Waypoint Journeys Presents

Socotra

The World's Forgotten Garden of Eden

7 Days

7 Days Exploring the Most Alien Landscape on Earth

View Expedition Details ↓
The Destination

Where the Ancient
World Still Breathes

Lying off the Horn of Africa in the northwest Indian Ocean, the archipelago of Socotra has stirred the imagination of explorers since antiquity — from Alexander the Great to Marco Polo to the legendary Sinbad. Its dragon's blood trees rise like great emerald parasols against ancient skies. Its rare frankincense groves, cucumber trees, and pink desert roses exist nowhere else on Earth.

Just 80 miles long by 25 miles wide, Socotra ranks among the world's foremost centres of endemism — often called the 'Galápagos of the Indian Ocean.' UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 2008. From sea level to nearly a mile high in the central Hajhir Mountains, you are never out of sight of something found nowhere else on the planet.

The island's 60,000 inhabitants speak Soqotri, a language older than Arabic. A deep belief in the power of magic and djinns persists from ancient times. Once at the crossroads of silk and spice trade routes, Socotra holds archaeological sites reaching back to the earliest civilisations — complete with cave art and two-thousand-year-old tools.

"A Noah's Ark where ancient flora, fauna, and a unique culture have survived until the present day."
Dragon Blood Tree standing atop a rocky hill in Socotra Island, Yemen
Dragon Blood Tree — Dracaena cinnabari — Homhil Plateau
Why Socotra

An Island Unlike Any Other

UNESCO World Heritage Site

One of the most biodiverse islands on Earth, inscribed by UNESCO in 2008 for its extraordinary natural values and outstanding universal significance.

Endemic Flora & Fauna

Over 700 species found nowhere else on the planet, including the iconic Dragon's Blood Tree, bottle trees, desert roses, and the Socotran starling.

Dramatic Landscapes

From towering canyons and ancient cave systems stretching kilometres underground to pristine white sand beaches framing turquoise coves.

Marine Adventures

Snorkel in protected lagoons with spinner dolphins, reef sharks, and sea turtles in some of the Indian Ocean's clearest and most pristine waters.

Authentic Expedition

Private mobile camp, expert Soqotri guides with generational knowledge of the land, and locally sourced meals celebrating the island's unique cuisine.

Starlink Connectivity

Stay connected with family or manage urgent work even in one of the world's most remote destinations — Starlink WiFi provided throughout the expedition.

Day by Day

The Expedition

Seven days of discovery across one of Earth's last truly wild frontiers.

Day 1
Jeddah → Socotra → Homhil
Day 1

Catch your flight to Socotra Island from Jeddah. Upon arrival, meet the team at the airport and drive to Hadibo town for lunch and last-minute supplies. Head into the mountainous northeast to the Homhil Plateau, where you'll camp among fabled dragon's blood, bottle, and cucumber trees. Enjoy a short hike down to a natural infinity pool overlooking the sea.

Day 2
Homhil → Arher
Day 2

Wake to a sunrise among Dragon's Blood Trees and hike to a stunning natural infinity pool at the edge of the plateau. Pick up dragon blood resin and frankincense from local children along the way. After lunch, drive to Arher — a spectacular beach camp in the far northeast where a fresh creek emerges from cracked granite mountains. Climb the massive 100+ metre sand dune for a jaw-dropping sunset. If you're lucky, witness bright blue bioluminescence in the ocean at night.

Day 3
Arher → Hoq Cave → Ras Irisseyl
Day 3

An early start for the 2.5-hour hike up to Hoq Cave — over three kilometres long with stalactites, stalagmites, crystalline formations, and a water pool at the end, like an ancient cathedral. In the evening, drive to Ras Irisseyl, the easternmost point of Socotra where the Indian Ocean meets the Arabian Sea. Visit a small fishing village and explore "Crab City" — a beach home to thousands of sand crabs building castle-like structures at low tide.

