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Yemen Tours

Yemen mainland tours.

Visit the Hadramout region

With direct flights from Cairo to Seiyun, it’s never been easier to travel to Hadramout, Yemen.

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Historical Yemen has been at the center of trade and exchange on the Arabian peninsula for millennia. The country is a diverse & stunning land with thousands of years of human history and traditions. 

Today however, Yemen is fractured with vast swathes of the country unsafe for visitors.

Along with our regular Socotra Island tours , and following a hugely successful research tour to mainland Yemen in 2023, we now offer tours to the Hadramout region – Yemen’s only safe province for visitors.

You’ll be in the safe hands of our local guides and fixers who always ensure the utmost of safety standards across all of our Yemen tours.

So join us as we delve into the heart of this untouched and authentic region, discovering the unique blend of tradition and natural beauty that makes Hadramout a truly special place

Cairo – Seiyun – Hawta – Tarim – Shibam – Wadi Doa’n – Al-Khuraiba – Haid Al-Jizil – Seiyun – Cairo

See our sample Yemen tour itinerary below. Flights depart from Cairo every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday.

We will apply for your Yemen visa and send you a copy before tour. This is included in the tour price.

Tour   Itineraries

Yemen Mainland Tour

Itinerary October 2024

See the highlights of Hadramout on this memorable Yemen Mainland tour!

  • October 17 - 22nd, 2024

Yemen Mainland Tour - Sample Itinerary

Day 1 - cairo - seiyun.

  • Meet in Cairo airport before our morning flight to Seiyun, Yemen.
  • Arrival into Seiyun. Pick up from the airport and head stright into town to exchange money & shop for some local clothing.
  • Drive to Hawta Palace Hotel & check in.
  • Dinner at the hotel & overnight.

Day 2 - Hawta - Aynat - Tarim Hawta

  • In the morning we visit Sultan Palace in Seiyun and look around the local market.
  • We drive to visit Tarim town – the Sufi historical town built of Mud.
  • Visit Tarim tiny market and the Al-Mihdar mosque – complete with the world’s largest mud minaret.
  • Lunch in Tarim, then drive to visit the Hood Prophet shrine.
  • Drive back to Hawta town.
  • Dinner & overnight.

Day 3 - Hawta - Shibam - Wadi Doa'n

  • Today’s the day visit the most beautiful town in Arabia!  The Manhattan of Arabia itself: Shibam Hadramout.
  • We discover the town on foot while checking out some of the houses, antique shops and rooftops.
  • After we drive 2 hours towards stunning Wadi Doa’n and stop for photos at Al-Hajjrain.
  • Dinner and overnight in the spectacular Haid Al-Jizil Hotel. 

Day 4 - Wadi Doa'n

  • After breakfast we drive before starting our trek down to Hawfah village in Wadi Do’an.
  • It’s a 1-hour trek downhill with beautiful panorama viewpoints.
  • Then we drive to visit Buqshan village, (with multi-coloured palaces) then drive to another beautiful panorama of Wadi Doa’n it’s called – the Budha area.
  • Stop to photograph the villages in Wadi Do’an including Qarn Majed village & other villages on the way until the grand Budha viewpoint.
  • Drive to Al-Rubat town. Walk the streets and mingle with locals in this wadi town. It’s also the historical home to the Bin-Laden family – we can even see the now abandoned Bin-Laden family home.
  • Drive to Al-Khuraiba town & then drive back to Haid Al-Jizil.
  • Sunset view at Haid Al-Jizil Viewpoint over Wadi Doa’n.
  • Dinner & Overnight at the Haid Al-Jizil Hotel.

Day 5 - Wadi Doa'n - Shibam - Hawta.

  • Drive from the beauty of Haid Al-Jizil all the way back to Seiyun.
  • On the way we stop to photograph villages in Wadi Do’an then drive onto Seiyun to pick up some last-minute souvenirs.
  • Arrive at Hawta town.
  • In the late afternoon we drive back to Shibam to photograph the mud city at Sunset from different directions.
  • Back to Hawta Palace Hotel for our last night. 

Day 6 - Hawta - Seiyun - Cairo

  • Early rise and drive back to Seiyun airport.
  • Flight to Cairo.
  • End of tour.

Accommodation Secure local boutique hotels. Guides An expert English-speaking local guide/fixer and driver. Transport All transport to complete the itinerary. Food All meals & water are included. Activities All activities & entrance fees unless otherwise stated. Visa Visa and security clearance. 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Travel Insurance A must for this trip. Yemeni Traditional Clothing It's important to blend in with local dress. jQuery(window).on('elementor/frontend/init elementor/popup/show', function() { var $currentTooltip = '#eael-section-tooltip-6137ab8'; if (typeof tippy !== 'undefined') { tippy($currentTooltip, { content: 'Local Afghani man in Herat', placement: 'bottom', animation: 'perspective', arrow: '1', arrowType: 'sharp', duration: '300', distance: '10', delay: '200', size: 'regular', trigger: 'mouseenter', animateFill: false, flip: true, flipOnUpdate: true, interactive: true, flipBehavior: 'flip', maxWidth: 350, zIndex: 99999, followCursor: false , onShow(instance) { var tippyPopper = instance.popper; jQuery(tippyPopper).attr('data-tippy-popper-id', '6137ab8'); } }); } }); jQuery(window).on('elementor/frontend/init elementor/popup/show', function() { var $currentTooltip = '#eael-section-tooltip-a933563'; if (typeof tippy !== 'undefined') { tippy($currentTooltip, { content: 'On tour in Afghanistan', placement: 'bottom', animation: 'perspective', arrow: '1', arrowType: 'sharp', duration: '300', distance: '10', delay: '200', size: 'small', trigger: 'mouseenter', animateFill: false, flip: true, flipOnUpdate: true, interactive: true, flipBehavior: 'flip', maxWidth: 350, zIndex: 99999, followCursor: false , onShow(instance) { var tippyPopper = instance.popper; jQuery(tippyPopper).attr('data-tippy-popper-id', 'a933563'); } }); } }); Gallery

Yemen tours - faqs, most frequent questions and answers for our tours to yemen mainland..

We only visit the Hadramout region on this tour which is considered safe. We research the security of our destinations highly and safety is a priority, however we also advise you to do your own research as well to ensure you are comfortable with your trip.

The best time to visit is from October to March when the temperatures are comfortable in central & eastern Yemen

There is a direct flight to Seiyun, Yemen from Cairo, Egypt.

USD cash is the most widely accepted.

There are no ATMs and credit cards are not accepted anywhere.

Group size will be no more than 10 travellers.

We’ll be a convoy of comfortable cars .

Every night is in a quality local hotel with twin room sharing. You can upgrade to single rooms if you wish.

Not at all! We can cater to all diets.

Travel insurance is a must. We have teamed up with IATI Travel Insurance because they provide cover for all our destinations. You’ll also automatically receive a 5% discount with them as a Rocky Road Travel customer.

MAinland Yemen Tour

From October to March

Return flight from Cairo

Extra Charge - $890 USD

Quality Hotel

5 nights in Mainland Yemen

Contact us for more info

It's that simple

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WELCOME TO SOCOTRA

A journey to the end of the world.

“The Socotra Archipelago in Yemen has long been a land of mystery. Over the centuries travellers returned from the Indian Ocean isles with bizarre tales - of trees yielding dragon's blood and cucumbers, forest of frankincense, and towering pinnacles in the mist.".

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NEXT DEPARTURES 

We also design bespoke adventures to suit any traveller, from solo to couples or larger groups of friends.

For private tours feel free to pick your own date!

Our itinerary is designed to inspire, whether you are looking to make the most of a classic one week trip, or explore more as part of a longer bespoke adventure.

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Young Pioneer Tours

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Group and independent Socotra Tours 2024 – 2025

Young Pioneer Tours are proud to announce our Socotra Tours for 2024 and 2025, as well as our Socotra independent tour options.

Suffering civil war, coups, revolutions and bombings in recent years, the Republic of Yemen is generally off the radar for most tourists, unless of course you know of travel to the paradise-like island of Socotra.

An ecological wonder with flora and fauna that is unique only to the island, this the most alien place on Earth. While mainland Yemen remain mostly off-limits, now is the best time to visit Socotra.

GROUP TOURS TO SOCOTRA (YEMEN) in 2024 and 2025

Whether it’s coming to a new and inaccessible country, exploring an ecological paradise, hiking, camping, spotting wildlife or having an in-depth experience of Yemen, Socotra is a place for everyone.

2024 Socotra Tours

S ocotra Yemen Island October Tour – October 10th – 17th – $1495

Our first tour after the windy season has abated in Socotra, this a great time to visit Socotra. One of our most popular Socotra tours and one which fills up very quickly!

Socotra Yemen Island October Tour

Socotra Island Yemen November Tour – November 17th – 25th – $1495

With the season back in full swing, here we are once again. This trip features all the best elements of all of our Socotra Tours and again tends to fill up very fast.

Socotra Island Yemen November Tour

Socotra Island Yemen December Tour – December 8th – 16th – $1495

Our very last tour of 2024 to Socotra, before Christmas and again one of the best times to be on this unique isolated island.

Socotra Island Yemen December Tour

2025 Socotra tours

Socotra Yemen Island January Tour – January 19th – January 27th $1495

Our first tour of the year to Socotra. This has us hitting up all the major sites, as well as the hidden gems that only YPT know about.

Socotra Yemen Island January Tour

Socotra Yem en Island March Tour – March 9th – 17th – $1495

For the uninitiated, Socotra is a deeply hot place, so we head here where the weather is cool.

Socotra Yemen Island March Tour

Socotra Yemen Island April Tour – April 13th to 21st – $1495

This is also our last tour before the famous windy season of Socotra begins, closing the island down for tourism until October!

Socotra Yemen Island April Tour

SOCOTRA GROUP TOUR INFORMATION

Every facet of the Yemen visa process is taken care of by YPT for $200 – no need to send your passport away anywhere. The Yemenia Airways Cairo-Socotra chartered round-trip ticket is an additional $1195 per person, which we also arrange for you.

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INDEPENDENT TOURS TO SOCOTRA

In case our dates do not fit yours, you would like to travel alone, or you would like a bespoke Socotra itinerary, then Young Pioneer Tours can help arrange the perfect Socotra tour. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you require.

Independent Socotra Tour examples

We do not list all of our bespoke Socotra itineraries, but can offer some examples, such as the following;

  • Diving in Socotra tours – Diving can be added to any itinerary, even group tours, but with an amazing amount of aquatic beauty we can offer scuba diving specific tours to Socotra.
  • Scientific tours to Socotra – With the unique wildlife, flora and fauna found in Socotra, we can arrange Socotra tours specifically designed around this. Get in touch so that we can arrange everything regarding your project.
  • Two week tours to Socotra – With the flight situation as it is, tours can be one week, two, or theoretically longer! While three weeks would be a bit if push, there is certainly enough to warrant a two week Socotra tour. Again, get in touch for options.
  • Socotra Tours for journalists – Much like other countries in the region, journalists wishing to do a story about Socotra need a special visa. YPT can arrange Socotra Tours for journalists. Please get in touch to discuss requirements.
  • Fishing Tours to Socotra – Socotra offers some of the best and untouched fishing in the world. We can arrange fishing tours to Socotra to suit all needs and budgets. This includes utilizing local fishing boats for budget tours, or chartering bigger boats for more intensive fishing tours to Socotra.

SOCOTRA TOURS SAMPLE ITINERARY – 8 NIGHTS, 9 DAYS

The following is the standard itinerary we use for our Socotra tours. Our current standard tour starts and finishes in Cairo, but we can also arrange tours that originate and finish in Abu Dhabi.

Day 1 – Sunday – Cairo (Egypt) – Aden (Yemen)

  • Depart 10:30pm on Yemenia Airways at Cairo International Airport Terminal 1 (CAI) to Socotra (Yemen)

Day 2 – Monday – Aden – Hadibu (Socotra) – Ayhaft Canyon National Park – Delisha Beach

  • Arrive 3:00am into Aden Airport, and depart again at 7:00am
  • Arrive in Habibu, Socotra at 10:00am. Upon arrival you’ll be greeted by our local Socotri guide who will accompany you for the trip.
  • Begin your drive to Ayhaft Canyon National Park where you can enjoy a short walk to stretch your legs after the flight and lunch.
  • Continue to Delisha Beach – a beautiful white beach next to the sea and a lagoon where you can enjoy the sunset and beverages
  • Dinner at the Delish Tourist Complex.
  • Overnight in your centrally located hotel in Hadibu

Day 3 – Tuesday – Homhil National Park – Arher

  • After breakfast you’ll head for Homhil National Park – famous for its Dragon’s Blood trees, which cannot be found anywhere else outside of Socotra. But that’s not all: many other impressive forms of flora like the bottle tree and the cucumber plant can be found here. After an hour’s walk you’ll reach an amazing crystal-clear pool with a view over the whole southern part of Socotra.
  • For those up for a hike may descend from the mountain on foot. Others may walk back to the car and be driven down towards the beach.
  • Drive to Arher
  • Arher is the meeting point of freshwater and saltwater, creating an impressive natural phenomenon. Over here you’ll find some giant sand dunes.
  • Free to explore around the area on your own. Those up to the challenge may climb the 300 meter high sand dune found here.
  • Dinner and overnight in Arher.

Day 4 – Wednesday – Arher – Hoq’s Cave/Raw Ersil – Dihamri Marine Protected Area

  • Breakfast, then after waking up next to the beach you may choose between 2 morning activities:
  • A steep hike to Hoq’s Cave (4 hours). This is one of the most important spots on the island. OR:
  • Be driven to Raw Erisel, the meeting point of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean and walk from there back to the camp.
  • Once everybody has returned from their chosen activity, you’ll have lunch and drive to Dihamri Marine Protected Area. While the beach may not be so spectacular here, in the sea you’ll find a great diversity of flora and fauna.
  • Here, diving and snorkeling are available (rental available, extra cost) or you can also decide to join the local fishermen for sea expedition!
  • You’ll bring back freshly caught fish from the sea and prepare for the special dinner celebration in Dihamri.
  • Overnight in Hadibu Eco Campsite and partying!

