Petroglyphs in Eriosh

There are numerous drawings of feet scattered across a sufficiently large area of land. So it should seem ancient Socotrans decided to leave their trace in the history. It is symbolical that some drawing depict feet going in various directions.

Here you can also see a couple of small men dancing, a camel and a clear image of the cross and X + B inscription.

2* Hotels in Hadibo

Отели Сокотры, Хадибо

In Hadibo, the capital of Socotra, we offer two newly constructed 2-3* hotels notable for relative cleanness and order.

Both hotels are located in the center of the city on its main street.

The hotels do not have own restaurants, but you can have breakfast and dinner in one of the local restaurants near the hotel where you will be offered fish, rice or goat meat and unpretentious breakfast.

Each room has two beds, a TV, an air conditioner and a refrigerator. Almost all of them contain a bathroom.

Hotel Summer Land 4*, Socotra, Hadibo

It is the first 3-4* level hotel (unfortunately, without a swimming pool) established on the island.

The hotel offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms with a WC-and-bathroom unit and properly running hot water.

You can have dinner and supper at a restaurant where you won’t be bothered by goats.

The hotel prices are rather high (about 100$ for DBL), but it is a good bargain for those who got used to comfort and service and do not want to sleep in tents.

So, now you can make your travel to Socotra as comfortable as possible.

We develop individual tours around the island accompanied by the best English speaking guides of Socotra who will show you the island in daylight time and bring you to your hotel in Hadiboh for overnight stay.

Ayaft Gorge

Ayaft Gorge is the greenest place of Socotra. Its unique moisture-retaining microclimate is created by numerous springs and streams. The gorge is protected from summer monsoons by Scant Mountains. That is why its vegetation remains lush the year round.
In spite of its close location to the airport and the main road leading to Hadiboh it looks like a fairy world filled with wondrous birds, fantastic trees and real mountain Socotrans.
The earth road will lead you along the stream to a wide water-meadow where a small village is snuggled. It is a usual place for most tourist groups to get out of cars for a walk. If you want to see a little out-of-the-way place of Socotra we would recommend you to continue driving other two kilometers along the country road to a small Socotran settlement where most people do not speak Arabic and have a lifestyle that has not practically changed for centuries.
The hillsides are covered with dense bush thickets. So, to avoid scratching your skin follow the paths. It is the right place where frankincense trees grow. With a thin smooth body and long branches with small narrow leaves the tree is not much to look at. It is rather difficult to find it – you need someone to show it to you. But this is the tree that made Socotra famous in the ancient world.
Frankincense, also called olibanum (Arabic language: لبٌان, lubbān), is an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia by slashing the bark and allowing the exuded resins to bleed out and harden. These hardened resins are called tears. With special skill it is quite possible to harvest a handful of frankincense for an hour. If you lived 2100 years ago, you would get hold of a vast wealth as Socotra’s frankincense was valued above gold and other incenses.
If you feel the difference between smells make sure that EVERY tree has its individual smell! The resin flavor depends also on a season and its age. Old trees produce the best tears due to their higher aromatic content. But one has to spend much time and efforts to find such a tree.
It is more easily to buy a pot with frankincense tears from local kiddies. They make their business by selling a handful of this aromatic resin for 500 riyal. It is a fixed price. We would recommend you to have small money as they do not give change. Please, don’t tap frankincense by yourself – remember that you are a guest at a private territory.
When walking along Ayaft look under your feet. It is the right place where we met chameleons at various times. They won’t do you any harm. You can even take them in your arms. What can’t be said about a big shaggy spider we saw here in a while. His bite can even kill a camel.
The whole trip takes at least 3 hours. It is good to combine it with swimming and toasting on the close deserted beach. After that you can wash sea-salt from your body in a fresh water pool of Ayaft. Though Ayaft, due to its close location to the airport, is usually planned as the first place to visit in most standard tourist programs, we would recommend you to come here in the end of your travel. You will get more impressions!
From Ayaft gorge you can undertake a number of interesting trekking trips, for example, back to Hadiboh. This trek route takes a day. It is not difficult but uphill hiking skill will be good for you.

