Yemen · August 1 - 5 2025

9 Day South Yemen Expedition

Across the Ancient Frankincense Trail

4 Nights

SOLD OUT

Description

Overview

Journey along old frankincense trade routes through Central Yemen’s Hadhromaut region.
Highlights of this once-in-a-lifetime journey include the ethereal Wadi Daw’an and its fairy tale village of Haid al Jazil, the Hadhrami coastal city of Mukalla, exploration of Yemen’s mystic heart in Tarim, the lovely palaces of Seiyun, and the enigmatic ancient mudbrick city of Shibam.

Highlights

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Daybreak at Haid al Jazil

Catch an unforgettable sunrise over the beautiful hamlet of Haid al Jazil, perched in Wadi Daw'an.

Ambling the Living Museum of Shibam

Experience the magic of wandering the narrow pathways in the ancient labyrinth famously known as the 'Manhatten of Arabia'.

Shop the Souks and Learn About Sufism

Tarim is largely Yemen's Sufi hub, giving us the opportunity to learn a bit more about Sufism and mysticism.

Explore Beautiful Palaces

The Hadhromaut region is scattered with beautiful palaces that we'll have the opportunity to visit in Wadi Daw'an and Seiyun.

Itinerary

Cairo | Seiyun

Day 1

We will meet in the morning at Cairo Airport Terminal 1 to catch our departing flight to Aden at 11:45. We will arrive in Seiyun in the afternoon and clear immigration, then be brought to a nearby hotel for the night.

Included

Dinner

Mukalla | Wadi Daw’an | Wadi Hadhramaut

Day 2-8

For days 2-8 we will explore the greater Wadi Hadhramaut region, including some of the most stunning sights such as Wadi Daw’an and Haid al Jazil, Shibam, Mukalla, Tarim, and Seiyun.
For the safety of our guests, we do not publish this portion of the itinerary publically but can gladly discuss further for those interested.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Hadiboh | Homhil Protected Area

Day 9

In the the early morning we will head to the Mukalla Airport to catch our 10:00 flight to Socotra.
Be met by your local Socotri guide on arrival at Socotra International Airport. After collecting our bags we will head into the main town of Hadiboh. Here you will have an early lunch before making the drive to Homhil Protected Area.
Homhil is home to a scattering of Socotra’s fascinating endemics including the famed Dragon blood tree, bottle trees, and frankincense trees. Meander among these rare plant species and to a natural infinity pool that you undoubtedly have to see to believe.
In the afternoon spend your time checking out the interesting plant life around and taking a much-needed swim in the Homhil pool that overlooks the Arabian Sea.

Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What's included

  • English speaking guides
  • Driver and transportation
  • Meals as noted on itinerary
  • Yemeni visa fee
  • Permits and security clearances
  • Entrance fees
  • Accommodation based on double occupancy (option for single supplement available)
  • Flights in and out of Yemen
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending
  • Tips for local staff

Hosts

Nicole Smoot

Expedition Lead
Nicole Smoot is a travel adventurer and photographer born and raised in the Alaskan mountains. She enjoys bad taxidermy, post-soviet bunkers, spelunking, and homemade wine. Nicole’s adventures include surviving a bear attack, a glacial cave collapse, and utilizing a ceasefire to move a tour through Northern Afghanistan. She became the first foreign woman to summit Shah Foladi Mountain. Additionally, she has discovered and cataloged petroglyphs, cave drawings, and glacial cave location data.

Nicole maintains a proprietary network across Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. She has consulted for various Ministries of Tourism and NGOs on tourism development. Despite the challenges, Nicole gravitates to regions often overlooked due to geopolitical strife and lack of tourism infrastructure. Her photography can be seen in National Geographic, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Lonely Planet, and at The.Adventures.Of.Nicole on Instagram.

the.adventures.of.nicole

Next Departures

9 Day South Yemen
Expedition

FROM$3,700.00/pp
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Extras & Options

Single supplement

Single supplement

Opt for a private room in South Yemen. Subject to availability.