Day 5 – Thursday – Dixsam

  • Breakfast and begin drive to the Dixsam Plateau. This is the most famous spot for the Dragon’s Blood trees, where you can also spot many rare birds.
  • Along the drive you’ll stop for photos at Shehahon’s viewpoint
  • You will have lunch in the village of Dixsam. Here you’ll meet the head of the village who will happily tell more about his functions here and the situation of the people living on Socotra Island.
  • Stop at Wadi Derhur where you can take a walk. This used to be a famous camping spot, but sadly, after a major storm everything was damaged.
  • Hike through the beginning of Fermahin – a forest of Dragon’s Blood trees.
  • Tonight you’ll mingle with the people of a typical Socotri village!
  • Dinner and overnight at a homestay in Dixsam.

Day 6 – Friday – Dixsam – Zahek & Hayf – Dagub – Amak – Dixsam

  • Breaking and head out for a walk through the village accompanied by your new local friends, including a visit to the local garden, where they try to plant new Dragon’s Blood trees.
  • Drive towards the Southern coast at Nogud.
  • Explore the cave of Dagub.
  • Stop at the big sand dunes of Sahek and Hayf at Amak Beach, where you can swim in the sea.
  • Lunch at the cave or at Amak Beach, depending on the sun.
  • Return back to Dixsam for dinner and overnight, surrounded by Dragon’s Blood trees.

Day 7 – Saturday – Qalansiya – Shuaab – Detwah

  • Breakfast and early morning drive to Qalansiya, the second largest city on the island.
  • You’ll take an half an hour long boat trip to Shuaab, passing by huge rock formations and flocks of birds. If you are lucky you might spot a few dolphins!
  • Relax at the most beautiful beach of Socotra and meet the local goat herder, guarding his flock against the lupine hordes.
  • Lunch on the beach.
  • Upon returning to Qalansiya you’ll drive to Detwah Lagoon.
  • Here you’ll make your camp and you can walk around the big lagoon and see the amazing landscape.
  • Located by the lagoon is a hidden cave where Ellai, famously known as the Socotra caveman spends his days fishing, preparing aloe vera and goat skins. He’s incredibly welcoming to your and will show you what he days on a daily basis.
  • Overnight camping at Detwah Eco-campsite.

Day 8 – Sunday – Hadibu

  • Breakfast and return to Hadibu.
  • You’ll spend the day on a city tour of Hadibu  and learn more about life in Yemen.
  • Your first stop will be the women market (including its spice market) where you will get to see the kind of goods people barter on the islands.
  • You will then head to the fish market. Here the fishermen bring a cornucopia of sea creatures and try to sell them to make ends meet. This place can get very lively and you might catch some auctions!
  • You’ll then head to the khat market; it is here that the stimulating narcotic — all the rage in Eastern Africa — is sold.
  • You will stop by the streets of the manufacturers of doors; these artists make ornate doors like those that can be found around many middle-eastern countries. They really make an art of it as each door is unique and is supposed to represent the family that lives inside the house it protects.
  • You finish your day trip popping by a local school where you meet students, as well as the teachers, and interact with them for a possible impromptu English lesson
  • Tonight is your last night in the faraway paradise, time to celebrate.
  • Overnight in our hotel in Hadibu

Day 9 – Monday – Habidu – Cairo (Egypt)

  • Breakfast, peaceful morning before catching your flight back to Cairo to board your 11:00am flight on Yemenia Airways.
  • Arrive into Aden at 2:00pm, departing again at 6:00pm.
  • Arrive into Cairo at 11:30pm at Cairo International Airport Terminal 1.
  • Tour concludes

Frequently asked questions about Socotra Tours

The following are some of the most frequently asked questions about our tours to Socotra. If you have further questions then get in touch and talk to the Socotra experts

Is Socotra safe?

When is the best time to visit socotra, what is the best way to get to socotra, what currency is used in socotra, is there any internet or cellular network on socotra, is there any electricity on socotra, do you cater for dietary requirements.

Socotra Tours

If you have more questions about traveling to Socotra then please get in touch.

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experience: Since 2000

gender: Male

  • Private Tour Guide in : Sana
  • Other Guiding Areas: Socotra Island
  • Languages: Arabic , English
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After nine years of pioneering custom guided tours of Yemen, I founded Yemen Explorer in 2000, at a time when tourism in Yemen just began to take hold.Our intention was to allow foreigners the unique opportunity to visit the South Arabian Peninsula and experience the roots of Arabian culture.With over 13 years of experience in tourism, our staff has not only an understanding of what our guests seek in a visit to Yemen but a passion for exceeding our guests’ expectations.As such, we work closely with our clients to tailor customized programs at all times of the year, selecting the best hotels Yemen has to offer in order to ensure that our guests travel in comfort.We are also experienced in organizing treks, camping expeditions and desert excursions throughout the country.Our multilingual guides share our passion for tourism and are well versed in Yemeni history and culture.This allows them to offer well-rounded tours, with the inside knowledge to provide you with an experience you will never forget.With our guests’ comfort in mind, we offer tours in modern and comfortable land cruisers.We ensure that our vehicles are well maintained, to guarantee our guests a smooth ride.We at Yemen Explorer believe that Yemen is a treasure of wonders, and hope that you will allow us to an opportunity to share it with you.

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THE 10 BEST Yemen Tours & Excursions

Yemen tours.

  • Multi-day Tours
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  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

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Welcome to Sheba Tourism & Travel

Sheba Tourism & Travel is one of the leading tour operators in Yemen. Since 1982 our company has been successfully working in the field of incoming tourism and proved it self to be a competent and reliable partner in providing.

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long-term experience in the field of tourism and fruitful Cooperation

Western companies contribute to our understanding of demands and needs of international travel market.

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Sheba Tourism & Travel is one of the leading tour operators in Yemen. Since 1982 our company has been successfully working in the field of incoming tourism and proved it self to be a competent and reliable partner in providing tourist services to individual and group tourists and organizing business meetings, and conferences. This long-term experience in the field of tourism and fruitful cooperation with western companies contribute to our understanding of demands and needs of international tourism market.

Sheba Tourism & Travel offers packages of services for incoming tourists as following:- 1. Ticketing 2. Cars Rental 3. Minibus Rental 4. Cruises Services 5. Transport Services 6. Meals and Beverages 7. Hotels Accommodation 8. Organizing Tours and Tourists Programs

Welcome to Arabia Felix

Yemen is one of the oldest centers of civilization in the world. Between the ninth century BC and the sixth century AD, it was part of the Sabaean, Awsanian, Minaean, Qatabanian, Hadhramawtian, Himyarite, and some other kingdoms, which controlled the lucrative spice trade. It was known to the Ancient Romans as Arabia Felix ("Lucky Arabia") because of the riches its trade generated. Augustus Caesar attempted to annex it, but the expedition failed. The Ethiopian Kingdom of Aksum annexed it by around 520, and it was subsequently taken by the Sassanids Persians around 570. Yemen is considered as one of the ancient civilization in the world Yemen has become most visited area on the region not only because it is attractive country but because the people who take an interest in its heritage, unique picturesque, landscapes and geographical variety. By other meaning Yemen is well known and famous – in addition to the historical sites – by mild climate divided to green mountains, long beaches, wide deserts and islands which have rarest kinds of plants and animals. Which make any group coming to Yemen for tourism are interested to extend their visit. What make it more encouraging Yemenis welcoming and hospitality.

Yemen is one of the oldest centers of civilization in the world. Between the ninth century BC and the sixth century AD, it was part of the Sabaean, Awsanian, Minaean, Qatabanian, Hadhramawtian, Himyarite, and some other kingdoms, which controlled the lucrative spice trade. It was known to the Ancient Romans as Arabia Felix ("Lucky Arabia") because of the riches its trade generated. Augustus Caesar attempted to annex it, but the expedition failed. The Ethiopian Kingdom of Aksum annexed it by around 520, and it was subsequently taken by the Sassanids Persians around 570. In the 3rd century and again in the late sixth and early seventh centuries AD, many Sabaean and Himyarite people migrated out of the land of Yemen following the destructions of the Ma'rib Dam (sadd Ma'rib) and migrated to North Africa and northern part of the Arabian Peninsula. In the 7th century, Islamic caliphs began to exert control over the area. After this caliphate broke up, the former North Yemen came under control of Imams of various dynasties usually of the Zaidi sect, who established a theocratic political structure that survived until modern times. (Imam is a religious term. The Shi'ites apply it to the prophet Muhammad's son-in-law Ali, his sons Hassan and Hussein, and subsequent lineal descendants, whom they consider to have been divinely ordained unclassified successors of the prophet.) Egyptian Sunni Caliphs occupied much of North Yemen throughout the eleventh century. By the sixteenth century and again in the nineteenth century, north Yemen was part of the Ottoman Empire, and in some periods its Imams exerted control over south Yemen. North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918 and became a republic in 1962. In 1839, the British occupied the port of Aden and established it as a colony in September of that year. They also set up a zone of loose alliances (known as protectorates) around Aden to act as a protective buffer. In 1967, the British withdrew and gave back Aden to Yemen due to extreme pressure of battles with the North and Egyptian allies. After the British withdrawal, this area became known as South Yemen. The two countries were formally united as the Republic of Yemen on May 22 1990.

Yemen is a republic with a bicameral legislature. Under the constitution, an elected president, an elected 301-seat House of Representatives, and an appointed 111-member Shura Council share power. The president is head of state, and the prime minister is head of government. The constitution provides that the president be elected by popular vote from at least two candidates endorsed by Parliament; the prime minister is appointed by the president. The presidential term of office is seven years, and the parliamentary term of elected office is six years. Suffrage is universal over 18 years of age. President Ali Abdullah Saleh became the first elected President in reunified Yemen in 1999 [though he had been President of unified Yemen since 1990 and President of North Yemen since 1978] and most recently was re-elected in September of 2006 after an initial reluctance to run once more. His victory was marked by an election that international observers judged to be "generally free and fair." Popular demonstrations and editorials of support in major papers helped change his mind to run again. In April 2003 parliamentary elections were held, and the General People's Congress (GPC) maintained an absolute majority.   The constitution calls for an independent judiciary. The former northern and southern legal codes have been unified. The legal system includes separate commercial courts and a Supreme Court based in Sana?. Since the country is an Islamic state, the Islamic holy book, the Qur'an, is the basis for all laws, and no law may contradict the Qur'an. Indeed many court cases are debated by the religious basis of the laws i.e. by interpretations of the Qur'an. For this reason, many Judges are religious scholars as well as legal authorities. Unlike Saudi Arabia and other Islamic states, the consumption of alcohol by foreigners is tolerated, and the mild stimulant Qat is chewed by Yemenis of all strata of society, despite being banned or frowned upon by other Islamic countries and groups. The political elites of Yemen are the Hashid tribe and the Bakeel tribe. President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the Speaker of the Parliment are from the Hashid Tribe.

In terms of GDP per capita, Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Arab world. Remittances from Yemenis working abroad and foreign aid paid for perennial trade deficits. Substantial Yemeni communities exist in many countries of the world, including Yemen's immediate neighbors on the Arabian Peninsula, Indonesia, India, East Africa, and also the United Kingdom, and the United States, especially in the area around Detroit, Michigan. Beginning in the mid-1950s, the Soviet Union and China provided large-scale assistance. For example the Chinese are currently involved with the expansion of the International Airport in Sanaa. In the south, pre-independence economic activity was overwhelmingly concentrated in the port city of Aden. The seaborne transit trade, which the port relied upon, collapsed with the closure of the Suez Canal and Britain's withdrawal from Aden in 1967. Since unification, the government has worked to integrate two relatively disparate economic systems. However, severe shocks, including the return in 1990 of approximately 850,000 Yemenis from the Gulf states, a subsequent major reduction of aid flows, and internal political disputes culminating in the 1994 civil war hampered economic growth. Yemen, the fastest growing democracy in the Middle East, is attempting to climb into the middle human development region through ongoing political and economic reform. Since the conclusion of the war, the government entered into agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to implement a structural adjustment program. Phase one of the IMF program included major financial and monetary reforms, including floating the currency, reducing the budget deficit, and cutting subsidies. Phase two will address structural issues such as civil service reform. In early 1995, the government of Yemen launched an economic, financial and administrative reform program (EFARP) with the support of the World Bank and the IMF, as well international donors. The First Five-Year Plan (FFYP) for the years 1996 to 2000 was introduced in 1996. The World Bank has focused on public sector management,including civil service reform, budget reform and privatization. In addition, attracting diversified private investment, water management and poverty-oriented social sector improvements has been made a priority for the implementation of the programs in Yemen. These programs had a positive impact on Yemen?s economy and led to the reduction of the budget deficit to less than 3% of GDP during the period 1995-99 and the correction of macro-financial imbalances.[1] In 1997, IMF and the government began medium-term economic reform programs under the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF). This reform program was aimed at reducing dependence on the oil sector and establishing a market environment for real non-oil GDP growth and investment in the non-oil sector. Increasing the growth rate in the non-oil sector was one of the most important problems to be tackled by the government. These programs included reducing unemployment, strengthening the social safety net and increasing financial stability. To achieve these reforms, the government and IMF implemented containment of government wages, improvements in revenue collection with the introduction of reforms in tax administration, and a sharp reduction in subsidies bills by increasing prices on subsidized goods. As a result, the fiscal cash deficit was reduced from 16 percent of GDP to 0.9 percent from 1994 to 1997. This was supported by aid from oil export countries despite the wide-ranging fluctuations in world oil prices. The real growth rate in the non-oil sector rose by 5.6 percent during 1995-97. [2] The World Bank is active in Yemen, with twenty-two active projects in 2004, including projects to improve governance in the public sector, water, and education. In 1996 and 1997, Yemen has lowered its debt burden through Paris Club agreements and restructuring U.S. foreign debt. In 2003, government reserves reached $5 billion. The main oil produced and used in Yemen is Marib oil. Marib oil contains associated natural gas. Proven reserves of 10 to 13 trillion cubic feet (283 to 368 km?) could sustain a liquid natural gas (LNG) export project.

