- Route
- Jeddah · Socotra · Mukalla · Wadi Doan · Shibam · Seiyun · Jeddah
- Length
- 11 days 10 nights
- Price
- USD 4,500 per person
- Departure
- Departing 3–13 November 2026; can be joined to our Socotra departures. Final dates confirmed with flights and camp space.
Day by day
Day 1
Jeddah to Socotra · Arher dunes
Jeddah JED 11:00 IY525 to Socotra SCT 14:30. At Arher, high dunes rise straight out of the coastline where desert meets sea; sunset where the Arabian Sea meets the Indian Ocean.
Stay Arher beach private camp, twin-share tent
Day 2
Dune sunrise · Dihamri · Homhil
Up the dune for sunrise, then watch the coast for spinner dolphins over breakfast. In the afternoon, the Dihamri marine reserve for snorkelling or diving, and Homhil for dragon-blood trees, desert rose and frankincense at sunset.
Stay Arher beach private camp, twin-share tent
Day 3
Kalysan canyon · Deguub cave · Zahek dunes
After sunrise, Kalysan canyon—white rock and blue water, good for a swim. Then the south coast and Deguub cave, looking down over scattered traditional villages, with stalactites, stalagmites and natural pools inside. Sunset on the great Zahek dune.
Stay Diksam private camp, twin-share tent
Day 4
Diksam Plateau · Firmihin Forest
Diksam, home of the dragon-blood tree, and the famous Firmihin forest—layered umbrella canopies and an ancient, otherworldly calm. At night, a shooting session: dragon-blood trees silhouetted against the Milky Way.
Stay Diksam private camp, twin-share tent
Day 5
Diksam sunrise · Detwah Lagoon
Dragon-blood forest at sunrise, then Detwah Lagoon—white sand and turquoise at high tide, a mirror at low tide. Climb the hills for the desert rose and wait for the lagoon sunset.
Stay Detwah Lagoon private camp, twin-share tent
Day 6
Shuab Beach by boat
A boat to Shuab, the golden beach, past cliffs and dolphins. A relaxed morning on the sand, then Qalansiyah in the afternoon to meet local children and photograph the coast at sunset.
Stay Detwah Lagoon private camp, twin-share tent
Day 7
Detwah Lagoon at ease
A free day around the lagoon's coast and open country—a slow rhythm, rest and photography, and the quiet of a private camp.
Stay Detwah Lagoon private camp, twin-share tent
Day 8
Socotra to Mukalla and Haid al-Jazil
Socotra's last sunrise, then the flight to Mukalla and the start of the mainland. On to Haid al-Jazil, the village on the rock, for sunset over Wadi Doan.
Stay Haid al-Jazil hotel
Day 9
Wadi Doan · Seif · Shibam
Down the valley, stopping at Seif and Hajrain, then Shibam, the 'Manhattan of Arabia'—on foot through the old town, its antique shops and rooftops, and sunset over the city before Seiyun.
Stay Seiyun, local four-star hotel
Day 10
Seiyun · Ainath · Tarim
Tarim, the mud-built Sufi city: the small market and the Mihdhar mosque with its mud minaret. After lunch, the tomb of the Prophet Hud, then back to Seiyun for the Sultan's palace and the market.
Stay Seiyun, local four-star hotel
Day 11
Seiyun to Jeddah
Morning flight back to Jeddah, and the journey ends. (Alternative: fly Seiyun–Cairo on the Saturday, adding one day.)
Price notes
Includes all accommodation (luxury tented camps plus four-star hotels), all ground transport including airport transfers and mainland security escort, daily meals with water and soft drinks, all site fees and permits, boat and snorkelling gear, and a Chinese-speaking guide. Excludes international flights, the Yemen visa, personal insurance, tips and personal spending. Single supplement USD 800.
- Visas: The mainland requires a separate Yemeni entry visa; a Socotra permit alone is not valid for travel on the mainland.
- Separate tickets: All mainland flights are issued as separate, non-through tickets. If an inbound flight is delayed, we will do everything possible to assist, but cannot assume responsibility for missed onward flights or associated losses.
- Local flexibility: Local conditions may require changes to road access, accommodation or site openings at short notice. Every movement is arranged by our experienced, licensed local team.
- Tailored routing: Senior guides may adjust the order of visits and sites according to season, weather and live camp conditions to deliver the best possible experience.