Day 1: Vietnam – Abu Dhabi (Dinner on the plane)
The group departs from airports in Vietnam (both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) to Doha, where they gather.
Subsequently, the group takes a connecting flight to Abu Dhabi, located in the UAE – United Arab Emirates. Upon arrival at Abu Dhabi Airport, the group completes immigration procedures, including passport scanning, facial recognition, and fingerprint scanning.
Day 2: Hadibo – Ahaft Canyon (Breakfast on the plane/ Lunch/ Dinner)
After immigration procedures in Abu Dhabi, the group retrieves their luggage and boards a flight to Socotra. At Abu Dhabi Airport, there is a dedicated area (counter 9) for processing Socotra visas. Passengers present their Socotra visa and passport before returning to counters 24-27 for boarding procedures. The flight is operated by Air Arabia, a domestic airline of the UAE.
The group arrives at Socotra Airport at 10:30 AM. Immigration procedures at Socotra include photo capture and fingerprint scanning.
After clearing the Immigration Hall, local guides welcome the group, and they proceed to the town of Habibo, the capital of Socotra.
Note: There is no automated baggage scanning system; passengers should have their luggage tags ready for manual inspection by authorities.
The Summerland Hotel is approximately 12km from the airport, easily accessible. The group checks in at the hotel, has lunch at a local restaurant with specialties of the region, and then embarks on an exploration of the fascinating Socotra Island.
The journey starts with a visit to the Ayhaft Canyon National Park (9km - 16 minutes). At Ayhaft Conservation Park, travelers immerse themselves in vast spaces, panoramic views, unique plant life, fresh air, and tranquility. The group encounters distinctive species such as the Socotra starling and the Socotra sunbird. The local population does not capture these animals, allowing them to come very close, providing excellent photo and video opportunities. Additionally, visitors marvel at the deep-cut canyons, creating a unique and majestic landscape.
The group returns to the hotel for rest and dinner.
Day 3: Diksam Peak - Wadi Dirhu - Firmhir (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
The group departs at 7 AM for Diksam Peak, a 1.5-hour drive. The road follows the mountain slopes, offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. En route, the Socotra cucumber, a unique plant, can be observed growing on rocky outcrops by the sea. As the journey ascends to Diksam Peak, travelers easily spot dragon's blood trees rising above the shrubbery.
The group stops at the Shebahon observation deck, providing a panoramic view of the Diksam Plateau with continuous mountain ranges, valleys, and streams flowing from the mountaintops to the valleys. At Shebahon, visitors experience the local life of the indigenous people, observing their herding practices of goats and free-roaming cattle. This differs significantly from the herding practices in Vietnam. Guests have the opportunity to interact with and photograph local children.
Subsequently, a trek begins down Wadi Dirhu, an Arabic term for a valley, where the main stream flows, creating various relaxation spots. The crystal-clear water flowing over rocks offers a soothing experience, with the possibility to walk on either side of the stream or swim in areas with gentle currents. Lunch is prepared by a local guide by the stream, allowing guests to enjoy the natural surroundings.
In the afternoon, the group ascends to the other side of the valley to explore the Dragon's Blood Forest in Firmhir. The Firmhir forest is one of the highlights of the program. Witnessing the sunset in the primeval forest with dragon's blood trees standing alone or forming clusters resembling house roofs is a magical experience. Visitors can also experience harvesting red resin from dragon's blood trees. Alongside dragon's blood trees, the slopes feature the blooming desert rose, adding a magical touch to the landscape.
The group camps overnight at the summit of the Firmhir Dragon's Blood Forest, listening to mythical stories about this mysterious tree. Guests are encouraged to bring a camera to capture the night sky, as Socotra, being an isolated island, offers a pollution-free and enchanting stargazing experience. The best times for photographing the Dragon's Blood Forest are at sunset and sunrise.
Day 4: Qaria – Homhil – Killisan - Hadibo (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
In the morning, the group has breakfast at the campsite prepared by the local team. Following breakfast, the group moves to Qaria, the largest lagoon on the island. During the March-June period, visitors may witness flocks of flamingos if it's the season for this species. From a higher vantage point, one can observe the local life around the lagoon, with stretches of mangroves interspersed between the unique rock formations.
Continuing the journey, the group heads to Homhil Lake. Situated at an altitude of approximately 450 meters above sea level, Homhil Lake provides an opportunity for trekking through mountain paths to enjoy the expansive, majestic views, overlooking the Arabian Sea with the distinctive plant life of Socotra. Upon reaching Homhil Lake, guests have the chance to swim in the lake as a reward after trekking. The lake features high rock formations suitable for cliff jumping, and some rocks are as smooth as water slides.
Alternatively, guests can relax on a rock in the middle of the mountains, enjoying the breeze and the vast space above.
