Socotra. The Island of Dragon Blood Trees

8 days / 7 nights

Mar 21–28, 2027

8 people + tour leader

Children 14+

Comfort ★★★★

Luxury tents

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What awaits you

A journey to Socotra Island — a lost world in the Indian Ocean where nature has created landscapes unlike anything else on Earth.

🏝

Lost island

One of the most isolated and scenic islands on the planet

🦕

Prehistoric landscapes

Nature resembling a set from a film about prehistoric Earth

🌳

Dragon blood trees

Forests of legendary trees aged 500–1,000 years, found nowhere else

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Pristine white beaches

Fine white sand and lagoons of an unreal azure colour

🕳

Crystal caves

Unique caves with stalactites, stalagmites and underground lakes

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Canyons and waterfalls

Canyons, waterfalls and natural warm-water pools

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Alien dunes

Dunes in shades of white descending right to the sea

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Dolphins and turtles

Swimming with hundreds of dolphins, snorkelling among corals and sea turtles

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Bottle trees

Whimsical bottle trees and an enormous variety of unique flowers

👩‍✈️

Professional tour leader

Tour Leader Club guidance throughout the entire journey

Day-by-Day Programme

We depart from Moscow to Abu Dhabi the night before. The flight to Socotra leaves early in the morning, so it is best to choose flights arriving at night or to stay overnight in a hotel. You need to be at the airport by 6 AM to check in. Upon arrival on the island, an English-speaking guide and drivers will meet us; they will accompany the group throughout the trip. We board air-conditioned 4WD vehicles (three people per car, each with a window seat) and head to the fishing village of Qalansiyah. The island seems arid and rocky — until you reach the viewing platform over Detwah Lagoon! Emerald, beryl, aquamarine and turquoise shades of the Arabian Sea, shores of fine light sand, snow-white dunes, endless ocean. We descend to the lagoon and settle into camp. Tents are set up by the host team; each guest receives a mattress, pillow, bed linen set, blanket and towel. Beach walk, sunset, dinner.

We drive to the fishing village of Qalansiyah, where traditional wooden boats await us. Hundreds of dolphins begin a spectacular show alongside the boats — you can jump in and swim next to them. Encounters with flying rays and whale sharks are possible. Next — the deserted Shuab Beach: 12 kilometres of white sand. Swimming, snorkelling, walking. Lunch with 'Caveman' Elai — traditional food, tea, lagoon exploration: rays, squid, cuttlefish, turtles, starfish. Return to camp, dinner under the starry sky with hookah.

We drive to the Dixam Plateau — the heart of the island. Descent into Dirhur Canyon — dramatic landscapes as if from prehistoric times. In the canyon you can cool off in small pools. Meeting local Bedouins: camels, goats, woven carpets. Tea and a picnic under an ancient dragon blood tree. A walk through the unique Firmin Forest — the trees here are 500 to 1,000 years old. Especially beautiful in the golden light of sunset. Dinner at camp, stars, legends of spirits and djinn.

We head south to the Noged sand region. Aomak Beach — the Indian Ocean in all its glory. Swimming, waves, white sand, resting in the shade of palms or on sun loungers. Optional SUP kayaking. Dagub Cave — let's explore! Drive to Zahek: dune after dune, fifty shades of white sand against the blue ocean. Meditation, dune sliding, sandboarding, photo session. Sunset at Haif Dunes. Dinner at camp to the sound of ocean waves.

Hike along the coast to Kalisan Canyon. A one-hour descent to emerald freshwater lakes — crystal-clear water, swimming, cliff jumping. Lunch at the top with views of mountains and ocean. Archer Beach — the most unusual beach: rocks, caves, towering white dunes, green shrubs, a mountain river, a natural spring. Dolphins swim here in the mornings; whale spouts are visible in the distance. Possible: bioluminescent plankton at night — waves glowing blue. Overnight stay for 2 nights. Dinner by the sea.

Option A: Trek to Hoq Cave — a 350–400 m ascent over 1–2 hours. The cave resembles a cathedral — crystal formations, ancient inscriptions, stalactites, stalagmites, a natural pool. The cave extends 11 km deep; about three kilometres are open to visitors. One-hour descent, lunch on the beach.

