Socotra: The Alien Island

Your flight departs from Jeddah at 11:00am and arrives in Socotra at 2:00pm.

Welcome to Socotra International Airport! Your adventure leader will meet you just outside the airport to 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 Arabian Wanderers 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! We 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. We 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. It is optional though, so feel free to relax at the campsite instead. We will watch the sunset from the top and then quickly make our way down to camp where dinner will be waiting. We 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 we make our way back to camp for breakfast, pack our things, and head to the next destination...Dihamri!

Dihamri Marine Reserve is a protected area on the northern coast of Socotra, and one of the best places to snorkel on the island. A dive master is available on site to help you with renting equipment if you want to explore the deeper waters of the sea. You can easily spend hours in the water spotting countless species of marine life from sea turtles and octopuses to leopard eels, parrot fish and more. After snorkeling/scuba diving you will have the chance to shower before heading to a beautiful wadi for lunch!

After lunch we will make our way to the infinity pool of Homhil. The 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. We will hike approx. 30 minutes down to the pool, take in the sights and then hike approx. 30 minutes back up. Relax at the nearby campsite until dinner and then marvel in the sky until you fall asleep.

Good morning, everyone! Your delicious, freshly cooked breakfast is ready! Once we 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 the Zahek sand dunes will be waiting.

The Zahek dunes are a vast expanse of glistening white dunes right on the shores of the Indian Ocean. We will watch the sunset here before moving to our camp on Aomak Beach where dinner will be prepared. You can explore the beach before falling asleep to the sound of waves.

After having an early breakfast, we will 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, we will make a stop to have lunch at 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 evening to settle in and explore the forest. We 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, explore Qalansiya or, for the super active adventurers, hike to the top of the mountain to overlook the lagoon for sunset.

As afternoon turns to evening you will have the opportunity to watch the sun sink over the lagoon from the viewpoint (for those who didn’t choose the hiking option) before making your way back to the camp. Dinner and overnight in Detwah Lagoon.

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. We 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.

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! You will check into your hotel upon arrival in Hadiboh.

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

You will enjoy a delicious breakfast before heading to Hadibu City for some last-minute souvenir shopping. We will then drive you to the airport for your return flight home.

Your flight departs Socotra at 2:45 pm and arrives in Jeddah at 7:10 pm.

Are you ready to create lifelong memories in one of the most beautiful and pristine places on Earth?

Everything is prepared for your arrival, and we can’t wait to welcome you to Socotra!