  Yemen is in the Middle East, in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, west of Oman and south of Saudi Arabia. A number of Red Sea islands, including the Hanish Islands, Kamaran and Perim, as well as Socotra in the Arabian Sea belong to Yemen. At 203,837 mi? (527,970 km?), Yemen is the world's 49th-largest country (after France). It is comparable in size to Thailand, and somewhat larger than the U.S. state of California. Yemen is found at 15? N 48? E. Until recently its northern border was undefined because the Arabian Desert prevented any human habitation there. The country can be divided geographically into four main regions: the coastal plains in the west, the western highlands, the eastern highlands, and the Rub al Khali in the east. The Tihamah ("hot lands") form a very arid and flat coastal plain. Despite the aridity, the presence of many lagoons makes this region very marshy and a suitable breeding ground for malarial mosquitoes. There are also extensive crescent-shaped sand dunes. The evaporation in the Tihama is so great that streams from the highlands never reach the sea, but they do contribute to extensive groundwater reserves; today these are heavily exploited for agricultural use. The Tihamah ends abruptly at the escarpment of the western highlands. This area, now heavily terraced to meet the demand for food, receives the highest rainfall in Arabia, rapidly increasing from 100 mm (4 inches) per year to about 760 mm (30 inches) in Ta'izz and over 1,000 mm (40 inches) in Ibb. Agriculture here is very diverse, with such crops as sorghum dominating, but cotton and many fruit trees are also grown, with mangoes being the most valuable. Temperatures are hot in the day but fall dramatically at night. There are perennial streams in the highlands but these never reach the sea because of high evaporation in the Tihama. The central highlands are an extensive high plateau over 2,000 metres (6,560 feet) in elevation. This area is drier than the western highlands because of rain-shadow influences, but still receives sufficient rain in wet years for extensive cropping. Diurnal temperature ranges are among the highest in the world: ranges from 30 ?C (86 ?F) in the day to 0 ?C (32 ?F) at night are normal.[citation needed] Water storage allows for irrigation and the growing of wheat and barley. Sana'a is located in this region. The highest point in Yemen is Jabal an Nabi Shu'aya, at 3,760 meters (12,336 ft). The Rub al Khali in the East is much lower, generally below 1,000 metres, and receives almost no rain. It is populated only by Bedouin herders of camels.

While the national language is Arabic (spoken in several regional dialects), Yemen is one of the main homelands of the South Semitic family of languages, which includes the non-Arabic language of the ancient Sabaean Kingdom. Its modern Yemeni descendants are closely related to the modern Semitic languages of Eritrea and Ethiopia. However, only a small remnant of those languages exists in modern Yemen, notably on the island of Socotra and in the back hills of the Hadhramaut coastal region. Modern South Arabian languages spoken in Yemen include Mehri, with 70,643 speakers, Soqotri, with an estimated 43,000 speakers in the Socotra archipelago (2004 census) and 67,000 worldwide, and Bathari (with an estimated total of only 200 speakers). Foreign language in public schools is taught from grade seven on, though the quality of public school instruction is low. Private schools using a British or American system teach English and produce proficient speakers, but Arabic is the dominant language of communication. The number of English speakers in Yemen is small compared to other Arab countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Private schools have also started to teach French alongside Arabic and English.

Tourism Guide

Name : Republic of Yemen Motto : Allah, al-Watan, at-Thawra, al-Wehda ,God, the Nation, the Revolution, Unity Anthem : United Republic Capital : Sana'a (15°21'18\"N 44°12'25.2\"E) Area : Total 554,968 km² (48th) Population : 2016 estimate 27,584,213 (48th) Currency : Yemeni Rial (YER) Time zone : (UTC+3) ISO 3166 code : YE Calling code : +967

Yemeni Cities

SANA'A It is divided into the capital city and province of Sana'a capital city, it is the political and historical capital city of Republic of Yemen. It is situated in the midst of the Yemeni plateau in the lowlands of Sana'a between the two mountains Nugum and Ayban at a height of about 2200 m. above sea level. It is Sam city by informed people and Azal in the verse of poets. Naming it Sana'a was because of the quality it made itself like saying a beautiful lady. It was known by this name since the birth of Christ, peace on him its heart is the old Sana'a which still preserves its original structural characteristics and the most important touristic and the antiquity features in the capital city. GHAMDAN PALACE. THE Great Mosque. souk AL-Milh,i.e. salt Market. Old Simserat, Bab AL-Yemen Museum, the Military Museum ,Museum of Archeology in the University of Sana'a There are a number of historical and archeological location in the province of Sana'a, which has a vest fame such as Ghaiman, Husn Zimarmar, Amran, Naeet, Thula, Zeibeen, Manakha and other places of touristic value.

"WADI DHAHR This fertile Wadi lies west of Sana'a at a distance of some 17 km. Its most prominent landmark is the Wadi Dhahr palace which was the summer residence of the Imam."
"MANAKHA Lies in the middle of Sana'a Hodeida highway. Manakha has benefitted from its being an important road used by the Turks during the past century. It is now the capital of Haraz district and is surrounded by many beautiful villages. ALHAJJARA Here the weather is cool and the atmosphere is mysterious. Alhajara the extraordinary and most impressive example of stone architecture in all Yemen."
"SHIBAM A pre–Islamic city located at the base of Kowkaban mountain. The caves hewn out of the rock are graves used before the advent of Islam .the principal mosque in Shibam is more than a millennium old and retains many of the ancient architecture and designs."
"KOWKABAN Located at a great height above Shibam the name is that of two old castles. It is strongly fortified and the Turks vainly attempted to invade several times. it has water basins and grain silos hewn out of the earth, enabling retention of grain for a long period without opening its gates even once."
"THULA The gem of Yemeni architecture with natural stone. The multi-storey buildings are fully built of stone without the use of cement. there is also the fortress tall towers that render the peak of the mountain steep."
"AL MAHWEET It is distinguished by its individual location overlooking to the terraces of the farms and wadis in which the coffee plantation is enormous as also some equatorial fruits. There are villages over tips of the mountains. The main towns and features in the province are Shibam Kowkaban one of the Himierity civilization centre, Kowkaban is a natural bridge and historical fortress Al Tawila, is embraced by an eagle like mountain Al-Ahjur and Hoffash."
"SAA’DA One of the cities of captivating beauty and was the centre of past great writers, narrators, men of letters, warriors and scholars. it is a fortified city with a mud wall enclosing its houses built of compressed clay. its most prominent landmarks are the great Mosque, the Fortress and the cemetery if Imam Alhadi's family dating back to c.999 Hijriyyah SHAHARA The famed mountainous town located on the summit of "
"Shahara mountain rising to 3,000 m. it was never taken by its stone bridge between two mountains. It is also famed for its Mosques and water cisterns hewn out of the rock.8 years a new city adjacent to the asphalted road linking Sana'a and Saada has appeared."
"TAIZZ Capital of the Rasulid state and one of the fortified cities. Narration about its founding date vary, with some setting the date at 1183 A.D during the era of king Tughtakin and others dating it earlier than that. in any case it was a resort of the kings of Himyar and was known in anceint times by the name of Odaina. its more prominent landmark is the Al sharafya schoolnamed after sultan Alasharf Ismaili the Rasulid. It dates back to c .800 Hijriyyah and is still functioning today."
"ALTURBA The town is located nearby the city Taiz and on the edge of the wadi Almaqatera. from this wadi the waters flow southwards to the Indian Ocean."
"YAFRUS Located near Taiz. The social reformer and scholar Ahmed Alkhamri is buried here his tomb was erected by the Tahirids in honour of this Yemeni reformer and has become a site to which many go to visit."
"SABER MOUNTAIN Lies behind the walls of the ancient city of Taiz and rises to a height of 3,006m. above sea level. From its midst one overlooks the Al –Qahira fortress dominating the ancint city of Taiz. this mountain is famed for the cultivation of qat and various fruits."
"MOKHA An old ancient port of Yemen which shipped Mocha coffee to countries all over the world during the 17th and 18th centuries. At present it witnesses new development with new and modern port facilities and a large power station."
"ZABID Seat of learning and city of scholars. Before being planned in 204 Hijriyyah/819 A.D, it was a small group of tiny villages. beginning with the Al Asha'ri'a and the Nagagib until the decline of the kingdoms, it played the role of the scholarly university. it has retained its architectural and scientific treasures till this day. The city and its walls are both built wth clay."
"BAIT AL FAQEEH The Islamic city of the Zarneeq, nearby Zabid, also famed for its learning. it is also famed for weaving of carpets equal in quality with those of Alsham. it has a weekly suq held on Friday."
"ALKHOKHAH A beautiful costal village taking pride in its golden beaches and the best palm trees in Yemen, the clear warm water of the sea lap it around the year."
"HODEIDAH It is the second largest port of the republic of Yemen. Hodeida has a fish market in the early hours of the day During the past decade Hodeida has witnessed a great extent of expansion and modernization."
"ALTOR Coming down westwards from Hajja the Altor village appears to have many of the architectural features of a Tihama settlement, such as the small stone buildings of the round huts made of wood and straw. it has a weekly suq."
"HAJJAH A fast growing town which used to be an advanced outpost of many opponents of the despotic Imamic rule. it played an important role in aiding the Republicans. its most prominent landmark is Alqahira fort decorated into the walls by the Imams' political prisoners."
"RADA' Capital of the Tahirid state during the 15th century. perhaps the Al –Amiriyya mosque and school 1451-1517 have the most detailed and numerous decorations and varied scripts ranging from the kufic to the common script among all the mosques of Yemen. here also is the fortress built by Shamar Yaro'osh Al-Amiriyya before the christain era."
"ALBAIDHA The capital city is the town of Albaida, in the south eastern of the capital Sana'a, at a height of about 2250m. above sea level. its old houses are distinct by its characteristics which resembles those of the houses found in sada. The areas following the province of Al baida are famous for breeding camels and using them for trasportation and for using the milk. AlBaida is also famous in manufacutring traditional old style clothes. the main regious in the province are Rada'a. in which there is the Amiria school and the ancient fort."
"DAMT Located in wadi Bana and famed for its warm water springs used by people for treatment and cure of various diseases. no other place in yemen can boast the wonderful rocks that beautify the area nearby Damt."
"IBB The lands surrounding ibb receive the greatest amount of rainfall than any other place in Yemen. thus , it lies in the very heart of " Green Yemen "and its mountains are covered with a bed of trees. it also has great architectural edifices."
"JIBLA The capital chosen by Queen Arwa bint Ahmed Alsulaihi, who ruled Yemen during the 11th and 12th centuries A.D the memory of Queen Arwa. whose body now reposes in the great Mosque in Jibla, is still alive in the memory of the people during her long reign lasting for more than fifty years, she realized peace and economic prosperity for the country."
"ALJANAD It has a Mosque that equals the great Mosque in Sana'a in fame, being the oldest Mosque in Yemen. It was built during the lifetime of prophet Mohamed (peace and Blessings of Allah be uponhim) it was built by the revered companion of the prophet. Ma'ad bin jabel in the sixth year of the Hijra."
"ADEN Was in the past the main port of all the ancient Yemeni kingdoms. now it is the largest Yemeni port and is the considered a free trade zone."
"MAEN The political of the Maen kingdom and known in anceint times by the name of Qarnaw. the little temple outside its wall is commonly called "temple of Aad's Daughters There is no doubt it is one of the best religious ruins remaining in the southern part of the arabian peninsula."
"BARAQISH Baraqish was the economic capital of Maen state and was named "Yathil" in anceint times. it was center of the Maenian state which flourished during the 4th century A.D it was an important trading post on gum and frankincense route and still retains its great wall covered with ancient Musnad inscriptions."
"MARIB Capital of the sabaen state. located on the ancient gum and frankincense trade route linking the indian Ocean and the mediterranean sea. its most prominent historic landmark is the dam built by king "Sama Ali Yanuf "in c.3,000 B.C in addition to the dam there are the remnants of ancient temple, the most famous among them being Mahram Bilquis. it has been mentioned in the Holy Quran as the "land of the two paradises" lately a new dam has been constructed in place of the ancient one to make it a verdant oasis once more."
"SHABWA The capital city is Ataq, at a distance of 345 km east of Sana'a, passing by Ramlat Al sab'atein. old Shabwa represents a high position in the old yemeni civilization histort as it was the capital cityfor the state of Hadramaut. Shabwa was booming due to the trade of olibanum and incense and due to its old famous sea port of kana "Bir Ali"now .the main features in it are in Baihan. Haban ,Azan and Hamam Al-Radm."
"SHIBAM HADHARAMAUT The fantastic city of "sky scrapers" The "Manhattan" of the desert."
"SAIYOUN Saiyoun is in Wadi Hadhramaut and is considered one of the most beautiful Yemeni cites with its intricate windows and magnificent place."
"TARIM Tarim is located at the eastern extremity of Wadi Hadhramaut surrounded by the green palm trees The city was in the past a religious city famous for its Islamic university. from that period we still have beautiful minarets, decorated tombs and a rich library."
"HUSN ALGHUAIZI This is the site of an ancient fortress situated at the summit of a cliff overlooking the road to the town of Mukalla. it was built in 1884 after the famous battle of Al Bakarye, this fortress was used as a controlling position of the surrounding farms."
"MUKALLA It is situated 622 km to the east of Aden. the picturesque city is constructed on the Arabian sea, boasting a beautiful gulf and a fine harbor. the scenery here looks like that recounted by Sinbad the sailor. When you are in Al –Mukalla don't forget to visit the old city, the castle and the museum."
"ALMAHARA The capital city is Al-Ghaida. It’s borders the sultanate of Oman. and it distinct that the citizens, besides their Arabic language, speak another verbal dialectic language and it roots go back to the old Yemeni language named in Al Mahara Amharia language. in Al mahara there are many coastal towns out looking to the Arabian sea the main of which are Saihoot, Qashen and Hawf. the Mahara has played a big role in the Yemeni Navigation history and there is situated the port of Nushtoon. it was one of the old centre producing oil banum."

