egypt - Seiyun, Yemen

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We fly from Cairo to Seiyun airport in the morning. After arrival in the evening, we drive to check in at the hotel. Short visit to Photograph Alfalas Palace in Seiyun and overnight. 

 

Accommodation: Al-Ahgaf Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

 

Day 3 - Fri 4 March 2022: Seiyun - Tarim - Aynat - Hood -Tarim 

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In the morning, we drive to visit Tarim town. It's the Sufis historical Islamic town built in mud. Visit Tarim tiny market then drive to visit Qaber Nabi Hood Prophet to photograph the Shrine there, then in our way back to Tarim we will visit one of the most beautiful Islamic Shrines in Aynat area. We visit inside the Shrines after that we drive to Tarim. 

 

Accommodation: Homestay in Tarim or Seiyun Al-Ahgaf Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

 

Day 4 - Sat 5 March 2022: Tarim - Shibam - Wadi Doa'n

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Depart Tarim and drive to the most beautiful town which is called the Manhattan of Arabia -  Shibam Hadramout. Then we drive towards Wadi Doa'n, stop for photographing Al-Hajjrain, Sif towns then drive up to Haid Al-Jizil, the most beautiful panorama of Wadi Doa'n. Enjoy the panorama of Haid Al-Jizil and a beautiful evening.

 

Accommodation: Resort in Wadi Do'an Haid Al-Jizil

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

 

Day 5 - Sun 6 March 2022: Wadi Doa'n - Al-Mukhalla 

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Depart Haid Al-Jizil and drive towards Al-Mukhalla with some stops for photographing Al-Quizi Fort then to Al-Amodi Hotel. 

 

Accommodation: Al-Amodi Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

 

Day 6 - Mon 7 March 2022: Al-Mukhalla - Socotra

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Early morning, we catch the weekly flight from Al-Rayan airport in Al-Mukhalla to the magical island of Socotra. Arriving at Socotra airport later the same morning, we travel to our hotel in the island’s capital, Hadibo, then have a traditional lunch in one of Hadibo’s restaurants. We will drive to Delisha, a well-known swimming spot, and enjoy the beautiful crystal-clear water. We will explore several spots in the surrounding area, passing the sea-port and Khoor Sarheen, and we will proceed to another spot in Delisha where you will get the chance to climb some of the island’s enormous sand dunes to catch beautiful views over the ocean. After enjoying your first Socotri sunset, we will return to Hadibo for dinner and then to the hotel. 

 

Accommodation: Arabian Sea Hotel Hadibo.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

 

Day 7 - Tues 8 March 2022: Hadibo - Homhil - Ras Ersel -Arher - Hadibo 

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After breakfast, we will drive to Homhil, one of the island’s most stunning areas of natural beauty. Here, we’ll walk with a local guide through a seemingly endless forest of Dragon’s Blood trees, along with other examples of endemic Socotri flora such as the Bottle Tree and Desert Rose. We’ll stop at a small pool fed by a mountain spring, where you can swim with incredible views over the coastline far below - Socotra’s very own infinity pool! We’ll have a picnic lunch at a special spot in Homhil, and then after lunch, we’ll drive to Ras Ersel on the very eastern tip of the island. Here, you might be able to see the Arabian Sea as Ras Ersel is considered the end of the island and then we’ll proceed to beautiful sand dunes at Arher, where you can bask in the shadow of more gigantic dunes and watch the sun slip slowly over the horizon. After that we will drive back to Hadibo. 

