SOCOTRA: Island Highlights with Hajhir Mountains Mini Trek (8 days)
SOCOTRA: Highlights with Hajhir Mountains Mini Trek
This trip combines an exploration of Socotra's diverse coastlines and plateaus with a 3-day mini trek through the stunning and wildly remote Hajhir Mountains in the center of the island.
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$1700 USD per person for a mix of camping and glamping (micro group pricing only).
Includes:
Camping gear (see options below), three meals daily, the Yemeni visa fee and travel permits, security clearance, guides, drivers with private vehicles, entrance fees, and payment processing fees by Visa/MasterCard.
Does not include:
Any flight tickets, personal spending, insurance, additional food and drinks, tips for local staff, and anything not explicitly mentioned as included.
Glamping:
Includes a 4-meter lotus bell tent (large enough to stand up in), IKEA mattress pad, sheets, pillow, pillow case, and blanket, each kit fits up to three people but is more comfortable with two. Note that on the trek, only basic 3-season tents with sleeping pads can be used for those two nights in the mountains, as the glamping kits weigh over 50kgs each and cannot be carried by camels.
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8 Days / 7 Nights
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Maximum 6 people, minimum 2 people.
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Socotra Airport, Yemen (flights are not included, but we can assist with reserving tickets to and from Cairo or Abu Dhabi)
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Moderately challenging.
This is primarily a camping trip that combines various activities to explore the island of Socotra. The mini trek consists of 3 days of point-to-point trail hiking with no extraction in between. You can expect 5-6 hours of hiking time per day on the trek, and 2-3 hours for smaller hikes on the trip. The trail is not particularly difficult, but you can still expect to reach 350-750 meters of gain per day. No technical skills are needed to participate.
Infrastructure on the island is very basic, don’t expect great internet access, regular showers, toilets, or air conditioning. Don’t expect any luxury— but you can upgrade your experience to take advantage of our lotus bell tent glamping kits— however, you should expect a beautiful adventure surrounded by some of Earth’s most otherworldly landscapes.
Coming Micro Group Departures
(or contact us to arrange a private trip.)
THE LOCATION
The Socotra Archipelago is known for its exceptional biodiversity and distinctive landscapes. Located in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia, it offers an untouched natural paradise with stunning mountains, pristine beaches, and rare endemic species including the incredibly beautiful Dragon’s Blood Tree.
The island is also home to 70,000 inhabitants who share in a culture distinct from both mainland Arabia and Africa. Socotris speak their own language, derrived from ancient South Arabian, while their culture contains South Arabian, Arab and Swahili influences.
Visiting Socotra allows you to explore a living laboratory of evolution, engage in thrilling outdoor adventures, and contribute to sustainable tourism efforts.
THE ACTIVITIES
This camping and trekking trip provides a fantastic opportunity to fully experience Socotra's coastlines, mountains, canyons, and plateaus.
You’ll travel by land cruiser across the island’s rugged roads to hike through forests and canyons, swim in naturally-formed freshwater pools, walk white sand beaches, meet locals, scale massive sand dunes, and embark on a three-day point-to-point trek in the fabled Hajhir Mountains. What more could one ask for while surrounded by otherworldly landscapes?
Expect to travel on foot, so bring a good pair of hiking boots, and get ready to camp under a sky full of stars every night while sharing meals and camaraderie with your local guides and travel mates.
THE PEOPLE
The Soqotri people have a distinct cultural identity and are known for their resilience and deep connection to the island. They have traditionally relied on fishing, agriculture, and herding for their livelihoods, adapting to the island's challenging conditions. They have a rich oral tradition, folklore, and their own language, which is considered a branch of the South Arabian group of Semitic languages. Numerous people of Swahili Coast African descent also inhabit the island.
We only work with a handful of local guides who we know personally. They are all Socotris, born and raised on the island. In addition to your English-speaking guide, you’ll have a driver and other helpers throughout the trip to run the camp and prepare your meals. We try to hire as many locals as possible to ensure that tourist dollars are spread amongst many of the island’s inhabitants.
