SOCOTRA

We welcome you at the Socotra airport before heading to our traditional Socotri house, our choice to make you feel at home as soon as you set foot on the island. You’ll meet our local team and hit the road after a quick briefing.
The road provides a first glimpse of Socotra’s unique territory as we continue along the northern coast to the eastern extremity of the island.
Enjoy the scenic drive while passing small villages, pristine beaches, and strange plant life.
Approaching Arher, dramatic twin sand dunes are set against the sheer rock faces creating a breathtaking contrast between the elements.
200 meters high, these monsoon-formed dunes surround a freshwater creek exiting a cave in the granite massive and end upon the beach: simply unbelievable.
Enjoy the unspoiled beach, relax on the green grass or climb the massive dune to reach a fantastic vantage point. It is here we will enjoy dinner and camp for the first night.

Homhil is a name you will remember.
Here you will hug the first Dragon’s Blood tree of your life.
A narrow goat trail leads to the protected area of Homhil, probably the most rewarding one-hour hike of your life. Let’s swim in the gorgeous natural pool also known as the ”infinity pool” surrounded by the most unusual flora on the planet, overlooking the turquoise ocean below. Homhil is home to Dracaena Cinnabari, Frankincense trees, and Adenium Obesum.

We will return to Arher for lunch, the afternoon is yours to relax in the surrounding serenity or to join another hiking to the top of the plateau. The hike to the mountain ridge offers a bird’s-eye-view of the northern and southern shorelines. A highlight of the trip unique to our tour.

Alternatively, we can visit the traditional village of Erissel for sunset. Here on the easternmost tip of the island we will interact with locals, witness the outstanding local fishermen’s activities and visit a family house for a Socotri chai.

Afterward, we will dine and camp once again at the stunning Arher beach.

Wadi Kalissan is one of Socotra’s hidden wonders. The dirt track heading southeast passes through some very remote areas of the island where you can experience the Socotri alien-looking landscape at its best. A 30 minutes hike down to the wadi takes us to this spectacular series of turquoise pools of fresh water, fed by small waterfalls, set in smooth, white limestone.
It’s a unique playground for swimming, jumping, diving, and climbing.
In the afternoon we drive to the nearby Dihamri marine protected area. It is one of the richest coral reefs in the archipelago. Relax and snorkel in the bay enjoying the unique combination of underwater flora and fauna such as parrotfish, moray eel, sea urchins, barracudas, sea turtles, and more.

For those experienced, diving is available to one of many surrounding shipwrecks.
Dinner and overnight camping at Dihamri beach.

We leave the coast heading to Diksam plateau, the true home of the Dracaena Cinnabari. Small settlements are hidden around the crevasses of the valley where nomadic Bedouin herdsmen will welcome us on the edge of a gorge: the most spectacular limestone landscape on the island.
The gorge drops 700 meters to the valley floors, with views providing a remarkable atmosphere of prehistory.
We continue through the unique and oddly shaped Fermhin forest: where Socotra’s iconic Dragon’s Blood trees abound everywhere! Here we will get to know the famous resin and its miraculous properties, while local children seek cover under the upside-down umbrella-shaped canopies.
As the road descends 400 meters into Wadi Dirhur, we plunge into a profound chasm slicing through the granite. Here we enjoy one of the island's greatest secrets: an oasis surrounding a freshwater pool with a natural waterslide.
Dinner and overnight in Diksam plateau.

Leaving the central highlands, we descend to the southern coast, where the plateau ends and the endless panorama of the Indian Ocean opens.
The destination is Aomak with its immaculate white sandy beaches.
After lunch, we visit Socotri villages scattered around the southern plain before reaching Dagub cave. This grotto has some very interesting rock formations and it has long been used by villagers for ritual purposes and to shelter their cattle in the monsoon season.
The afternoon is dedicated to another mind-blowing Socotra feature: a desert within an island.
The appearance of Zahek’s blinding white sand dunes will delight even the most experienced Sahara traveler. Climb, slide down, meditate and wander around for some astonishing views before sunset.
Dinner and overnight camping at Aomak beach or in the middle of the dunes depending on the season.

Finally, we head west to enjoy the last two days of relaxation in paradise.
Detwah lagoon is a protected area situated at the confluence of the Arabian Sea and the currents of the Indian Ocean.
With its magical landscape and an array of sea birds, stingrays, and other oddly shaped fish the lagoon is a blessed ecosystem adorned with a breathtaking white sandy tongue surrounded by the warm turquoise waters of the bay, one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.
The village of Qalansiya lies at the north/west tip and it’s the second biggest settlement on the island. We will get lost in the narrow alleyways, meeting friendly people and many curious children.
In the afternoon you can join a fascinating hike to the highest peak of the surroundings.
This surely is one of the best views on the island.
Dinner and overnight camping at Detwah lagoon.

How does it feel to wake up on such a remote and idyllic beach?
We move to Qalansiya port dotted with fishing boats and its lively market.
If you are a passionate fisherman Socotra is a fishing paradise.
More adventure awaits! The spectacular boat cruise along the cliffs of the western coast towards the beach of Shoab is very likely to reward us with sightings of spinner dolphins.
Once we’ve reached the shore of Shoab, we’ll indulge in this remote and pristine beach setting and get ready to feast again on delicious fresh seafood brought by local fishermen or even caught by you. In the afternoon we sail back to the port having the unique chance to swim with dolphins.
Enjoy the last sunset walking on the endless sandbank emerging from the crystal clear shallow waters.
Dinner and overnight camping at Detwah lagoon.

After an early breakfast, we drive you to the airport for your flight back.
As nature rules the island, this itinerary may vary according to different seasons and weather conditions. We may also follow this itinerary backward.