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© SAIGA Tours
Start
Jan 23, 2027
Sharorah, Saudi Arabia
Sharorah, Saudi Arabia
2027-01-23
End
Jan 28, 2027
Sharorah, Saudi Arabia
Sharorah, Saudi Arabia
2027-01-28
Duration
6 days
Price
US$2890.00
TOUR OVERVIEW
One of the many things that has for a long time made Yemen feel very unachievable for a lot of people is that most mainland Yemen tours require you to catch an expensive flight from Cairo to Seiyun and back again, adding roughly $1000 to the tour. But there's a simple, cool, and much cheaper way around this - you can actually cross the border from Saudi! This gives way more options for flights and international travel, which makes the whole venture much more affordable, and this is how we're planning all our Yemen tours. Plus, as we see it, the added bonus of crossing a land border which has only recently re-opened to tourists, and where very few foreigners have ever crossed.
When you hear about travel to Yemen, most people are talking about heading to Socotra. Well, most people aren’t travelling to Yemen at all actually, but those who are are mostly thinking about Socotra. Because of the civil war, sadly mainland Yemen has been largely off the cards for a long time. We however, are here to show you what mainland Yemen has to offer, and take you to some absolutely amazing places that a lot of people have discounted. While the west of the country is still largely off-limits, we will take you on a road trip in the east of the country which has remained fairly stable throughout the conflict.
We will show you the epic sites such as the Manhattan of the Desert, the famous colourful palaces of Buqshan, the many desert villages constructed with mud bricks, and the spectacular Wadi Dawan.
The situation in Yemen is definitely improving and we hope that we will be able to explore more and more of this country in the near future as it becomes ever safer to do so!
If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.
INCLUSIONS:
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✓ |
Yemen tourist visa and all required permissions |
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✓ |
Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels/guesthouses, breakfast included |
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✓ |
Transport, beginning and ending in Sharora |
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✓ |
Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary |
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✓ |
Western and local guides, and all required security precautions |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: USD 400
What is the single supplement? This is paid to guarantee a single room. If you are travelling alone and would like to be roomed with another single traveller, you do not need to pay this.
EXCLUSIONS:
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⨯ |
Meals other than breakfast |
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Transport to and from Sharora |
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Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Cross the land border from Saudi Arabia into mainland Yemen
Take a roadtrip along the awe-inspiring Mehri Coast
See for yourself the ancient mud skyscrapers of the Manhattan of the Desert
Itinerary
Day 1Sat Jan 23
Sharorah, Al Wadiah, Shibam, Al Hawta
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This morning we'll meet in the Saudi town of Sharorah.
- We'll travel towards the Al Wadiah border and cross into Yemen. This in itself will be a pretty cool and unique experience as it has only been reopened for tourists very recently.
- Once in Yemen, we'll continue to Wadi Hadramout and will end the day by driving to Shibam where we'll witness sunset over the famous Manhattan of the Desert.
- We'll arrive and check into the Al Jizil Resort Hotel in Al Hawta which has absolutely mind-blowing panorama views over Wadi Dawan.
Day 2Sun Jan 24
Al Hawta, Shibam, Seiyun, Tarim, Al Hawta
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In the morning we’ll set out to fully explore Shibam, the Manhattan of the Desert, and see up close the amazing mud skyscrapers that give it its name. This will absolutely be a highlight – if you were going to do one thing in Yemen, make it this!
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We then continue onto Seiyun where we will visit the old town,
Souq Al-Handal, Sultan Al-Kathiri Palace, also known as Seiyun Palace, which is the largest mud palace in the world, Al Fals Fortress and the local fruit and vegetable market.
- We then continue to visit the town of Aynat which holds one of the most beautiful Islamic shrines in Yemen.
- Afterwards we head to Tarim, a really beautiful small town built out of mud by Suffi Muslims. We will stop in a local market, Asha Palace and Al Mihdhar Mosque which at 53 metres, has the tallest minaret built in mud in the world.
- We'll then head higher up to Katbah mountain for a spectacular panorama view over the city.
- We return back to Wadi Dawan to watch the sunset from the amazing Haid Al Jizil viewpoint.
- Overnight at Haid Al Jizil Resort in Wadi Dawan.
Day 3Mon Jan 25
Al Hawta, Wadi Sah, Mukalla
- This morning we'll leave Al Hawta and drive via Wadi Sah to Mukalla.
- On the way we'll stop at Al Ayoon, where we'll see the traditional production of sesame oil. The method still used today utilises camels, by having them pulling the mechanism that grinds the sesame seeds, and it's fascinating to see the old-fashioned tools and methods still in use.
- Heading towards the coast, we'll have a local seafood lunch and then in the afternoon we'll visit Mukalla old town and market.
- Overnight in Mukalla.
Day 4Tue Jan 26
Mukalla, Buqshan, Wadi Dawan
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In the morning we will visit the Mukalla's fish and fruit and vegetables market.
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We then continue our journey to Wadi Dawan, a jaw-dropping valley dotted with old traditional villages.
- We will then continue on to the beautiful, coloured buildings Buqshan village.
- We'll visit Buqshan Palace itself, where from the top we'll get unbeatable views of the village and surroundings.
- We'll arrive and check into the Al Jizil Resort Hotel which has absolutely mind-blowing panorama views over Wadi Dawan.
Day 5Wed Jan 27
Wadi Dawan, Hawfa, Wadi Dawan
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After lunch we will drive a short distance to begin a one hour morning trek to the beautiful Hawfa village. Don’t worry the trek is all downhill and will give some of the most amazing views! It is absolutely well worth it, however if for any reason you’re not comfortable with this you can of course come in the car and meet us afterwards.
- Once all back in the cars, we'll drive through Wadi Dawan, with incredible views on all sides the whole way, stopping along the way at lots of cool little spots.
- We'll stop at Budah and Rihab villages, more picturesque examples of mud brick houses built into the side of the canyon walls.
- The next stop will be at BaAshen, which is the hometown of Osama Bin Laden's family (not that he ever lived there himself), and finally the last village in Wadi Dawan, Qarht Bahumaish, where we will have a picnic lunch.
- We return back to Wadi Dawan to watch the sunset from the amazing Haid Al Jizil viewpoint.
- Overnight at Haid Al Jizil Resort in Wadi Dawan.
Day 6Thu Jan 28
Wadi Dawan, Al Wadiah, Sharorah
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This morning we'll start heading back towards the Saudi border, bringing our Yemen trip to a close.
- First though, we'll stop in the towns of Sif and Al Hajjarain, to get our last fix of other-wordly mud brick villages.
- After crossing the border, we'll arrive back in Sharorah, and this brings us to the end of our tour.
- Please let us know if you'd like help arranging accommodation, transport, or anything else.
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