THE COST
The base cost of this trip is $1700 USD per person “glamping” (with basic camping while on the mini trek) based on a group size of 2-6 individuals (micro group pricing only).
The trip includes all camping gear, three meals daily, the Yemeni visa fee and travel permits, security clearance, guides, drivers with private vehicles, trekking team, pack camel support on the trek, entrance fees, drinking water, and payment processing fees by Visa/MasterCard.
The cost does not include any flight tickets, glamping kits (optional extra), personal spending, insurance, additional food and drinks, tips for local staff, and anything not explicitly mentioned as included.
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You’ll be met upon arrival at Socotra Airport by your local team ready to explore— but first, they will help you clear immigration and customs procedures. Have a copy of your Yemeni visa ready for inspection on arrival at the airport.
You’ll first visit the only “city” in Socotra-- Hadibo-- to have some lunch and go shopping for some local clothes and products if interested. In the afternoon you’ll drive to the Homhil Protected Area, a prehistoric-feeling national park with incredible scenery. There, you can enjoy a sunset walk amongst the Bottle, Frankincense, and famous Dragon’s Blood Trees.
Overnight: Camping at Homhil.
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You will begin this morning like all your days in Socotra, waking up just before sunrise, followed by a simple breakfast. You’ll then go on a hike down to a beautiful natural infinity pool at the edge of the plateau, surrounded by Dragon’s Blood Trees and Bottle Trees. On the way, you’re likely to come across local children selling dragon blood resin and frankincense from the nearby village. The scenery is otherworldly. This is Socotra.
You’ll return to camp for lunch and then drive to Arher, a spectacular camping spot on the beach in the far northeast of the island, where a fresh creek comes out from a crack in a granite mountain. You can relax on the beach around the creek, swim in the sea, or if you feel up for it you can climb a huge 100+ meter sand dune to get a fantastic view over this charming spot-- amazing for sunset. If you’re lucky, we can see bright blue bioluminescence in the ocean at night (common February-May).
Overnight: Camping at Arher Beach.
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You will start early today, with a drive to the base of Hoq Cave in Terbak village. Before the sun gets too strong, you will hike up about 2.5 hrs to the entrance of the cave. The cave itself is more than three kilometers long, with a water pool at the end. Inside, you will see stalactites, stalagmites, and crystalline formations, with wide chambers, much like an ancient cathedral.
In the early afternoon, you’ll drive return to Arher for lunch. In the later evening, as the tide goes out, you’ll drive to Ras Irisseyl, the easternmost point of Socotra where the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet.
There is a small fishing village here where you can see the locals returning with the afternoon catch. You will also visit “crab city”; this beach is home to thousands of sand crabs who build small castle-like structures above their holes during low tide.
Overnight: Camping at Arher Beach.
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This is your opportunity to explore the most spectacular part of Socotra in-depth. The Hajhir Mountains tower over the island, and they are responsible for creating a unique weather pattern that has given birth to many of Socotra’s unique endemic plant species, including the Dragon’s Blood Trees.
Over the next three days, with a team of local Bedouin guides and pack camels, you will traverse these mountains all the way to Diksam. There is something magical and otherworldly about these mountains that you really have to experience for yourself.
For the first part of today’s trek, you follow a dirt road to the top of a ridge line where you can see the Arabian Sea, before you tuck into the rocky Hajhir Mountains over the other side, descending into a fabled lush green valley replete with endemic plant species.
You can swim in the freshwater pools at the bottom of the valley; your campground for this evening is only a twenty-minute walk up the other side of the valley in a spectacularly beautiful clearing surrounded by mountains and Dragon’s Blood Trees. It is easily the most beautiful camping spot in the mountains.
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You’ll wake up surrounded by lush vegetation in a small mountain valley deep in the Hajhirs. You will then continue our trek into the wadi, where you can swim in natural freshwater pools.
The path continues down the wadi along flat ground to your camping spot for the evening near an abandoned school built for the local Bedouin children (their new school was built in Diksam, rendering this one obsolete as their semi-nomadic lifestyle caused them to move out of this valley due to flooding).