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“Discover the Beauty of Socotra Island: An Unforgettable Experience”

Start your adventure in Socotra, one of the world’s most unique and exotic destinations, with a warm welcome from your local Yemeni guide at Socotra Airport (SCT).

Your first stop is Qalansiyah, a vibrant town and the second largest on the island. Fuel up with a delicious lunch at Detwah Lagoon, where you can witness the stunning beauty of the island’s main beach and immerse yourself in its diverse marine life.

As the day comes to a close, take in the breathtaking sunset near Qalansiyah and capture the memories with a quick photo-stop at the historic Russian military tank in Alalmah village. Conclude the day with a scrumptious dinner and a peaceful overnight stay at the enchanting Detwah Lagoon.

The highlight of the day: Explore the Rare Ecosystem of Socotra Island, with Its Majestic Scenery and Rich Culture.

tour operator yemen

Uncover the Wonders of Socotra Island: A Dolphin-Watching and Bird-Watching Paradise

Begin your morning with an exciting boat trip to Shoab Beach, where you can spot the famous acrobatic spinner dolphins and a variety of sea birds while admiring the stunning rock formations. The Socotra island is home to 225 species of birds, including six unique and endemic species like the Socotra Bunting , Socotra Sparrow , and Socotra Warbler .

After your dolphin-watching adventure, take some time to relax and soak in the beauty of Shoab Beach, known as the most picturesque beach in Socotra. Try your hand at line fishing with local fisherman before heading back to Qalansiyah for lunch at Detwah Lagoon.

Spend the afternoon exploring the pristine lagoon with its vast seagrass meadows and an abundance of endemic vegetation and wildlife, including the vulnerable whipray and bluespotted ribbontail ray . You may also spot Egyptian vultures and Socotra cormorants . Return to your camp before sunset and enjoy a delicious dinner and peaceful overnight stay at Detwah Lagoon.

The highlight of the day: Dive into the Rich Wildlife and Natural Beauty of Socotra Island: A Nature Lover’s Dream.

tour operator yemen

  • Embark on a Journey to Explore the Heart of Socotra Island: A Land of Dragons and Nomads

After a hearty breakfast, your journey begins at the Diksam Plateau and Rokeb Farmhin, an area renowned for its unique Dragon’s blood trees and the nomadic Bedouin people. Capture breathtaking views at Shebahon’s viewpoint and enjoy a delicious lunch in the village of Diksam.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Socotra as you visit the Farmhin Dragon’s blood tree forest. Take a stroll through the stunning Wadi Dehur canyon and hike through the enchanting Fermahin forest of Dragon’s blood trees. Meet the local pastoralists and gain an understanding of their way of life.

For a truly authentic experience, dine with the locals and savor traditional flavors in a village. Spend the night surrounded by the beauty of the Farmhin forest and its famous Dragon’s blood trees.

The highlight of the day: Discover the Authentic Charm of Socotra Island: A Fascinating Land of Natural Wonders and Rich Culture.

tour operator yemen

Exploring the Natural Wonders of Socotra’s South Coast

Embark on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Socotra’s South Coast, where nature’s beauty is at its finest. Start your day with a delicious breakfast before setting off towards Nuged, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit Degub Cave and marvel at the stunning views of the surrounding villages.

Afterwards, you’ll head to the stunning Aomak Sandy Beach, where you can soak up the sun and swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. A delicious lunch, prepared by our team, will be waiting for you on the beach, giving you the chance to relax in the shade of the palm trees.

In the afternoon, prepare to be awed by the breathtaking sunset at Hayf and Zaheq’s Big Sand Dunes. This unique landscape is a combination of golden sand and vibrant skies that are truly mesmerizing. Finally, return to Aomak Beach for an overnight stay, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the South Coast.

tour operator yemen

  • Discover the Beauty of Momi Plateau and its Surroundings

Get ready to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of Momi Plateau, a 3-hour drive from your starting point. Visit Kelesehan Natural Pools, renowned for its fresh water swimming pools and cascading waterfalls. Admire the unique bottle trees as you drive through Wadi Farho, a famous palm tree oasis. After a refreshing swim, enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by your local team at Qaria Palm Trees Oasis.

Next, head to Arher, a magical place where freshwater and saltwater meet, creating a natural phenomenon surrounded by towering sand dunes. This is the perfect spot to witness a breathtaking sunrise and experience the desert’s serenity. Finish the day with a cozy dinner and overnight stay in Arher.

tour operator yemen

  • Discover the Beauty of Sunrise and Natural Wonders on a Sunrise Hike at the Sand Dunes and Cave Adventure

Wake up early to witness the breathtaking beauty of the sand dunes as the sun rises over the Arabian Desert. After a filling breakfast, embark on a 4-hour trek to Hog Cave, a 2.5 km long cave filled with magnificent stalactites, stalagmites, and rim pools, as well as ancient writings. After exploring the cave, enjoy a delicious lunch before driving to Arher beach. In the afternoon, visit Ras Erisal, where the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean converge, and interact with the local children in the nearby village. Conclude your day with a relaxing dinner and overnight stay at Arher beach, surrounded by the stunning Arabian desert.

tour operator yemen

Discover the Beauty of Homhil National Park & Snorkel in Dihamri Marine Protected Area

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at 7 AM, then get ready for an exciting adventure at Homhil National Park. This natural botanical garden is known for its diverse plant life, including the rare Dragon’s blood trees and frankincense trees, found only on the island of Socotra. Take a leisurely walk and explore the unique flora, including bottle trees and cucumber plants. The highlight of the park is the stunning natural swimming pool with breathtaking views of the Northern part of the island.

After lunch at Qaria Palm Oasis, continue on to Dihamri Marine Protected Area where you can experience the magic of snorkeling and witness the colorful marine life, including different types of fish and coral reefs. End the day at Delisha Beach, where you can relax and enjoy dinner before an overnight stay in a hotel.

tour operator yemen

Farewell, until next time! Your trip to Socotra has been filled with unique and unforgettable experiences, from exploring the Degub Cave and Omaq Sandy Beach, to hiking the Hog Cave and witnessing the sunrise from the sand dunes of Arher. You’ve also been able to visit the beautiful Homhil National Park, snorkel in the Dihamri Marine Protected Area, and relax on the shores of Delisha Beach. While it’s time to say goodbye, the memories and magic of Socotra will stay with you, and who knows, you may find yourself returning to this breathtaking island in the future.

  • This is a private Yemen tour package .
  • Multi-day private tour in Socotra.
  • Discover the pristine wilderness of Socotra, where the only way to travel is through camping. With no hotels on the island, you'll fully immerse yourself in nature while our complete camping gear ensures a comfortable stay.
  • Respect the natural beauty of Socotra by leaving no human footprint behind.
  • English-speaking guide.
  • Learn about the culture of Socotra.
  • Discover the Beauty of Socotra Island
  • Uncover the Wonders of Dolphin-Watching and Bird-Watching
  • Exploring the Natural Wonders of Socotra’s South Coast
  • Discover the Beauty of Homhil National Park & Snorkel in Dihamri Marine Protected Area
  • 8 days in Socotra.
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Local support team
  • Ground transport within the island
  • All sightseeing activities as outlined in the itinerary
  • Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with bottled water
  • All necessary permits and permissions
  • Yemen visa support, fees, and processing
  • Tent accommodation and camping gear
  • Final night in a local hotel
  • Guide in Homhil protected area
  • Boat trip to Shoub for dolphin sighting
  • Guide in Hog cave
  • Guide in Farmhin forest for the Dragon's blood trees
  • All entrance and camping fees in protected areas

Not included

  • Flight tickets to/from Socotra
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips for the local team
  • Personal expenses (e.g. telephone calls)
  • Rapid COVID-19 test (for those not vaccinated or without a certificate)
  • Snorkeling gear and diving in Dihamri
  • Local dance performances
  • All that’s not mentioned as included

Uncover the Beauty of Socotra with All-Inclusive Services.

Welcome to Socotra Island! You will be embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that promises to be nothing short of breathtaking. Our local support team will be there to ensure that everything runs smoothly from the moment you step on the island. We’ve got all your transportation needs covered with our 4WD, so you can sit back, relax, and take in all the natural wonders around you. We’ve also got all your meals sorted, so you won’t have to worry about a thing. With three delicious and nutritious meals a day, you’ll have plenty of energy to explore all the sights and sounds of the island.

You’ll have a local speaking guide who will accompany you on your travels and share all their knowledge and insights with you. From the stunning Degub Cave to the pristine Omaq Beach, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the beauty of the island. And after a day filled with exploration, you’ll get to unwind in comfortable tents and camping gear that we’ll provide for you. The last day of your trip, you’ll get to spend in a local hotel, so you can freshen up and say goodbye to the island in style.

We’ve also got some amazing experiences in store for you, from the crystal-clear waters of Kelesehan Natural Pools to snorkeling in the Dihamri Marine Protected Area. You’ll even get to see the famous Dragon’s Blood Trees in Homhil National Park and catch a glimpse of the dolphins in the Shoub Boat Trip. And let’s not forget the incredible Hog Cave, where you’ll get to explore the 2.5 km long cave filled with natural beauty, including stalactites, stalagmites, and rim pools.

All the permits and permissions required for your trip are taken care of, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. We’ve even got the visa support documents, visa fees, and processing covered. And of course, all the entrance and camping fees for the protected areas will be taken care of. So sit back, relax, and let us take you on a journey that you’ll never forget.

Our company offers both scheduled and private tours to the exotic island of Socotra every week from September to May. The flights depart from Abu Dhabi every Tuesday, providing a convenient and reliable means of transportation to the island. Please note that due to the limited number of flights, with only one flight per week, travelers must stay on the island until the next flight. As a result, the tour length is fixed at 8 days to ensure that you have ample time to explore and experience all that Socotra has to offer.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

  • Arrival City Socotra Airport
  • Departure City Socotra Airport
  • Accommodation Wild camping + 1 night hotel
  • English-speaking Guide Included
  • Transportation 4WD
  • Meals Full-board
  • Highlights Alalmah, Detwah Lagoon, Qalansyai, Shoub Beach, Rokeb Farmhin, Degub cave, Omaq Beach, Hayf and Zahak Dunes, Momi plateau, Kelesehan Canyon, Wadi Farho, Arher Beach, Ras Erisal, Homhil National Park, Delisha Beach
  • Destination Tours in Asia Yemen
  • Trip Type Private Tour

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Contact us to add to this list

The following are tour companies and travel agents in Yemen which have websites. A more detailed list, including addresses and telephone numbers of companies without websites, can be found here .

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Basics   Books   City summaries   Hotels   Tour companies   Travellers' tales   What to see  

Other pages: Maps of Yemen

How to travel to Yemen (mainland) in 2024

By Joan Torres 11 Comments Last updated on May 3, 2024

Yemen-travel-featured

Yemen is a country which has been taken from a fairy tale, a destination that overawes each and every visitor who is captivated by the mesmerizing architecture that dots the unexpectedly radiant and fertile valleys that comprise the country.

Local men strolling the streets with their colorful jambiya – traditional dagger – are the cherry on top that make Yemen such a unique country, because there’s nothing like Yemen; not only in terms of sights, but years of isolation have made Yemen an incredibly raw country, where travelers can still experience Yemeni rural life as it used to be centuries ago.

Traditionally grouped in tribes with strong codes of conduct that tend to prevail over the country’s law, their rules dictate that one must protect their guest, with their own life if needed, and treat them like one more member of their family.

The result is a particularly warm and welcoming society whose main aim is always watching over your safety and to feed you with the best honey and Yemeni food.

Yemen is certainly one of the most legendary countries in the world.

In this travel guide to Yemen , you will find the latest, updated info on how to travel to Yemen, including safety, how to get a visa and more.

Yemen travel guide

In this Yemen travel guide, you will find:

Table of Contents

Need to know before traveling to Yemen

  • Which regions can you visit?
  • Top experiences
  • Is it safe to travel?
  • How to get a visa
  • Travel Insurance
  • Best time to visit
  • Useful books for traveling
  • Independent travel
  • How to get to Yemen
  • The country, people and culture
  • Yemeni food and cuisine
  • Solo female traveler
  • Money and prices
  • Transportation
  • Where to stay
  • More Information

our recommended travel insurance for Yemen

IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Yemen.

Yemen is a complicated country which is going through an even more complicated conflict, and it’s important to understand what are you getting into.

There are 2 Yemens, north and south

Before visiting Yemen, you should know that the country is divided into two separate, big regions:

  • Yemen Arab Republic, also known as North Yemen
  • People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, also known as South Yemen

By the way, the capital Sanaa is in North Yemen.

In the 19th century, North Yemen was under Ottoman rule, while Britain controlled the South.

When the Ottoman Empire collapsed in 1918, North Yemen became an independent state, but the British ruled over South Yemen until 1967.

After the British withdrawal in 1967, North and South Yemen were two separate UN countries until they unified in 1991, becoming the Yemen Arab Republic.

North Yemen is where most issues are happening

As a traveler, you need to be aware that, despite the unification, this division is still part of every-day Yemen, both politically and culturally.

Yemeni people

First of all, all the bad things you hear about Yemen, like famine and aerial bombings – the world’s worst humanitarian crisis according to some sources – are mostly happening in North Yemen, a region today controlled by the Houthis , a militia that belongs to a branch of Shia Islam, who want to take control of the country.

Saudi Arabia is trying to get rid of them.

Update March 2023: Now that Iran and Saudi are in peace , nobody knows what will happen

South Yemen is mostly pro-Saudi, but it’s pretty messy too

South Yemen on the other hand, is controlled by the Yemeni Government, which is extremely pro-Saudi.

However, the members of the Government do not live there anymore; they are all exiled in Saudi Arabia , leaving the country mostly under the control of the Yemeni Army. It’s quite a mess.

