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Private SOCOTRA Trip – March 2025

Why run tours to Socotra? Well, A few years ago on my journey to every country in the world, I became the ONLY TOURIST IN SOCOTRA! It was wild. 4 days on a cement cargo ship to get there. And when I discovered Socotra, it blew my mind. Truly one of the most beautiful places in the world. AND UNTOUCHED.

Socotra:

SOCOTRA TOUR INFORMATION

DATES:

March 4th to March 7th, 2025

COST:

$3749USD

• A $1500 non-refundable deposit is require to secure your spot. It’s late, and we need to pay for the visa, permits, and flights – all of which are non-refundable on our end,.
• Refunds, minus fees, expenses, and exchange rate costs, will, of course, be issued if the trip is canceled due to security issues or the flights to Socotra are canceled. 
• I’ve managed to keep the cost the same as the group cost mate which is great. Normally groups are much pricier, but the trip is shorter, so it counter balances. All good.
• Full balance to be paid 2 months before the trip (January 4th, 2025).
• Price based per person sharing. But don’t worry, most people come solo, I will match you with someone of the same gender. No need to pay single supplement.

Qalansia Beach, Socotra Island

ITINERARY:

March 8th, 2024: DAY 1; Abu Dhabi

You’ll get yourself to Abu Dhabi airport for the 9am flight check-in. I’ll supply you with the permits and paperwork both for the ticket, but also for the license to be on the islands. It’s better to be at the airport 6am at the latest. Yemeni air, or one of their affiliates, are notorious for closing check-in even as early as 2 hours before!

9am flight, arrives local time at 10.20. Here you’ll go through immigration with the paperwork we’ve provided. My guys will meet you at the airport, after immigration, with a ‘OneStep4Ward’ sign, or a ‘James’ sign. Expect chaos and long waits at immigration!

We take the short 12km drive to Hadibu Capital city for hotel check in followed by lunch in a local restaurant and a visit to Wadi Ayhaft. Here’s we’re surrounded by the glorious Hajher mountains and different endemic species of trees. Welcome to Hadibu. WELCOME TO SOCOTRA!

Today we venture to the extreme east of the island, to the imposing Arher Sand Dunes, right on the coast of the Arabian sea. Stopping by Hoq cave, time depending, en route. The highest on the island. Climbing the highest one is part of the experience (send me your time!). Clean yourself off with a dip in the ocean at sunset, and get ready for a dinner by the water, with the sand dunes behind will bring the curtain down on day 1.

DAY 2; Dragon Blood Tree Forest!

Today is the day our dreams come true, the Dragon Blood trees in all their glory, Dixam Plateau is calling.

We roadtrip through most of the island through the morning with various beautiful stops.
After lunch, we’ll reach Diksam (or Dixam) is in the central part of the island. Here you suddenly find yourself in prehistoric times. Plateau and canyons with the famous unique endemic dragon blood trees (Dracena).

The endless play of shadows and colors in the setting sun portrays bizarre images that are hard to believe. Swimming in a rocky pool in the valley is a reward for a stroll along the stony path of an incredible landscape.

Camping here, with the trees at your feet, is something truly special.

DAY 3: The Best Beach in the World

Qalansia Beach and Ditwah Lagoon. Maybe the most beautiful beach in the world. When Socotra is famous (and that won’t be long), this place will be world-renowned. And you can talk about the time you were here before the Marriotts and Cruise Ships. IT IS INSANE.

we move to the village of Qalansiyah. Here we hop on a few local fishing boats who drive us around the ancient cliffs, above water as clear as glass, for an hour or so, to the untouched beauty of Shoab beach.

We may pass a few local boats who are heading to the mainland, bringing families along with them, if not, the beach is all ours. Paradise once more.

The monumental mountain massive and the remoteness of the beach guarantee peace and a unique atmosphere. You can snorkel if you are lucky to see turtles, flocks of dolphins and rare species of birds and crystal clear water all the way.

After we jump back on the boat and back to Qalansiyah town, we have lunch then drive back to Hadiboh to our guesthouse.

DAY 4: Back to the real world

The flight is due to leave at 11.50am. So an early breakfast around 6 or 7am will allow you time to explore the Capital, Hadibou. It won’t take long, but it’s certainly a unique spot. Then to the airport and back in the UAE around 15.30.