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You must climb up one more mountainside to reach the Firmhin Forest, which is the last woodland comprised of Dragon's Blood trees left on the island. Nowhere else in the world can one find Dragon's Blood trees in such density. Nur, a local goat herder, will show you how they used to collect-- and still collect on a smaller scale-- the precious red resin of the tree.
You will continue hiking down into the Derhur Canyon, where you will see unusual rock formations and can swim in freshwater pools, where you can enjoy a picnic lunch. Depending. on the road condition at the time of trekking, your cars may be able to meet you at the bottom of the canyon— if not, it’s a 400-meter final ascent up a series of switchbacks to the plateau rim.
The Diksam plateau is home to nomadic Bedouin herdsmen who move from one site to another with their goat herds. You will be welcomed by them with a cup of tea, where you can observe the many houses built into ledges where the plateau meets the gorge. It’s a steep finish, but rewarding, as you can watch the sunset amongst the Dragon’s Blood Trees and canyon below.
In the late afternoon, as the sun begins to set, you’ll visit the “sea of sand” at Hayf and Zahek. There you can wander this incredible landscape, climbing between the dunes all the way to the sea. Finding pieces of ancient pottery is not uncommon here, as much of this area was under the sea not too long ago. In the evening you’ll drive up to the Diksam Plateau for the evening.
Overnight: Camping in Diksam.
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After breakfast in Diksam, you’ll visit the Dragon’s Blood Tree nursery where young trees have been growing since 2006. Since goats were introduced to the island, many of the young trees have been destroyed by the goats when their leaves are still soft, so it’s essential to grow new trees in protected environments.
You’ll then visit the Diksam middle and high school, where you will visit classrooms, meet teachers and students, and if you’d like, volunteer to teach an English class.
Following your visit to the school, you will drive to the northwest of the island to Detwah Lagoon, a marine protected area renowned for its magical landscape and incredible coastline for swimming.
You’ll be charmed by a white sandy peninsula jutting out into the sea surrounded by turquoise waters, where you can swim. There is also an array of sea birds and marine wildlife to be seen in the lagoon. There, you’ll meet Abdullah the Caveman and he’ll take you looking for marine life from his cave over the lagoon.
Overnight: Camping at Detwah Beach
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After breakfast, you’ll drive to Socotra Airport for your flight back either to Abu Dhabi or Cairo via Aden.
The following itinerary is meant to serve as a guideline for the trip, rather than an exact play-by-play. As is true of all inertia experiences, we leave room for sporadic interactions, unforeseen opportunities, and time buffers to compensate for unexpected scenarios.
MOUNTAIN TREKKING
Get off the beaten path on a 3-day camel trek in the fabled Hajhir Mountains, full of endemic flora.
MEET LOCALS
From goat herders to fishermen, and school students too.
LOSE YOURSELF
Get lost amongst the rolling sand dunes of Zahek.
BEACHES AND LAGOONS
Swim in the warm Arabian Sea, walk white sand beaches, and look for marine life along the way.
MICRO GROUP TRIPS
All Micro Group Trips are limited to a fixed maximum and a minimum number of participants (2~6 people) to ensure a safe, intimate, and sustainable experience.
If available, fixed departure dates are listed below. Click on a date to sign up.
If no trip dates are available, private trips or extra dates can be organized according to your schedule pending our guides’ availability. Contact us to arrange a private trip.
FROM ABU DHABI
Want to travel independently or don’t see dates that work with your schedule?
Contact us to arrange a private trip instead.
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Yes, travel to Socotra island is extremely safe and there has not been any incident involving tourists to the island. The island receives approximately 6,500 annual tourists.
The biggest risks in Socotra are not political, as much as the flights from Abu Dhabi are subject to political ebbs and flows (the domestic flight from Aden is not prone to cancellation though). The Abu Dhabi flight has been canceled on a few occasions, leaving travelers temporarily stranded on the island.
We are one of the few travel providers on Socotra who also works in Mainland Yemen. Because of this, we are also able to arrange for security clearance and MOI letters to transit Mainland Yemen via both it and land, should it be necessary. Even in the areas in mainland Yemen where we operate, we are confident about our ability to maneuver the geopolitics as well as the security.
