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YEMEN

Anyone who had the privilege of visiting it decades ago describes Yemen as one of the most fascinating journeys in the world. Over the last twenty years, the country has been marked by conflicts, humanitarian crises, and economic difficulties, making tourism nearly impossible. Yet in the eastern region of Hadramawt, among the most captivating areas of the country, conditions are slowly beginning to improve. It is here that our six-day expedition will take place, exploring the port city of Mukalla and the remote valleys of Wadi Dawan, between canyons and mud villages perched on rocky outcrops, ending with the legendary mud skyscrapers of Shibam, known as the “Manhattan of the desert”.

The BHS touch

While waiting for the possibility of returning to Sana’a, the legendary capital of Yemen that is still inaccessible, we are ready to bring travel back to the country. Accompanied by a local guide, we will be among the first Western travellers to set foot again in these extraordinary lands after more than ten years. We will stay in the village of Haid Al-Jazil, one of the most remote and spectacular settlements in Yemen, where time seems suspended. And from the desert, watching the magical silhouette of Shibam’s mud skyscrapers appear on the horizon will feel like witnessing a mirage.

Highlights

The eastern region of Hadramawt

The valleys of Wadi Dawat

The port of Mukalla

The proto-skyscrapers of Shibam

Where we will stay

3- and 4-star hotels in traditional buildings

How we move around

4×4 vehicles with driver

Trans Alps Adventure

YEMEN

TRAVEL ITINERARY

Day 1–2: Arrival in Seiyun

DAY 1: Flight to Cairo, with time to visit some of the city’s main attractions depending on arrival schedules. Overnight stay in a hotel in Cairo.

DAY 2: Meeting in Cairo and flight to Seiyun. Arrival in Yemen, meeting with local representatives at the airport, customs procedures, and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3: Mukalla

Morning: Breakfast and transfer to Seiyun Old Town to purchase local clothing. Journey through Wadi Sah towards Mukalla, one of the main cities in Yemen and one of the country’s most important ports. Arrival, hotel check-in, and traditional seafood lunch.

Afternoon: Walk through the port streets, visit to the Al-Ghawizi fortress, and continuation through the old city of Mukalla and its historic market.

Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel with a beautiful view over the Arabian Sea.

Day 4: Wadi Doa’n

Morning: Breakfast, visit to the Mukalla fish market, and transfer to Wadi Do’an, a breathtaking valley dotted with ancient traditional villages. Lunch overlooking Haid Al-Jazil, a small village perched on a rocky outcrop in the middle of the valley, offering one of the most iconic panoramas of the entire Wadi Dawan.

Afternoon: Easy and scenic trek to the village of Hawfah in Wadi Do’an. The route continues towards the village of Buqshan, famous for its colourful palaces.

Evening: Return to the hotel and sunset dinner overlooking Wadi Dawan.

Day 5: Wadi Doa’n – Shibam

Morning: Breakfast and departure towards Ribat, with a visit to the city linked to the Bin Laden family, before continuing to Qarht Bahumaish, the last village of Wadi Do’an. The journey proceeds towards Shibam with several photographic stops along the route, including the village of Musainah and the town of Al-Khuraiba. Picnic lunch beneath the trees facing the beautiful village of Qarn Majed.

Afternoon: Visit to the city of Sif, considered second only to Shibam in beauty, with stops at panoramic viewpoints across the valley, including the town of Al-Hajjrain, ending with a sunset overlooking Shibam.

Evening: Return to Seiyun, dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6: Shibam -Seiyun- Aynat -Tarim

Morning: Transfer to Shibam, the historic capital of Hadramawt and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the “Manhattan of the desert”. Entirely built in mud, the city is famous for its five-hundred tower houses rising between five and nine floors, some dating back to the sixteenth century: true ancient skyscrapers creating one of the world’s most extraordinary skylines. Transfer to Seiyun and visit to the old town, the honey market, the traditional Al-Handhal market, the fruit and vegetable market, and Al-Fals Palace. Continuation to Tarim, a historic Sufi city built in mud.

Afternoon: Visit to the historic Sufi shrines in the Aynat area and the city of Tarim, with its local market and the Al-Mihdar Mosque.

Evening: Return to the hotel in Seiyun, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Return to Italy

Morning: Transfer to the airport and return flight to Cairo

Afternoon: Return flight to Italy

CHOOSE WHEN TO DEPART

Reserve online with €100

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PRICE INCLUDES

  • all flights
  • cabin carry-on baggage and one personal item
  • entry visa and consular procedures
  • all overnight stays in double rooms
  • all meals
  • all transfers
  • all entrance fees
  • English-speaking guide
  • Italian tour leader throughout the trip
  • tour leader expenses
  • medical insurance (up to €100,000)

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Tips, extras, personal expenses, and anything not explicitly mentioned

Checked luggage: available for purchase at the time of booking

Seat selection on the plane: available for purchase at the time of booking (international flights only)

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: €300

Guarantees accommodation in a single room

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DOCUMENTS

A passport valid for at least 6 months from the return date is required.

VISAS

Included

VACCINATIONS

No mandatory vaccinations. Please check on http://www.viaggiaresicuri.it/country/ARG  

TIME ZONE

The time zone in Yemen is UTC +3.
It does not observe daylight saving time, so the time remains the same throughout the year.

POWER OUTLETS

In Yemen, Type A, D, and G power outlets are used (the situation varies). It is recommended to bring a universal adapter.

SIM AND INTERNET

In Yemen you can use a local SIM (such as Yemen Mobile, Sabafon or MTN Yemen (YOU)), which is inexpensive but offers slow and unstable internet, or an eSIM such as Airalo or Holafly, which is more convenient but more expensive. In general, the connection is weak, so it works for WhatsApp and little else.

WEATHER

The weather depends on the season and the region visited. In Yemen, temperatures range from lows of around 15–20°C to highs above 35°C, with a hot desert climate and more temperate conditions in the mountainous areas.

WHAT TO BRING

WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR SUITCASE

  • Comfortable trousers
  • Short-sleeved T-shirts
  • Comfortable clothing
  • Fleeces / sweatshirts
  • Winter / light jacket
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sunglasses

TOILETRIES / MEDICATION

  • No specific medication required (bring according to personal needs)
  • Toiletries according to personal needs / habits

OTHER

  • Power bank
OTHER QUESTIONS

Check the FAQ section here https://bhs.travel/faq/

INFORMAZIONI AGGIUNTIVE