The most popular locations of Socotra, from the iconic Dragon Trees and the mighty sand dunes to the beautiful blue lagoon.
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We’ll pick you up from the airport, load your luggage in the 4×4 cars, get comfortable and make our way to the East of the island, where we will drive up a beautiful valley to find the natural infinity pool of Homhil. Time for a refreshing swim with an enormous view!
We’ll walk back up and enjoy sunset from the viewpoint over the valley, flanked by Bottle Trees and Dragon Blood Trees.
We’ll set up camp on the beach next to the sand dunes of Arher. We provide a portable toilet and shower for your convenience. Get comfortable for the 1st night in your private tent – under the stars! 🤩
If there is one sunrise you shouldn’t miss in Socotra, it’s this one. Climb on the huge sand dunes of Arher and enjoy a sunrise you’ll never forget! During breakfast on the beach keep you eyes open for spinner dolphins swimming by! You will have time for a swim and relax on the beach
In the afternoon, we will visit Erisel village for some fishing with the locals. For sunset there’s an optional hike to the top of the plateau, which gives you amazing sunset views.
We will sleep at the same camp in Arher again.
Today we’ll explore Dihamri, a marine protected area with an abundance of fish and colorful reef structures. The ideal place for some snorkeling (included) or scuba diving (upon request).
In the afternoon we’ll have the option to explore Hoq cave, where we can find some inscriptions from the 1st-6th century AD. The limestone cave is 2-3km deep and has it’s own microclimate with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. Tonight we’ll sleep at the same camp at Arher again.
After a last view on the beautiful sand dunes, we’ll start driving South and hike down the Kaleesan canyon. It’s finally time to discover the famous ‘white canyon’. Are you ready to be amazed by the pure white rocks and the azure-blue water? Take your swimming shorts, because jumping in is the best part!
From here we’ll drive further South, passing the Maytif fishing village and ending up in Zahek. We’ll camp in the middle of the desert. Get ready for some real ‘Arabian night’ vibes. Of course we’ll provide a portable toilet and shower again.
Prepare to be amazed by a mystical sunrise over our desert camp. Ride a camel across the desert dunes and feel like you’re part of a movie (optional activity).
Our first stop today is Aomak, a beautiful pristine beach. Go for a swim or relax on the white sand. On the way back we’ll make a stop at the impressive Digub Cave.
Optional fishing activity with the locals in Maytif, or explore the Wadi.
Tonight we sleep in the Zahek camp again.
Today we’ll drive up the mountains to Dixam plateau where we’ll meet the local village kids and have an enormous view over Dirhur canyon.
We’ll start our most difficult road on the island and head down the canyon, here we can make a stop in the wadi for a refreshing swim. Then we head up to Fermhin forest, where we’ll set up camp in between the Dragon Blood Trees. We’ll provide a portable toilet and shower for you.
From our camp in the forest we start trekking up the impressive Hajhair mountains. Our local guides live in these mountains and will show you exactly how to reach the highest peak on the island – Skand!
The trekking will take about 5-6 hours and we’ll overnight on the top, with a 360 degrees view. The porters will bring and install the tents (standard tents). No toilets or showers in the mountains though.
We will watch the sunrise on top of the Skand Mountains, with incredible views. Then, we will hike back down to Fermhin, a six-hour medium hike.
In the evening, we will enjoy the sunset from a viewpoint over the canyon. You’ll sleep back in Fermhin in the luxury tent.
You’re in for a magical sunrise view in between the Dragon Blood Trees. After a slow breakfast we will explore the largest concentration of Dragon Blood Trees on earth. Here you can also find thousands of other endemic plants and birds that are unique to Socotra!
In the afternoon we’ll visit a tiny mountain village, where one of the Bedouin families is maintaining a Dragon Blood Tree nursery! Very important, if you know these trees grow insanely slowly and can age up to hundreds of years.
Tonight you’ll sleep in the middle of the Dragon Blood Trees again, dreaming about the magical encounters of today.
We will watch the sunrise from a viewpoint. After breakfast, we will take a four-hour easy hike to Zimhum, a very remote mountain village that is only accessible on foot. There, you will take part in some local Bedouin traditions and customs.
