Amidst the gentle embrace of the Indian Ocean, where the Earth’s imagination takes flight and the surreal becomes reality, you’ll discover Socotra – an alien-looking place on Earth. This is the Socotra Archipelago of Yemen, and it beckons you to embark on the “SOCOTRA GROUP: The Standard Tour,” an eight-day odyssey accompanied by seven nights of immersion in the island’s outstanding universal beauty, often lauded as the “Pearl of the Indian.”
A World Beyond Conception
Socotra is not just a destination; it’s a portal to a world beyond the ordinary. From the moment your feet touch its shores, you’ll be transported to a realm where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. Here, the landscapes defy explanation, and flora and fauna take on a dreamlike quality.
The Alien Landscape
As you embark on the SOCOTRA GROUP: The Standard Tour, you’ll swiftly come to terms with the fact that you’ve arrived at the most alien-looking place on Earth. Socotra’s terrain is an artist’s canvas, painted with strokes of surreal beauty. Among the most captivating features are the Dragon Blood Trees, their ethereal umbrella-like canopies casting an otherworldly spell over the land. These ancient sentinels, unique to Socotra, seem like guardians from another realm.
Socotra: The Most Alien
Indeed, Socotra wears its title proudly as the most alien place on our planet, where nature has let its imagination run wild. Here, the flora and fauna have evolved in splendid isolation, giving rise to species found nowhere else on Earth. Among them stands the Socotra Desert Rose, a botanical marvel with a trunk that defies gravity with its bottle-like shape.
Days in Socotra: A Journey Unfolds
Over the span of eight days and seven nights, you’ll have the privilege of peeling back the layers of Socotra’s enchantment. Each day promises new discoveries, fresh perspectives, and moments that defy the ordinary. Time on this island seems to stretch, allowing you to savor the magic of Socotra one heartbeat at a time.
Dragon Blood Trees: Keepers of Time
The Dragon Blood Trees, ancient and mystical, will be your companions on this voyage. You’ll wander through groves of these enigmatic beings, their contorted forms casting eerie yet enchanting shadows. As you stand beneath their shade, you’ll feel a connection to a world untouched by the hands of time, where the whispers of ancient stories linger in the rustling of their leaves.
Tourism in Socotra: A Balancing Act
Socotra’s allure has not escaped the world’s gaze, and tourism in Socotra is on the rise. Yet, in the midst of its delicate ecosystem, striking a balance is of paramount importance. Responsible tourism is the guiding principle, ensuring that Socotra’s wonders remain intact for generations to come.
SOCOTRA GROUP: The Standard Tour
In summation, the SOCOTRA GROUP: The Standard Tour extends an invitation to you – an invitation to immerse yourself in Socotra’s outstanding universal beauty. With eight days and seven nights at your disposal, you’ll have the rare privilege of becoming a part of the enchantment of this remote paradise.
As you traverse Socotra, remember that you are a guest in a realm where nature’s artistry knows no bounds. You’ll walk among the Dragon Blood Trees, gaze upon landscapes that challenge your understanding of Earth’s diversity, and bear witness to the wonders of this most alien-looking place on Earth.
Socotra is not just a destination; it’s a journey into the extraordinary, an exploration of the awe-inspiring forces of our natural world. The SOCOTRA GROUP: The Standard Tour invites you to become a part of this narrative, to contribute your own verses to the poetry of Socotra, and to leave with a piece of this alien paradise etched in your heart.
In Socotra, each dawn paints a new masterpiece, each twilight serenades you with tranquility, and each moment whispers secrets known only to the island. As you voyage through this ethereal realm, remember that you’re not just visiting Socotra; you’re entering into an intimate dance with its timeless spirit, becoming a part of its tapestry of wonder, and leaving behind the imprint of your existence amid its enigmatic beauty.