 

Accommodation: Arabian Sea Hotel Hadibo.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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Day 8 - Wed 9 March 2022: Hadibo - Hoq Cave - Di-Hamri - Hadibo 

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After breakfast, we’ll drive to one of the island’s most incredible and fascinating sites: Hoq cave. A local guide from the nearby village will show you the way as you walk up the hillside to reach the mouth of the cave (approx. 2.5 hrs) with ample opportunities to take in and photograph the sweeping panoramic views as you climb higher. Inside the cave, you’ll explore the eerie and beautiful rock formations (make sure you bring a head-torch!) and follow the path deep into the mountain. After about two hours exploring the cave with your guide, you’ll descend to meet the car where a very well-earned lunch will be waiting for you! In the afternoon, we will drive to Di-Hamri Marine Reserve where you will be able to enjoy the beautifully rich world beneath the surface - alternatively, if you’d prefer to remain dry, you can explore the red rocky outcrops that make Di-Hamri so distinctive! At the end of the day, we’ll get back into the car to return to Hadibo for dinner.

 

Accommodation: Arabian Sea Hotel Hadibo.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

 

Day 9 - Thurs 10 March 2022: Hadibo - Nuged - Wadi Difarhur - Hadibo 

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After breakfast at one of Hadibo’s traditional restaurants, we’ll drive southwards to Nuged, along the old Socotri road through the mountains. From Nuged, we’ll move on to Wadi Difarhur for our picnic lunch by the water, and after eating, we’ll visit a small nearby village and see the beautiful Bottle Trees, one of the unique endemic species only found on Socotra! We’ll drive back to Hadibo, dinner in a traditional restaurant, then to the hotel. 

 

Accommodation: Arabian Sea Hotel Hadibo.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

 

Day 10 - Fri 11 March 2022: Hadibo - Omak - Digub Cave - Diksam 

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After breakfast, we will drive to see Omak white sands, taking pictures and exploring the area. After the dunes, we’ll drive to Digub cave, smaller than Hoq but no less impressive, and will spend some time relaxing in the cave mouth, a popular hang-out spot for locals to enjoy a picnic or a cup of tea. When you are ready to move on, we’ll drive up the mountain road to the Diksam plateau and gorge - the highlight of many travellers’ time in Socotra due to the stunning scenery and the endless fields of Dragon’s blood trees! We will pass a small village where the local inhabitants still use traditional techniques to harvest the sticky red sap that gives the tree its name, and we’ll spend our time basking in the natural beauty of the area and taking incredible photographs to wow the folks back home. We’ll then enjoy a picnic lunch at Wadi Derhur to see the beautiful nature and more Dragon’s Blood trees. If the wind is calm then we can do one night of camping. If not, we return to Hadibo for dinner and rest.

 

Accommodation: Arabian Sea Hotel Hadibo or camping

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

 

 

Day 11 - Sat 12 March 2022: Hadibu - Detwah Lagoon 

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After breakfast, we’ll drive westwards towards the town of Qalansia and the nearby Detwah lagoon, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Socotra. Along the way, we will pass old Russian T-34 tanks that have been left to rust facing the sea where you’ll have the opportunity to clamber aboard for a quick photo opportunity or two! Upon arriving at Detwah, we’ll drive to a panoramic viewpoint to get the best views of the lagoon and will hopefully be able to spot flamingos if we’re lucky. From there, we’ll drive to the beautiful Detwah Lagoon, where we’ll have lunch and spend a nice lovely time there. Dinner and overnight camping in Qalansiah.

 

Accommodation: Camping

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner   

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Day 12 - Sun 13 March 2022:  Detwah - Shaub -Wadi Ayhaft - Hadibo

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We'll spend some time taking photographs while watching a glorious sunrise over Detwah, after which we’ll enjoy our breakfast beside the glittering sea. From our campsite it’s a short drive to a small fishing village where you’ll board traditional skiffs with local fishermen as guides for a boat trip to the white sands of Shuab. On the way there’s a good chance to see dolphins leaping from the water, and you’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at local fishing techniques yourself! Arriving at Shuab, perhaps the most beautiful beach on Socotra, you’ll spend your time enjoying swimming and relaxing on the beach watching maritime birds such as Socotra Cormorants and Brown Boobies. After a delightful morning at Shuab, you’ll board your boats to return to Qalansiah for a picnic lunch amidst the scenery in Detwah Lagoon. After lunch, we’ll drive to Wadi Ayhaft, the biggest valley on the island, where you will have time to wander and explore, and photograph many of the endemic Socotri plants. At the end of the day, we’ll return to Hadibo for a sumptuous dinner and your final night in the hotel.