Skant mountain

If you want to see a montane Socotrans’ way of living we would recommend you to visit Skant mountain area.
You can get here by the same road leading to Dixam and Noget. After turning off to an earth-road and following it for about half an hour you will almost reach the peak of the mountain range that can be clearly seen from the airport and Ayaft Gorge. Leaving your car at a parking place you can take a walk to the edge of vertical cliffs to see numerous ruins of ancient constructions.
If you go a shade down you will find a few dwelling-houses where friendly and cheery people live. They will definitely offer you a cup of tee. If you want you can ask them to cook a goat. They usually stew and serve it with rice and sour goat milk.
It is a usual food of montane Socotrans.

Shuab Bay

You can get to Shuab Bay by boat from Qalansiyah village. In an hour and a half you will appear in a marvelous place of Socotra far from civilization.
After sailing round a cape and by beautiful rocks we would recommend you to stay in a bay for snorkeling. There is a wonderful underwater world here.
Then your boat continues its way and after a while you will find yourself on a breath-taking sand beach, one of the best on the island. Tourists are usually brought here for not more than two hours as their guides strive to come back to Qalansiyah within the first half of the day to avoid meeting waves usually raised by wind in the afternoon.
Shuab bay is overrun with fish. It is quite easy to catch tuna, barracuda or redfish by a trammel net on your way to the sand beach. You can also hook herrings schooling near the shore of Shuab bay.
Setting off on a journey to Shuab, do not forget to take a sunburn cream, a kerchief or a cap to protect yourself against the sun. Also, to avoid catching a cold take something warm to put on in case you meet wind and spoondrift on your way back.

Archer is located on the north-east shore of Socotra. It takes 1,5 hours to get here by car from Hadiboh.
This place is a popular camping site between two big dunes. Before coming here tourists are usually taken to Erissel beach for swimming. It is also possible to bathe near camping. But we would recommend you to go 500 m to the right or to the left to avoid walking along rocky sea bottom opposite the stream or put on special swimming slippers.
The camping site has fresh water but a lack of shower and toilet rooms. So, you can take a natural bath in a fresh water stream. Other advantage of this camping site is that there are no local people. This means that you can make bonfires by burning wood fuel brought with you and to grill fish and potatoes.
Those who possess great physical strength and endurance may climb one of the dunes. Most tourists prefer climbing the right dune. But if you scramble up the second one you will be rewarded with a great unusual view. If you take cameras remember the risk of it being exposed to sand. And do not forget to take water– the route is much more difficult and longer than it seems to be.
This place is famous for its eel swarms. Locals do not eat them. So, if you explore grassed verges of the stream you will definitely see eels, some of which are up to 1,5 m long. Do not catch them! They are too bony and tasteless.
Please, do not litter in Archer! Before leaving the place burn all combustible refuse or collect and take it to Hadiboh. Though every year this place is cleaned by summer monsoons and water streams in November, please, try to make it cleaner than it was before your coming here.

