Internet

We all love the Internet! Social media, emails, text messages from loved ones, everything! It keeps us busy and entertained. However, here in Socotra, we enjoy being disconnected.
If you need to use the Internet, you should obtain a Etislat SIM card in UAE (super easy you can get them in the airport) and it works in some places here (the “capital” and a few spots here and there)
But keep in mind, the highest speed you will reach is 3G. There is no 5G, 4G, or LTE here. It’s enough for message sending, email, checking in, and very light web browser. No streaming or downloading is possible.
You may also use our guides hotspot if need be, but we suggest that you use this time to disconnect. Enjoy the surroundings and look up from your phones!
That being said, we understand the Necessity for work and keeping in touch with back home for different matters.

So if you absolutely need internet, we got you covered (pun intended)

Visa Stuff

We handle the visa for you. The fee covers all the logistics, paperwork and man power it takes to obtain. You will receive it within two weeks of your departure.

Is it Safe?

Yes! We recently took our moms here so that should tell you how we feel about the islands safety!

The island of Socotra, due to its remoteness and location, is completely safe for tourists. The island has over 1,500 people visit here every season! It is separated, thankfully, from the political craziness and ambiguity current underway on mainland Yemen*

*Mainland Yemen is a different story. While not as dangerous as the media would portray it to be, Socotra is physically and politically removed from what is going on there

Device Charging

Thank you Thomas Edison and Nicholas Tesla for helping invent electricity, it enables us to live our lives! More specifically, here in Socotra, charge our devices :) We suggest you bring a power bank with you BUT we will have car chargers in the 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers for you to use
(USB-C, iPhone, mini USB) We know pictures, videos and drone shots are important so we make it easy to recharge your devices

Drone Law

To put it simply, here in Socotra, they don’t mind. UAE is a different story, there the rules and laws change often. Most people that come here and fly through Abu Dhabi, have no issue at customs with the drone. We can’t give you advice on whether or not to bring it, however we can say that if you get it here to Socotra, you can fly anywhere you want

(except above private residences and the airport area of course.)

Cancellation Policy

Down-payments are non refundable* It requires a lot of work/planning to get a trip ready at the end of the world! 🌍

Thank you for understanding! 😊

*You may change the date of your trip and use your downpayment towards another tour up until 60 days before your flight for the cost of $220USD which is charged by the airline ✈️

(Only one change allowed. After your first and only change, your downpayment becomes non refundable; no exclusions)

After 60 days, no changes, alterations or cancellations allowed.

What to pack/wear

Socotra’s weather changes month to month, day to day. Usually it is warm/hot during the day, mild/ chilly at night. So, that being said this is what we suggest to pack for a 8d/7n trip:

  1. Three to four pairs of shorts for daytime activities
  2. One to two pairs of pants (one active and one rest/comfy pair)
  3. Three to four pairs of short sleeves
  4. One to two pairs of long sleeves for the nights
  5. At least one sweatshirt and light jacket for the evenings
  6. Hat or scarf for cover from the sun/heat
  7. Long dress for women if they want to walk around the main town
  8. Towel
  9. SPF lotion (sun burns are common here!)
  10. Trekking shoes or sport shoes
  11. Sandals
  12. Your undies of course
  13. Cash (US Dollars) to buy souvenirs as there is not an ATM here (there is but it never works)
  14. Power adapter (Type G is what they use here)
  15. Your passport (valid for at least 6 months prior to arrival/departure)
  16. A sense of adventure (most important)

Things you should leave at home:

  1. Grumpiness
  2. Work
  3. Negative attitude
  4. Kids (jk, we love kids! Bring them if you think they’ll have fun)

Local Sustainability

We focus on sustainability within the local community (and we don’t just say that to appear that we care.) We enjoy taking care of our guides/drivers since we know without them we wouldn’t exist. We show our appreciation in many ways including but not limited to: monetarily, a high standard of work/life balance, great work conditions and maintaining a constant and always open line of communication between us and them. 

We have an open door policy, we take their suggestions since we understand they usually know best!

Food

Ahh, food. We all love it, couldn’t survive without it! However different people, different locations, different countries throughout the world have very different definitions on what’s good, bad and ugly.

If you’ve read our front page you will see that here at TS we are trying to do things differently on Socotra. One of these is food.
When we arrived on the island the first time for our tour, we weren’t expecting luxurious meals, however what we received was less than par. Undercooked eggs, old pasta, stale rice, tasteless fish, mystery meat.. these were just a few examples of what we received. Needless to say we were disappointed 😔

Here at Tour Socotra, no matter which package you choose, we strive to provide you with the best meals socotra has to offer. That includes but definitely is not limited to: freshly caught seafood, socotran grown fruits and vegetables, home cooked middle eastern dishes, free range chicken, freshly laid eggs, homemade pasta and rice, you can even try camel or goat meat here if you’d like!

We can’t promise you Michelin star quality but we can say that we think you’ll like our way of cooking, especially how it tastes!

Accommodation

*Each accommodation difers depending on what package you choose

WILD
You will be in double person tents. These are not normal camping tents however, we have gone to great lengths* to provide you with NICE tents (they do exist lol)

*think buying them in Europe. Shipping to Dubai, THEN spent a month on a cargo boat to Oman, THEN 3 days on another cargo boat to Socotra. ALSO having to get them through customs in each country 😅 it was a LONG process

COMFY
You will be provided with the same tents as the wild program while camping but upon arrival, departure and halfway through your tour you will be staying at our guesthouse or one of the hotels on the island.

Is it 5 star? No. Does it have the amenities that will make you feel “comfy”? Absolutely.

Air conditioning, western toilet, fan, comfy bed, clean sheets…… everything you need for a reset and/or a recharge.

VIP
With the VIP package you will be housed in our sister hotel on the island. Fully equipped with everything the comfy package includes but with more of an emphasis on luxury. Soft beds, AC, good WiFi (not great but the best on the island) hot water, clean sheets, and breakfast buffet every morning. As luxurious as you can be on Socotra, guaranteed.

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