THE ROAD OF ARABIA FILEX

Sana'a, Thula, Shibam, Kawkaban, Tawilla, Mahwit, Manakha, Hajjarah, Hoteib, Wadi Moor, Hodeidah, Zabid, Khawkha, Mokha, Taiz, Jibla, Marib, Ramlat Al-Sab'atayn, Al-Qtan, Shibam, Seyun, Tarim, Wadi Douan, Al-Hajarain, Mukalla, Bir Ali, Ataq & Aden

18 Days / 17 Nights

Included in the tour:

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrival

Arrive into the medieval city of Sana'a, the capital of Yemen considered to be the birthplace of Arab nationhood, at the airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay.

DAY 2: Sana'a

A full day exploration of Sana'a, including a visit to the National Museum, Haddah and the ancient quarter of this fascinating Arabian city with its intricately decorated mosques and unique multi-storyed houses.

DAY 3: Thula, Shibam, Kawkaban, Tawilla & Mahwit

Depart Sana'a for Mahwit via Thula, a fortress town with its original walls, a prime example of Arabs use of stone, as a building material is nearly intact. Drive to Shibam, at the foot of the step wall of Jabel Kawkaban. Dating far back into antiquity Kawkaban is the upper town of Shibam and can be reached by a paved path which follows the flank of the cliff, at 3000m Kawkaban dominates the region. Shibam lower down is the former capital of the Yaffouride Dynasty (861 - 956 AD). Continue on to Mahwit for an overnight stay. En route we stop to visit Tawilla.

DAY 4: Mahwit, Wadi Surdud, Manakha & Al-Hajjarah

Depart Mahwit for Manakha via Wadi Surdud. Haraz region, an area of High Mountain ranges where villages and coffee plantations cling to steep slopes. Its capital Manakha, is a large market town full of narrow alleys, Suqs and attractive four-story houses. Drive on to the fortified medieval village Al-Hajjarah where we will stay overnight. (At night enjoy a traditional Bara'a dance party with the locals)

DAY 5: Al-Hajjarah, Al-Hoteib & Hodeidah

In the morning visit Hajjarah, an old fortified village where houses are built directly onto rock & drive to visit Hoteib. Depart Hoteib and Continue on via Wadi-Moor African style villages to Hodeidah for an overnight stay.

DAY 6: Fish market, Beit Al-Faqih, Zabid & Khawkha

Early morning you will visit the traditional fish market at the southern part of the city then drive to visit the Friday traditional market of Beit Al-Faqih, which is considered one of the biggest and most important traditional markets in the country. Drive on to visit Zabid, an important early Islamic center of learning, where algebra is said to have been invented. In Zabid, see the finely decorated old houses and the 10th century mosque. Continue on to Khawkha for an overnight stay. Enjoy the afternoon boat ride, swimming and the night fresh fish barbecue at the seaside of the Red Sea in Khawkha.

DAY 7: Khawkha, Mokha & Taiz

Depart Khawkha for Taiz via Yakhtul, along the coastal road (if see level is low) to Mokha, the 17th century famous coffee exporting port (Mokha coffee). Continue onto Taiz for an overnight stay. In the afternoon explore Taiz, the medieval capital of Yemen under the Rasulid dynasty. See the fine Ashraffiya Mosque with its twin minarets, Al-Muddhaffariya mosque, Qubba Al-Huseyniyah and walk through the old Suq with its exotic wares

DAY 8: Taiz, Al-Dhabab market, Jibla & Sana'a

In the morning visit the old Palace of Imam Ahmed, (if opened) now a museum preserving his curious lifestyle and drive to visit the weekly market of Wadi Al-Dhabab. Depart Taiz for Sana'a via Jibla, this picturesque village was the capital of Queen Arwa Bint Ahmed in the 11th century. Here you can see the great mosque with its column prayer hall, and the finely decorated tomb of the Queen. Continue on to Sana'a for where we will stay overnight.

DAY 9: Sana'a, Marib

Traveling east to Marib, the legendary capital of the kingdom of Sheba. See the remains of the Temple of the Moon God (Awan Temple) and the Throne of Bilquis (Bar'an Temple). See also the surviving stonework of the famous dam on which the prosperity of the kingdom of Sheba depended for more than a thousand years and the ancient city of Marib. Overnight in Marib.

DAY 10: The Desert (Empty Quarter), Al-Qtan & Seyun

Early morning depart Marib for Wadi Hadramaut, via Safer & Ramlat Al-Sab'atayn (accompanied by a desert guide), crossing the undulating deserts, known for its stark and uncluttered beauty, is one of the most exciting, interesting and imaginable trips. Continue on to Seyun for a two-night stay passing through Al-Qtan & Shibam.

DAY 11: Seyun, Tarim & Shibam.

Explore Seyun, the former capital of Kathiri Sultanate. You will see the 17th century Great Mosque, the Palace of Sultan Al-Kathiri built of clay & brick and decorated with gypsum. You can then wander around the traditional "Suq" with its handicrafts and home-ground produce. Depart Seyun and drive to visit Tarim the capital of Kinda Kings. You will be taken around Al-Kaff Palace (Tarim Museum), Al-Muhdar Mosque & Bin Yahya Palace. In the afternoon there will be an excursion to the "desert Manhattan" Shibam an awe inspiring town of ancient sky-scrapers soaring out of the desert which UNESCO has declared a protected world monument.

DAY 12: Al-Hajarain, Wadi Douan & Mukalla

Early morning, depart Seyun for Mukalla via Wadi Douan, the most important and famous valley in Wadi Hadramaut. En route, visit Al-Hajarain, one of the most ancient & beautiful villages in this area. See the remarkable stone village, a top rocky slope of Wadi Hajarain. Continue on to Mukalla for an overnight stay.

DAY 13: Mukalla, Bir Ali & Ataq

Explore Mukalla, the former capital of Quaiti Sultanate. See Husn Al-Ghuwayzi built in (1884 AD), Ma'in Palace built by Sultan Omer Bin Awadh Al-Quaiti, currently Mukalla Museum occupies a large part of it. Depart Mukalla for Ataq via the ancient port of Qana, which was the principal port of the ancient state of Hadramaut from which the incense and frankincense were exported. Continue onto Ataq where we will stay overnight.

DAY 14: Habban, Al-Mahfad & Aden

Depart Ataq for Aden via the beautiful Shabwa towns of Habban & Al-Mahfad. Continue on to Aden for a two-night stay.

DAY 15: Aden

Explore Aden, the country's economic center, visit the massive & ancient Tawilla cisterns, built during the first millennium after Christ, the ethnographic museum, the archaeological museum and Aden minaret. Enjoy the afternoon for relaxation at the seaside of Gold Mour.

DAY 16: Qa'dabah & Sana'a

Depart Aden for Sana'a via Houda & Qa'dabah. Continue on to Sana'a for a two-night stay.

DAY 17: Wadi Dhar, free afternoon & farewell dinner

In the morning you will visit Dar Al-Hajjar, the summer palace of Imam Yahya, perched on the top of a rocky pinnacle at Wadi Dhar. Afternoon free, spend your time at leisure, wondering in the old city or shopping, at night a farewell dinner in a traditional Yemeni restaurant.

DAY 18: Departure

Transfer to Sana'a airport & departure