Dixam Plateau

Dixam Plateau is located in the central part of Socotra. You will be lead here by a good asphalt road which you can follow to get to Noget – the south coast of the Island.
When leaving the main road, you will drive by a small village where you can buy Dragon’s blood. It is the name used for a red resin obtained from Dragoon Trees. It is a good immunostimulant and wound-healthing remedy. In Ancient Rome gladiators smeared their bodies with the resin extracted from Dragoon Trees. It hastened healing of their wounds by reducing blood loss. It is considered that Dragon’s blood has greater healing properties than well-known Mumiyo. Except the resin you can also buy here dried juice of the Socotran Aloe, frankincense and clay smoking jars.
After passing by the village we would recommend you to turn to the left to get to the verge of Socotra’s most beautiful canyon - Wadi Dirhur. The best time to come here is late afternoon. Soft evening lighting makes surroundings to look fantastic. Tourists often use this place for camping. But we wouldn’t advise you to stay here – it may be cold and windy at night. Local guides prefer camping not far from the village as they will most likely stay overnight there.
If you have time we would recommend you to walk down to the brink of the canyon and to turn to the right – you can find here the caves still inhabited by mountain shepherds.
Do the next stop near the wood of Dragon Trees. Try to find a blood-red clot of resin on the bark of a tree, climb its crown or just lay half an hour in its shade and enjoy the thought that you see an endemic that may be more than one thousand years old!
is located in the central part of Socotra. You will be lead here by a good asphalt road which you can follow to get to Noget – the south coast of the Island.
When leaving the main road, you will drive by a small village where you can buy Dragon’s blood. It is the name used for a red resin obtained from Dragoon Trees. It is a good immunostimulant and wound-healthing remedy. In Ancient Rome gladiators smeared their bodies with the resin extracted from Dragoon Trees. It hastened healing of their wounds by reducing blood loss. It is considered that Dragon’s blood has greater healing properties than well-known Mumiyo. Except the resin you can also buy here dried juice of the Socotran Aloe, frankincense and clay smoking jars.
After passing by the village we would recommend you to turn to the left to get to the verge of Socotra’s most beautiful canyon - Wadi Dirhur. The best time to come here is late afternoon. Soft evening lighting makes surroundings to look fantastic. Tourists often use this place for camping. But we wouldn’t advise you to stay here – it may be cold and windy at night. Local guides prefer camping not far from the village as they will most likely stay overnight there.
If you have time we would recommend you to walk down to the brink of the canyon and to turn to the right – you can find here the caves still inhabited by mountain shepherds.
Do the next stop near the wood of Dragon Trees. Try to find a blood-red clot of resin on the bark of a tree, climb its crown or just lay half an hour in its shade and enjoy the thought that you see an endemic that may be more than one thousand years old!

museum

The establishment of a small museum was financed by a prosperous Socotran man permanently residing in the United Arab Emirates. It contains a collection of practically all household items used traditionally by the Socotrans. The museum is located near the road leading to Archer.
Except primitive textile machines, stone mills, dishware and other things you can see here a log canoe that was used by islanders not only for fishing but also for travelling to Africa and the Arab Peninsula not so long ago.
The most interesting thing of the museum is a set for fire-making. If you ask a museum attendant to show you how to make a fire he will easily do it in couple of minutes. You can buy similar fire-making sets in a honey shop near Taj Socotra Hotel in Hadiboh.

hoq cave

hoq cave is relative easily accessible. It takes one hour and a half to climb to its entrance from the village. You will need to take a local guide. The route is not difficult, but tiresome. Tourists usually follow it in the full blaze of the sun. So, do not forget to take a couple of bottles with water.
The cave is rather easy to enter. It stretches for about 3-4 km along the cliff. It is rather cool inside. The ground of the cave is water-free, there are only terraced plots filled with water at the end of it. The pathway inside the cave is marked by a reflective tape. It is not possible to lose it. Do not forget to take a personal flashlight!
It usually takes fourty minutes to reach the end of the cave. If you have a tripod and a good torch you can try to take a beautiful photo here.
There is a popular opinion that Hoq cave is the largest one on Socotra. But this is not the case. There are also other hard-to-reach caves stretching for many kilometers deep into the island. Most of Socotra’s caves are still explored by speleologists

Noget is the central part of the Socotra’s south coast. You can get here by the asphalt road leading through Dixam Plateau. Local guides usually take tourists to the Aomak camping. But we would recommend you to visit Stero place to see gorgeous sand barchans before going to the camping.
You can leave your car on the road and take a walk into the depth of sands. If you come here before a sunset, a soft evening lighting will make this place to look much more beautiful.
There is also a more beautiful place with white sands on the other side of the camping. However, local guides do not usually show it to tourists as it is not convenient for them.
Take care of your cameras! Unfortunately, many of them have been spoiled by Socotra’s sand

