Discover Yemen: Socotra Island and Ancient Sana'a

Often called the 'alien island', Socotra's otherworldly dragon's blood trees and endemic plants exist nowhere else on Earth.

This UNESCO-listed old town holds some of the world's oldest continuously inhabited multi-storey tower houses, decorated with intricate patterns.

Centuries-old mudbrick skyscrapers rise from the desert in this UNESCO-listed walled city, among the earliest examples of vertical urban planning.

Pristine white-sand beaches meet dramatic limestone cliffs and towering dunes across this remote Indian Ocean archipelago.

For Socotra specifically, October–April avoids the monsoon winds that limit access.

Yes, a visa arranged through a specialised tour operator is required, generally for the Socotra region.

Costs are moderate, with organised transport and permits forming the main expense for the Socotra archipelago.

Travel to Socotra is via chartered flights, with local guided transport arranged upon arrival.