To make things even more complicated, part of South Yemen is controlled by the STC (Southern Transitional Council) , a separatist group who want South Yemen to become an independent country.

They are supported by the United Arab Emirates, who fight against Saudi over power, believe it or not.

As a foreign traveler, North Yemen is today off limits. More on that in the following section.

What's happening in Yemen

Which region of Yemen mainland can you visit?

Can you visit north yemen.

Today, North Yemen – and that includes the capital Sanaa – is practically impossible to visit.

The area is not under the jurisdiction of the Yemeni Government, hence getting the necessary security clearances and permits for going through all the checkpoints is difficult.

Difficult, not impossible, but, even with all the necessary permits, there is a high chance of getting arrested, like happened to a friend of mine who spent one week traveling in North Yemen, until the Houthis decided to lock him up for a week, giving him a very hard time.

You might bump into a fixer who sells you the yummy, irresistible idea of traveling all the way to Sanaa but in my opinion, this is still a bit sketchy, and my recommendation would be to wait until things calm down a bit more.

I’ll be updating this post as soon as I figure out more about visiting Sanaa.

Fun fact: How many tourists visit Yemen mainland each year? Less than 200 people visit Yemen (mainland) each year.

Can you visit South Yemen?

From the western city of Aden all the way to the border with Oman , South Yemen comprises around two thirds of the country, but the only place you can visit is a region named Hadramut, the only stable region in the country.

That’s where I traveled to.

Hadramut is a beautiful, mostly rural region home to jaw-dropping valleys and postcard-like mud-villages often dominated by hypnotic palaces once owned by the local sultans.

Shibam, a city entirely built of 9-story mud-brick buildings in the middle of the desert, is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site and by far, the highlight of Yemen.

Hadramut by itself is certainly worth the trip to mainland Yemen.

Can you visit Socotra?

Socotra is a remote Yemeni island, which has unique geology and flora, as well as being home to a Yemeni society with significant cultural differences due to their isolation from Yemen mainland.

For many years, Socotra has been sort of a hotspot for intrepid travelers looking for some real off the beaten path adventures. The island is used to receiving visitors, so you can find some relatively developed tourism infrastructure run by a few local tour operators.

Visit Hadramut

🛖 Top experiences in Yemen

Visiting the mud-brick towns like shibam.

And I specify towns because this isn’t like the tiny mud villages you may find in Mali or Sudan but they are actual towns built in the past as caravan cities.

Shibam

Shopping in a khat market

In addition to sparing one day for chewing khat, visiting one of the many khat markets with tens of stalls selling all sorts of types and quality of khat is a real highlight.

Khat in Yemen

Meeting Yemeni people

With their daggers, traditional clothes, smiles and hospitality, meeting Yemenis are an essential part of any trip to Yemen.

Yemen highlights

Trekking around Wadi Doa’n

This canyon-shaped valley offers plenty of trekking opportunities through unspoiled villages and spectacular views.

Trekking in Yemen

Is it safe to travel to Yemen?

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Yemen , including both the Yemeni mainland and Socotra.

Yemen travel advice

I have done safety analysis for several countries – only from a tourist perspective – and my answer to the FCDO advice is always the same: their analysis is extremely biased and based on extremely unlikely scenarios, since they want nothing to do with travelers venturing in those areas if the extremely unlikely happens.

The situation in Hadramut is arguable, yes, but Socotra is an isolated paradise that always stayed at the edge of the conflict, the reason why it keeps receiving thousands of tourists every year.

By the way, you might be interested in our travel guide to Venezuela .

My personal perspective on safety in Yemen

You have already learnt that, when talking about Yemen, one must be able to differentiate between North Yemen and South Yemen, the first being the apparently dangerous part of the country.

However, I haven’t been in North Yemen, so I can’t really verify whether that region is safe or not.

Actually, nobody does, since you can’t really travel there nowadays.

Similarly, South Yemen is pretty big, but the only place which can be visited is Hadramut, so this section will mainly focus on safety in Hadramut.

Is it safe to travel to Hadramut?

This is a difficult question to answer.

When I was traveling around Hadramut, everything felt very safe indeed, and it shouldn’t be a coincidence that Hadramut is the only area in Yemen which foreigners are allowed to visit.

Hadramut Insurgency

Nonetheless, we can’t deny the fact that from 2016 to 2018, Hadramut had a large presence of Al-Qaeda and ISIS, terrorist groups that were even controlling the regional capital: Mukalla.

For nearly two years, suicide bombings and actual fighting happened nearly every day.

The situation, however, has drastically improved, since the area has been cleared up from terrorists, hence they decided to open it for international tourists.

Still, one must travel to Hadramut with extra caution but at the end of the day, you will certainly do that because:

  • Independent travel is not allowed and one must always be with their local guide, who will not allow you to wander around on your own
  • You must be accompanied at all times by Yemeni armed escorts during your trip in Hadramut, and you must pay for their service.
  • There are endless checkpoints

It’s difficult to say whether Hadramut is safe or not: your trip to Yemen will be rather short, you will always be with armed escorts and an expert fixer who knows where to go and how to deal with complicated situations.

Would it be safe if you traveled to Yemen as an independent backpacker?

We don’t know because nobody has done it.

Is it safe to travel to Yemen

How to get a visa for Yemen

A visa is strictly required for traveling to Yemen.

Good news is that all nationalities can apply for a tourist visa, an easy, straightforward process – as long as you can afford it.

Bad news is that you can only get it through a local fixer, with whom you must book a full tour – like in Syria – and it’s usually pretty expensive.

Join our Yemen tour and get your visa instantly, with no hassle!

Typically, the visa takes around 1 full month to process, but this is Yemen, and it’s recommended to get in touch with your local fixer/tour operator way before that.

Everything can be arranged on WhatsApp, and all you need to do is send a copy of your passport, a passport photo and a filled-out form.

In addition to the Yemeni visa, your local tour operator/fixer will also apply for a security clearance, something needed for going through all checkpoints.

Your fixer should send you your visa via email and all you have to do is print it out and collect your stamp upon arrival in Yemen.

The visa process for Socotra is pretty similar, but it’s a distinct process that shall be done with Socotra-specific tour operators. A visa for mainland Yemen is not valid for Socotra and viceversa.

My entry visa for Yemen

🚑 Travel insurance for Yemen

Don’t travel to Yemen without travel insurance. I recommend IATI Insurance because:

  • One of the very few that covers travel in Yemen.
  • Different plans for all budgets.
  • It covers senior citizens too
  • Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

⛅ Best time to visit Yemen

Like in other Gulf countries, such as Oman or Saudi Arabia , you should avoid traveling in Yemen during the summer months.

I visited Yemen in the month of November. Days were warm but rarely over 30ºC and evenings were pleasant.

📚 Useful books for traveling in Yemen

Yemen travel guide by lonely planet.

Very outdated (1999) but the only available guidebook to the country.

Yemen travel guide Lonely Planet

Tribes and Politics in Yemen: A History of the Houthi Conflict

Indispensable book to understand everything related to today’s conflict.

Tribes and Politics in Yemen

A pictorial guide to Yemen by Sian Pritchard-Jones & Bob Gibbons 

My friends and fellow travelers Sian and Bob just published this pictorial guide to Yemen which also contains fresh and actionable advice to the country. 

tour operator yemen

Independent travel in Yemen mainland

Can you travel in Yemen mainland independently?

Unfortunately not.

Today, independent travel in Yemen is strictly forbidden, including within Hadramut.

My fixer in Yemen told me the story of a Japanese traveler who tried to escape while having an after-lunch break at the hotel, time which the tourist took advantage of to buy or rent a motorbike.

He was detained at the first checkpoint and wasn’t allowed to leave until the fixer showed up.

Moreover, traveling in Yemen is so restricted that you can’t even change your itinerary once permits have been issued, because those permits must specify the dates you will be in each area of Yemen.

travel to Hadramut

🗺️ Tours for Yemen

Remember that independent travel in Yemen is not possible nowadays, like no way.

Against the Compass, however tends to always have scheduled group expeditions into Yemen.

Learn more about our Tours for Yemen

🛫 How to get to Yemen

How to travel to yemen by air.

Today, the only feasible way to travel to the Yemeni mainland by air is with Yemenia Airways via Cairo to a city named Seiyun.

There are 3 to 4 flights a week and tickets must be purchased via a tour agent based in Cairo , the contact of which should be shared by your Yemeni tour operator.

In my case, I reached out the mentioned tour agent on WhatsApp, who told me to wire her the total cost of the flight ticket to an Egyptian bank account.

The round-trip ticket from Cairo to Seiyun cost 870USD.

After a week, she acknowledged receipt of the money and sent me a copy of my flight ticket, also on WhatsApp.

It was a strange but a pretty simple and legit process.

Fly to Yemen

How to travel to Yemen by land

Yemen shares a border with Oman and Saudi Arabia.

How to travel to Yemen from Oman

The border is fully open because the region of Salalah in Oman leads directly to Hadramut.

Nevertheless, my fixer stopped picking up travelers from the Omani border because as of today, the scenic coastal road that leads to Mukallah is controlled by the STC, therefore it remains closed to foreigners.

Alternatively, you can use the northern road, but that involves driving over 600km (one-way) through an empty desert, and that’s something he doesn’t really want to do anymore, especially because he would have to come all the way from Seiyun and back, a 1200km journey.

How to travel from Saudi to Yemen

With proper clearance, you can use the Al Wadeeah border.

I know a few people who have crossed into Saudi from Yemen using that border, but I don’t know anyone who has actually entered Yemen from there.

Travel reports on that matter are welcome.

Chewing khat in Yemen Khat is a local plant and a drug – similar to coca leaves – typically consumed in Yemen but also in the Horn of Africa , especially in Somalia, southeast Ethiopia , Djibouti and North Kenya . Yemeni men are addicted to it and basically, life stops every day after lunch time for chewing khat. It’s an actual social problem because khat isn’t cheap and there are many Yemeni men who spend their wages on this drug rather than buying food for their families. Still, if you are traveling in Yemen, you must spare one afternoon to chew khat with the locals. If you buy the best quality one, it will give you an extra dose of energy and that night you won’t sleep.

roads in Yemen

🕌 The country, people, and culture

Yemen is actual Arabia, the place where it is believed the Arabs come from, and the birthplace of the Sabaeans , a group of Ancient South Arabians who founded Sheba, home to worldwide famous Queen of Sheba, all stories that appear in the Quran and the Hebrew Bible.

In terms of GDP per capita, Yemen is among the poorest countries in the world and, along with Afghanistan , Haiti , and North Korea, the only non-African country that makes it to the list.

Despite its location, Yemen is the only country in the peninsula that doesn’t belong to the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) an agreement between the Gulf States – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman , Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – similar to the EU.

Culture in Yemen

Yemenis are purely Arabs but from a traveling perspective, sometimes I feel they do have a slight South Asian (Pakistani) twist, in the way they eat and behave, different from the rest of the Gulf States.

This shouldn’t be surprising, however, since the coast of Yemen has been benefited from the frankincense trade for centuries, receiving visitors from many parts of the world, specially from South Asia.

Tribal laws in Yemen

They are grouped in tribes and, similarly to Pashtuns in Afghanistan , their tribal laws dictate their daily life.

Like Pashtuns, Yemenis treat their guests even better than family members but at the same time, they are really, really conservative and their acts might be subject to certain rules that may create absolute rejection to international visitors.

For example, without wanting you to fall into a Yemeni stereotype, a woman having extra marital relations is considered one of the most dishonorable things that could happen to a family.

In the city of Seiyun, an unmarried woman was caught in the house hanging out with an unrelated man. They weren’t caught having sex, but they were just sitting together. After doing their own research and investigation, the family decided to murder her by cutting her head off.

Such is the strength and importance of their tribal laws that in these cases, the police decide not to intervene.

By the way, this was an extreme case carried out by an uneducated family. Most Yemenis condemned such an act.

Yemen highlights

In Yemen, they speak Modern Standard Arabic.

Religion in Yemen

Islam is the state religion, 35% of the population being Shia and 65% Sunni.

Women in Yemen

Yemen is the most conservative country I have ever been to, even more than Afghanistan.

Nonetheless, you need to remember that I only visited the region of Hadramut, a rural and remote area of Yemen, where people are probably more traditional than in the capital Sanaa.

Still, I was particularly shocked by some of the things I experienced.

100% of the women wear niqab

Except for one beggar, we never saw the face of a woman, but all of them were wearing the niqab, which covers everything but the eyes.

You are not allowed to talk to women, not even to look at them

The only female interaction we had was the day we got hissed at by a local woman while we were sitting in the car.

All we did was smile at her, but she reacted by hissing at us.

She basically told you to fuck off – our fixer said.

Saudi women are surprisingly liberal compared to Yemeni

One day, while walking around a village, we heard some young women talking and laughing, something we had not witnessed in that country yet.

They are very liberal – our fixer said. And the reason was that those young girls had been born in Saudi and they came to Yemen to visit their family.

While Saudi women might seem extremely conservative, you are likely to talk with them when you are traveling in Saudi . A Saudi woman wearing a niqab asking for a selfie isn’t rare, plus they work in many supermarkets and shops.

Local women with long hats When traveling around Yemen, you will notice many local women wearing some pretty high hats. They are farmers and they use those hats to protect themselves from the heat. Apparently, that shape helps to keep their heads cool. These woman are among the poorest in Yemen and they despise being photographed.

Women in Yemen

🍲 Yemeni food and cuisine

Yemeni food is heavy and mostly based on meat and rice, but I believe it is the best food in the peninsula.

In fact, Yemeni mandi is one of the most common dishes in Oman, UAE, and Saudi.

Yemeni restaurants don’t usually to have tables but people gather on a circle on the floor and eat with their hands from the same plate.

Why is Yemeni honey so famous?

For a long time, Yemen was believed to produce some of the best and purest honey in the world, coming from bees that are fed exclusively from the flowers of the Sidr tree, which also has therapeutic properties.

Honey plays a big role in Yemen’s economy and according the UN, more than 100,000 households depend on it for their livelihoods.