Wadi Dirhur Canyon

Passing by Dixam Plateau you can go down a steep earth-road to Wadi Dirhur Canyon. If you get tired of rough riding we would recommend you to leave your car and go by foot to the canyon floor, where you can have a swim in a small fresh water pool.
Local Socotran guides do not like having overnight stops in canyons. As local legends have it, the local canyons are inhabited by genies and it is quite possible to meet a ghost woman here after sundown. People say that this explains the fact that a small settlement near the water pool is devoid of inhabitants.
However, it looks like Europeans do not meet any ghosts on Socotra. That is why, when reaching the canyon floor and turning to the left from the road you will find a number of convenient camping sites for overnight stops. Here you can put up a tent, make a fire and cook a fish brought with you or a goatling bought from local people.
If you have enough time we would recommend you to go up the other side of the canyon. A half-day trekking route will allow you to see an unusual project view of the canyon. The return way lies through a dense forest of Dragon Trees where you will feel like “Alice in Wonderland”.
The Canyon is inhabited by birds of all kinds. It is really very interesting to watch birds. If you specially buy a pack of dates in Hadiboh to feed birds you will be very amused by seeing how they like them. Except birds the date is also favorite food of wild Socotran cats living in a palm-tree wood. Being careful and taking a good flashlight you will be able to see their luminous eyes and even approach them two-tree meters. They are very graceful animals with leopard spots and a striped tail, who like dates more than fish or meat. During off-seasons these cats usually steal dried dates from locals.

Hadibo

Hadibo is the capital of Socotra with a few 2-3* hotels accomodation

takes only half an hour to get to Delisha beach from Hadiboh. Tourists usually come here directly from the airport to have a swim and to walk along a big sand-dune.
This place looks like going to be built up with hotels in the near future. Being absolutely pure not so long ago Delisha is now actively divided into parts and gradually starts turning into a construction site.
We would recommend you to drive to the end of the road and walk through a confluent tributary. Here it is rather clean and quite possible to find a solitary piece of the sand beach.

Homhil Plateau

Homhil Plateau attracts tourists primarily by a combination of various kinds of trees growing at one place.
To get here you have to overcome a steep serpentine road, which is one of the worst on the island.
When reaching the plateau tourists usually leave their cars at a small settlement and engage a guide (it is obligatory) for taking a walk to a natural basin where they enjoy a glorious view of the Arabian Sea.
A caved part of the cliff has formed a real aerodynamic tunnel. That is why it may be very cold on the plateau. Do not forget to take something warm to put on.
There is no a camping site here. You can drink a cup of tea and drive back to Hadiboh. The second option is a two-hour walk down to a seacoast where a car will be waiting for you.

Detwah Lagoon

Detwah Lagoon is definitely one of the most impressive places on the island coast. There is a camping site with toilet and shower rooms, where you can stay overnight. Fresh water is also available for your use. Please, remember that camping owners do not offer cooking services. So, you have to cook by yourself or rely on your guides.
Qalansiyah is the best start point for seeing the lagoon. After driving through the village, your car goes up a low hill where you will be able enjoy an incredible overall view of the lagoon. Afterwards we would recommend you to go down to walk along the lagoon shore. A slow strolling at the seaside takes about 3 hours. Please, do not forget to protect yourself against the sun and to take drinking water. When walking on seawater look under your feet – there are many small cramp-fishes in the lagoon, which won’t do you any harm but they are rather unpleasant in touching them especially by bear feet.
After walking, you can come back to the camping where a car will be waiting for you.

Socotra can be too dangerous for wave-riding, but it is an excellent place for measuring speed during a monsoon season....

Maybe in the future we will organize a world speed competition on Socotra. )

Summer wind on Socotra:
spot 1. Qalansya

Up to 30 m/s. Off-shore, side-off-shore.

spot 2

A very long sand beach. Off-shore. Wind 15-25 m/s.

Perfect place to check the speed!

spot 3. Hadibo

After Hadibo it has an easy entrance. Off-shore. Wind 15-25 m/s.
spot 4. Ras Erissel

A very difficult spot. Strong waves. Off-shore. Wind 20-30 m/s.

spot 5. Marfirhin

An easy entrance near the village.

Side-shore. Wind 12-18 m/s. Strong waves.

spot 6. Aomak

Good waves. Side-shore. Wind 8-10 m/s.

spot 7,8. Di Sebro, Net

Strong waves. No wind



spot 9. Shuab

Gusty wind, good waves.

Boat trips

A local boat “Horri” 40 horses speed bullied for fishing. You can take one of or organized tours and be taken to incomparable destinations.

