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 THE
FRANKINCENSE TRAIL & SOCOTRA ISLAND
A cultural tour of Oman & Yemen
On this tour we explore the 1500 years of history that surround the famed "Frankincense Trail"; the Hadhramut Kingdom of the Queen of Sheba, the trail of the Three Wise Men who travelled on this route to pay homage the infant born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, the long surviving desert culture, and in addition explore the pristine landscapes, beautiful waters and the unique plant and animal life on Socotra Island.
Day
01: Arrive Muscat
We arrive at Seeb International Airport and all we
hear is Merhaba! We are warmly welcomed and driven
through the capital city to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Crowne Plaza, Muscat (2 nights)
Day 02: Muscat/Nizwa
Following the trail we start with a day
trip to Nizwa which was built by the great
Imam Sultan Bin Seif. In the 17th Century
Nizwa, with its strategic location and
construction, was chosen as the capital
and even today it remains as Oman’s
most impressive towns. We explore the massive
circular fort, the Jabrin Castle and the
World Heritage Site of Bahla Fort. The
ruins of the immense fort, with walls and
towers of earthen brick and foundations
of stone, provide a remarkable example
of this type of fortification. Jabrin Castle,
built in 1675 AD is an edifice surpassing
any other fort in Oman, both in size and
magnificence. One cannot help but admire
the extraordinary carved wood paneling
and friezes painted on the walls. Verses
from the Koran and poems engraved in the
walls celebrate the beauty of this grand
castle. Next we experience the Nizwa Souq
where a unique goat and cattle auction
is held followed by a visit to the aromatic
Amouage perfume factory. (B, L)
 Day
03: Muscat/Salalah (Flight)
Founded in the 1st century, Muscat
rose to prominence in the 14th and 15th
centuries
when the Portuguese, who developed Muscat
as their main naval base, built the twin
forts of Mirani and Jalali that stand guard
over Muscat’s harbour. Muscat is
a modern, spectacularly clean city that
has retained traditional Omani character.
Our tour takes us through the beautiful
seaside residential area to the Natural
History museum. We then get a unique opportunity
to experience life in Old Muscat especially
around the famous Zawawi Mosque and the
Muttrah Souq. Made up of a maze of narrow
lanes lined with stalls offering a huge
variety of goods, the smell of frankincense
and sandalwood is always lingering in the
air. The souq is designed in authentic
Arabic style and is divided into sectors,
each specializing in a particular product:
gold, silver, textiles, spices, etc. and
interspersed with many teahouses and moneychangers.
This evening we take a short flight to
Salalah.
Overnight: Hotel Hamilton Plaza, Salalah
(3 nights) (B, D)
Day 04: Salalah/Dhofar
Today we spend a full day touring
the Dhofar region, the focal
point of the frankincense trade
that flourished for several
centuries. Frankincense trees
originated in the Dhofar valley
and were of great economic
and religious importance to
figures like the Queen of Sheba
and King Solomon. Driving past
the Royal Farm and the Mamura
Palace, we arrive at Taqa.
This village is famed for its
sardines, fertilizers and traditional
homes, elegant in appearance
and heat-resistant in construction.
We visit Taqa Castle, the remains
of Queen Sheba's Palace, before
proceeding to Samhuram with
its famed port and the hub
of the ancient frankincense
trade, Khor Rawri. Our scenic
drive along the coastal road
takes us to the old city of
Mirbat where Arabian horse
and slave trades took place
in bygone days. We also see
the Mirbat Castle with its
extraordinary view overlooking
the sea and enjoy a walk into
town to see some old and beautiful
merchant houses with their
exquisite carved doors and
windows. (B, D)
 Day
05: Salalah
Today we tour west Salalah
visiting Job's tomb. The mosque
and tomb shrine of "Nabi-Ayuob" mark
the place where lie the remains
of a Moslem Prophet, possibly
Job from the Old Testament.
Next we drive on to the Mughsail
beach to see the magnificent
blowholes that burst dramatically
during high tide. Khor mughsail
is home to an abundance of
bird life such as flamingos,
pelicans and storks. Our tour
ends with a visit to see the
frankincense trees known as
the "Holy Incense" that
grow mainly on the desert plateau
away from the damp monsoon
mists. Our tour culminates
with a visit to the exotic
Frankincense Souq in the old
part of Salalah town. (B, D)
Day 06: Salalah/Ubar
One of the most
famous Frankincense
trading centers
was the lost city
of Ubar that lay
below the sands
to the north of
the frankincense
producing area.
