T R A V E L W I T H N A T
to
Socotra
April 7-14, 2026
I have partnered with the #1 rated local tour company in Socotra on Travel and Leisure to bring you an off-the-beaten-path adventure like never before!
Tour Info
What: 8 day/7 night wild Socotra camping group tour
When: April 7-14, 2026
Where: Socotra - an island of the Republic of Yemen located in the Indian Ocean in the Middle East
Who: 12 spots available (18+)
Tour Cost: $2,200 + $980 RT flight from Abu Dhabi to Socotra and $170 visa = $3,350 (RT flights to/from Abu Dhabi not included)
In order to book, a $980 non-refundable security deposit must be paid to reserve your flight to/from the island from Abu Dhabi. In addition, guests must sign and return these Terms and Conditions and provide a photocopy of their passport that does not expire within 6 months of departure***. This is crucial to reserve your flight from Abu Dhabi to Socotra as flights are limited and there are two flights a week (one on Tuesdays and one on Fridays).
After, there is a 3-part payment plan (tour cost must be paid in full 45 days before start of tour).
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Socotra! We will start our journey from the airport with a scenic drive to the first destination of our camping adventure, Qalansiyah.
On the way, we’ll see local villages, endemic plants, and old Soviet tanks. We might even see a dragon blood tree! We will arrive at Detwah Lagoon, surrounded by cliffs and a local fishing village.
Our waterfront campsite and tents will be waiting for us and we’ll enjoy locally caught fresh seafood for lunch and dinner. We’ll also catch the sunset from a viewpoint above the lagoon!
Day 2: We will start our morning early and take a boat ride from the fishing village of Qalansiyah along the coast to Shoab Beach.
During the boat ride, we’ll get to witness gigantic cliffs, pods of spinner dolphins, and swim in different beaches only accessible by boat.
Later in the afternoon, we will return to Qalansiyah and take a small hike to meet the famous “Caveman” of Socotra.
Day 3: Today, we visit Diksam Plateau and Firmhen Forest! The plateau provides breathtaking views of the island’s famous Dragon Blood trees, which are a unique species found only on Socotra. These trees have a distinctive umbrella-like shape and produce a bright red sap that has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. In April, the Dragon Blood trees are flowering, and we’ll also see Bottle Trees in bloom too.
Day 4: Today’s adventure takes us to Omak Beach and Zaheq Sand Dunes.
On our way, we will visit Digub Cave, a natural wonder that is filled with stalactites and stalagmites.
Our day will end watching the sunset from the sand dunes before heading to our campsite under the stars.
Day 5: Time to hike to Wadi Kalisan, a deep valley created thousands of years ago surrounded by towering cliffs and filled with crystal-clear pools of water.
You will see numerous bottleneck trees on the hike, and a small waterfall at the end of the wadi.
After swimming in the wadi, we will head to the nearby Momi Plateau and end our day with a short hike to Homhil, a natural infinity pool overlooking the ocean.
After a long day of exploring, we will make our way to our own secluded camp at Arher Beach - a stunning stretch of coastline consumed by enormous sand dunes that are created during the monsoon season.
Day 6: We will wake up for sunrise to hike to the top of Arher sand dunes.
After a truly special sunrise, we will have free time to enjoy the beach or hike to Hoq Cave - the second largest cave in the Middle East filled with stalactites and stalagmites! The cave is a natural wonder filled with unique rock formations and ancient inscriptions.
For sunset, we will head to the easternmost point of the island where the Indian Ocean meets the Arabian Sea.
Day 7: Our last stop is the Dihamri Marine Protected Area where you can snorkel and see incredible marine life including sea turtles, moray eels, parrot fish, and more.
Day 8: Sadly, it’s time to go! The group will enjoy a big breakfast where we say goodbye to the local team before heading to the airport to begin the journey back home.
FAQ
What is included?
Camping gear: Individual tent for each guest (with a mattress, pillow, and blanket), camping shower, camp toilet, seating area (set up for group at each camp site by local staff), clean hand washing station
Permits and entrance fees to nature reserves
Transportation throughout the tour (4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser)
Socotri local guide (English speaking)
3 meals a day cooked by a chef + purified drinking water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks
Roundtrip flights from Abu Dhabi to Socotra
Entry visa
What is not included?
Roundtrip international airline tickets to Abu Dhabi
Travel insurance (not mandatory)
Is it dangerous? No!
Why do I have to book so far in advance?
Tourism is limited to Socotra to protect the landscape. Only 5,000-9,000 people visit per year, and there are only two flights to the island per week. Because of this demand, flights book out quite far in advance!
How do I get to Socotra? There are only three ways to get to the island: 1. Direct flight from Abu Dhabi (2.5 hours - best option) 2. Fly from Cairo (2 layovers in mainland Yemen with your passport stamped) 3. Cargo ship from Salalah, Oman that takes two days.
For this tour, the direct flight to Socotra is included in the trip cost, and is organized by Travel with Nat and the local tour operator.
What is the weather like in Socotra in April? 80 degrees Fahrenheit are the highs during the day, and the lows are 70 degrees Fahrenheit. April falls during the island’s dry season.
Is there a strict dress code? Yes. The locals practice Islam, so covering up when visiting local villages is required (legs, back and shoulders - not head). Modest bathing suits and bikinis are acceptable as most beaches we will be away from people, but a sarong or bikini with more coverage is recommended.
Is there cell phone service on the island?
No, but we will have Starlink WiFi each morning and evening at camp. You can also obtain a UAE eSim prior to arrival, or a physical SIM card upon arrival in UAE for 3G service (texting/WhatsApp).
What is the bathroom situation?
Each campsite has public toilets and showers. We are camping in more secluded areas, and will have our own private pop up shower and toilet. You will still have access to the public facilities.
What do the tents look like?
Reserve your spot here
Send an email to hello@travelwithnat.co to confirm your booking!