Shouab beach: a half day tour to discover the beauty of Shouab beach. With the clear water and white sands you can snorkel and relax. Whilst driving the boat, dolphins groups can be witness and lopping right next to the boat. Whale and Dolphins spotting safaris:

because of its unique location in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea the Island of Socotra is blessed with a very special event: the presence of visiting whales and Dolphins, which has only recently been recognized as another asset to this beautiful holiday destination.

The year 2005 was an extraordinary year with regard to the number of whales and Dolphins spotted in the waters surrounding the island. But after the Tsunami a number not a little of whales and dolphins drifted up and seen dead in the western coastal line where some species took up residence there before.

Just about five kilometers off the shore of Qalansiya, taking anexcursion to the marvelous of Shouab beach, Hundreds of dolphins bevies with the crystal water of Shouab beach and on most of thedays these ocean going creatures are swimming by- right on your boat. And if luck stand by you... you will be rewarded by swimming with the very rare ocean dolphins which is common to see in the water of Socotra.

Fishing activity

is recently new invented tours on the Island. and due to its eco-system and marine reserves, and being deficient in facilities and conveniences there area some necessary restriction to be taken in the consideration however, Socotra known as an ideal place for fishing due to its location in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. Socotra fishes exports to world in these days. The majority of the locals on the island are fishermen. If you are looking for a truly fishing experience...Then you should plan your holiday to Socotra Island, trips can be prearranged to join the local fishing men and go out to the sea and familiarize with there traditions means and equipments use like fishing net. With this prime location is known for an excellent climate on the months of February up to April, with breathtaking sceneries and big sized game fishes of Tuna fish, King fish, Barracuda, Sail fish, etc, youwill feel beauty of nature and mixed with the real adventure.

As the waters surrounding the island of Socotra rapidly drop to depths beyond 1,000 m, excellent fishing grounds can befound already within 30 minutes after leaving the harbor.

Newcomers to this activity will reactive the necessary information as how and when they will get with the fishermen.

The monsoon winds

The monsoon winds

There are two annual monsoons the south-west monsoon, which kicks up high seas around the island from early June to early October (this moon soon brings occasionally heavy rains in June), has created a physical barrier to access by sea since earliest times.

These intercontinental stratospheric winds blow from Africa towards the Himalaya mountains, bringing the wet to India. But as they pass over Socotra they are caught by the nearly 5000 feet high Hagghier mountains and dragged fiercely down over the northern coast.

The wind blows on the north coast, non-stop, day and night, for three months at approximately 90 kilometers per hour with some gusts at 180 kph, in the area of Hadibo, between Howlaf and Mori.

May delivers a smaller amount of precipitation. The annual rainfall varies between 130 to 170 mm/hour. Even during the calmer months sea landings may still be difficult due to a combination of logistical problems, including the absence of adequate harbor facilities. But since 1999 with the building of a new airstrip (the longest in the Yemen), which is built facing into the monsoon winds, the Boeing planes are now able to land all the year round. So as tourists you can come to Socotra at any time, depending on what you want to experience.

Travel Tips

Eco- friendly travellers to Socotra...


It is important to respect and conserve the natural and environment of each country you visit; within Socotra Island. Nature has granted Socotra with many beautiful elements which need to be preserved so, that the next visitors can enjoy Socotra’s exquisite beauty. There is also an interesting culture on Socotra that should be respected, “remember how you would be treated in you own home country”. We are committed to conserve our island. So only we invite you to share with us this cooperation in this regards. Wherever you go, only take memories and leave foot prints! We have put together a few guidelines and environmental tips for keeping on good terms with locals and nature!

Please:

Heed the advice of your guide at all times.

Don’t import or export any biological material or alien species from or the to Island.

Do not leave or throw any litter.

Don’t drop your cigarette buts any where–dispose of them properly.

Don’t swim in sea or rivers unless your guide recommends it.

Don’t make erratic movements as this will frighten or aggravate the wildlife.

Don’t drive off the roads in game reserves and national parks.

Don’t raise your voice or speak loudly inside cave… whisper!

Don’t feed fishes (this creates dependency).

Don’t touch or damage corals.

Use only dead wood to set up a fire.

Ask permission before taking photographs of locals specially women.

