socotra

This trip requires a minimum number of guests to proceed, and you must meet this minimum at least 4 months before departure to guarantee your spot. If you don’t meet the minimum by then, we’ll issue a full refund.

Expect to travel with 6-12 new friends!

All payments, except your deposit, are fully refundable three months prior to the departure date. After the three-month mark, any payments made are non-refundable. This is because we are usually unable to find a replacement at such short notice, and have contracts in place with our vendors that need to be fulfilled.

Again, we strongly recommend all travellers have travel insurance so that they can refund you should your plans change. At the end of the day, we are a small business, and we want nothing more than to continue showing our guests the world. We hope you understand the importance of adhering strictly to this policy.

Socotra is quite remote, and there are limited opportunities to spend money once you’re on the island. All meals are included in your trip, so you won’t need to budget for food. It’s still a good idea to carry some cash for drinks, snacks, tips, souvenirs, or any small personal purchases along the way.

Souvenir shopping on Socotra is fairly limited compared with mainland Yemen, but you may come across locally made handicrafts, traditional textiles, incense and frankincense, Socotri honey, and other small locally produced items. We recommend bringing extra cash for souvenirs, especially if you’d like to support local communities and artisans.

Alcohol is not legally available for purchase on Socotra, and you should not expect to find it in shops, restaurants, or accommodation. We recommend respecting local customs and regulations and not bringing alcohol onto the island.

To keep things smooth and stress-free, we’ll collect a €100 per-person kitty at the start of the trip. This ensures we can take care of all our incredible on-the-ground vendors, including guides, drivers, meals, and activities listed in your itinerary.

This trip requires moderate fitness and a sense of adventure! While you don’t need to be an experienced hiker, you should be comfortable with walking and hiking over uneven, rocky and sometimes steep terrain. Some days will involve longer walks to reach viewpoints, beaches, caves, and other natural sites, but the pace will be manageable, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.

Just as important as your fitness level is being comfortable with camping and truly getting off the grid. For much of the trip, facilities will be very basic, and you should be prepared to go without everyday amenities such as running water, electricity and air conditioning. We know this might sound logical when signing up for an adventure to somewhere as remote as Socotra, but we like to remind everyone so you know exactly what to expect!

If you’re reasonably fit, comfortable walking on uneven terrain, and happy to embrace a few days of simple, off-the-grid living, you should be absolutely fine. Come prepared with good walking shoes, a flexible attitude and a sense of adventure!

Yes, we can accommodate most dietary restrictions with advance notice. Meals on Socotra are generally simple and freshly prepared, with staples such as rice, vegetables, bread, fish and meat.

However, because Socotra is extremely remote and food availability can be limited, we cannot guarantee the same variety or substitutions you might expect in other destinations. If you have a severe allergy, medical dietary requirement, or very restrictive diet, please let us know before booking so we can confirm what our local team can safely accommodate.

We also recommend bringing some of your own snacks or speciality items if you rely on particular foods, as these may not be available on the island.

Everyone will have their own individual tent!

Most travellers do not need vaccinations for Socotra, but requirements may depend on where you are travelling from or have recently transited. In particular, you may need proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is a risk.

We recommend that everyone is up to date with their routine vaccinations and speaks with their GP or a travel health clinic before travelling. Vaccinations commonly recommended for travel to Yemen include Hepatitis A and Typhoid, while Hepatitis B, Polio and other vaccinations may be recommended depending on your individual circumstances and vaccination history.

Malaria advice for Socotra can vary, so please discuss your individual itinerary with a travel health professional to determine whether antimalarial medication is appropriate for you.

We recommend arranging a travel health consultation at least 4–6 weeks before departure and making sure your travel insurance provides appropriate medical and emergency evacuation coverage for such a remote destination.

An experienced Janet’s Journeys leader and a local tour guide will be with you every step of the way.