Inside Yemen

13 nights / 14 days

DAY 1 - Arrive at the airport, transfer to the hotel in Sana'a, the capitol of Yemen. Perched high in the mountains, this picturesque city lends itself to exploration. The architecture is distinct; many houses are several stories high. This afternoon, enjoy a city sightseeing tour. Overnight the Hilltwon Hotel in Sana'a.

DAY 2 - In the morning, tour the National Museum and see its early archaeological artifacts before leaving Sana'a to journey to Wadi Dhar, also known as Dar Hajjar, the place of the rock. This bucolic valley is covered with vines and fruit trees. See the palace built by the Immam Yahaya (King of Yemen 1919-1948). Lunch along the way. Tour Thula with its four gates and great mosque and see its lofty fortress, and Kawkaban, sitting on top of a mountain with a magnificent view of the countryside. Stop at Hababah to explore its quaint houses and narrow streets. Return to Sana'a for overnight.

DAY 3 - Departing Sana'a, our land-cruiser goes west down the mountain escarpment through the Qa'a Bani Mudar coffee region to Manakha. Stop in the quaint fortified villages of Al Hoteib and Al Jajjarah enjoying lunch along the way. Arrive in Al Hodeideh, a fishing city on the Red Sea. Overnight in Al Hodeideh.

DAY 4 - Journey to Zabid, an old Islamic cultural center with its 5th century AH mosque and university for a tour of this area. Continue to Taiz one of Yemen's bigger towns. It has played an important role throughout Yemeni history. You might see the Kahira Fortress and the museum as well as two famous mosques. Overnight in Taiz.

DAY 5 - Heading north once again, visit the ruins at Jiblah of Queen Arwa bint Al Solayhi who united the Yemeni tribes in the 11th and 12th centuries. Wonder at the magnificent green valley as the bus arrives in Ibb with its houses built of stone blocks and see the windows with the common gypsum motifs. Stop in the ancient city of Dhafar. Return to Sana'a for overnight.

DAY 6 - Departing Sana'a, our land-cruiser goes east to explore the Baraquish track before arriving for lunch in Mareb, the site of the old capital of the kingdom of Saba, rulers of Yemen for more than eight centuries. Some inscriptions indicate that the city was built around the 8BC. The old town is a very important commercial and agricultural center. The oldest dam in the world was built here and vestiges remain from the dikes which broke in 2BC. Overnight in Mareb.

DAY 7 - Early in the morning head east with a local desert guide across the desert, passing through Al Qtan to Seiyun located in the famous Ar Rub al Khali, center of the Hadhramout valley. Lunch along the way. Overnight in Seiyun.

DAY 8 - Enjoy a morning tour of Seiyun. Visit the former Palace of Al Sultan, renowned for its magnificent architecture, now a museum of popular art. Wander through the local market which is typical of this area and watch the silversmiths at work. This afternoon, our journey goes slightly northwest of Seiyun to the World Monuments Watch notable site of Shibam of the Hadhramout, formerly known as the "Manhattan of the Desert." Founded in 3AD, Shibam was constructed solely of mud, and no bricks can be found here. The houses may be five or seven stories high, making them "skyscrapers." You may inspect over 500 houses crammed in to a half square kilometer area. UNESCO is preserving this city with the support of organizations such as the World Monuments Watch. Overnight in Seiyun.

DAY 9 - A full day excursion to the village of Aynat known for its religious tombs and shrines. Stop at Tarim, an Islamic Cultural Center boasting over 365 mosques. The minaret of Al Mihdhar rises to a height of 60 meters. Overnight in Seiyun.

DAY 10 - Early morning departure to explore the lush Wadi Douan on our way to Mukallah the capital and biggest town in Hadramawt Province. Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, watch the palms sway in the soft breezes. Overnight in Mukallah.

DAY 11 - This morning explore this seaside city and prepare to return by air to Sana'a for overnight.

DAY 12 - Our excursion takes us north to Huth, a quaint farming village with restaurants and a hotel. Hidden behind its mud brick wall, we reach Sa'ada for overnight.

DAY 13 - Depart mid-morning to visit the village of Amran and the Suq of Khamir. Arrive in Sana'a for a free evening and overnight.

DAY 14 - Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Cities and Sites to be visited: Sana'a, Wadi Dhar, Thula, Kawkaban, Hababah, Manakha, Al Hoteib, Al Jajjarah, Al Hodeidah, Zabid, Taiz, Jiblah, Ibb, Dhafar, Baraqish, Mareb, Ar Rub al Khali, Hadhramawt valley, Seiyun, Shibam of the Hadhramawt, Aynat, Wadi Douan, Mukallah, Huth, Sa'ada, Amran, Suq of Khamir.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

INCLUDED:
4 - 5 star hotels depending on local availability
Full board
4-wheel drive vehicles with driver
English-speaking driver and/or guide in each vehicle
Internal flights
All fees to monuments and sites listed on the itinerary.
Local service charges and taxes

NOT INCLUDED:
Personal expenses such as room service, mini-bar charges, telephone/fax calls
Optional tours or entrance fees not on the itinerary
Refreshments, alcoholic beverages, snacks, etc. en route or during meals
Tips for guide and driver(we usually recommend $2 or $3 for the driver and $5 for the guide-all per peson per day).

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