Yemen and Socotra Island
January 22 - February 5, 2011

$3480 pp/do, land only

Jan. 22: Welcome to Yemen! Upon arrival at Sana'a International Airport we will be met and assisted, then transferred to the hotel for overnight.

Jan. 23: After breakfast we head to the National Museum and see its early archaeological artifacts. Sana'a is the historical and political capital of Yemen. It is also the largest and oldest city in Yemen. It is located in the central plateau between the mountains of Nikm and Iban. At 2,200m above sea level, it is one of the highest capital cities in the world. The old city of Sanaa was chosen by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site to be preserved. The minute you take the first steps through the main gate you go back 1000 years in the past. All houses are built of bricks and they rise 5 to 6 stories high. On our visit to the old city we will see the Bab el Yemen, the Great Mosque, and Ghamdan's Palace. Also see the khans and the market. Overnight in Sanaa at the Movenpick Hotel. (B/D)

Jan. 24: After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Hadibo. Upon our arrival we will be met by our resident office manager, then transfer to the hotel to check in. Afterwards we will depart to Wadi Ayahft, a valley with impressive and remarkable stone formations. The valley is also known as "the forest of Socotra" as it is home to endemic plants. We will encounter roundly shaped tiny trees of Adenium Obesum, also known as Desert Rose, magically emerging from the rocks. We continue our trip to Daksem following the way up to 1000 m above the sea level to see the famous Dragon Blood Tree - Dracena Cinnabari - peculiar for its red resin used as ink, color and medication by the local people. The day proceeds towards Dearhar, passing through a forest of Dragon Blood Trees (some blossoming) and the petite Adenium Obesum. Descending back to the valley, we will be welcomed by a sweet-water oasis, a natural pool. Time to relax then return to Hadibo for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

Jan. 25: After breakfast we head towards Qalansya, perhaps one of the most beautiful areas of Socotra where we will encounter 40 m high dunes, and crystal blue waters in an unforgettable panorama. We will tour Qalansya reaching Jebel Milh (Mount of Salt) with its splendid view. On the way back to Hadibo, we will be admiring plants of Dorstenia Gigas, commonly known as Soqotri Figs, and the "Desert Rose". Dinner and overnight in Hadibo. (B/L/D)

Jan. 26: This morning we depart towards the beaches of Deshel, on the Southern Coast of Socotra. We will be passing by sloping mountains and valleys (wadi) to get acquainted with the endemic plants of the island (incense endemic trees, aloe, myrrh). To complete our day, we will have the opportunity to see the myriads of birds routing over us. In the afternoon, return to Hadibo passing by quiet villages, for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

Jan. 27: We will have an early breakfast and then transfer to the airport for the flight to Mukhalla on the mainland. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, and in the afternoon we will have a sightseeing tour, by bus, of Al Mukhalla. Mukalla is the capital of the governorate of Hadhramaut, situated on the Indian Ocean. Enjoy a visit of the old city and the souks. The old houses still have artistic work on the wooden doors and windows. Dinner and overnight in Mukhalla. (B/D)

Jan. 28: After breakfast we will check out and head to Seyun. Along the way we will visit Wadi Doan. Wadi Doan is a tropical valley deriving from the Wadi Hadhramaut. It is surrounded by date-palms, and the two old clay towns Khoreibah and Al-Hajjarein are the end-points of the Wadi. Continue to Seyun, and on arrival we will visit Shibam to enjoy the sunset. Dinner and overnight in Seyun. (B/D)

Jan. 29: After breakfast we will visit Seyun, in the center of the Wadi Hadhramaut and the former residence of the Kathiri sultans. The palace of the sultan has a folklore and archaeological museum. Also visit the market known for its handicrafts. We will also visit Tarim the spiritual center of the Hadhramaut since the 10th century, and a romantic town with many palaces and mosques. Stroll through the city and visit the Ahgaf Library which has old manuscripts of the Quran. In the afternoon we will take an excursion to Shibam. 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 the original skyscrapers. You will see 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. Shibam was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Hadhramaut after the fall of the town Shabwah. The houses have impressive art work on their wooden doors and windows. Return to Seyun for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