Option B: Relax on the beach with sun loungers, umbrellas and SUP boards.

Before sunset — Ras Erissel Cape, the easternmost point where the Arabian Sea meets the Indian Ocean. Tea with fishermen, songs of their children. Return to camp, dinner.

Early rise — climb the highest dune (30 min – 1 hour through sand). Sunrise at the island's summit, photographs. Breakfast at camp. Homhil Nature Reserve: trek among dragon blood, bottle, frankincense trees and palms. Infinity Pool — a freshwater pool with tiny crabs and an ocean panorama. Lunch in a palm grove. Qeriyah Lagoon: snorkelling — turtles, octopuses, moray eels, thousands of tropical fish among colourful corals. In the evening — Hadibo town: souvenirs, local ice cream. Farewell dinner with a surprise from the team. Overnight stay near the airport.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport (arrive 3 hours before departure — military security closes the entrance). Flight via Abu Dhabi, return to Moscow.

Tour Leader

Evgeniya Kulish

Guide since the late 80s · PADI Instructor · Tech diver · Photographer

Accommodation

The most beautiful places on Socotra are far from civilisation and infrastructure. That is why we stay in camps — but surrounded by fantastic nature!

Our overnight stays are in latest-generation luxury tents for 2 people. Staff set up and take down the tents — you do not need to do anything yourself, just make your bed and gather your linen when moving camp. Inside the tent: a comfortable mattress, pillow, bed linen set and blanket. No sleeping bag needed.

The camps have comfortable toilets and showers. In short, everything to keep you comfortable even far from 5-star hotels.

Recommended Flights

Moscow — Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways flight EY 846 departing at 17:40 on 21 March from Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO), arriving in Abu Dhabi at 00:30 the following day.

Abu Dhabi — Moscow
Etihad Airways flight SU0423 departing at 02:30 on 30 March from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH), arriving in Moscow at 07:20 the same day.

If you are flying from other cities or via different routes and flights, you must be in Abu Dhabi no later than 22 March to join the programme. Plan your return flight from Abu Dhabi no earlier than 30 March.

Programme Cost

Price per person in 1/2 DBL — 3891 EUR

Flights Abu Dhabi — Socotra — Abu Dhabi €1,080/person

Socotra visa €220/person

What's included

Luxury tent accommodation, 1/2 dbl

Three meals a day

All transfers per itinerary

All entrance fees per itinerary

Local English-speaking guide throughout the route

Assistance with finding and booking flights

Gear recommendations

Tour Leader Club tour leader

24/7 manager support at every stage of the trip

Not included

Flights Moscow — Abu Dhabi — Moscow

Flights Abu Dhabi — Socotra — Abu Dhabi €1,080/person

Socotra visa €220/person

Individual transfers

Tips for service staff

Souvenirs and other personal expenses

Required Gear

Clothing & protection

• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Light summer clothing
• Hoodie or light cotton sweater
• Rain jacket
• Swimwear

Water & beach

• Snorkel mask and tube
• Quick-dry towel
• Sunscreen SPF 50+
• Insect repellent

First-aid kit

• Personal medication
• Broad-spectrum antibiotic, antipyretic
• Antihistamine, digestive remedies
• Plasters, antiseptic

Electronics

• Camera / GoPro
• Spare batteries, memory cards
• Power bank and charging cables (electricity only in vehicles)

Socotra. The Island of Dragon Blood Trees

What awaits you

Day-by-Day Programme

Tour Leader

Accommodation

Recommended Flights

Programme Cost

What's included

Not included

Required Gear

Location

Questions

Telegram Channel — TourLeader Club

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Socotra. The Island of Dragon Blood Trees

What awaits you

Day-by-Day Programme

Tour Leader

Accommodation

Recommended Flights

Programme Cost

What's included

Not included

Required Gear

Location

Questions

Ask a Question

Book Now

Telegram Channel — TourLeader Club

Other Journeys

Algeria

Namibia

South Africa and Saint Helena