For almost 5000
years, Ubar was
the flourishing
frankincense trade
centre and was
the nexus of routes
bringing the incense
from Dhofar, and
then into three
directions across
the vast Empty
Quarter. We drive
north to the Qara
Mountains, the
town of Tumrait
and the area of
Nejd, and home
of the best frankincense.
After visiting
the lost city of
Ubar, we proceed
to the Empty Quarter
returning via a
natural track that
leads to the beautiful
Wadi Hanoon, where,
in ancient times,
the valuable frankincense
was stored before
being exported
by camel caravans.
Today we enjoy
a night under the
clear desert sky,
traditional in
style, yet very
comfortable.
Overnight: Tents,
Ubar (1 night)
(B, L, D)
Day
07:
Ubar/Al-Ghaydah
(Drive)
After
an
enjoyable
night
under
the
stars
in
the
historical
center
of
Ubar,
we
depart
for
Al
Mayzonah
and
another
intriguing
country.
Whilst
the
frankincense
trade
did
not
require
border
formalities,
the
modern
world
demands
them.
As
we
bid
farewell
to
the
ancient
land
of
Oman,
we
are
warmly
welcomed
by
our
friends
from
the
ancient
land
of
Yemen.
Our
first
destination
in
Yemen
is
the
border
town
of
Al-Ghaydah
for
our
overnight
halt.
Overnight
Al-Taher
Hotel,
Al-Ghaydah
(1
night)
(B,
D)
 Day
08:
Al-Ghaydah/Mukalla
(Flight)
This
morning
we
explore
this
small
and
traditional
town
before
we
take
a short
flight
to
the
coastal
fishing
town
of
Mukalla.
Founded
in
1035
A.D.
as
a fishing
village,
it
remains
a seaport
and
a traditional
fishing
center
to
this
day.
Located
at
the
edge
of
the
Gulf
of
Aden,
Mukalla
offers
an
interesting
experience
of
a way
of
life
that
has
thrived
for
almost
1000
years.
Evening
is
free
to
explore
the
fishermen’s
wharf
along
the
Gulf
of
Aden.
Overnight:
Holiday
Inn
Hotel,
Mukalla
(1
night)
(B,
D)
Day
09: Mukalla/Wadi Hadramaut/Al-Hajarain/Seyun
(Drive)
Today
activities provide us
with a remarkable desert
experience straight out
of Lawrence of Arabia.
We start the day as we
head northwards to the
interior for Seyun, visiting
Wadi Douan and the world
famous Wadi Hadramaut.
We also stop at Al-Hajarain,
a remarkable stone village
atop a rocky slope of
the valley over-looking
groves of palm trees
shifting lightly in the
breeze. Here we get a
photogenic view of this
most ancient and beautiful
village. Following our
visit of the wadi, we
continue for Seyun.
Overnight:
Hawta Hotel, Seyun (2
nights) (B, D)
Day
10: Seyun/Sana’a
(Flight)
Seyun
is the former
capital of
the Kathiri
Sultanate.
Our tour
includes
the beautiful
Palace of
Sultan Al-Kathiri.
Built of
clay and
brick and
decorated
with gypsum,
this
palace has
retained
its majesty
and originality.
We stroll
through the
traditional
souq full
of handicrafts,
homegrown
produce and
exotic aromas.
We then drive
to Tarim,
capital of
Kinda Kings,
where we
visit the
Al-Kaff Palace
(Tarim Museum),
the Al-Muhdar
Mosque and
the magnificent
Bin Yahya
Palace. Leaving
the best
for the last,
we visit
Shibam, an
awe-inspiring
town of ancient
sky-scrapers
soaring out
of the desert.
Declared
a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO,
Shibam is
commonly
referred
to as the "desert
Manhattan".
Transfer
to the airport
for a flight
to Sana’a.
Overnight:
Taj
Sheba Hotel,
Sana’a
(1 night)
(B, D)
 Day
11: Sana'a/Hadibo
(Flight)
Today
we take a
flight (subject
to weather)
over the
Gulf of Aden
to the Island
of Socotra.
Considered
the Galapagos
of the Indian
Ocean, Socotra
is alive
with endemic
animal and
plant species.
Little is
known about
the history
of Socotra
other than
that the
Greeks used
to trade
with the
people there.