Jan. 30: This morning we will fly back to Sana'a. Upon arrival we will transfer to the hotel and leave our luggage, then in the afternoon we will visit the Rock Palace Beyt Bous and the Hadda area with the Mosque of Ali Abdullah Saleh. Return to Sana'a for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

Jan. 31: After breakfast we depart Sanaa and make our way to Taiz. Along the way we will pass through some small villages and towns, including Ibb, also called the Green Valley, or Garden City. Here we can stop for a quick lunch or coffee break, then we drive towards Jiblah, which was famous as the capital of Yemen during the days of Queen Arwa Bint Ahmed Al Sulaiyhei. She governed Yemen from Jiblah after the death of her husband. We will continue on to Taiz for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

Feb. 1: Today we will spend the day visiting the main highlights of Taiz including the souks, the mosques, the museum and Jabel Saber at night which gives you a panoramic view of the whole city. Taiz is situated at the foot of the 3000m high mountain Djabal Saber; and is famous for its beautiful mosques from the 13th and 14th centuries. Visit the Ashrafyah Mosque, the souks and the National museum, and in the afternoon we will take an excursion to enjoy the cooler mountain air of Djabal Saber. Overnight in Taiz. (B/D)

Feb. 2: After breakfast we will depart for Hodeida, visiting the Tihama region on the way, famous for its huts of strong African influence. We will also visit of Zabid, protected by the UNESCO, and a former cultural capital of Yemen. Before reaching Hodeida, we will have a brief visit of Beyt El Faqih, an interesting commercial center, and home of one of the busiest weekly markets of Yemen on Fridays. Dinner and overnight in Hodeida. (B/D)

Feb. 3: This morning we will visit the Hodeida fish market then depart for Manakha, with visits of Al Hajarah, and Al Hoteib in the region of Haraz. The area sits in the mountains at about 3000 feet above sea level, so it is cool and refreshing. There will be time for short hikes to explore the area. Continue to Sana'a for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

Feb. 4: After breakfast we will enjoy an excursion to Wadi Dahr (the rock palace). Wadi Dahr is the leisure place of the people of Sana'a, famous for its Rock Palace of the Imam and its fruit gardens The palace was built by Imam Yahya, king of Yemen from 1919-1948. Every Friday wedding dances take place on the plateau. Visit the palace, and walk through the wadi to the village of Al-Gabel. Next we will visit another site called Shibam (different than the one we visit earlier in this tour), then continue on to Thula, one of the unique typical Yemeni villages, then back to Sana'a for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

Feb. 5: Today is a free day. We will have a farewell dinner, and late evening transfers to the airport for international departure flights. (B/D)

End of services.

Single supplement: $525

Hotels:
Sana'a Movenpick Hotel, 5*
Hadibo Summer Land, 3* (best on the island)
Mukhalla Holiday Inn, 5*
Seyun Al Hawta Palace, 4*
Taiz Al Saeed Hotel, 5*
Hodeida Land Resort, 4*

Included:

• Accommodations in Double/Twin rooms
• Private transfers, as per itinerary
• All taxes and service charges
• Government permits
• Escort (where/if necessary)
• English speaking guide from Jan. 23 to Feb. 5, included
• Bus on Jan 23
• English speaking guide in Socotra
• Flight Sana'a - Hadibo, including taxes Flight Hadibo - Mukhalla, including taxes Flight Seyun - Sana'a, including taxes
• Entrance fees
• 4WD with driver, fuel, from Jan.24 to Feb 4 included with 3 pax max per car
• Boarding and lodging expenses both for drivers and guide
• Half Board basis on mainland and Full Board basis in Socotra (generally a picnic lunch)
• Farewell dinner on Feb. 5
• Late check out on Feb 5

Not Included:

• International air
• Personal expenses
• Meals not listed, beverages at any meals, snacks
• Tips for guides and drivers - about $4-5 for drivers and $8-10 for the guide, per person, per day
• Trip insurance
• Optional tours not listed on itinerary

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