THE ISLAND OF SOCOTRA…UNDISCOVERED GARDEN OF EDEN
February 10 - February 19, 2025
Led by STS Tour Manager Yasser Iskander
Arab governments are in conflict over an island paradise in the Indian Ocean that few people have ever seen. Socotra, the largest island in the Middle East, is one of the most isolated places on Earth, home to an ancient culture and some of the world's strangest-looking plants. The island is part of Yemen, but the United Arab Emirates has been investing there, building infrastructure.
UNESCO designated Socotra a World Heritage site in 2008 in recognition of its biodiversity. Hundreds of Socotra's species of plants, reptiles, and land snails exist nowhere else on Earth. Notable are the dragon's blood trees that look like flying saucers perched on trunks. Adenium socotranum are trees that look like elephants' legs with pink flowers on top. Birds such as the Socotra Starling, Socotra Sunbird, and Socotra Grosbeak are found nowhere else on the planet. Bats are the island's only native mammal. In 2010 a Russian archaeological team discovered the ruins of a city on Socotra dating to the second century AD. Some also hold the island to be the location of the original Garden of Eden due to its isolation and biological diversity and the location on the edge of Yemen's Gulf of Aden, which many connect with the ancient Sumerian tales of a paradise called Dilmun.
Can be combined with Yemen tour (February 19- February 27, 2024)
Tour Cost (Land Only & Abu Dhabi/ Socotra/Abu Dhabi flights): $6,995.00
per person based on double room
Single Supplement: $595.00
Price based on a group size of minimum 6 participants and maximum 14 participants
Tour Includes
Abu Dhabi / Socotra / Abu Dhabi flight.
Arrival/departure transfers & AC 4x4 vehicles throughout the tour.
2 nights accommodation at Southern Sun Hotel or similar in Abu Dhabi (pre and post Socotra).
7 nights’ accommodation at best available 3* hotel in Socotra.
All meals as per itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch and D: Dinner).
English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites mentioned unless listed as optional.
Visa approval letter for Yemen.
Unlimited bottled water per person.
Gratuities to guide, drivers, and porters (provided minimum number of travelers is reached).
Tour Does Not Include
International airfare USA / Abu Dhabi / USA.
Activities and sites not described in the itinerary.
Drinks during meals (alcohol) or meals not listed in the itinerary.
Items of a personal nature (laundry, emails, excess luggage charges, etc.)
Transfers if not arriving/departing on scheduled tour dates.
Dayroom/overnights necessitated by changes in airline schedules or early arrival.
Trip surcharge to operate below required minimum participants.
Travel protection insurance
(Highly Recommended).
Trip Grade:
III Challenging - Parts of the trip are physically challenging, involve hiking on rough terrain or in sand or into/out of caves. There may be long drives on rough roads; weather conditions with high heat or humidity, presence of insects. You may have simple picnic lunches, primitive bathroom facilities along the road and remoteness from modern towns or cities.
LODGING Level:
** Delightful - Comfortable yet on the Spartan side, usually small but usually with private facilities. Some stays in private homes or small inns that may lack western style amenities. (2 or 3 stars)
Special Tour Remarks:
Knowing the nature of such an off-the-beaten-track journey, all travelers joining this tour will require a high level of flexibility, tolerance, and willingness to go with the flow when things change. We retain the full right to make any necessary changes to the itinerary, the sequence of visits, and the choices of Hotels or activities described in the itinerary. Do not forget your swimsuits and snorkeling mask.
Visas: Socotra has a particular situation within Yemen. The Yemeni government, backed by the coalition (Saudi Arabia and the UAE), have allowed tourism to continue on Socotra by allowing Socotra travel companies to obtain work visas for travelers. It takes about two weeks to get their visa approval through the Yemeni Ministry of the Interior’s Immigration Department in Socotra. You have to print out two copies of your visa - one will be collected when boarding the flight to Socotra, and you will need to show the other copy when you arrive in Socotra at the immigration counter. Officials will detach and stamp the bottom part of the visa approval; if requested, they may also stamp your passport.
Meals: Meals will be simple but fresh, tasty, and ample. Typical Socotra meal includes flatbread, rice, fish, chicken, salad or cooked vegetables, meat/vegetable soup, and fruits.