Wear well covered dresses while you are in the town or in the villages or where are local people surrounding you because this offending the locals.

Don’t take shells and pieces of corals.

Children might be asking you for money or sweets, bear in mind that it is not allowed to hand money over children ( by handing money to children you encourage begging) and the dental treatment is not readily available on the Island. We recommend handing out pens, pieces of paper and clothes.

Support local business and community initiatives by buying local items rather than imported good.

Socotra Itenerary

Day 1: Hadibo, beach and sunset

Welcome at Socotra airport, on monday or friday morning flight. To have a quick preview of the island, we will visit the Socotra Ecotourism Society visitor information center at the airport. Then we will then go to the hotel in Hadibo to check in.
After lunch in a restaurant in Hadibo, we will visit Deleisha coast, not far from Hadibo: swimming in the sea and also in a freshwater lagoon, sleeping on pristine white sand, taking pictures of the landscape with a beautiful background of mountains. If you want to stay up to the night, you will see a fabulous sunset from Deleisha. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Hadibo.

Day 2: Hiking around the Dragon Trees
After breakfast, we will go by 4x4 vehicle to Dixsam plateau and Shebahon viewpoint. Dixsam, located in the mountains in central Socotra, is famous for the endemic Dragon Blood trees. For the Shebahon viewpoint, you will enjoy a fabulous panorama on the Daerhu canyon. Then, we will go down (easy walk) to the wadi (river) and get lunch near the fresh water.Swimming is possible in the freshwater pools. At the end of the afternoon, driving to the camping site in Dixsam.
dragonblood tree
Day 3 Dunes and sea

After breakfast start hiking for 4-5 hour from the camp sit to Hagehar, in the South Coast of Socotra. This itinerary maybe be also made by car. Lunch on the way. Arrive at Amek beach, a beach with blue waters and bright white dunes of sand (on the photo, you can see me in the dunes).
Dinner and overnight camping at Amek beach.
amek socotra

Day 4: Qalansyia/Detwah lagoon

After breakfast we drive from Amek beach to Qalansyia fishing village, very traditional. A few kilometers from Qalansyia, we go to the protected area of Detwah lagoon, probably the most famous landscape of Socotra. Swimming, sleeping under the sun, climbing the dunes, bird-watching...
Dinner and camping overnight in Detwah lagoon.
qalansia socotra

Day 5: Going to Shu’ab beach with dolphins
After breakfast at Detwah lagoon we take a boat ride from Qalansyia to Shu’ab. Many cormamorants and dolphins on the way. We arrive at Shu’ab after a one hour trip and we will have lunch. Free afternoon to swim, enjoy this pristine beach or discovering the near area. In late afternoon we take the boat ride back to Qalansyia. Line fishing may also be possible from the boat, if you want fish for dinner of course.We will then go back to Hadibo for dinner and overnight in hotel. shuab socotra

Day 6: Arher

After having breakfast, we drive by vehicle to Arher beach on the north east coast, which is a meeting point of salty and fresh water, with huge dunes going down from top of mountains, up the turquoise sea. We will enjoy swimming and exploring this site. Fantastic view from the top of the dunes is possible if you are strong enough to climb! Dinner and overnight camping at Arher, near of freshwater river.
arher socotra

Day 7: Dihamri marine protected area

Dihamri marine protected area is the one of the richest coral reefs of the archipelago. This is a good area for snorkeling or diving as well (diving is not included in the price of the trip). But please do not to touch the corals in the marine protected area as this would cause irreversible damage. Back to Hadibo for dinner and overnight at hotel in Hadibo. dihamri socotra

Day 8 : Departure from Socotra

After an early breakfast, we will drope to Socotra airport to take your morning flight to the mainland. If you are lucky, the aircraft pilot will flight over Socotra and you will be able to have an aeral view from the sites you have visited.

Socotra Island – Come And Discover

One week (8 Days)

Day 1: Arrive in Socotra

On arrival at Socotra airport, we will visit the Socotra Ecotourism Society visitor information centre at the airport. We will then transfer to the hotel in Hadibo to acclimatise and have lunch. The afternoon activity is a visit to Deleisha coast which consists of pristine white sand, relaxing swimming both in the sea and also in a freshwater lagoon, all with a beautiful mountainous background. There is also the possibility of witnessing a fabulous sunset from Deleisha. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Hadibo.

