DAY 1 – THE GIANT SAND DUNES

Meet and assist at Socotra airport. Your tour guide will be holding the “Hellosocotra” sign at the arrival terminal right behind the passport control counter. At the terminal, it can get very warm and chaotic around the baggage carousel with all incoming passengers, so your patience is appreciated.

Once you have cleared immigration and collected your luggage, we will head east to Arher area where the giant sand dunes, great beach, and freshwater wells. Snacks, dinner, and breakfast will be provided.

Overnight: Camping at Arher or Ras Arsel camping ground

DAY 2 – THE HOQ CAVE

We will need to get up early, around 5:00 am; breakfast will be served, and then we will head to Ras Arsel (the ending point of east Socotra). It’s about a 15-minute drive from the camping ground; there, you’ll be able to see the meeting point of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. After a quick visit to Ras Arsel, we will drive for 30 minutes to get to Rosh village, where we will start the hiking journey to Hoq cave (please see the area guide section).

Hoq cave is the biggest cave in the Middle East. It’s about 2 km deep. Depending on your fitness level, it can take 2.5 hours to reach the main gate of the cave, which is on top of the mountain, and about 30 minutes to reach the end of the cave. The entire journey will take 6 to 7 hours. Those who cannot go to the cave can chill on the beach.

Overnight: Camping at Arher or ras Arsel camping ground

DAY 3 – THE NATURAL POOL

After breakfast, pack your bags and put on your swimming wear and hiking shoes because we will head to the protected area of Homhill, which is home to an endless number of the Socotri endemic plants such as Dragon’s blood tree, Frankincense, Desert rose trees, etc. It’s about 1-hour drive from Arher and 30 minutes of walk along a selection of trails, 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 Arabian Sea.

After Homhil, we will head to another exciting area called Dihammri protected area. Here, you can snorkel and dive in the marine protected area, home to dozens of species of colourful marine life and one of the richest coral reefs on the archipelago.

Overnight: Camping at Dihammri protected area campsite

DAY 4 – THE INDIAN OCEAN

After an early breakfast, we will head beneath the mountains of Momi, where the famous Wadi of Kelisan is a perfect spot to enjoy swimming in the natural pools. It will take around 20 minutes of walking, with a breathtaking overview of the entire wadi.

After our visit to Wadi Kelisan, we will have a quick picnic before continuing our way south, off-roading through the valleys to reach the dunes of Zahek. These dunes were created by the seasonal winds, pushing the waves from the ocean straight to the mountains. Then, we will head to our campsite, Aomak, on the Indian Ocean.

Overnight: Camping at Aomak or Zahek campsite

DAY 5 – THE DRAGON BLOOD FOREST

After a quick swim in the crystal-clear water of the Indian Ocean, we will head to Digub cave, which overlooks a scattering of traditional villages below, the cave itself is of interest as many stalactites, stalagmites, and pools of water have seeped through the rock over time.

Once we are done with Digub cave, we will make our way to Dicksam plateau (approx. 700 m above sea level) and Shebahon’s viewpoint. This area is home to an endless number of Socotra endemic plants, such as Dragon’s Blood Tree and other trees. The Shebahon viewpoint gives a marvellous vista overlooking Daerhu Canyon, where we will see breathtaking scenery and unusual yet beautiful rock formations.

We will then make our way down to the Dirhur wadi in the canyon for lunch and an easy-going walk to swim in the freshwater pools, then we will continue our way up to Firmhen Point so you can explore the largest forest of the dragon blood trees.

Overnight: Camping at Firmhen camping ground

DAY 6 – THE BEST BEACH IN THE WORLD

Today, we will explore the western part of the island, but we will make a quick stop at Dicksam Nursery so you can see the baby dragon’s blood trees and learn more about their growing process. Then, we will continue our way to see Qalansiyah town and the best beach.

We will tour the town and port of Qalansiyah and then make our way to an overview point, from which you can see the entire beach and the Detwah lagoon. This marine protected area is renowned for its magical landscape, and you can swim, sunbathe, and relax in the shallow sea.

Overnight: Camping at Detwah lagoon campsite

DAY 7 – A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN

On this day, you should be ready to go by 6:00 a.m. Our drivers will take you to the port of Qalansiyah to catch the boat, where an exciting day begins. We will head to the western side of Socotra to explore one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the beach of Shuaab and the isolated town of Qabahen. You can swim in the magical crystal clear water and lie in the white-snow sand.

On the way to Shuaab, you will see a group of Spinner dolphins, and if you are lucky, you might spot a sperm whale during the months of March and April. That’s why waking up early is important. You will also see a one of its kind Socotra cormorant birds in their natural habitat and many underwater caves. May is still unexplored, making it a great place for thrill-seekers and divers..

If the time allows, you will meet Mr Aliyah, aka the caveman, the smartest man in Socotra who created his own tourist attraction. Hundreds of tourists come to his cave to meet him and to enjoy listening to his stories on life in the cave, the land, and its people, and then drive back to Hadibo once we are done.

Overnight: At the local hotel or our guesthouse in Hadibo

DAY 8 – WE WILL MISS YOU

After breakfast, around 8 am, a quick tour of the market and the gift store for souvenir shopping in Hadibo. Then, we will drop you at Socotra airport to catch your flight back to Abu Dhabi.