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The Hajhir Mountain mini trek is a point-to-point backcountry trek that follows a shepherd’s trail through the Hajhir Mountain valleys. This means the start and end points are different, and there is no potential for vehicle extraction in the middle of the route, as the trail starts to the south of Hadibo city and ends in the Durhur Canyon just below the Diksam Plateau.
You can expect to cover approximately 30-40 kms of distance over three days, with the average hiking time per day ranging from 4.5 to 7 hours, depending on the speed of the group. There will be constant breaks for rest, swimming in naturally formed freshwater pools, and fun along the way.
The trek is non-technical and of moderate difficulty. You can expect approximately 500-800 meters per day of elevation gain.
You will be responsible for carrying your own day pack and water for the day while on the trek. Pack camels will carry the tents, sleeping gear, larger backpacks, and food.
The trek is a lof of fun and not overly difficult. A sturdy pair of hiking boots are necessary and poles are recommended.
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This is a camping trip and single three-season tents are provided for each guest (the tents are 2-person tents, but we typically use them as singles, couples are welcome to share a tent). Additionally, basic pads and blankets are provided as well.
You have the option to upgrade your camping experience to our Lotus Bell glamping tents, with IKEA mattresses, sheets, pillows, and blankets. Keep in mind, it’s still camping, but these glamping kits are significantly better and larger than your standard tent (they are 4 meters in diameter and you can stand in them). Each glamping kit weighs 50 kilos and can fit up to three people (it will be transported by truck).
If the group desires, there are a handful of hotels in Hadibo as well that you can use (extra cost).
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There are four main seasons on Socotra— the long dry season from January to April, the Khareef rains in May and June, the windy season from June to September, and the rainy season from October through December.
For travelers, the only two recommended seasons to travel to the island (and when flights are decently reliable) are during the long dry season and the rainy season, between late September and early May.
During the long dry season, the waters are calm it almost never rains, and the flowers blossom. The downside is it’s much more dusty and arid around the island. In this season, we recommend exploring more of the coastline.
During the rainy season, you will find the island transform from its semi-arid brown into a splendid green. If you want to hike the Hajhir mountains, this is your season to do it.
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Socotris are accustomed to Western and Asian tourists visiting the island, so the dress code expectations are not nearly as strict as in other Islamic countries. Tourists are free to wear swimming suits and bikinis on the beaches and shorts while hiking.
That being said, when in towns and villages, and when approaching groups of locals, tourists need to be covered up, specifically foreign women. This means that women’s bodies should be covered from the ankle to the shoulder— sarons and beach skirts are helpful to achieve this level of coverage without having to wear pants or an abaya. In addition, women must also cover their heads, at least loosely, when in town.
For men, you can wear shorts in public, but always shirts must be on and should cover the shoulders (no tank tops in public).
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While it’s easy to forget yourself while surrounded by beautiful beaches and insane landscapes, it’s important to remember that Socotra has a deeply conservative Islamic society mostly imported from the Arabian mainland. Local women will generally be covered in a black abaya with a niqab (face veil) and hijab (headscarf). Some rural women in Socotra wear colorful abayas, much like the whole island was dressed before cultural and religious practices from the Arabian Gulf found their way to the island’s locals.
For women travelers, this means that while you are free to dress as you’d like when away from locals (excluding your guides), however, when in the presence of locals you should always be covered up. This means that women’s bodies should be covered from the ankle to the shoulder— sarons and beach skirts are helpful to achieve this level of coverage without having to wear pants or an abaya. In addition, women must also cover their heads, at least loosely, when in town.
Another point to note, since it has come up several times on the island, is that foreign women are occasionally approached by local men looking for sex. If this happens, inform your guide right away and they will handle the situation quickly, effectively, and professionally.
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Cell phone service is available on Socotra Island but access to the cell network through roaming may vary depending on your carrier.
If you have roaming available in the UAE or mainland Yemen, you will very likely be able to access the local network. Certain overseas carriers with relations with UAE cell providers are also able to get coverage on Socotra. Internet coverage works best along the north coast.