 

Accommodation: Arabian Sea Hotel Hadibo.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

 

Day 13 - Mon 14 March 2022: Hadibo - Al-Mukhalla

 

After breakfast, we hope you will have had a truly unique and wonderful stay on this small slice of paradise, and that this first visit won’t be your last! After waving goodbye to the driver, guide, and you’ll board your flight back to Al-Mukhalla. After arrival, we drive towards Seiyun and check in at the hotel.

 

Accommodation: Al-Ahgaf Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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Day 14 - Tues 15 March 2022: Seiyun, Yemen - Cairo, Egypt - Departure

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Early in the morning, we will drive to Seiyun airport for a flight to Cairo at 08:00 and arrive at 10:45 (local time) to catch your onward flight back home.

 

Meals: Breakfast

 

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Includes:

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• Yemen Tourism visa

• Tourism Permission

• Security Clearance

• Transportation with driver

• Accommodations and meals indicated

• Fees of the Protected Areas. 

• Saga team leader (English/Thai)

• English-speaking local guide

• Trekking guide for Huq Cave (Socotra)

• Cook with pick-up car for lunches (Socotra)

• Boat trip Shau'ab beach

 

Excludes:

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• International flights to/from Cairo

• Double-entry visa to Egypt (for flights to/from Cairo)

• Fees for COVID19 tests where applicable

• Travel Insurance

• Personal expenses

• Head torch for caves in Socotra

• Tips of driver and guide

• 4 flights during the trip:

  • Cairo-Seiyun

  • Mukhalla-Socotra

  • Socotra-Mukhalla

  • Seiyun-Cairo

 

*The total flight cost can fluctuate, however, it is estimated at 1,090-1,150 USD. This will be confirmed upon your final payment and booked for you.

 

 

Visa: Thai passport holders can obtain double-entry for Egypt in Bangkok. Please allow at least 1 month in advance. Entry visa for Yemen will be pre-arranged and picked up on arrival. Please contact us for updated visa information and advice.

 

Recommended flights:

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• MS961 Bangkok-Cairo 00:50-06:15 on 2 March 2022

• EY656/EY406 Cairo-Bangkok 17:55-12:10 (+1 day) on 15 March 2022

 

*Flights are subject to change

 

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Saga club discount: You are automatically offered our club membership after your first expedition. The following discount applies: 3% on 2nd trip, 5% on 3rd trip, 7% on 4th trip or 10% all after. This cannot be combined with the early bird discount. 

 

Payment & Deposit:

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• 35% deposit payment is required for reserving your spots

• Balance payment is due 60 days before the departure date. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of booking.

• If the booking is made within 60 days of departure date, full payment is required. 

 

Cancellation policy:

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• In any case of cancellation, 20% of deposit payment is refundable or the whole amount can be kept as credits for any other Saga expeditions within 2 years of cancellation date. 

• In any case of cancellation, if full payment is made, a full refund will be issued minus 10% cancellation fee and any cost to the third parties.

• If the cancellation is due to COVID19, a full refund will be issued minus any cost incurred. We always attempt to maximize the refund for our client’s benefit! 

• In the event of premature departure during the expedition for any reasons, no refund will be issued. 

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Important note:

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All of our expeditions take you through one of the most challenging roads in the world. While the Saga team endeavors to make the itinerary as accurate as possible, it should be considered as an approximate agenda of activities rather than a rigid schedule. Trip itineraries are subject to last-minute, and on-the-ground revision due to weather, road conditions, government and local restrictions, and other reasons beyond our control. Note that the order of visits and excursions can be modified according to local conditions (i.e. state of roads, market days, etc.). If some visits and/or tours could not be done due to external conditions, they will be replaced when possible. Your safety is always our first priority!

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