Socotra : Hiking & Boating

Name: Socotra : Hiking & Boating
Brand: ishkar-explore
SKU: SOT1745
Price: 3990.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Journey by foot and by boat to the remotest corners of Yemen's Socotra Island for 8 days.

This trip begins with a multi-day hiking focus, travelling on foot up Socotra's wadis and on to the island's highest peak, where 80% of the island's endemic species are found. After descending the mountains, we'll explore the island's south-west by boat, navigating around sea cliffs and sand dunes, to access the island's most remote fishing villages.

We interview all those that apply to join the trip. Once selected, participants will be required to pay a 30% non-refundable deposit of $1200 to secure their place on the trip.

The total price per person for group trips is $3990*. Payment of the trip balance and flights and visas will then be due 60 days prior to departure. Please note that bespoke trips are priced separately.

Additional costs:

Flights to Socotra - $950

Visa - $160

Please note that by paying the deposit, you agree to abide by our Terms & Conditions.

To express your interest and for further information, please contact us at: explore@ishkar.com, or book a consultation with us by clicking on the button above.

* Where international payments are due, we request that you ensure the full amount is received after all bank charges have been levied, as per the price and currency stated on the invoice stated.

What?

A rare opportunity to journey around Socotra by foot and by boat.

This journey involves a multi-day hike from Socotra's north coast, into the mountainous interior and up to the island's highest peak, where 80% of the island's endemic plant species are found.

After a multi day hike, the journey continues by boat, to Socotra's remote south-west, where long sand dunes, remote salt-harvesting villages, and the remains of a monsoon-ravaged mangrove forest can be found.

We will be accompanied by Socotri experts who will introduce us in to the wealth of endemic species on the island.

Where?

Socotra, Yemen.

Who?

The trip is open to all adventurous and inquisitive minds who are eager to learn about Socotra’s unique environment.

A good level of fitness will be required in order to hike for up to 4-6 hours for three days at a time over rough terrain.

We will be camping throughout the trip, so being comfortable with sleeping outdoors is also a must!

We will be a small team of up to 8 people, accompanied throughout by our guide and a member of the ISHKAR team.

Due to high demand we interview everyone who applies to join ISHKAR trips. Your group travel experience is as important to us as the destination experience.

Socotra : Hiking & Boating

£3,990.00

Trip Highlights

01 / Socotra's Highest Peak

Hike and camp your way from Socotra's north coast up to the island's highest point where 80% of the island's endemic species can be found.

02 / Highland Goat Herding

Hike up into the alpine meadows of the Hajhir mountains alongside goat herders. Learn from them about the arrival and importance of livestock on the island, and its impact on local flora.

03 / Salt Harvesting

Visit Socotra's salt ponds behind the mangroves and the shores, to learn about traditional harvesting techniques.

04 / Remote Coasts and Sea Cliffs

Stay in remote fishing villages on the island's south-western tip, camping on sand dunes and spending siesta in the shade of houses built from salvaged shipwrecks

Our Destination

The Socotra archipelago is an oasis of calm, isolated in the northwest Indian Ocean off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia. It is a land of high mountains, pristine white beaches, and one of the world’s densest concentrations of plant and animal life found anywhere on the planet.

From June to September every year, strong monsoon winds hit the islands, contributing to Socotra’s inaccessibility. This inaccessibility has been a blessing for Socotra in recent years. There have been very low levels of human impact on the environment of the island compared to other global biodiversity hotspots. The island’s population remains small (around 60,000), and was a barter only economy as late as 1990. The island’s isolation also means that Socotra has been insulated from the ongoing civil war on mainland Yemen, making Socotra a safe and welcoming destination for the handful of tourists which make their way to the island each year.

Your Guide

Tarim Contin-Kennedy

Although Italian, Tarim has spent much of his life growing up in Sana’a, where he learned to speak the local dialect near perfectly. From an early age he began routinely visiting Socotra, where he gained a passion for zoology and wildlife conservation. During his time in Yemen, Tarim contributed to renowned international publications such as Al Jazeera, The Guardian and Esquire on the topic of wildlife conservation in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Price

The price for this once in a lifetime trip is $3990. The price will include all food, transport and accommodation whilst in country. We will be assisted by guides who know the region inside out, providing access to areas rarely seen by tourists.

* Where international payments are due, we request that you ensure the full amount is received, after all bank charges have been levied as per the price and currency stated on the invoice stated.

Group Travel

One of the best things about going on an ISHKAR trip is the group of people with whom you travel. Our trips attract informed, critically minded and adventurous people from all around the world.

Some of you will be drawn by the prospect of spending time in the remote wilderness, others will be drawn by the chance to learn about a fascinating and poorly understood part of the world.

We get to know everyone who applies to our trips over the phone. In this way we can curate groups guaranteed to enjoy sharing this extraordinary experience together. What unites everyone is the same curious spirit and desire to get far away from the typical tourist trails.

Travel Security

We are uncompromising when it comes to the safety and security of our travellers and will not hesitate to alter plans or cancel trips due to changing security dynamics. Due to Socotra's remote location, it has been insulated entirely from the conflict on mainland Yemen. We do not travel to mainland Yemen.

Through working with our team of local guides we are able to stay abreast of any changes to the security situation if there were any.

ISHKAR Team Members

Your ISHKAR point of contact for the trip is Kate Bloomer. If you have any queries about the trip:

Email: explore@ishkar.com
Book a consultation: Click here.

Kate Bloomer ~ Head of Travel

Kate brings a decade of experience designing tailormade tours for curious and discerning travellers. While she's explored corners of almost every continent, and lived on three, she's particularly drawn to the Middle East and Central Asia, and to parts of the world are a challenge to understand and navigate.

Kate has long admired ISHKAR's ethos and their dedication to exposing open-minded individuals to lesser known and misunderstood destinations through crafts, storytelling and travel. She first worked with ISHKAR on a trip to Socotra in 2021 and is proud to now be contributing her expertise to the team.

Contact:
kate@ishkar.com
+44 7500 963326

Kate Bloomer - “Socotra Flora and Fauna” traveller 2021

"ISHKAR's trip to Socotra was a truly once in a lifetime experience which we will treasure forever. We loved every minute of it, and wouldn't have changed a thing. Thank you for bringing this place to life for us and for making it so special."

Eva Ho - “Socotra x Simon Norfolk” traveller 2021

"ISHKAR did a terrific job in providing a truly authentic, safe, and compelling experience in Socotra, a place that is not easy to visit. All the guides were welcoming, helpful, motivated and engaging. They put a lot of effort into creating a unique and memorable itinerary that focused on chasing the best light for photography and showcasing the best Socotra has to offer. We were able to see beautiful landscapes, learn about the diverse and endemic flora, as well as meet wonderful local people and see how they live. It was great to spend time with a group who was so passionate about photography while appreciating and respecting local cultural values, norms and beliefs. I would highly recommend anyone to do this trip!! Definitely one that I will not forget for many years to come. Thank you ISHKAR and the entire crew for making it possible!"

Scott Blanksteen - “Socotra x Simon Norfolk” traveller 2021

"ISHKAR and the local on-the-ground team did an amazing job making a remote island accessible. The staff was great, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable; the arrangements were logical and practical, and the experiences and guests were fun and unique."

Join us on the trip of a lifetime