Yemeni honey

Is there alcohol in Yemen?

Yemen is a dry country, you can’t buy alcohol legally.

💃 How to travel in Yemen as a solo female traveler

Yemen might possibly be the most challenging country in the world to travel as a female traveler, way more difficult than in Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, foreign women don’t need to wear the burqa, but a hijab is enough, like in Iran .

However, in the region of Hadramut, foreign women must wear the niqab in all public spaces, markets and pretty much everywhere, but in the hotel and in the wild.

You may remove your niqab when you are in the car, but not when going through villages and checkpoints.

Is it safe to travel in Yemen as a female traveler?

As long as you are accompanied by men, traveling in Yemen as a woman is safe.

If you removed your niqab, you’d get a lot of attention but if you are wearing it, nobody will dare to tell you a thing.

Solo female travel in Yemen

💰 Money and prices

In Yemen, they use Yemeni Rials (YRI) and approximately:

$1 = 250 YRI

This is the official currency.

Recently, in South Yemen, they have started using a different, unofficial currency also named Yemeni Rials, but with a different value.

With South Yemen Rials,

$1 = around 1000 YRI

I never understood why South Yemen adopted a different currency and how the value was defined but, in any case, if traveling to Hadramut, that’s the only currency you will see.

ATMs and exchanging money

Your debit or credit card will be useless in Yemen, so do bring everything in cash.

The only currency which I recommend bringing is US dollars. They didn’t even want to exchange my Euros, at an acceptable rate at least.

Your US dollars should be brand-new, they are very strict about this.

They actually found a tiny ink stain in one of my bills and they didn’t accept it, even though I received a bunch of dirty Yemeni Rials in exchange.

How much does it cost to travel in Yemen?

A tour to Yemen booked through a local fixer is always all-inclusive, so it’s difficult for me to say what are the actual prices of the most typical things, including hotels and restaurants.

What I can tell you however is that a solo trip to Yemen is expensive, with prices starting at $4,500 for a solo 6-day tour, excluding international flights.

If you want to travel to Yemen for less, I recommend joining a group .

🛺 Transportation: how to move around Yemen

It will be difficult for me to write much in this section since I only moved around in a private car, and you are certainly going to do the same.

roads in Yemen

🏨 Where to stay in Yemen

I stayed in two different hotels:

Hawta Palace Hotel : a traditional boutique hotel in the city of Seiyun. It has a pleasant garden where many local families hang out in the weekends by paying a fee.

Hayd Aljazeel Resort : a mountain resort in Wadi Doa’n with awesome views to the valley.

Both were pretty amazing and I believe the two best options in the area. Other than that, I don’t recall seeing many hotels besides basic ones.

💻 Internet in Yemen

Can you buy a SIM card in Yemen?

You can, but in the region of Hadramut, 4G barely works.

We did have some decent Wi-Fi in the hotel in Seiyun but that’s all what we got during our trip.

Get a VPN for traveling in Yemen

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer. 

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Yemen. 

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. 

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

❗ More Information

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Travel guides to other countries in the Middle East

  • Iran Travel Guide
  • Palestine Travel Guide
  • Syria Travel Guide
  • Travel Guide to Lebanon
  • Iraq Travel Guide
  • Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia
  • Travel Guide to Oman

You might also like our Haiti travel guide .

You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East .

visit Yemen

11 comments

Once I spend one week in Sanaa and around. The moment I stepped out of the plane I regretted it. I was much younger then, I wouldn’t repeat it again. Nobody should support such despicable people, nobody should help with money or otherwise people who are undescribably racist, intolerant, mysogynistic, who don’t respect basic human rights.

Hello Joan,

As I told you before, my grandmother was born in Sana.

That’s why I want to go to Yemen so much.

But I want to see Sana too, so I’ll wait for the conditions to improve a bit.

You can put me first when you organize a tour that includes Sana…

I’m going on a month long trip to Indochina with my wife this Saturday.

Stay healthy.

Fatih UGURLU

Hello Fatih, I hope the situation gets better and you can visit your grandmother’s hometown soon!

Hi Joan, can you please share the contact to the fixer you had for your trip to Hadramaut?

Sorry, I can’t do that, but you are welcome to join our tour: https://expeditions.againstthecompass.com/tours/yemen/

How do you find the fixers?

l was working with a humanitairian organisation for four months in 2023 in northern Yemen. It is a very beautiful country, indeed, with rich culture and kind people. Unfortunately though, it is still a war country, so I think its quite dangerous to travel there. Even if the situation north and south is different, is alltogether dangerous and unpredictable, so personally i would wait till peace comes in order to travel there.

Hey, American living in Russia married to a Russian. Russians almost unanimously agree that North Yemen is a great place to travel to. I’ve heard similarly overblown warnings against Dagestan, and when I traveled there it was totally safe (never mind that I am living in Russia now as an American, and have had absolutely no issues from Russia’s end).

Wondering if there’s some difference between diplomatic recognition by native countries which might influence the experience? For example, Russians seem to go to North Yemen.

Hi Collin, in my opinion, it’s not a matter of safety , it’s just that they aren’t officially issuing visas to travel to North Yemen, so any visit will be sort of sketchy from a legal perspective

Hey, how are you? I have a Jordanian passport and i do not need a visa for all of Yemen, i verified through the embassy. When i asked about permits to travel around the country they said they dont know, do you have any information on how to travel around Yemen independently, for people from visa exempt countries ?

Hi Yahya, we just had one guest from Kuwait (he doesn’t need a visa either) and even then, you’ll need a security clearance and a guide with you

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The List of Tour operators in Yemen

Eternal yemen, financial services group, al arabia co for hotels, al rashid agencies, al saqar service for travel, al yemenia for tours, az abm travel tourism, international agency for travel, waha al yemen for tourism, al ashtal for tourism, al doas for travel tourism, al harba for general trading service, al horaish agency, al mamoon agency, al mamoon international travel tourism, al nassim for tours, al nada co for tourism service, al yemen al arabia agency, al zubieri for tours travel, general corp for transportation, filter by city.

  • Al Hudaydah 0
  • Al Mukalla 1

Related Categories

  • Activity holidays 3

Download GPX file for this article

  • 3 Other destinations
  • 4.1 History
  • 4.2 Climate
  • 4.3 Landscape
  • 5.1 Entry requirements
  • 5.2 By plane
  • 5.3 By train
  • 5.6 By boat
  • 6 Get around
  • 10.2 Shopping
  • 16 Stay safe
  • 17 Stay healthy
  • 18.1.1 Politics
  • 18.1.2 Religion
  • 18.2 Miscellaneous

Yemen ( Arabic : ٱلْيَمَن) is a country in the southern Arabian Peninsula of the Middle East . Although it is rich in history and culture, being part of several civilizations, the country has been in a state of flux since the 1980s. It is one of the least developed and poorest countries in the world.

However, under less extreme circumstances, this vast country has a lot to offer to the adventurous, thrill-seeking traveller, from desert to mountains. Yemen is a difficult country to get around, but the rewards for the persistent visitor are unforgettable.

Yemenis are very friendly and open, and tourists might find themselves being treated as celebrities here; in fact, they might be showered with a lot of hospitality and care, even if they unintentionally make a few cultural blunders.

tour operator yemen

  • 15.35 44.2 1 Sana'a  – capital
  • 12.8 45.033333 2 Aden  – seaside former capital of South Yemen.
  • 14.802222 42.951111 3 Al Hudayda  – a relatively large city on the Red Sea with beautiful beaches
  • 14.533333 49.133333 4 Al Mukalla  – East Yemen's biggest city and bustling port, the gateway to the historical Hadhramaut region
  • 13.966667 44.166667 5 Ibb
  • 15.5 43.9 6 Kawkaban
  • 15.926944 48.626667 8 Shibam / Seiyun / Tarim  – the three famous historical towns of Hadhramaut, perhaps Yemen's most fascinating and exotic destination
  • 13.578889 44.021944 9 Ta'izz

Other destinations

tour operator yemen

  • 15.166667 43.75 1 Haraz Mountains
  • Hutaib – the most important center of pilgrimage for Yemen's Ismaili population

Yemen has long existed at the crossroads of cultures, linked to some of the oldest centres of civilization in the Near East by virtue of its location in South Arabia. Between the 12th century BCE and the 6th century, it was part of the Minaean, Sabaean, Hadhramaut, Qataban, Ausan and Himyarite kingdoms, which controlled the lucrative spice trade, and later came under Ethiopian and Persian rule. In the 6th century, the Himyarite king Abu-Karib Assad converted to Judaism. In the 7th century, Islamic caliphs began to exert control over the area. After this caliphate broke up, South Arabia came under the control of many dynasties who ruled part, or often all of South Arabia. Imams of Persian origin ruled Yemen intermittently for 160 years, establishing a theocratic political structure that survived until modern times.

tour operator yemen

Egyptian Sunni caliphs occupied much of Yemen throughout the 11th century. By the 16th century and again in the 19th century, Yemen was part of the Ottoman Empire, and in some periods Imams exerted control over all of Yemen.

The modern history of south Arabia and Yemen began in 1918 when Yemen gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. Between 1918 and 1962, Yemen was a monarchy ruled by the Hamidaddin family. North Yemen then became a republic in 1962, but it was not until 1967 that the British Empire, which had set up a protective area around the South Arabia port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew from what became South Yemen. In 1970, the southern government adopted a nominally Communist governmental system. The two countries were united as the Republic of Yemen on 22 May 1990.

Unification did not lead to peace, however. The USS Cole, a visiting U.S. Navy ship, was attacked by Al Qaeda in 2000 while on a fuel stop in Aden. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has since grown stronger in the country, and the U.S. has responded by striking targets in Yemen repeatedly with drone-fired missiles. The government of longtime dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh, fell amid dramatic protests associated with the Arab Spring in 2012, but his successor, former Vice President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, hardly rushed to institute the reforms demanded by the demonstrators and was overthrown by the militia of the Shi'a Houthis, who took over the government outright in February 2015. Sunni Arab governments, especially that of Saudi Arabia, were close to Saleh and Hadi and oppose Shi'a rule in this Arabian country. They have supported a coalition of Sunni Islamists called Al-Islah in a civil war against the Houthi forces, and have led a brutal bombing campaign that has damaged the country's infrastructure to the extent that the December 14, 2014 U.S. State Department travel warning states that:

tour operator yemen

Mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east. The weather can be chilly in areas where the elevation is high. Sana'a for example is at an elevation of over 2,195 m (7,200 ft). During the winter months, the temperatures can fall to freezing point during the night.

Narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in the centre slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula. The interior of Yemen is a highland dissected by valleys. Yemen can be divided into five regions:

Coastal Plain: The Tihamah coastal plain is a low-lying flat plain that has areas with very fertile soil from the streams from the mountains emptying into it. Some of the hottest places on Earth are in Tihamah. Most of its towns are coastal because the salty sea air can lessen the effect of the heat.

Western Highlands: The coastal plain ends abruptly at the western mountains, where monsoon rains coming from Africa gain strength across the Red Sea and the clouds coming in get tangled by the jagged peaks of the Western mountains and precipitate all of whatever the clouds hold. Some areas in the western highlands, notably Ibb and Ta'izz, get rainfall similar to rainforests, supporting fertile land great for coffee, qat, wheat and sorghum. Mountains here are known to have lengthy ascents; most mountains pop out of land 600 m (2,000 ft) above sea level to 2,135-3,050 m (7,000-10,000 ft) peaks. Notable peaks include Jabal Sumarah, Jabal Ba'dan, Jabal Sabir, and Jabal Ad Dukayik, all about 3,000 m (10,000 ft) high.

Central Highlands: This is more of a plateau with rolling hills atop it, for the mountains are less jagged and get less precipitation because most of it is released onto the Western Highlands. Some of the highest mountains of the Arabian Peninsula can be found here, including the legendary Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb near the capital Sana'a, at about 3,660 m (12,000 ft) above sea level. Some areas in the central highlands have extremely fertile soil, like in Dhamar, and temperature in the central highlands are extreme also. Diurnal temperatures are the highest in the world, with daytime highs of around 80°F while during the night they can dip to below freezing. Most of the central highlands, other than the mountains, is above 2,000-2,440 m (7,000-8,000 ft) high.

Central Plateau: As a gradual descent from the central highlands begins, it eventually levels off at a 915-1,525 m (3,000-5,000 ft) plateau that is bisected by valleys and wadis, or streams. This terrain is not as rough as the central or western highlands, but vegetation is only possible in the valleys or near wadis, for they provide a lot of irrigation water from precipitation that only occurs in the remote areas. Flash floods are very common. This extends from Shabwah though Hadhramaut and Al Mahra, continuing into Dhofar in Oman, which also revered by many Yemenis as part of Greater Yemen, not to mention also Najran, Jizan, and Asir in Saudi Arabia.

Desert: Rub Al-Khali, aka the Empty Quarter, the most treacherous desert in the world, and also the largest expanse of sand in the world, is in northeastern Yemen, southeastern Saudi Arabia, and northwestern Oman. It receives no rain at all for periods of years, and little to no vegetation exists. Temperature can reach 61°C (142°F)

You might think that Yemen is one of the more ethnically homogeneous countries in the Middle East, if all you knew was that nearly 100% of the population identify themselves as Arab . However, many Yemenis have strong regional, sectarian and tribal identities, and political differences also run deep, giving rise to an often contentious and sometimes violent diversity.

Entry requirements

tour operator yemen

Visa regulations change quite regularly, and an embassy should be contacted to make certain that the relevant documentation is obtained (it is recommended also to ask one of the licensed tour operators in Sana'a). Citizens of most countries (with the possible exception of Gulf Co-operation Council members) must obtain visas in advance. Most visas are valid for 30 days from the date of issue (3 months for European Union, but sometimes it depends on the mood of the official dealing with you). If you have a local contact to help you push the paperwork through, this can increase your chance of getting the visa. Another way of getting visa is via one of the licensed tour operators, as they are allowed to prepare pre-visa paper in the Ministry of Foreign affairs for their clients. Such pre-visa paper is valid for 30 days from the day of issue and upon this a real visa is issued at the Sana'a airport.

tour operator yemen

As of 2023, most flights to Yemen are suspended. Yemenia runs a skeleton service based in Aden with flights from Amman , Cairo and Riyadh . There are also flights into Say'un as of 2023 from Aden and Cairo. Other airports, including Sanaa, are either closed permanently or operate only infrequently.

