Desert, Oases and Island on the Arabian Peninsula

New for 2010!

Yemen is a special destination, and in particular, Socotra, an island home to countless endemic fauna and flora—30 per cent of its flora is unique to the archipelago. Often compared to Madagascar and Galápagos, this remote island is a naturalist's dream, with little known about it even by the Yemenis! Colonized by the Portuguese and British, and once a trading ground for the Greeks, the island has a fascinating hybridized culture and architecture that complements its incredible biodiversity.

This wilderness experience is coupled with the unique history, architecture and incredible Middle Eastern hospitality of Yemen, where we'll explore the arid deserts and well preserved archaeological feats of the mainland. You'll be in the best of hands with guide Barbara Wagner, whose personal relationships with the Yemeni opens doors to our understanding of their traditions and culture.

A three-day post-trip extension to Al Mahweet along with other picturesque villages with fascinating architecture and history is available. See the detailed itinerary for more information.

Activities

13 days moderate hiking on varied terrain, driving, sightseeing

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend 7 days exploring the island of Socotra, hiking, boating, snorkeling, caving and camping-we're the only U.S. tour operator that visits here!
  
• Discover countless endemic plants on this remote island, dubbed the "Galápagos of the Indian Ocean", including the spectacular Dragon's Blood Tree
  
• Explore the ancient city of Sana'a, which dates back more than 1,000 years
  
• Visit the infamous "empty quarter" of northern Yemen, a vast inhospitable sea of shifting sand
  
• Marvel at Shibam, dubbed the Manhattan of the Desert with its ancient mud-brick "skyscrapers" built in the 16th century
  
• Go with our expert guide Barbara Wagner, whose personal relationships with the Yemeni people serve to open doors to their traditions and culture
  

2010 Prices
$4,495 (8-10 members)
$4,895 (6-7 members)
$5,295 (4-5 members)
$300 internal airfare
$600 single supplement

Duration: 15 days Start Location: Sana'a, Yemen End Location: Sana'a, Yemen Best time to go: January - February, October, December

Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive in Sana’a

  Meet in the medieval city of Sana'a.

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  Day 2 : Sana’a

  Visit a completely preserved medina, or city center, with a 30-foot-high wall, one of the world's oldest mosques, and enjoy the local market.

• Day 3 : Ma’rib

  Discover temples from 800 BC in the "empty quarter," of the Arabian Desert, and the ruins of a dam that turned the desert into a lush oasis and farmland.

• Day 4 : Seiyun

  Continue on the former frankincense route to the ruins in Saban and on to Seiyun, a city nestled among the palm trees in the valley.

• Days 5 - 6 : Seiyun, Hadhramawt, & Shibam

  Visit unique palaces in Seiyun, and count the multitude of mosques (365!) in Tarim-along with southern Arabia's tallest minaret. Visit Shibam, dubbed "Manhattan of the desert" for its 500 mud-brick 16th-century skyscrapers.

• Day 7 : Al Mukhalla

  Visit Hajarain, a preserved stone village carved into the mountain. Journey overland past desert plateaus, dried-out wadis (seasonal river), and Bedouin herders.

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  Days 8 - 9 : Hadiboo / Hagghier Mountains

  Transfer to Hadiboo, on the small archipelago of Socotra-an otherworldly experience, where 4500-foot jagged peaks of the Hagghier Massif give way to limestone plateaus and sand dunes dropping to white sand and turquoise waters.

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  Day 10 : Wadi Ayhaft Canyon

  Ride overland to Wadi Ayhaft, where a lush river valley hosts limestone formations and striking plant life, from the bulbous Socotra desert rose, to the umbrella-shaped dragon's blood tree, to spiky aloe and dripping frankincense trees.

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  Day 11 : Da’arrho

  Travel from forest through grassy meadows to freshwater pools in Da'arrho. Learn about local plants with a Socotri naturalist.

• Day 12 : Ditwah Lagoon

  Hike to Ditwah Lagoon, visit a nearby fishing village, and take a boat excursion. Go snorkeling in the warm water (75-80°s F) with Spinner dolphins, 800 species of coral, and other marine life.

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  Day 13 : Hadiboo

  Drive across the island back to Hadiboo. Visit a local women's association that makes handicrafts from local materials.

• Day 14 : Hoq Cave

  Visit Hoq Cave-a unique cave system 2 miles long with a staggering array of stalagmites and stalactites.

• Day 15 : Sana’a

  Fly to Sana’a and explore the town. Farewell dinner at a traditional Yemeni restaurant. Head to the airport after dinner for flights leaving just after midnight.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

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