Socotra Island
- Length8 days
- Groupup to 8 people
- Formatgroup tour
- DifficultyModerate
Socotra is an island where 90% of the reptiles and 95% of the land snails live nowhere else on the planet. We spend eight days crossing it by jeep: Detwah lagoon and Shouab beach in the west, the dragon blood tree forest on the Dixam plateau, dunes and caves in the south, the Kellisan river and cape Irsal in the east.
We stay in tented camps by the water, a cook travels with us and we sleep under the stars. There are no hotels on the route, and that is the whole point.
Activity level
Jeep drives on dirt roads, short hikes to caves and viewpoints, a lot of swimming. No special training is needed, but you will live in a tent for eight days and do without the usual comforts.
Accommodation
Tented camps
Day by day
Tap a day to see the details and highlight the spot on the map.
As soon as you set foot on Socotra, our local team meets you at the airport and drives you through scenic landscapes to Qalansiyah, the second largest settlement on the island, at its north-western tip.
From there we head to Detwah lagoon, a protected marine sanctuary with one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet: white sand dunes and turquoise water. Stingrays live in the lagoon, so take care when swimming; there are also plenty of sea birds, cormorants among them.
In the afternoon we hike up a hill above the lagoon for the best sunset view around.
Dinner and overnight camping under the stars at Detwah lagoon.
What's included
- Airport transfers on Socotra
- Land Cruiser 4×4 jeeps with drivers for the whole route
- An English-speaking local guide and a Russian-speaking trip leader
- Full camping equipment: mattresses, bedding, blankets and sun shades
- Three freshly cooked meals a day
- A cook and cooking equipment
- Bottled drinking water
- Protected area fees and all permits
- A boat trip to Shouab beach with dolphin watching
- Local guides on specific excursions
Not included
- International flights to Jeddah and back
- The Jeddah — Socotra flight and back: $1050 per person
- Visa and security clearance fee: $190
- A hotel night in Jeddah before and after the tour
- Insurance
- Snorkelling and diving equipment
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guides and drivers
Insurance for active trips
We work with ERGO and are insured with them ourselves: their travel policy covers active holidays, hiking in the mountains and trips to exotic countries. It takes a few minutes to arrange online.
Dates & prices
- 12 – 19 January 2027GatheringAll ages€1800
- 9 – 16 February 2027GatheringAll ages€1800
- 16 – 23 February 2027GatheringAll ages€1800
Reviews
EvgeniyWe spent an unforgettable week in a place that felt like paradise. Every day brought new locations, each more beautiful than the last. And although photos cannot convey the full charm of the moment, all our friends were delighted by the stories we shared with them every day — many have already added this wonderful island to their own travel plans. The sea, dolphins, canyons, trees and animals, caves and dunes — this is what you have to see while you are there. A special thank you to our guide Isa and to Ramen, our driver and cook in one, who made sure the tour went without a single worry.
YuliyaWe have been to a lot of places on our beautiful planet, but this one is truly UNREAL, it really does feel like another planet))) You switch off from civilisation completely and dissolve into this beauty: unique nature, incredible landscapes, the ocean and billions of stars in the sky!! So cool 🔥 Socotra is now one of my top places on the planet!!
FAQ
How do I get to Socotra?
The flight to the island goes through Jeddah (JED airport, Saudi Arabia). You need to arrive in Jeddah a day before the tour starts, and your flight home from Jeddah leaves the day after it ends: that is how the Socotra flights connect. The Jeddah — Socotra flight and back costs $1050 per person and is not included in the tour price, nor is the international flight to Jeddah. We will advise which flights to take.
Do I need a visa?
Yes, a visa and a permit to visit the island are required. The paperwork costs $190 and is paid separately; we prepare the documents, and we need a scan of your passport in advance.
Can I bring a drone?
Yes, but filming on the island requires a licence: it costs €150 and is arranged separately. Without it the drone will be taken at the airport check. Tell us in advance if you plan to film and we will sort out the paperwork.
Can I bring alcohol to the island?
No, bringing alcohol to Socotra is strictly forbidden. Luggage is checked on arrival at the airport and anything found is confiscated, duty-free purchases included. Do not bring it even as a gift.
Where do we stay?
Eight days in tented camps: by Detwah lagoon, on the plateau, on Aomak and Arher beaches and in Homhil. Mattresses, bedding and sun shades are included, and a cook travels with us. There are no hotels on the route — that is exactly what Socotra is about.
What should I bring?
A head torch for Hoq cave, shoes with decent soles for the trails, swimwear and a quick-drying towel, sunscreen and a hat, and your own snorkelling mask if you have one. There are almost no power sockets on the route, so a power bank is useful.
Will there be phone signal and internet?
Yes. There is always Wi-Fi at the camp, and Starlink travels with us in the car, so you have internet on the route as well.
What insurance do I need?
Medical insurance for the whole trip. It is not included in the tour price. We work with ERGO and are insured with them ourselves: their policy covers active holidays, hiking in the mountains and trips to exotic countries. If you are unsure what to choose, write to us and we will explain what to look for in the terms.
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