There are no trains to or within Yemen.

It is possible to cross the Omani-Yemeni border in a car, although the border posts are often difficult to negotiate. Crossing from Saudi Arabia in a car is substantially more difficult, as regulations for getting a car into Saudi are very intricate.

Some buses operating throughout the Arabian peninsula connect to Yemen. The buses are mostly air-conditioned and comfortable, although the fleet sometimes contains old buses which may not be very comfortable to be on for several hour trips. Arriving from Oman can be difficult, especially if you're trying to get to Sana'a . There are buses from Salalah to Sayu'n in Wadi Hadramawt and Al Mukalla on the Indian Ocean, but tourists (especially from non-Arab countries) are not allowed to use public transport on roads linking the East and the West of Yemen: Al Mukalla - Aden and Say'un - Sana'a . The tourist have to take a plane in order to come from the west to the eastern part of the country.

There are passenger ferries from Djibouti. They are pretty cheap, but not very comfortable.

Supposedly, people have hitchhiked on a cement ship to Socotra from Salalah that leaves once a week and takes 4 days. However, it is often delayed.

tour operator yemen

Yemen is not an easy country to get around, since foreign nationals need travel permits and, in some regions, independent travel is not possible. There is a lack of road infrastructure in the eastern Mahra region, while all other Yemeni regions have hundreds of kilometres of newly built roads. If you are an intrepid traveller, the local transport (taxis, buses, aircraft) is perfect to get around on the cheap. More expensive, but more efficient travel is to book your tour via one of the registered tour operators, that are found on the Yemen Ministry of Tourism webpage [dead link] . Be aware that there are many non-registered tour operators in Yemen offering lower quality services, providing non-relevant information and many times tourists do not get all the paid services. In case of any problem, the Ministry of tourism will not be able to help you if you choose to travel with a non-registered tour operator or services provider.

For trips outside the capital, many travellers prefer a car (preferably 4WD) and may choose to hire a driver through a local travel agency. More intrepid travellers should certainly take advantage of the local intracity bus service, which is cheap, comfortable, and a wonderful way to see the country. The buses usually take a pit stop every hour or so, making this a slower but much more interesting way to travel for those who are up for an adventure and some friendly conversation. The biggest company in Yemen is Yemitco, their offices can be found in major cities.

Additionally, all travel outside the capital will require a travel permit ( tasriih ) from the tourist police; their station is 30m up the canal from the Arabian Felix Hotel. You need your passport, list of destinations and how long you are going to stay outside the capital. No photos required, however bring a photocopy of your visa and the picture page in your passport, as the photocopier there often doesn't work. This takes about 15 minutes. Office is closed from noon to (let's say) 14:00. Then you take many photocopies of the tasriih which you hand over at military checkpoints along the way. This may seem inconvenient, however it is designed to prevent travellers unwittingly venturing into areas of tribal unrest—and vice versa. Some areas of the country are off-limits to travel without military escorts, and still other areas are totally off-limits to travel. While the concept of staying informed about local conditions in your intended destinations is an overused one, in Yemen it is essential, as failure to do so may result in kidnappings or worse. No tasriih is checked if you fly to main cities in Yemen, like Aden, Al-hudaida etc.

The usual Middle Eastern shared taxi system exists in Yemen. In every city and often in towns there is at least one shared taxi ( bijou , from Peugeot) station, from where cars go to different destinations. Just ask anyone for your destination and they will point you to a car going there. The driver will not depart until all seats are completely full, which means 2 people in the passenger's seat, four in the middle and three in the back in a standard Peugeot almost invariably used for this purpose. If you want to travel in more comfort, you can pay for two seats or for the whole row. If you're a woman travelling alone you might be offered two seats in front for the price of one, but often you'll be asked to pay for both.

The official language of Yemen is Arabic .

Yemeni Arabic , the local vernacular, is spoken natively by almost everyone. The dialect is perhaps the toughest Arabic dialect to learn; Yemeni Arabic borrows many features from Classical Arabic, i.e., the variant of Arabic used to write the Qu'ran. It is not unusual for a visitor to be told that their Arabic is not "Yemeni" or "Yemeni enough". Don't be discouraged by this; most Yemenis will appreciate your efforts!

If you don't know the local dialect, do not despair; all Yemeni people learn Modern Standard Arabic at school, so you should have no problems communicating in major cities like Aden or Sana'a .

English is gradually becoming more and more popular, but most Yemenis have little to no knowledge of the language, which is why you will most likely be spoken to in Arabic. If you don't know any Arabic, don't panic! Yemenis are open communicators, and you can get your point across by hand-waving, making noises, and using a variety of gestures.

tour operator yemen

Sana'a: Babel Yemen (old city), Wadi Dhar (Dar al-Hadschar Palace—also known as the rock house). Sana'a is at over 2,200 metres (7,200 feet) in elevation. The old city is a mystical and amazing place and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The streets are alive and bustling around gingerbead-like houses several stories high, one of the oldest cities in the world.

Socotra: Off the south coast of Yemen—an idyllic island untouched by modern man and home to many rare species and plants. The seas are turquoise blue and the sands white and unspoiled. One of the most valuable islands on the planet, often described as the most alien-looking place on Earth. Its beaches resemble those of the Caribbean and its mountains and Yemeni mountains covered in 300 species only found in Socotra. A must-see.

Kawkaban: An old fortress-city northwest of Sana'a 3,000 m (10,000 feet) high, with elegant old buildings an artefacts from the old Himyar civilization 2,000 years ago. Himyaric inscriptions can be seen and so can old Stars of David from the old Jewish roots of Himyar. Below the mountain is a magnificent view of a plain dotted by old towns made of mud-brick.

Sa'dah: The northernmost major town in Yemen, with its old city made entirely out of strong mud that keeps internal temperature warm during the bitter winter. Its surroundings are known for its delicious grapes, raisins, date palms, and other fruits.

Al Mahweet: A northwest town from Sana'a, Al Mahweet is a beautiful and magnificent town atop a mountain where the green scenery and outstanding architectural example of Yemen are at its best. It is part of the western highlands, an area where rain can be extensive and clouds can always be seen below the mountains during the summer.

Bura': A protected area in Yemen in Al Hudaydah governate, this place is a 2,200 m (7,200 foot) mountain covered by a natural forests resembling one of the rainforests of Africa. There are many flora and fauna varieties in Bura' located only in Yemen and its historic boundaries (Najran, Jizan, Asir, Dhofar, & ar Rub' al Khali). It is one of the most beautiful places in Yemen.

Manakhah: A large old town on a peak 2,700 m (9,000 feet) high known for its daring location and beautiful scenery. This town is a good example of life in medieval Yemen.

Ma'rib: The capital of the Sabaean Kingdom, built about 3,000 years ago, with its famous Ma'rib dam, one of the engineering wonders of the world. It was said that thousands of years ago the magnificent dam helped create some of the greenest areas in the world, a notion also supported by historical texts like the Qur'an. The Queen of Sheba is known to have had her kingdom here and artifacts and temples from her reign are still preserved and present.

tour operator yemen

Ibb: The green heartland of Yemen, with annual rainfall at about 1200 mm per year. It sits in 3300-m high (10,000 foot) mountains. The city of Ibb, however, is in the valley, but waterfalls are known to be present and beautiful. The historic town of Jiblah is near Ibb city. And with the freshest climate on the whole peninsula, there is no wonder why it is referred to as the Green Heart of Yemen.

Al Khawkhah: At one of the hottest places on earth, you need a beach, and at Al Khawkhah, it has one of the best beaches in Yemen. The shore is long and back by fields of palm trees and a small pleasant town. The Red Sea is relatively calm and cool, great for an area where summer temperatures are commonly over 48°C.

Ta'izz: The cultural capital of Yemen, which is the most liberal and the friendliest city in the country. It has been the capital of Yemen when the last Imam was in power and is a medieval city. Towering above Ta'izz is the 3,000 m (10,000 foot) Jabal Sabir, which is known all around Yemen for its dazzling ascent and view from the top. This mountain is very fertile and is home to tens of thousands of people living on and around the mountain.

Shibam: Commonly referred to as the Manhattan of the Desert, this town located in Wadi Hadhramaut has the first skyscrapers of the world. Hundreds of adobe homes ranging from 5-11 storeys high are boxed into a walled area that is simply marvellous. The tops are painted with gypsum, a mineral commonly found in Yemen. Some of the buildings are over 700 years old.

Tarim and Say'un: These nearby towns are made almost entirely of adobe. The towns are well organized and elegant, with famous palaces and mosques in each city.

Al Mukalla: Perhaps the most developed-looking city in Yemen, Al Mukalla is the jewel of the Arabian Sea. Around it around beautiful beaches, however, the best in Yemen is known to be at Bir Ali, which is a lengthy 100 km drive, though well worth it.

Hauf National Park: The only natural forest in the Arabian Peninsula because it is affected by the seasonal monsoon rains that also affects India. Mountains and Hills are layered with a cap of green for mile with wild life similar to one of a rain forests, this forest also extends to the Omani side of the border, from Qishn, Yemen to Salalah, Oman.

Although the accommodation might not be the best, the country holds so many treasures that appeal to any open-minded visitor. The sights are amazing, the people are friendly, their culture is unique, and their food is tasty. Take trips with a personal driver through the mountains to see natural beauty found nowhere else on the planet. See the historical role Yemen played as it survived even during the times of the Sumerians and the Ancient Egyptians, and how no one was able to completely conquer Yemen. And enjoy what the country provides, like gemstones literally littered throughout the mountains, precious beaches, and historical artifacts from this multi-faced nation.

The currency of the country is the Yemeni rial ( YER or ﷼ ). Banknotes circulate in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 250, 500 and 1000 rials, and you are also likely to come across 10 and 20 coins.

The rial is freely convertible and subject to frequent fluctuations.

tour operator yemen

Almost everywhere you look, you will have the chance to buy the curved dagger (jambiya) worn by local men. This purchase can be simply of the dagger and its accompanying sheath, however handmade belts and silver pouches are also for sale. When purchasing a jambiya, remember that it classed as a weapon for customs purposes. Traditionally, handles were made of animal horn or even ivory. While it is doubtful that the handles sold today as being made from either of these products are the real thing, a wooden or amber handle may be a better option. Cheaper options are pendants and brooches commonly available in the shape of the knife and its sheath.

Necklaces and jewellery are also common souvenirs, and many of these are made of the semi-precious stones the souvenir sellers claim. Nevertheless, a healthy grain of salt taken a necklace is made of lapis lazuli or other precious stone.

Bargaining , even with village children, is expected and worthwhile. If you are with local guides, a common approach is to have them ask for the "Yemeni price", however any bargaining on the part of the tourist will result in discounts.

In tourist sites, there will be souvenir-sellers everywhere you look. In some mountain villages, such as Kawkaban , their technique involves almost trapping the tourists with wheelbarrows full of souvenirs. There is an art form to firmly turning down the goods on offer, even when the seller is a young boy or girl in desperately poor circumstances.

The rial is subject to high inflation. As a result, many prices, particularly those quoted to light-skinned visitors, will be given in euros or US dollars. Any of these three currencies will be accepted by the seller, so ask for the cost in whichever currency you are carrying at the time. Discounts for paying in one currency or the other are not high enough to warrant only paying in local money, but you may be lucky.

Yemeni cuisine differs markedly from the rest of the Arabian Peninsula, and is a real highlight of any trip to the country—particularly if shared by locals (which is an invitation most visitors will receive more often than they might expect).

The signature dish is salta , a meat-based stew spiced with fenugreek and generally served at the end of the main course. The taste may take newcomers by surprise, but it is a taste well worth acquiring.

Mandi is a popular dish of meat and rice with spices originating in the Hadhramaut region. What distinguishes mandi from other similar dishes in the rest of the Middle East and South Asia is that the meat is cooked in a clay oven and hung over the rice, allowing the juices to drip onto the rice as it is cooked.

Yemeni honey is particularly famous throughout the region, and most desserts will feature a liberal serving of it. Bint al-sahn is a sort of flat dough dish which is drenched in honey. Other sweet foods well worth the trying are Yemeni raisins.

While not a "food" per se, something else to put in one's mouth is the qat leaf. This is the Yemeni social drug and is chewed by almost all of the population from after lunch until roughly dinnertime. The plant is cultivated all over the country, and most Yemenis are more than happy to offer visitors a branch or two. Chewing qat is something of an art, but the general idea is to chew the small, soft leaves, the soft branches (but not hard ones) and to build up a large ball of the stuff in a cheek. The ability to chew ever-increasing balls of qat is something of a mark of pride among Yemenis, and the sight of men and boys walking down the street in the afternoon with bulging cheeks is one the visitor will soon get used to. Qat acts as a mild stimulant, and it also has something of an appetite-suppressant function, which may explain why there are so few overweight Yemenis in spite of the nature of their cuisine. Insomnia is another side effect. Qat is associated with mouth and esophageal cancers, so partake carefully.

Yemen is officially a dry country; however, non-Muslims are entitled to bring up to two bottles of any alcoholic beverage into the country. These may be drunk only on private property, but venturing outside while under the influence is not a wise decision.

Many juices and soft drinks are readily available, but you should avoid more scruffy-looking juice shops as they might be using tap water as base. Many Yemenis will drink tea (shay) or coffee (qahwa or bun) with their meals. Yemeni coffee is considerably weaker than the strong Turkish coffee found elsewhere in peninsular Arabia.

Tap water should be avoided. This is comparatively easy to do, as bottled water—both chilled and at room temperature—is readily available everywhere.