Day 4
Arher → Kalisan Canyon → Hadibo
Day 4

Drive through rolling hills of Dragon's Blood Trees to reach Kalisan Canyon — a deep swimming wadi with crystal-clear freshwater pools and waterfalls. The 45-minute hike down passes Bottle Trees along the way. Spend the morning swimming before driving to Hadibo for a night at the Summerlands Hotel with hot showers and WiFi.

Day 5
Hadibo → Firhmin Forest → Zahek → Diksam
Day 5

Trek into Firhmin Forest, the last woodland of Dragon's Blood trees at this density anywhere on Earth. A local goat herder demonstrates how precious red resin has been collected for centuries. Hike into Derhur Canyon for swimming and a picnic lunch among unusual rock formations. At sunset, explore the "sea of sand" at Zahek — a surreal landscape of dunes rolling to the shoreline where ancient pottery shards still surface.

Day 6
Diksam → Detwah Lagoon → Shu'ab Beach
Day 6

Visit the Dragon's Blood Tree nursery, then stop at Diksam's school to meet students and teachers (volunteer to teach English if you'd like). Drive northwest to Detwah Lagoon — a marine-protected paradise with a white sandy peninsula jutting into turquoise waters. Meet Abdullah the Caveman, your guide to exploring marine wildlife from his cave above the lagoon. Later, boat to Shu'ab Beach for snorkeling with spinner dolphins.

Day 7
Hadibo → Jeddah
Day 7

A leisurely final morning in Hadibo — browse the market for frankincense, dragon blood resin, and local crafts to bring home. After a last breakfast together, transfer to the airport for your direct charter flight back to Jeddah. Carry with you memories of a place unlike any other on Earth.

Expedition vehicles parked on pristine Socotra Island beach

Small Group Expedition

Every Detail Arranged.
Every Moment Yours.

Expedition Details

What's Included

Duration 7 days / 6 nights
Group Size Small group expedition — intimate, unhurried, and personal
Flights Charter flight from Jeddah to Socotra, round-trip
Accommodation Private mobile camp (5 nights) + Summerlands Hotel, Hadibo (1 night)
Meals All meals included — freshly prepared with local seafood, Soqotri and Yemeni cuisine
Connectivity Starlink WiFi provided throughout the entire expedition
Visa $150 USD Socotra visa fee — payable on arrival (not included in trip price)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common Questions About This Expedition

You'll fly to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which serves as the departure point. From there, we arrange a charter flight directly to Socotra — it's the only reliable way to reach the island. The charter flight is included in your expedition price.
Most nights are spent in our private mobile camp — think comfortable mattresses, quality bedding, and camp chairs set up in stunning locations like Detwah Lagoon and Arher Beach. The first or last night is at the Summerlands Hotel in Hadibo, the island's main town. This isn't roughing it — it's camping with purpose and comfort.
Socotra has virtually no local cell coverage outside Hadibo. However, we provide Starlink satellite WiFi throughout the entire expedition, so you can stay connected when you need to — or disconnect completely. Your choice.
Yes. A Socotra visa costs $150 USD and is payable on arrival. You'll also need a valid Saudi transit visa if connecting through Jeddah. We provide full visa guidance and documentation support once you book.
Socotra is called the 'Galápagos of the Indian Ocean' for good reason. You'll encounter Dragon's Blood Trees found nowhere else on Earth, endemic desert roses, and unique bird species. The marine life is equally impressive — pristine coral reefs, sea turtles, and dolphins are common around the island's coastline.

Expedition Investment

$2,950

USD per person

Fully inclusive of accommodation, all meals, activities, and ground transportation

International airfare (Jeddah ↔ Socotra) and $150 USD visa fee not included

Reserve Your Spot
A Note on Safety

While Socotra is officially part of Yemen, it lies over 200 miles from the mainland. The island's remoteness means the mainland conflict has not affected Socotra. There have been no incidents of violence or instability on the island. The Soqotri people are famously hospitable and welcoming to visitors.