In the afternoon, you can swim in a secret pool. You camp for the night is next to the village in a normal tent.
After another beautiful sunrise in the mountains, we’ll meet up with the cars and then we’re off to the most famous spot of the island, Detwah Lagoon.
This beautiful blue lagoon offers an unreal contrast between the white sand and the blue water, during high tide. And at low tide you can see some incredibly cool reflections.
Let’s explore the area and relax a bit next to the blue lagoon. Your tents will be set up next to the lagoon, where we will provide you with a portable toilet and shower again.
Sunrise at Detwah lagoon is a marvel as well. Stroll around on the sand banks or dip your feet in the shallow water. Nothing compares … honestly.
After breakfast we will explore the area or spend some time on the beach. We will find fresh octopus with the local kids for lunch.
In the afternoon, we will visit the famous Bottle Tree viewpoint. We will sleep at Detwah in luxury tents.
After a lazy morning, we’re off to Shoab, nicknamed the ‘golden beach’. From the boat, we’ll see many impressive rock structures and we’ll be greeted by the spinner dolphins hanging around this area. If you’re lucky and the dolphins feel like it, you can even greet them in the water.
Shoab beach is ideal to chill on the beach, go for a swim and just enjoy the views … After a chill beach day, the boat will bring us back to Qalansiyah, the 2nd biggest town on the island. Here we can meet the local fisherman and see the fish market.
We will watch the last sunrise over the blue lagoon. Then, we will drive to Hadibo and visit the capital city, where we will explore the local markets, shops, drink tea, and taste the local candy.
Optional: Tonight you can sleep in a hotel in Hadibo, where we will have a real shower and toilet.
Today we start packing up and head back to the airport.
Unfortunately, this is where your amazing trip comes to and end. Don’t worry though, these memories will last a lifetime 🫶
On top of our standard itinerary and services, you are free to book any optional extras to enrich your trip to Socotra.
One flight per traveler is required. Add your return flight from Abu Dhabi. Price is $950.
One visa per traveler is required. No entry without the official Socotra visa. Price is $150.
Ride a camel across the desert dunes and feel like you’re part of a movie.
Add a scuba dive to your tour to explore the magical underwater world of Socotra.
Add a scuba dive to your tour to explore the magical underwater world of Socotra.
End your trip with a well deserved rest. Upgrade to a real bed and proper shower in a hotel room in Hadibo. Single occupancy.
No illegal flying. Get the official Socotra drone permit and explore Socotra from the sky without any worries of getting your drone confiscated at the airport.
Yes, it is safe to travel to Socotra. The island has always remained untouched by the conflict in western Yemen and has never been part of the civil war. Socotra offers a peaceful and secure environment, allowing visitors to explore its stunning landscapes and unique biodiversity without concern.
Traveling Socotra offers several advantages over the other agencies:
Find out more on this blog article.
You cannot book the flights online. We will need to book them for you. You can add the return flight from Abu Dhabi during the booking process. The price is fixed at $950.
This is a humanitarian flight operated by Emirates Aviation Services using a chartered plane from Air Arabia. The flight goes twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday. There are about 65 seats reserved for tourists on each flight. These flights sell out quite quickly, so don’t wait too long with your booking.
When you book, we will confirm the flight availability within 3 working days. In the case that the flight is fully booked, you will have the option to choose new dates or be refunded. After the flight confirmation, it can still take 10-14 working days to get the actual tickets issued. This is a manual process and they are always very busy, so please be patient.
Yes. Most people* need to get a visa. We will take care of this for you. You can add the visa during your booking process. The government fixed the price at $150 for this season. We will request your tourist visa 3 weeks before your departure.
*GCC nationals do not need a visa
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun protection, sturdy hiking shoes, a rain jacket, and any personal necessities, as amenities are limited. We will send you a full packing list before your departure.
We use the iconic Al-Qadi tents, which are more adapted to the Socotra weather than the standard Quechua tents (which are cheaper and widely used on the island by the other agencies). The Al-Qadi tents have 4 windows and allow for more ventilation. Remember, Socotra can get very hot and stuffy during the touristy season.
