Haggier & Interior Socotra Highlights

Adho Demalah

Reachable by a rough jeep track or on foot from the village of Adourno, Adho Demelah is a small Bedouin settlement at what one might consider the entrance to the Haggier Mountains from the north.

Adho Demelah can be used as a s rustic campsite (no facilities) for day treks to Fera and Erkabo, or as a resting point before multi-day hikes deeper into the mountains to Daahzaz, the Firhmin Forest, and on to the Noged Plateau.

Dahaisi Cave

Difficult to locate and known for its ancient rock art, Dahaisi Cave is of interest to those who are fascinated by the ancient history of Socotra Island. 

Located on Momi Plateau but accessible from Homhil, a short trek will bring you to the difficult-to-spot entrance to Dahaisi Cave.

Inside the cave opens up into several different chambers, eventually delving down into a sump where cave drawings that are believed to date back as far as the 1st century BC can be found.

Ask in advance about visiting Dahaisi as a local guide from a nearby village is necessary to arrange to get to the cave. 

Dixsam Plateau

Comprised of a massive slab of limestone, Dixsam Plateau is the heart of Socotra Island, home to some of the largest dragon blood trees on the island. 

For epic views of the Grand Canyon of Socotra, aka: Wadi Dirhur, Dixsam is the best panorama for it.

The plateau also features a dragon blood tree nursery which can be arranged to visit on request.

Erkabo

Reachable by a short trek from Adho Demalah, Erkabo is a great short hike for those who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to trekking on Socotra but still want to get in some epic views of the Haggier Mountains. 

Fera

With arguably some of the best views in the Haggiers and the north coast of Socotra, the area known as Fera makes for an excellent day hike from the small settlement of Adho Demelah. 

From up top be surrounded by beguiling cliffs and jagged peaks in the distance reminiscent of a Machu Picchu dotted with dragon blood trees, while Egyptian vultures catch thermals and glide high above. 

Keep an eye out too for the endemic Socotra begonia which can be found clinging to the cliffs up here in Fera.

Firhmin Forest

Forming the eastern side of Wadi Dirhur, opposite the Dixsam Plateau is the Firhmin Forest.

Home to the largest concentration of dragon blood trees on Socotra, and therefore, the world, Firhmin Forest is a destination not to be left off of any Socotra itinerary.

With road access via Dixsam Plateau and Wadi Dirhur, reaching the wild Firhmin Forest is quite easy. However, those looking for a challenge can opt to make a long multi-day trek through the Haggier Mountains to reach Firhmin Forest via Adho Demelah and Daahzaz.

Short walks to longer day hikes can be arranged in the Firhmin Forest.

A rustic campsite is located in a clearing in the forest for those who want to spend the night among the dragons though there are no facilities as of yet. 

A small at-home dragon blood tree nursery can be found not too far from the campsite run by a woman named Fatima out of her personal garden. Ask your guide about visiting, she sells dragon resin and frankincense too, and may even offer to give you a facial treatment with arrowzseh- a mixture of dragon blood resin and turmeric mixed into a paste and applied to the face for weddings. 

Skånd Peak

Skånd is Socotra’s highest peak at just over 1500 meters, the jagged peak towers over Socotra.

Those wanting to visit the Skånd area for the best views of the mountains can do a 6-hour day hike from the settlement of Tarhar high on the Dixsam Plateau. 

Wadi Ayhaft

Home to a plethora of endemics and quite close to the Socotra Airport, Wadi Ayhaft National Park is a great introduction to Socotra for those just arriving. 

Here find Cucumber trees, Socotran fig, and even the endemic Socotran crab, among other rare species. Eventually, you will reach a dammed-off freshwater pool in Wadi Ayhaft, which is the drinking water source for those living in Hadiboh. 

Wadi Dirhur

The ‘Grand Canyon of Socotra‘, Wadi Dirhur is an impressive sight, gashed into the limestone plateau separating Dixsam Plateau from the Firhmin Forest.

Down in the wadi, find freshwater pools to swim in, though sometimes they can be covered in thick green algae. 

Succulent fans will enjoy meandering up the sides of the wadi in search of rare plant life.

Wadi Faro

Wadi Faro connects the southeast extremity of Socotra to the Momi plateau and from there onto Homhil and the northeast. 

Find oasis-like date-fringed pools along Wadi Faro that make for perfect spots to picnic and go for a swim.