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Outside of the capital and the major centres ( Sana'a , Aden and al-Mukalla ), accommodation tends to be rather basic and generally of the mattress-on-the-floor variety, generally with shared shower rooms and WCs. Most larger villages will have at least one funduq , which will provide this sort of accommodation. The places tend to be named the [Name of Village] Tourist Hotel. Electricity supplies tend to be a little erratic, so hot water cannot always be counted on.

Funduq accommodation is not rated on the star scale used in other countries, but rather on the Yemeni "sheet" scale, with "no-sheet" being the most basic and "two-sheet" the top of the line. Some other hotels, mostly in Sana'a, go by the star scale, most notably the Movenpick, Sheraton, and the Hilton. This does not mean that in a "no-sheet" funduq one will not receive a sheet, although in some places it may be worthwhile to bring one! Most funduqs will offer some food, almost invariably local cuisine, and the better ones will serve it in a diwan -style room, where one can eat while reclining on cushions. In some funduqs, dinner will be followed by a "party", featuring performances of traditional music and jambiya dances—sometimes with audience participation.

Particularly in Sana'a, there are institutes offering instruction in Arabic. The advantages of learning the language in Yemen are that the dialect spoken is often quite close to Classical Arabic, and also that languages other than Arabic are much less commonly spoken than they are in nearby countries. However, the one important exception to this rule is the Old Sana'a dialect, which is difficult to understand even for Arabs from other countries, and becoming completely incomprehensible when combined with a big ball of qat in the speaker's cheek.

Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world. The main reason for the lack of wealth: Yemen has paltry deposits of oil compared to its oil-rich neighbours.

Most of the following applied before the ongoing civil war:

  • Work in Yemen is difficult to obtain as a foreigner. The collections of young men waiting in public areas and by the roadside looking for work does not reflect a lack of jobs. Rather, it reflects that many Yemenis do not have enough education to work in non-manual jobs. As a result, immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa are often seen in service industries (with a popular joke among expats being that "something typically Yemeni" is in fact an Ethiopian maid). Educated westerners do not, however, have it easy as there are many bureaucratic hurdles to working in Yemen. Most westerners who find jobs there tend to be working as expat staff for a western company with interests in the country.
  • The only exception is that if you're an English native speaker, a lot of places in big cities, ranging from schools through universities to governmental organisations and companies are desperate for English teachers , and usually don't require any qualifications. Sometimes it is even possible to get a teaching job if English is not your first language.
  • Also in Sana'a the local English-language magazines often need proofreaders.

Yemen is at war, under international attack, and is heavily damaged; see the warning at the top of this page. In addition, there have been problems with terrorism and kidnappings of people including foreigners.

Once it is possible to visit Yemen again, the following will again become relevant:

  • The public consumption of alcohol is punishable under Islamic law in Yemen. Homosexual acts are also prohibited and may be punishable by death.
  • Driving is on the right. While Yemeni drivers have something of a reputation for bad driving, the reality is slightly more nuanced. Risks are taken, particularly in Sana'a, which would not normally be taken in other places, but the locals expect this to happen and compensate accordingly.
  • For trips outside Sana'a, however, a 4-wheel-drive is almost mandatory as most roads away from the routes connecting main cities are not paved. Travellers should also give serious consideration to hiring a local driver/guide, as maps tend not to be as useful as they can be in other countries. A city limits border pass is required as only the cities are well protected by the military. It is also worth noting that Yemen has one of the largest populations of armed civilians in the world, so be polite.

Stay healthy

tour operator yemen

Health care facilities are seriously underdeveloped in Yemen. If you fall seriously ill during your stay, it is advised that you go to neighbouring Oman or Saudi Arabia .

The country in the midst of a cholera outbreak. Wash your hands often, cook food well, and clean up well. For more information on how to stay safe, you may view more information here .

Tap water should be avoided . To stay safe, it is recommended to stick to the bottled variety.

The country is exceptionally dusty . Travelers with breathing difficulties (such as asthma) may encounter problems in more remote destinations.

The dry air (especially from September 'til April) can be bothersome, causing cracked lips and sometimes nosebleeds. Always carry a Vaseline stick with you, available in most pharmacies in Yemen, and a packet of tissues.

Particularly when hiking , remember that much of the country is at altitude. Therefore, as well as taking the usual steps of drinking plenty of water and protection from the sun (which can be very harsh in Yemen), be aware of any dizziness you may be experiencing due to rapid ascents. Many of the more popular hiking routes are covered in loose stones, so be careful of your footing. Some peak ascents can be at a near 70-80 degree angle, so any fall will be devastating. Be prepared with bandages and/or anti-bacterial creams just in case you get a cut, which is normal during hiking.

Malaria is present in low-lying areas along the Red Sea.

Rabid dogs are common in Yemen. If you are bitten by a rabid animal, there is little to no chance that you will be able to receive a rabies vaccination, and you will likely die if you are infected with rabies. Preventative vaccination for rabies prior to arrival is recommended.

Yemenis, North Africans , and Arabs in the Gulf share a common culture; therefore, what is considered good manners in Arab world is applicable to Yemen.

Things to avoid

There are some things which will be met with disapproval and you should avoid doing the following during your stay in the country.

  • Avoid talking about the United States — many Yemenis feel that the US 'interferes' in the affairs of the country and has done more harm than good.
  • Avoid talking about Israel — like their counterparts throughout the Arab world, many Yemenis express negative feelings towards Israel.

Islam is the state religion of Yemen and it plays an important role in the lives of every Yemeni. As is the case throughout the Arab world, religion is a delicate topic of discussion . Always approach religious discussions with sensitivity and respect.

  • When visiting sites of religious importance, behave and dress well. Some mosques may be off-limits to non-Muslims. If in doubt, ask.
  • During Ramadan, you should refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing in public. Not doing so would be seen as incredibly disrespectful.
  • Do not criticise or speak badly of Islam; Yemen has some harsh blasphemy laws.
  • Do not talk about religion from an agnostic point of view; this will be met with total incomprehension.
  • Anything hinting at proselytism will neither be appreciated nor welcomed; apostasy is a crime in Yemen.

Miscellaneous

  • This is a Muslim country. As such, be sensitive about where you point your camera. There are many great photo opportunities around every corner (the question is usually what to leave out of each image), but when photographing people, always ask first. The Arabic phrase "mumkin akhud sura minak?" is very useful indeed. Don't ever, ever try to take pictures of women , even if you're a woman yourself. This is considered a great offense and can even result in more than a few harsh words. Also don't try to take pictures of anything that looks as if it could be of any strategic importance (i.e. has at least one soldier or policeman guarding it). However, if you ask with good manners and the guards are in a good mood, you might be allowed and take a souvenir photo with a military man holding a machine-gun!
  • Despite being close to the richer oil-producing countries, Yemen is one of the poorest states on earth. Living conditions for many locals are very tough. As a tourist, expect local merchants to demand higher prices from you. While being mindful of the poverty level in Yemen, tourists should resist sympathetic urges to pay the merchant's first price. Bargaining is a way of life in much of the world and is expected of all buyers.
  • If an area is off-limits, it is that way for a very good reason. Tempting as it may be to play the intrepid explorer, there is no reason to increase your risk of being kidnapped or worse unless you absolutely have to.

In addition, be prepared to be asked for pens (qalam, galam) for the local schools, and also sweets (bonbon). In the former case, if you have one to spare you may wish to consider it. In the latter, resist the urge to give a handout as it will create an expectation for the next foreigner to arrive. It should go without saying that you shouldn't give money ("fulus!" "bizniz!") to children. Donate to local charities instead.

tour operator yemen

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  1. Eternal Yemen tour operator in Yemen: blog: WIN A FREE TOUR ROUND YEMEN

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  2. Eternal Yemen tour operator in Yemen: blog: February 2014

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  3. Eternal Yemen tour operator in Yemen: blog: Apply NOW for the Yemen/Socotra tour in January 2014

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  4. Eternal Yemen tour operator in Yemen: blog: Apply NOW for the Yemen/Socotra tour in January 2014

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  5. Eternal Yemen tour operator in Yemen: blog: November 2012

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  6. Eternal Yemen tour operator in Yemen: blog: Here we are, ETERNAL YEMEN

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COMMENTS

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  2. Yemen Tours

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    Upcoming Mainland Yemen Tours: Yemen Mainland Hadhramaut Tour - February 24th-29th 2024 $3345. This tour takes you to the area of Hadhramaut, often known as "Manhattan of the dessert" as it was one of the first areas in the world to build complex, multi-story buildings. Explore this little-known country and be among the few tourists in ...

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    8-day Travel to Socotra tour - Uncover Yemen's untamed island. Tours in Asia, Yemen 8 Days - 7 Nights. $1,805. View Details. Contact Us and our team will make sure to help you plan your trip to Yemen when it's safe and ready for travel. Whether you're interested in joining a pre-arranged Yemen small group tour or creating a custom ...

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    2025 Socotra tours. Socotra Yemen Island January Tour - January 19th - January 27th $1495. Our first tour of the year to Socotra. This has us hitting up all the major sites, as well as the hidden gems that only YPT know about. Socotra Yemen Island March Tour - March 9th - 17th - $1495. For the uninitiated, Socotra is a deeply hot ...

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    Our team of travel experts and guides will design a tailored itinerary just for you. Enjoy your trip with peace of mind knowing everything is taken care of. From the adobe districts of high-perched Sana'a to the dusty valleys of Sarawat and everything in-between, Yemen is a wonder of the Middle East. Enlist a tourHQ guide to help you on the ground.

  12. Yemen Explorer Private Tour Guide in Sana, Yemen

    After nine years of pioneering custom guided tours of Yemen, I founded Yemen Explorer in 2000, at a time when tourism in Yemen just began to take hold.Our intention was to allow foreigners the unique opportunity to visit the South Arabian Peninsula and experience the roots of Arabian culture.With over 13 years of experience in tourism, our staff has not only an understanding of what our guests ...

  13. 7-Day Travel In Yemen

    Traveling to Yemen. 7 Days of Cultural Immersion. Day 1 » 8 am Salalah departure » Yemen border » Shahan. Day 2 » Shahan » Qabr Nabi Hud » Tarim. Day 3 » Tarim » Qabr Ahmad al Habashi » Shibam » Seiyun. Day 4 » Seiyun » Al Hajjrarein » Saif » Beit Bukshan » Haed Al Jazeel. Day 5 » Haed Al Jazeel » Al-Mukalla.

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    Since 2007 specializing in tours throughout Yemen and on Socotra island for individuals, groups and families. The ONLY WorldWide Directory of Tours & Vacations: ... Tour Operator: Easy Travel to Yemen. Tour Information: Since 2007 specializing in tours throughout Yemen and on Socotra island for individuals, groups and families. COMPANY HQ: Yemen.

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    Socotra Island is located in Arabian sea and Indian ocean, It is about more than 300 miles from mainland Yemen. ... Moreover, our main goal is to open new doors by building a common bridge with all, whether tour operators, travel agencies, or individuals. In addition, to showing flexibility to offer innovative, unique tours and high quality ...

  16. THE 10 BEST Yemen Tours & Excursions for 2024 (with Prices)

    24. Scuba & Snorkelling • Shark Diving. By heshamlkks. ... you and makes you wonder,big thanks to socotratrip tours and to Lara for the great organization, Best tour operat... 19. Socotra paradise Eco Tour Agency. 3. Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Taxis & Shuttles. By 771lyudaa.

  17. Yemen Tours : Tours.com

    Tour companies traveling to Yemen, Yemen vacations, and other information about visiting Yemen. Discover the beauties of Yemen while enjoying your vacation in Yemen. ... Tour Operators. Travel Agents. Yemen. Tours & Vacations in Yemen. Search Results: Viewing Page 1 of 1 : Refine Search:

  18. Sheba Tourism = Tourism Services

    Sheba Tourism & Travel. Sheba Tourism & Travel is one of the leading tour operators in Yemen. Since 1982 our company has been successfully working in the field of incoming tourism and proved it self to be a competent and reliable partner in providing tourist services to individual and group tourists and organizing business meetings, and ...

  19. 8-day Travel To Socotra Tour 2024

    Travel to Socotra 2024 in 8 days tour with airport transfers. Visit Alalmah, Detwah Lagoon, Qalansyai, Shoub Beach, Rokeb Farmhin. Product SKU: YE8/SCT/SCT. Product Brand: RJ Travel - Tour Operator. Product Currency: USD. Product Price: 1116. Product In-Stock: InStock. Socotra Island is a breathtaking destination located in the Arabian Sea, off ...

  20. Yemen: tour companies and travel agents

    Yemen: tour companies : Yemen Tourism Authority PO Box 129, Sana'a Tel: + 967-1-252 319 Fax: + 967-1-252 316 : Tour companies outside Yemen. The following foreign-based companies offer package tours in Yemen: Explore Worldwide. Nomad-Reisen German company specialising in small groups, mostly trekking and expeditions. ...

  21. How to travel to Yemen (mainland) in 2024

    How to travel to Yemen by air. Today, the only feasible way to travel to the Yemeni mainland by air is with Yemenia Airways via Cairo to a city named Seiyun. There are 3 to 4 flights a week and tickets must be purchased via a tour agent based in Cairo, the contact of which should be shared by your Yemeni tour operator.

  22. To Yemen : Tours.com

    Tour Operator: To Yemen. Tour Information: Offers a 10 day program and custom programs from 1-21 days customizing the length of the tour, preferred accommodations and special interests. COMPANY HQ: Yemen. DESTINATION(S): Yemen . LANGUAGE(S): English. Contact Information: Email: [email protected]

  23. List of Tour operators in Yemen

    Eternal Yemen, tour and travel operator is on of the leading Yemen tourism companies, known by reliability, excellent tailor made tour programs and constant high quality of its tours.

  24. Yemen

    More expensive, but more efficient travel is to book your tour via one of the registered tour operators, that are found on the Yemen Ministry of Tourism webpage [dead link]. Be aware that there are many non-registered tour operators in Yemen offering lower quality services, providing non-relevant information and many times tourists do not get ...