Day 2: Arher

Early morning we hike down to arher area. We spent the whole day at Arher, 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. The remainder of the day is for swimming and exploration of this location. Dinner and overnight camp at Arher.

Day 3: Homhil P.A.

After breakfast we hike to Homhil protected area, wile you are hiking you can enjoy nice sceneries of plants and landscape, once you reach the top of the mountain of the mountain of homhil you can relax to enjoy the north east coast which from the top of the mountain looks marvellous, on your way to homhil you can pass through various 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. Then going to Dihamri marine protected area camp sight for camping and over night at the camp sight.

Day 4: Dihamari

Early morning we drive to Dihamri marine protected area, which is home to one of the richest coral reefs of the archipelago. The many marine animals to be seen whilst swimming/snorkelling 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. Dinner and overnight at Dihamri marine protectedarea.

Day 5: Dixsam

After breakfast, we will make our way by 4x4 vehicle to Dixsam plateau and Shebahon viewpoint. This area is renowned for the native Dragon Blood trees, the resin of which is collected, used and traded by the people of Socotra . The area is also home to the endemic and rare Socotra Bunting (estimated at 1,000 pairs). The Shebahon viewpoint gives a fabulous vista overlooking Daerhu 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. Dinner and overnight camp in the wadi.

Day 6: Qalansyia/Detwah

From Dixam we drive early morning to Qalansyia to look around this charming and picturesque fishing town with its traditional houses and narrow alleyways. We then go to the protected area of Detwah lagoon, which is renowned for its spectacular landscape. Sting rays can be seen in the lagoon, so take care when swimming. There is also a large array of sea birds to be seen at this location. Dinner and camping in Qalansia at Detwah lagoon.

Day 7: Shu'ab

After breakfast at Detwah we will take a boat ride to Shu'ab. Be sure to look out for Spinner Dolphins along the way. Cormorants also frequent the area. Once at Shu'ab we will have lunch and the afternoon is free to swim and enjoy this pristine beach setting, complete with mangroves. In late afternoon we take the boat ride back to Qalansyia. Line fishing may also be possible from the boat, if you want fish for dinner of course. Late afternoon back to Hadibu for overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Departure from Socotra

After an early breakfast, we will transfer to Socotra airport to visit the visitor information centre before the short flight to the mainland

Socotra Airport is an airport in Socotra, Yemen (IATA: SCT, ICAO: OYSQ). It is the only commercial airport that serves the Yemeni island of Socotra in the Arabian Sea and its capital town of Hadibo. The most remote Yemeni airport has nearly daily flights connecting the island with the mainland airport near Al Mukalla (Riyan Airport) where all aircraft make a technical stop on their route to the capital city of Sana'a or the southern port city of Aden.

The airport is located on the paved road that connects Hadibo on the northern coast with the main tourist attraction on the extreme west of the island, Qalansiyah beach. It takes about two hours from the airport to get to Qalansiyah, an unpolluted, quiet and romantic beach.

travelling...

A little information about Socotra for those interested, I myself have to read up on it, I only knew about this island 2 months ago when I googled Yemen to prepare for my trip there.As for the title some people dubbed it as "Indian Ocean's Galapagos" because of the diverse animal and plant life that exist in the island most are endemic.

S O C O T R A :

Socotra or Soqotra (Arabic سقطرى ; Suquṭra) is a small archipelago of four islands and islets in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden. Nearly 190 nautical miles (220 mi/350 km) south of the Arabian Peninsula, the archipelago is 250 kilometers (155 mi) long, west to east, and protracts from continental Africa along the Horn of Africa. It is part of the Republic of Yemen.

The islands are known for unique flora and fauna, of which 37 percent of its plant species, 90 percent of its reptile species and 95 percent of its land snail species are not found anywhere else. Globally significant populations of land and sea birds (192 bird species, 44 of which breed on the islands while 85 are regular migrants) are supported

on Socotra. This number includes a number of threatened species. The region's marine life also displays great diversity. In and around Socotra 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 species of coastal fish and 300 species of crab, lobster and shrimp exist.

