Socotra is a magical country, as if taken from prehistoric times, a relic of rough soil left behind after the Arabian peninsula was cut off from Africa 20 million years ago.
It is characterized as the most eerie island in the world and not unfairly. The mountainous terrain, the winds, the dry climate and the tropical temperatures, created unique climatic conditions, such that the evolution of life on it followed unusual paths of speciation, leading to the development of unique endemic species of flora and fauna.
It includes a cluster of 4 islands and 2 rocky islets that appear as an extension of the Horn of Africa 240 km east of it. The site is of global importance due to its biodiversity with rich and distinct flora and fauna: 37% of Socotra's 825 plant species, 90% of reptile species and 95% of land snail species are found nowhere else in the world! The place is also home to significant global populations of land and sea birds (192 bird species, 44 of which breed on the islands while 85 are regular migrants), including a number of endangered species such as the Egyptian Griffon Vulture. Socotra's marine life is also very diverse, with 253 reef-making coral species, 730 coastal fish species, and 300 species of crabs, lobster, and shrimp. All this led to the group of islands being characterized as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean
One of Socotra's most impressive and characteristic trees is the Dragon Blood tree. It contains a red resin called "dragon's blood" that was used as a medicine with immunostimulating properties.
It belongs to the Republic of Yemen, but is 400 km away so that it has not been affected by the civil war, maintaining a strange sense of peace and tranquility. The main source of income of the island comes from tourism.
In 2008 the entire Socotra Archipelago was included in the list of World Natural Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
With the program we follow, we attempt an in-depth acquaintance and contact with the unique natural environment of the island, choosing to camp in unique spots of unparalleled beauty and thus exhausting all our available time, in the embrace of nature.
Highlights:
- Travel to the most otherworldly region on earth
- The entire Socotra Archipelago is included in the list of World Natural Heritage Sites by UNESCO
- 37% of Socotra's 825 plant species, 90% of reptile species and 95% of land snail species do not exist anywhere else in the world!
- Paths and exploration of forests with trees of incredible forms, found nowhere else on the planet
- Dragon Blood trees, whose blood-red resin has medicinal properties and watch Bedouins collect their resin
- Listen to the sounds and serenity of nature by camping in unique landscapes, deserted beaches and plateaus
- To wander in an area with few tourists, where it reaches only two flights a week and has only a few hotels only around the capital
- Explore two of the many caves of the island, some of which exceed a depth of 3 km
- Climb barefoot on large sand dunes enjoying the texture of fine sand and the panoramic view from their top
- Swim in amazing tropical beaches and natural freshwater pools
- Explore the coral reef of Dihamri Marine Park