Trip Facts
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8Ds/7Ns
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Abu Dhabi (UAE)
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Socotra Island
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Socotra Island to Abu Dhabi (UAE)
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4x4 Vehicle (4 pax in each vehicle), Boat
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H/B
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7 nights camping in tents
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English
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During autumn season (September to November) and spring season (March to May)
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8 - 32
Itinerary
On arrival at Socotra airport after meeting your guide, and loading all the luggage on the cars, we will transfer directly to Dicksam plateau and Shebahon viewpoint. This area is renowned for the native Dragon Blood trees (Dracaena Cinnabara), the resin of which is collected, used, and traded by the people of Socotra. Many varied panoramic colors can be seen in this area. The area is also home to the endemic and rare Socotra bunting (estimated at 1,000 pairs). The Shebahon viewpoint gives a fabulous vista to a forest of dragon’s blood tree and overlooking to Dearhur canyon where we will see unusual yet beautiful rock formations. We will then make our way down to the Wadi in the canyon for lunch and an easy-going walk and maybe also to swim in the freshwater pools in the Wadi. We continue our way south to the Indian Ocean. Our destination is Aomak beach where we can swim in the clear water of the Indian Ocean. Dinner and overnight are camping at Aomak beach
After witnessing the sunrise and having an early breakfast we will drive to the north east of the island. But first we will have a short visit to Dogub cave, which overlooks a scattering of traditional villages below. The cave itself is of interest as there are many stalactites, stalagmites and miniature pools of water that have seeped through the rock over time. We will then witness the colossal sand dunes of Hayf and Zahek villages which have been pushed up against the mountainside by the seasonal winds of Socotra. If you are feeling especially fit, you can climb the dunes for a view that is truly worth the effort. We carry on our way passing trough Difarhu canyon where we can see traditional villages and natural water pools at the bottom of the canyon. The unusual Desert Rose tree clings to many places on the canyon walls. The vegetation here is lush green and there are many birds. Then we will make our way to Homhil protected area. We will be hosted in the campsite dinner and overnight are camping at Homhil campsite.
At Homhil, we can walk a selection of trails, on one of which takes us to a viewpoint where there is a natural swimming pool and a view of villages below on the plain and of the sea. Homhil is home to many Dragons Blood trees, the resin of which is collected, used and traded by the people of Socotra. Frankincense trees are also prevalent here and deserve a close look. We hike down to the northeast coast of the island to Wadi Shifa (medium –three hours walking) where the cars can meet us, then driving to Arher area, which is a meeting point of fresh water from the mountain and salt water from the ocean. Arher is also home to another magnificent sand dune. Dinner and overnight are in Arher beach.
Today we enjoy the whole day swimming, hiking up the sand dunes and exploration of this location. At the eastern tip of the island (Ras Irsal) a splendid and enormous beach lays and waves poppling the rocks. It’s time for swimming and snorkeling whilst sunbathing gives delectation. Dinner and overnight are again in Arher beach.
Today the adventure set to make our tour to visit Hoq cave. Hoq cave is the biggest cave on the island (3 kilometers long). We hike up for two hours with some scrubby paths but aren’t steep ascent, till we reach the gate of the cave and then we will trail a smooth alley for two hours in and back. Stalactites, stalagmites, and magnificent columns are widespread all along. After hiking down for one hour and half, we will drive to the marine protected area. Dihamri is a coral reef spot, the scenery doesn’t look attractive from the first sight but, when you take the first look under water you will be astonished when you observe the variation of fishes and coral reefs. The many marine creatures to be seen whilst swimming /snorkeling include; parrotfish, Moray eel, Rays, Sea urchins, etc. We would like to remind people not to touch the corals in the marine protected area as this would cause irreversible damage. Today we are again hosted, but this time in the Dihamri campsite.
In the morning we’ll make our tour to the west aiming Qalansyia to look around this charming and picturesque fishing town with its traditional houses and narrow alleyways. We then go to the protected area in Detwah lagoon, which is renowned for its spectacular landscape. Sting rays can be seen in the lagoon, so take care when you are swimming. There is also a large array of sea birds to inspect at this location. At the end of the day we could walk to the village and see a typical fishing market at the same time as witnessing the sundown sinking in the sea. Dinner and overnight are at Detwah lagoon.
An adventure geared up again, in the dawn we will take a local fishing boat into the sea. Our excursion will incorporate witnessing many dolphins leaping around the boat and squadrons of Socotra Cormenons, sea Gulls, and Grey Herons birds will be seen flying or resting on the precipices. We’ll carryon all the way through a magnificent rock faces and clear sea until we arrive to Shuab beach. After we enjoy swimming in the clear sea we drive the boat back to Qalansyia.
After an early breakfast, we will transfer to Socotra airport for check in and to visit the visitor information centre where you could buy books and postcards of the island, before the short flight to back to the mainland.
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