This archipelago of rich biodiversity was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. The main island, as one of the most biodiversity rich and distinct islands in the world, has been termed the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean.” Its name is believed to come from the Sanskrit 'dvipa sakhadara', which can be translated as 'Island of Blis




GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE:

Socotra is one of the most isolated landforms on Earth of continental origin (rather than volcanic origin). The islands of the archipelago stand on coral banks and are believed to have once been connected with the African and Arabian mainlands as part of the ancient southern supercontinent of Gondwana. They detached during the Middle Pliocene (ca 6 million years ago), in the same set of rifting events that opened the Gulf of Aden to its northwest.

The archipelago consists of the main island of Socotra (3,625 km² or 1,400 sq mi),

the three smaller islands of Abd al Kuri, Samhah, and Darsa, and small rock outcrops like Ka’l Fir’awn and Sābūnīyah that are uninhabitable by humans but important for birds.

Socotra is the largest island in the Arab world, of an estimated total of 258 islands occupying an area of 6,811 km², dispersed throughout the region stretching from the Persian Gulf to North Africa's Maghreb in the Mediterranean Sea.[1]

The main island has three geographical terrains: the narrow coastal plains, a limestone plateau permeated with karstic caves, and the Haghier Mountains. The mountains rise to 5,000 feet (1,525 m). The main island is a little over 80 miles (130 km) long east to west and typically 18-22 miles (30-35 km) north to south.

The climate is generally tropical desert, with rainfall being light, seasonal, and more abundant at the higher ground in the interior than along the coastal lowlands. The monsoon season brings strong winds and high seas.


FLORA AND FAUNA:

Socotra is rich in terms of biodiversity, comparing favorably with such island groups as Galapagos, Mauritius, and the Canary Islands. It has been referred to as the "jewel" of biodiversity in the Arabian Sea.

The long geological isolation of the Socotra archipelago and its fierce heat and drought have combined to create a unique and spectacular endemic flora. Surveys have revealed that of a total of nearly 900 species, a 37 percent are endemic; ranking it in the top five islands in terms of endemic flora. Botanists rank the Socotra flora among the ten most endangered island flora in the world, vulnerable to introduced species (such as goats), climate change, and modernization. The archipelago is a site of global importance for biodiversity conservation and a possible center for ecotourism.

One of the most striking of Socotra's plants is the dragon's blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), which is an unusual looking, umbrella-shaped tree. Lore has it that its red sap was the dragon's blood of the ancients, sought after as a medicine and a dye. Another unusual plant is Dorstenia gigas, a succulent that can grow to eight feet tall and have a trunk of up to two feet or more in diameter.

The island group also has a fairly rich bird fauna, including a few types of endemic birds, such as the Socotra Starling Onychognathus frater, the Socotra Sunbird Nectarinia balfouri, Socotra

Dalisha beach camping alone

Sparrow Passer insularis and Socotra Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus socotranus.

As with many isolated island systems, bats are the only mammals native to Socotra. In contrast, the marine biodiversity around Socotra is rich, characterized by a unique mixture of species that have originated in far-flung biogeographic regions: the western Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, Arabia, East Africa and the wider Indo-Pacific.

(Excerpt from New World Encyclopedia)

As is well known, bird watching is one of the key categories of ecotourists and the most widespread in the world. Only in the US and Canada it is estimated that there are over 60million bird watchers, of which 24 million travel from their places of residences to specifically watch birds.

Socotra has much to offer to the bird enthusiast, not so much in terms of quantity but of quality. So far about 120 bird species have been recorded in the island, of which 31 are known or thought to breed. Of these, six species are endemic to the island:

· Socotra Warbler (Incana)

· Socotra Cisticola (Cisiticola haesitatus)

· Socotra Starling (Nectarinia balfouri)

· Socotra Sparrow J(Passer onsularis)

· Socotra Bunting (Emberiza Socotrana)

These six endemic bird species are undoubtedly the major ornithological draw of Soqota. There are an additional eleven endemic subspecies in the archipelago.