Later in the afternoon, the group heads to the Momi Plateau, then descends along the mountain ridge leading to the Killisan Mountain Gorge. This gorge is a highlight of the program, characterized by its creation through the fracturing of the mountain range, with water flowing down from the waterfall, forming a surreal landscape with layers of white rocks stacked on top of each other. Guests can experience the sensation of jumping from low rock formations and swimming under the cool, greenish-blue water. Additionally, the group can sunbathe on the upper rocks, admiring the peculiar plant species on the slopes.
In the evening, the group returns to Habibo for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Hadibo – Qalansyah – Shouaib - Hadibo (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
Morning: Guests have breakfast at the hotel. From Hadibo, the local guide and driver pick up guests for a journey to Qalansyah, an ancient town on Socotra. During the March-June period, the group can admire the salt fields of the local people. Along the way to the town, guests easily spot old Soviet tanks, marking a historical period of Socotra. Upon arriving in the town, the vehicle stops on a high sandbank, and guests follow a naturally opened path between the mountains, leading to a pristine beach with the emerald waters of the Arabian Sea. Here, guests can swim, explore the vast and deserted beach with diverse ecosystems, including unique sea crabs.
Afterward, the group continues along the coastline, circling a rocky mountain to meet a man living in a cave named Abdulah, also known as the Cave Men. Here, guests experience cave life, with a staircase made of whale jawbones, sitting in the cave adorned with dolphin fossil skeletons. Guests enjoy lunch prepared by the Cave Men, consisting of seafood freshly caught in the vicinity. After lunch, the group proceeds to Shouaib, a village known for its unique water source. The drive from Qalansyah to Shouaib offers a spectacular view of the mountains and the sea.
Upon reaching Shouaib, guests explore the area and the iconic Dragon's Blood Trees. The unique water source, rich in minerals, has made it an important site for the local population, and guests have the opportunity to taste the water.
Evening: The group returns to Habibo for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Hadibo – Qalansyah – Shouaib - Hadibo (Highlights) (Breakfast/ lunch/ dinner)
Morning: Guests have breakfast at the hotel. From Hadibo, the local guide and driver will pick up guests for a visit to Hok Cave. Situated about 500m above sea level, this cave offers a trekking experience amidst desert rose bushes with various shapes. The path is especially beautiful during the blooming season. Hok Cave remains untouched, with stalactite and stalagmite formations in progress, creating unique shapes. Some stalactites can produce different sounds when tapped. Standing at the cave entrance, guests can see the mountain foothills, and in the distance, the Arabian Sea.
The group then descends from the mountain and has lunch at the site.
Afternoon: Travelers head to Cape Areher – the meeting point of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Guests can engage in activities such as swimming, fishing, or simply strolling on the white sandy beach, admiring the unique plant life on the sand. The seashells on this beach come in various colors like pink, purple, orange, green, and red. Ninety percent of these shells are exclusive to this location and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Evening: The group returns to the hotel for dinner.
Day 7: Hadibo - Omak Beach – Degub Cave – Hayf Zahek Sand Dune (Breakfast/ lunch/ dinner)
Morning: Guests have breakfast at the hotel and depart for Nojed, located in the southern part of the island. Here, guests visit Omak Beach, situated along the Indian Ocean, known for its large waves, making it ideal for surfing.
Afternoon: On the way to Degub cave, visitors will visit the large, smooth white sand dunes of Hayf - Zahek. Degub Cave is one of the places to visit in Socotra with a special structure.
Evening: The group returns to the hotel for dinner and rest.
Day 8: Hadibo – Dihamri – Hadibo (Breakfast/ lunch/ dinner)
Morning: The group has breakfast at the hotel and moves to Deleshia beach and Dihamri marine reserve (35km - 50 minutes).
Deleshia Beach has a long, high white sand dune located between a rocky mountain range running into the sea, creating an unusual landscape. Visitors can experience sandboarding here and then go swimming.
Dihamri Marine Reserve is a place with countless coral reefs, where you can choose to swim or dive to see the coral reefs up close (cost of scuba diving with oxygen tank is not included).
Evening: after the journey, the group has dinner and returns to the hotel to rest.
Day 9: Hadibo – Abu Dhabi – Doha (Breakfast/ lunch/ dinner on the plane)
Morning: the group has breakfast at the hotel, then free to move around the city and shop.
8:00 am: car and tour guide pick up the group and move to Socotra airport to check in for the flight to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).
15:25: The group arrives at Abu Dhabi airport, goes through immigration procedures, picks up luggage and prepares to board the Qatar Airways flight to Doha. Arriving at Doha airport, the group checked in for connecting flights (no need to pick up luggage) to fly back to Hanoi at 12:15.
Day 10: Doha - Vietnam (Breakfast on the plane)
12:15 arrive in Hanoi, car and tour guide take you to the original meeting point, ending a good and memorable trip. See you at the next programs.
***Depending on actual conditions, the tour order may change but still ensures all the sights mentioned in the program.***