The Lost World of Socotra | National Day in Socotra, Yemen

Fri Nov 29 2024 at 06:00 am to Tue Dec 03 2024 at 03:05 pm UTC+04:00

Abu Dhabi International Airport | Abu Dhabi

Trekkup Dubai
Publisher/HostTrekkup Dubai
The Lost World of Socotra | National Day in Socotra, Yemen
Advertisement
When a whole week in Socotra is just a little too much paradise, why not make this National Day a trip to tranquility, without taking days off and have a little taste of endemic civilization, with a small excursion to an island paradise unlike any you’ve ever seen!
Join us for adventure in Socotra, place like no other, where the Dragon Bloods sway and the blue waters spray. You’ll wonder why you didn’t stay a week!
Lying in turquoise seas between Arabia and Africa hundreds of kilometers off the coast of Yemen is one of the world’s most untouched archipelagos, the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, a treasure trove of biodiversity found nowhere else on Earth! From the umbrella-like Dragon Blood trees to the freshwater crabs scurrying across white sandy beaches, even the small population going about their lives unaffected by the world around them, you’ll think you’ve discovered a lost world on another planet.
Used since antiquity as a medicinal cure-all, the crimson-red resin of the Dragon Blood tree earned its name through legends of battles between dragons and elephants and withstood millennia on this island paradise since the dawn of humankind. Recognized for its strange appearance, like an upside-down umbrella, it’s found only on Socotra and cannot survive anywhere else on Earth.
Besides the Dragon Blood tree, Socotra is home to more than 300 species of flora and fauna endemic to the island, from tiny Socotri scorpions and terrestrial reptiles to countless birds, ghost crabs, bats, and chunky, pink-flowered bottle trees, the entire island is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site!
Life evolves on Socotra uninterrupted from the modern world, before the airport was built in 1999, the only way to see the island was on a cargo ship! When such paradise is in our own neighborhood, making extended weekend possible to a place where such beauty is not long for this world to the Island of Happiness.
Let's go!!
Day 01 // Arrival, Qalansiya & Detwah Lagoon
After arrival and immigration formalities, hop in our 4x4s and head to western side of the island to the fisherman’s town of Qalansyia with its traditional Socotri houses and narrow alleys with long beach of fishing boats ready to set off for catch of the day.
Take a dip in the bay, watch the sea birds take flight from the lagoon, or take a short trek up rocky viewpoint to enjoy the setting sun before dinner and rest at camp.
Day 2 // Wadi Shibanm & Firhmin Forest
After breakfast at camp, we’ll pack up and head to the mountains for Dragon Blood tree overload! First stop is the village of Shibahn and nearby Wadi Shibahn where we’ll get our first views of stunning mountain-scapes dotted with Dragon Bloods where we get up close and personal with these amazing trees.
We’ll have a picnic lunch under the shade before hopping back in our 4x4s down the wadi and back up again to Firhmin forest with thousands of Dragon Blood trees, the only such forest in Socotra!
Day 3 // Hoq Cave, Arher Freshwater Creek & Beach
After breakfast, we’ll drive to eastern side of the island and start our trek up to Hoq Cave. Due to erosion of the limestone plateaus and mountains, there are many cave systems on the island. We’ll explore one of the biggest, Hoq, with it’s subterranean water supplies, underground dwelling animals, and archaeological findings. Our ascent to the cave entrance will take approximately 2 hours, longer due to many stops to take in the blue sea water views below.
Day 04 // Homhil & Infinity Pool
After breakfast at camp, we’ll pack up and drive to Wadi Shafa and start our trek up to the Homhil protected area with more fabulous sceneries, you’ll think you’re in prehistoric times! The moderate ascent takes approximately 1.5 hours up the ravine.
Once we reach the top, explore surrounding walking trails through the dragon blood and bottle trees, meet the local children selling dragon blood resin and frankincense, and take a cool dip in freshwater infinity pool! Some of the most spectacular views await while floating above the sea and mountains.
Day 05 // Farewell Socotra
After early breakfast, head to airport for short flight back to Abu Dhabi.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate with limited facilities ahead.
Activities: Trekking/swimming/caving/camping.
Duration: 5 days
Trip Start & End: Direct flights ABU DHABI
Accommodation & Meals: Camping, all meals included.
You'll need light sleeping bag, tents and mattresses provided.
Cost: AED 8100 all incl. flights and visa, until OCT 20th. Past deadline we do not guarantee availability or the cost.
Flights:
AUH – SCT 9:00-10:20 Report at check-in at 06:00AM
SCT – AUH 11:50-15:05
Visa: included in trip budget.
Specifically Excluded: Insurance - compulsory.
See yah in Socotra x
Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 4848238 / [email protected]
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Abu Dhabi International Airport, النظارات الشمسيه, شارع الضيافة, مطار أبوظبي الدولي أبوظبي, الإمارات العربية المتحدة,Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Tickets

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Abu Dhabi

International Investor Summit In Abu Dhabi UAE
Thu Nov 28 2024 at 09:00 am International Investor Summit In Abu Dhabi UAE

The Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal

International Investor Summit
Thu Nov 28 2024 at 09:00 am International Investor Summit

Abu Dhabi

Wine Dinner Series: Oak Room x Ch\u00e2teau Roquefort
Thu Nov 28 2024 at 06:00 pm Wine Dinner Series: Oak Room x Château Roquefort

Al Bateen Marina, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

MOMENTUM+| Become a Valuable UXer in the Age of AI
Thu Nov 28 2024 at 07:00 pm MOMENTUM+| Become a Valuable UXer in the Age of AI

Abu Dhabi

Hekayah | The Story
Thu Nov 28 2024 at 07:30 pm Hekayah | The Story

New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

2024 Abu Dhabi Spartan World Championship Hosted by Abu Dhabi Sports Council
Fri Nov 29 2024 at 02:00 pm 2024 Abu Dhabi Spartan World Championship Hosted by Abu Dhabi Sports Council

Al-Wathba,Abu Dhabi,UAE

Clean Up Drive- Al Wathba Lake Abu Dhabi
Sat Nov 30 2024 at 03:00 pm Clean Up Drive- Al Wathba Lake Abu Dhabi

Al Wathba Salt Lake

British Boarding Schools Show, Abu Dhabi 2022
Sun Dec 01 2024 at 12:00 pm British Boarding Schools Show, Abu Dhabi 2022

Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Business Networking Event
Mon Dec 02 2024 at 06:00 pm Abu Dhabi Business Networking Event

Glo

World Supercross Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024
Wed Dec 04 2024 at 12:00 am World Supercross Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024

Etihad Arena

World Supercross Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024
Wed Dec 04 2024 at 05:00 pm World Supercross Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024

Etihad Arena

Abu Dhabi is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Abu Dhabi Events