Foreigners are not able to purchase SIM cards on Socotra.
The Summerlands Hotel in Hadibo has a very slow wifi network.
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Socotra is an amazing place for landscape photography— you quite literally are surrounded by endless opportunities for photographs, especially when the light is ideal around sunrise and sunsets (another reason why it’s vital to camp).
This being said— when looking to photograph local people, please always ask for permission first. Typically it’s not a problem to photograph men, but it is an issue to photograph most women. Doing so without consent can be very problematic for both you and your guide.
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Alcohol is not allowed to be carried into Yemen.
Illicit substances are also forbidden, including Marijuana.
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This is a moderately rugged camping trip that involves multiple nights of sleeping in a tent surrounded by nature, and numerous short day hikes (of between 1-3 hours). As long as you are physically and mentally ready to handle this, then you can do this trip.
Note: Yemen restricts all Israeli nationals, people born in Israel, and anyone with proof of travel to Isreal in their passports (including border stamps from Egypt and Jordan) from entering the country.
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The local cuisine on Socotra Island features fresh seafood, rice, goat meat, and some imported fruits and vegetables from Mainland Yemen. There are limited options for those with dietary restrictions as Socotri food is very seafood and goat heavy.
It's a good idea to communicate your needs in advance or carry your own snacks (vegans are normally treated to the same vegetable curry with pasta or rice daily).
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While Socotra is not a massive island, it’s not tiny either, and the roads are in various conditions. There is one major sealed highway that extends from Hadibo across the north coast and down to Diksam. Other than that, rocky dirt off-roads cover the rest of the island, which take more time to traverse. You can expect to spend anywhere between 1-4 hours a day in a vehicle.
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You can check out our suggested packing and preparation guide to Socotra here.
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Almost all travelers will require a Yemeni visa in order to travel to Socotra, and everyone requires a Security Clearance Letter. Additionally, for anyone transiting or coming from Mainland Yemen, you will also need a Ministry of the Interior Letter.
We will handle this process on your behalf. It takes us approximately three weeks to arrange the paperwork.
You do not need to go to any Yemeni embassy or obtain a physical visa in your passport before your trip— we apply for and receive paper visas that are issued externally from your passport in advance. You need to bring a copy of this visa to show the airline before check-in and boarding, and your original visa will be submitted to the immigration authorities when you land in Yemen.
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Flights are available a couple of times a week from Cairo (via Aden and Mukalla) and Abu Dhabi. It is also possible to take a connection flight to Aden from another Yemenia destination (Jeddah or Djibouti for example) and connect to Socotra, albeit not on the same day.
In order to book flights, you must do this directly with the airline operating the route at one of their local offices in the Middle East. Online ticket booking is not available for flights to Yemen.
We can provide flight booking assistance for all flights to Socotra with enough advanced warning for a fee.
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Travelers to Socotra should be aware of a few health and safety concerns. The remote location and limited medical facilities on the island can pose challenges in case of emergencies or serious illnesses. It is advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical evacuation from Yemen. There is a clinic in Hadibo that can provide basic health care, but for anything serious, an evac would be required. Prescription medications are difficult to find in Socotra and supplies are severely limited. Come prepared.
While Socotra is safe for visitors, it is essential to be mindful of personal safety and take normal precautions. It is recommended to respect local customs, traditions, and cultural sensitivities. Travelers should also exercise caution when engaging in adventurous activities, such as hiking or diving, and ensure they are accompanied by experienced guides, especially in remote areas.
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Socotra uses the Yemeni Rial— a highly fluid currency dependent on an ever-changing black market conversion rate that can take the currency anywhere from 400 to the USD to 1600 to the USD. You are best off bringing very new, clean, unmarked $100, $50 and $20 USD bills to Socotra. You can change them into rial at the local black market rate, or spend in dollars directly, as they are widely accepted at shops in Hadibo (but change will be given in Rial).
Credit cards are not accepted on the island.
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Check out our Guide to Socotra to learn more about where you can visit on the archipelago.