This afternoon,
we enjoy
an excursion
of Dehadhafig
to explore
the unique
flora and
wander around
a natural
cascade.
Overnight: Al Jazerra
Hotel, Hadibo
(1 night)
(B, L, D)
Day
12: Hadibo/Roqab/Descome/Nowgad
We
journey to
Decsome and
the southern
part of Socotra
Island, where
we explore
the Dragon’s
Blood Trees
area. Dragon’s
Blood trees
are endemic
to Socotra
Island and
have a rich
and interesting
history.
Roman Soldiers
used the
blood red
sap as an
ointment
to disinfect
wounds, giving
them a gory,
war torn
appearance.
This area
of the island
is filled
with unique
flora and
fauna and
is a good
spot for
bird watching.
Most of the
people living
in this area
are Bedouins,
nomads whose
families
have lived
on the island
for generations.
We continue
to Nowgad
with its
high mountains,
fascinating
beaches and
wonderful
valleys filled
with palm
trees.
Overnight:
Tents, Nowgad
(1 night)
(B, L, D)
Day
13: Nowgad/Wadi
Shifa
A
picturesque
drive takes
us to Wadi
Shifa, with
its unique
flora, birds
and beautiful
waterfalls.
Tonight we
sleep under
the clear
sky and stars
surrounded
in pristine
beauty.
Overnight:
Tents,
Wadi Shifa
(1
night) (B,
L, D)
 Day
14: Wadi
Shifa/Ras
Momi/Ras
Dehemri/Hadibo
Today
we head
eastward
and visit
Ras Momi,
famous for
its many
valleys
and
exquisite
scenery.
Ras Dehemri
is located
on one of
the highest
points of
Socotra
and is another
area of
the
Dragon’s
Blood trees.
Later we
drive down
toward
the coast
to
magnificent
Dehimri
Beach, where
we
can snorkel
or explore
the valley.
This area
is so beautiful
one cannot
help but
expect
Aphrodite
to emerge
from the
sea foam
out of
an oyster
shell.
Overnight:
Al
Jazerra Hotel,
Hadibo
(1 night)
(B, L, D)
Day
15: Hadibo/Qalansiya
In
the morning
we tour
the capital
of Socotra
Island,
Hadibo where
we visit
the seaport
and the
Portuguese
Church.
Socotra
was colonized
by the Portuguese
and the
British;
signs of
this are
evident
both in
the culture
and the
architecture
of the island.
Our drive
westwards
for about
95km /59
miles gets
us to Qalansiya,
a city well
known for
its spectacular
clear-water
beach, wonderful
valleys
with their
palm trees
and unique
birds. The
people of
this area
work mostly
in fishing
and related
products.
Overnight:
Tents, Qalansiya
(2 nights)
(B, L, D)
Day
16: Qalansiya
Today
we take
an interesting
boat ride
to Shoab,
to visit
a seal colony.
Day
17:
Qalansiya/Wadi
Ayhaft/Hadibo
We
depart
south
for
a
day-visit
to
Wadi
Ayhaft,
enjoying
the
sight
of
wonderful
valleys
populated
by
Incense
trees
and
unique
bird
life.
The
Wadis
on
Socotra
are
verdant
as
they
are
fed
with
a
continuous
supply
of
fresh
water
from
the
mountains,
making
them
an
ideal
home
for
a
multitude
of
plant
and
animal
life.
Overnight:
Al
Jazerra
Hotel,
Hadibo
(1
night)
(B,
L,
D)
Day
18:
Hadibo/Sana’a
(Flight)
After
breakfast
we
are
transferred
to
the
airport
for
our
flight
to
Sana'a
where
we
are
met
and
transferred
to
our
hotel.
The
rest
of
the
day
is
free
to
explore
the
souqs
and
soak
up
the
local
culture
in
Sana’a.
Overnight: Taj
Sheba,
Sana’a
(3
nights)
(B,
D)
 Day
19:
Sana’a
Another
exciting
day
exploring
the
Yemeni
countryside,
where
people
live
in
buildings
carved
from
the
rocks
at
stone
villages
in
Hababh,
Shibam,
Kawkaban
and
Thula.
Depicting
a
blend
of
Yemeni
and
Islamic
architecture,
these
buildings
have
a
unique
design,
which
is
still
practical
for
people
to
live
in,
even
today.
(B,
D)
Day
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