FROM $525.00/pp
This add-on will be available at checkout to add to your order.
View available Dates

FAQs

The security situation in the Hadhramaut region has remained relatively stable over the past few years. Of course, there are risks involved with traveling in Mainland Yemen, but we work with an experienced team who carefully mitigates the risks of travel in Yemen. Our team receives routine security reports for the areas we will visit on the mainland and will alter the itinerary as they see fit to keep the group safe.
This 8 Day South Yemen Expedition will begin by catching a flight from Cairo to Seiyun. The trip ends in Seiyun with us catching a flight from Seiyun back to Cairo.
Yemenia provides a flight from Cairo to Seiyun on Saturdays, however, it isn’t possible to book this ticket online as it is a charter flight. Get in contact and we will facilitate the booking process.

Nearly all nationalities require a Yemeni visa in order to visit. We will handle the Yemeni visa process for you. All we need is a scan of your passport info page. We will apply for your visa and once it is approved we will send you a document of visa approval. This visa approval document should be printed and brought with you to the airport in order to board your flight to Seiyun. On arrival in Seiyun, this document will be exchanged for a stamp in your passport. We will need approximately 3 weeks to get your visa secured for you.

Additionally, you will need security clearance for traveling in Mainland Yemen. We will attain this document for you.

To join any Safar Expeditions departure you will need to carry an active travel insurance plan. Be aware that Yemen’s remote nature and limited medical facilities pose very real challenges in the event of medical emergencies and serious illness. Because of this, it is recommended to select an insurance plan that covers both medical care and evacuation.

We recommend using IATI travel insurance for medical coverage and an evacuation plan from Global Rescue. Prescriptions and even some over-the-counter medications can be difficult to find in Yemen, so make sure to bring any meds you need or may need with you.

Officially the Yemeni Rial is the currency used in Yemen. Note that the Yemeni Rial is quite volatile to fluctuations. The Rial can vary between 500-1500 Rial to the US dollar. There are simple money exchange offices in Seiyun where money can be exchanged for Yemeni Rials. US dollars seem to net the best rates and bills must be new and crisp without any markings, folds, tears, etc. You may want to exchange a small amount into Rials on arrival for smaller purchases. Credit cards are not accepted anywhere.
Yes, we do provide a suggested packing list and preparation guide for our Yemen expeditions that can be viewed here.

The cuisine in South Yemen is flavorful and delicious. You can expect meat dishes along the way such as chicken, goat, and camel, and fresh seafood in coastal areas. Typically meals are accompanied by a simple salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, and yogurt. Rice and bean dishes are common sides served at lunch and dinner, and no Yemeni meal would be complete without flatbread and shai (tea).

Please let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that we can accommodate your needs.

Yemeni society is very conservative. While in Mainland Yemen you will need to dress in local garb for security purposes. For men, this means long trousers and shirts that cover the shoulders, or even better the Yemeni traditional outfit of a fouta (a sarong-like fabric wrapped like a skirt) and a button-down shirt. Foutas can be purchased on arrival in Seiyun. Women visiting Mainland Yemen are expected to be fully covered while in public, even foreigners. Black abayas and hijabs are required while we are out, and in certain areas, you may be expected to wear a niqab.

Yemen Mobile has coverage in the Hadhramaut region and SIM cards can be purchased by foreigners in Seiyun. Most foreign mobile companies do not have a relationship with Yemen Mobile, so your home plan likely will not work.

In Mainland Yemen, we will have electricity each evening but note that rolling blackouts aren’t unheard of.

Alcohol and illicit substances are not allowed in Yemen. Drones are not allowed into Mainland Yemen without obtaining a media permit that includes a drone on your gear list. This must be arranged well in advance of arrival and will incur an additional cost.
Yemen forbids all Israeli nationals, people born in Israel, and any traveler with proof of travel to Israel in their passports (including border stamps from Egypt and Jordan) from entering the country.
While some of the distances covered on this South Yemen itinerary aren’t long, road trips in Yemen are slow going owing to rough roads, checkpoints, and roadblocks. You can expect drive times to vary between most destinations on our itinerary between 1-5 hours but are always subject to delays.
Yes, a minimum of 4 passengers will need to be on this expedition in order to run. If the minimum isn’t reached, we will contact you about the potential to still operate the trip but at an additional charge or you will be given the option to cancel and your deposit/payment can either be returned to you or applied toward a different expedition of your choosing.