8 days / 7 nights
An island-wide journey, from your arrival to departure.
SIGNATURE · 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
SIGNATURE SOCOTRA
EXPEDITION.
From the lagoon to the highlands, from a tent at the coast to a meal shared with local people. An island-wide journey with Xunye Travel.
OVERVIEW
EIGHT DAYS.
A CLOSER CONNECTION.
Begin beside Detwah Lagoon, travel into the dragon blood highlands, cross the southern dunes and follow the coast to Arher, Hoq and Homhil. This is a journey through the island’s changing landscapes, with time for the people and everyday moments along the way.
Travel in a Prado 4×4 with 2–3 guests per vehicle, supported by local guides, drivers and camp partners. Expect moderate walking, simple accommodation and a route shaped by conditions on the ground.
From US$1,500 / person8 days / 7 nights
Visa, island transport and basic meals included. Flights and tips excluded. Solo bookings carry a 60% supplement. Optional activities are agreed separately.
CHECK AVAILABILITYTHE JOURNEY AT A GLANCE
TOUR FEATURES.
Simple tents & bedding
Individual or shared tents, basic mats, pillows, sheets and blankets. Allocation confirmed when booking.
Local guides & crew
Local guides in English and Arabic, with drivers, cooks and camp support. Guide count confirmed per departure.
From 1 traveller
Solo bookings welcome with a 60% supplement. Maximum group size confirmed per departure.
Prado 4×4 travel
2–3 guests per vehicle, with local drivers. Coastal boat trips depend on sea conditions.
Room to personalise
Discuss your interests and optional experiences. A private route can be quoted separately.
Meals at camp
Simple meals, drinking water and basic snacks. Dietary needs discussed before booking.
6 camp nights + 1 hotel
Six nights under canvas and one night in a basic hotel. Accommodation can be discussed with the team.
FOLLOW THE ISLAND
DAY BY DAY.
Space to explore.
Time to take it in.
This route follows our eight-day itinerary. Weather, sea conditions, flights and local guidance may change the order of activities. Meals are examples of the camp experience; menus and final overnight arrangements are confirmed for your departure.
DAY01
Arrival · Detwah Lagoon
ARRIVE & FIND THE LAGOON
Meet the team on arrival and travel to Detwah Lagoon on the island’s northwest coast. Settle into camp between the lagoon and the sea, then explore the shoreline with a local guide. There is time to meet people who know this coast and to observe the intertidal life without disturbing it. Later, walk up a nearby hill for a view across the lagoon as the sun goes down.
ON THE TABLE
Ease into camp life with a simple meal prepared by the crew. The daily menu follows the ingredients available on the island.
AT THE END OF THE DAY
Camping at Detwah
DAY02
Shu’ab Beach · Detwah coast
BY BOAT TO SHU’AB
Set out by boat for Shu’ab Beach when sea conditions allow. Keep watch for dolphins along the way, with no promise of a sighting. Spend time on the beach and, if arranged locally, try fishing with your boat crew. Back on the coast, take in the lagoon from higher ground and look for the island’s distinctive bottle trees.
ON THE TABLE
If fishers return with a suitable catch, there may be an opportunity to buy fresh fish or lobster for a meal. Availability, preparation and any extra cost are agreed locally.
AT THE END OF THE DAY
Camping on the Detwah coast
DAY03
Dixsam Plateau · Firmihin
INTO DRAGON BLOOD COUNTRY
Leave the coast for the island’s limestone highlands. The drive towards Dixsam opens onto wide canyon views before you enter the dragon blood forests around Firmihin. Walk among the umbrella-shaped trees and take time to watch the light change. Tonight, camp in the highlands, close to one of the island’s most distinctive landscapes.
ON THE TABLE
The crew prepares simple camp meals. Rice, vegetables and fish or meat are typical possibilities, depending on supplies and dietary arrangements.
AT THE END OF THE DAY
Camping at Firmihin
DAY04
Digub Cave · Zahek
CAVES, SAND & THE SOUTH COAST
Travel south and explore Digub Cave before continuing to the white sands around Zahek. The afternoon leaves time for walking among the dunes and slowing down beside the sea. An optional camel ride can be arranged locally for an additional charge.
ON THE TABLE
A simple lunch breaks up the journey south, followed by dinner at camp. Meals and ingredients vary with local availability.
AT THE END OF THE DAY
Camping on the south coast near Zahek
DAY05
Wadi Kalisan · Arher
CANYON POOLS & COASTAL DUNES
Explore Wadi Kalisan, where pale rock walls frame clear freshwater pools. The walk includes uneven ground and a climb on the return. Swim only where the guide considers conditions suitable. Continue to Arher and settle into camp where the dunes meet the coast.
ON THE TABLE
Take a break for lunch around the day’s walking. Back at camp, the crew prepares dinner with time to enjoy the evening by the water.
AT THE END OF THE DAY
Camping at Arher
DAY06
Arher dunes · Hoq Cave
SUNRISE AT ARHER, DEPTHS OF HOQ
Wake to the sound of the sea and the first light on Arher’s white dunes. Those who wish can climb the sand for a wider view of the coast. Later, follow the uphill trail to Hoq Cave and explore its limestone formations with a guide. Allow for sustained walking, uneven surfaces and a slower pace in the cave.
ON THE TABLE
Start with a simple camp breakfast before the day’s activities. Bread, eggs, fruit or other available ingredients may be served; the menu is not fixed.
AT THE END OF THE DAY
Camping at Arher
DAY07
Dihamri · Homhil
REEF, FOREST & A LAST ISLAND EVENING
Explore the coast at Dihamri, with snorkelling or observation arranged according to the sea and local guidance. Continue to Homhil, walking through a landscape of dragon blood and bottle trees towards a natural pool when access and conditions allow. Return towards Hadiboh for the final night.
ON THE TABLE
Share a final island dinner and talk over the week with your fellow travellers. Optional local food experiences can be discussed in advance, subject to availability.
AT THE END OF THE DAY
Basic hotel planned; final arrangement confirmed with the team
DAY08
Hadiboh · Departure
UNTIL NEXT TIME, SOCOTRA
Pack up and transfer to the airport for your onward journey. Departure timing follows the confirmed flight arrangements, with the team coordinating the final transfer.
ON THE TABLE
Breakfast is arranged around the departure time. Confirm any onward meal arrangements with your airline.
AT THE END OF THE DAY
Departure day
THE XUNYE DIFFERENCE
ROOM FOR THE
UNEXPECTED.
Some of the best moments happen between the places on the itinerary. We leave room for local encounters and experiences that can make the journey your own.
01 / FROM THE COAST
FROM THE FISH MARKET
TO THE TABLE
When the catch and timing allow, visit a local seaside market or meet fishers returning to shore. Choose fish with the team and discuss having it prepared for a shared meal.
02 / A LOCAL MEAL
A GOAT BARBECUE,
IF YOU WISH
For travellers who are interested, we can discuss sourcing goat from local people and arranging a barbecue. This is an optional experience, with availability, preparation and additional cost agreed in advance.
03 / YOUR OWN INTERESTS
TIME FOR WHAT
MATTERS TO YOU
A longer pause for photographs, a conversation over tea or a quieter walk. Tell us what you enjoy and we will discuss what fits the route and the group’s plans.
Local food experiences are optional and depend on availability. Tell us about dietary needs before booking.
START PLANNING
MAKE IT YOUR JOURNEY.
Tell us what draws you to the island. We’ll help shape the next steps.