Technically they are designed for 2 pax, however each person will get their own tent for more comfort and privacy. Each tent comes with a mattress, blanket and pillow. You don’t need to bring anything. For couples who prefer to sleep together, we can also provide a larger couples tent.
Your tent will be set up for you by our team. Full service!
Our private chef uses fresh ingredients to cook a tasty meal 3 times a day. Remember, we are on a remote island, so not everything is available. However, we can get fresh locally-caught fish (sustainably caught through line fishing) and free-range chicken every day. This will be complimented with rice or pasta and some vegetables. Add some seasoning and freshly baked bread with eggs & beans in the morning and voila, happy stomachs.
If you have any allergies, or need vegetarian or vegan options, please let us know. We will try our best to accommodate.
All our 4×4 cars are equipped with a 12V sine wave inverter and a multi-plug, so you can charge your devices in the car – while driving. The multi-plug typically has 2x USB-A and 4x US type B plugs. So take a universal converter, to make sure you can connect. And then you should be good to charge your phone, camera batteries, drone batteries etc…
Additionally, a power bank is never a bad idea!
Some nights we’ll sleep in a campsite with basic showers and toilets. We’ll provide the toilet paper. You need to bring your own toiletries, shampoo and towel though.
Other nights we are too remote and we’ll sleep on a nice spot in the middle of nowhere. Which means nature will be your toilet and rivers/pools will be your shower. Some guests like to bring wet wipes. Any toilet paper / wet wipes that are used, must be collected again as well. We do not allow any garbage in nature, even if it’s biodegradable.
For group tours of min. 5 people, we’ll take a portable shower and portable toilet as well. For your comfort.
Socotra is probably one of the coolest locations to fly your drone. So definitely bring it. Be sure to add the ‘drone permit’ to your checkout, so we can register you and have you flying legally. You are still responsible for your own flights, of course. Do not disturb any other guests, we are all here to enjoy nature.
Watch out, UAE does not allow drones inside the country. So when you travel with a drone, be sure to fly on Abu Dhabi. You will need to explain the purpose of the drone at immigration. If you stay in Abu Dhabi for a few nights prior to your flight to Socotra, the drone will be kept in the Abu Dhabi airport (for free). You can collect it again, when you have checked in for your Socotra flight.
You can buy an Etisalat tourist SIM in the Abu Dhabi airport. It only works in a few areas of the island. And even then, mobile internet is very very slow. This is part of what makes traveling to Socotra so unique and helps you be in the moment instead of scrolling through your phone.
If you absolutely do need internet, we can provide a StarLink for your trip, which will allow 4G speeds all across the island.
Socotra has limited banking facilities and the few ATMs usually don’t work. Our trips are all inclusive, so you don’t need any money on the island. However if you want to buy some souvenirs, it’s best to bring some cash in US dollars. Attention, the dollar banknotes must be issued in years of 2009, 2013 or 2017.
We always have a first aid kit with us. It is recommended to bring any necessary medications you might need. Like for every trip abroad, a good travel health insurance is recommended.
In case of emergencies, there is a hospital in the capital Hadiboh.
Most likely not. Your standard travel insurance will not cover Yemen, as it’s a sanctioned country. The only travel insurances we have found to cover Socotra are Battleface and Safetywing. We are not affiliated with them. Please do your own due diligence as policies change all the time.
We do strongly recommend you to get a travel insurance though! Flights can change, get cancelled and mess up your plans. So make sure you are covered. Better safe than sorry!
Sometimes things come up and you are forced to change your trip dates. Reach out to us and we will help you to reschedule your trip and flights, according to availability.
In the unfortunate event that you need to cancel your trip, reach out to us immediately!
| TRIP DATES | AVAILABILITY | PRICE | SPACE LEFT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 13, 2026 - January 27, 2026 | Guaranteed | $2175 |
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The most popular locations of Socotra, from the iconic Dragon Trees and the mighty sand dunes to the beautiful blue lagoon.
Traveling Socotra
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