FINISH:

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Round-trip International Airfare from Abu Dhabi to Socotra ($1000+)
• English speaking local guide in Socotra
• 4*4WD and drivers.
• 1 or 2 (TBC) nights guesthouse in Socotra
• 1 or 2 (TBC)nights camping in Socotra
• Camping materials: Tent, mattress, pillows, blanket
• Protected areas entry fees
• 3 meals per day in Socotra
• Cave and mountain local guides
• Visa cost ($150)
• Visa work (no need for you to do anything!)

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

• International airfare to UAE
• Travel insurance
• Any additional food or snacks
• Airport transfers when you arrive in Abu Dhabi (you can use Careem, UAE’s uber)
• Snorkeling rental equipment
• Tips (recommend $10 to $20 per day)
• NOTE: There’s always a risk of cancellation when taking trips to Socotra. Flights and visas can be cancelled last minute, with no advance warning. Partial refunds will be given, minus any costs incurred. A full refund will not be possible if we are already in UAE by the time of cancellation. 

FAQS ABOUT SOCOTRA

Why come?

So it’s your turn to see the other-wordly Dragon blood trees. It’s your turn to roam the 200ft sand dunes, and swim from the sandbanks of Qalansia beach. It’s your turn to REALLY travel. Your old friends don’t understand you? They don’t know why you would want to visit one of the least visited places on earth?? don’t worry, join me and my group, and you’ll make some other crazy friends who want an adventure just as much as you do.  

My group tours offer something slightly different from any other tours to Socotra. Firstly, people who follow my blog here, or my Instagram.com/onestep4ward, are adventurous, fun souls! They know my travel is a little crazy, and they’re ready for the trip of a lifetime, so expect a great group of international people!

Secondly, unlike may Socotra operators, we don’t camp every single night. We do 3 nights in an actual hotel, and 3 camping. With never camping more than 2 nights in a row. This gives you the chance to keep everything charged, it gives you the chance to shower every single day, it gives you the chance to escape the heat and sample a little air conditioning (power permitting!) every other day. The guest house is actually not bad, and going to bed clean and showered every 2nd or 3rd day keeps the energy levels up, and in my opinion, is the best way to experience Socotra for a week.

Finally, (for better or worse!) I’ll be on the trip! I know tours to Socotra are expensive, I know it can even be a little scary going to places like this, so I don’t farm you out to any other company. This is my operation, and I’ll be there. You deal with me directly, questions, emails, WhatsApp, and then I’ll personally be there for the trip too. No language barriers, and a friendly face (I hope!) throughout the whole process.

Is it Safe to Visit Socotra?

As someone who recently ran trip to Iraq, where everyone told us we would never be able to visit Baghdad and Babylon in Iraq as a group, but we did it, and it was epic!

Or when we traveled to Syria with a group last year, and that was beautiful too, well let me tell you that Socotra is 10 times safer than that.

In fact, it’s safer than New York, London or Paris. Socotra Island is detached from the mainland, but physically and culturally. The heartbreaking war hasn’t touched the island, nor will it. The people are welcoming and warm, and the island needs tourists to return. So is Socotra safe? Yes, 100% it is.

Of all the places in the world you can visit, I can safely say Socotra is THE most unique place on the planet. Endemic plant species like no other, untouched landscapes, a real feeling of real travel and adventure and 15 other people to share it with. It’s the trip of a lifetime.

Where Is Socotra exactly?

Socotra is an island, but closer to Somalia than Yemen.

It’s in the beautiful Arabian sea and far enough away from any coasts to ensure the water is pure, clean and crystal clear. And the nature of the island means no war has touched it at all.

How Do We Get to Socotra?

Thankfully, we don’t have to repeat my trick of spending 4 days on an Indian cargo ship!

This time, we will fly to Socotra, from the United Arab Emirates. The flight isn’t bookable online, it’s not searchable online either, but with our contacts in Socotra, and in the UAE, I take care of all those procedures.

The flights are expensive as only one airline fly there so they have a monopoly, but the flights from Abu Dhabi to Socotra are included in the price of the trip, so don’t worry. And if those flight prices increase, don’t worry, I’ll guarantee the price within the cost of the trip.

Can we go to Yemen mainland?

On my tour? Nope, sorry. It is possible to do it in groups of 2s and 3s if you have an appetite for risk. But right now it’s all still a bit dangerous. So it’s not worth the risk. Besides, Sanaa (the capital and coolest place) is still not visitable, so until then it’s best to wait until that’s safe and then I’ll run a trip there, I promise!

What about the Visa?

Don’t worry. One of the best bits about traveling to Socotra with me is that my guys will manage all that for us. You just have to meet me in Abu Dhabi and after that, you’re all set until we get back to Abu Dhabi 8 days later.