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Inertia Network - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Socotra Archipelago Tour

Outlying islands & remote peaks.

This departure is a unique Socotra expedition that will take us to places very few have ever stepped foot. Lead by myself and Isaac from Inertia Network, this wild two-week expedition will take us to explore the outer islands of the Socotra Archipelago on the first week, and an epic trek in the Haggier Mountains amongst dragon blood trees back on the main island of Socotra during the second week. 

This departure will take place in early 2022. If you want to see a full itinerary or to sign up  click here  to head over to Inertia Network’s page, with who I am partnering with to run this trip. You can also find a brief description of the itinerary below.

Prices are set at $6,000 per person and this includes the roundtrip flight from Dubai to Socotra, Yemeni visas, all camping gear, local guides, and three meals per day (excluding arrival and departure days).

We will also be offering the option to add a 5 day visit to Mainland Yemen at the end of this trip . For security reasons, we will not be posting the mainland Yemen itinerary online. For more info on this addition, check out our Yemen Expedition info page or send an email to [email protected] .

A Little About Socotra

Socotra is a gem of biodiversity located about halfway between  Yemen  and Somalia in the Arabian Sea. The Socotra Archipelago is home to many species of endemic flora and fauna– in fact 37% of Socotra’s plant species and 90% of it’s reptile species are found nowhere else on Earth. This high number of endemics puts Socotra in the ranks of the Galapagos, Hawaii, and New Caledonia for highest numbers of endemic species. In 2008 the archipelago was listed as a  UNESCO World Heritage Site .

On This Socotra Tour We Will Explore Socotra’s Remote Outlying Islands & Trek Through The Rugged Interior

These highlights will include:

• Visiting the remote islands of the Socotra Archipelago including Abd Al Kuri, Samhah, and Darsa.
• Bird watching for endemics on the outlying islands
• Exploring the unbelievably pristine and gorgeous Detwah Lagoon
• Walking among Dragon Blood Trees high on a plateau- Socotra’s most iconic plant
• Meeting nomadic Bedouin Tribespeople in the Socotra highlands and interacting with them to get an idea of their daily lives
• Trek across the rugged Haggier Mountains and traverse the stark and arid Noged Plateau
• Swim in a natural infinity pool overlooking the sea below and wander through a forest of Dragon Blood & Frankincense Trees at Socotra’s Homhil Protected Area
• Enjoy an afternoon swimming in the crystal clear freshwater pools of Kalysan
• Camp under the stars in a number of areas including in the Arher Dunes next to the stunning beach of the same name

15 days | 14 nights

Maximum Group Size

30%, due at time of sign up

Included In The Costs

• Accommodations & camping equipment
• 3 meals per day
• Roundtrip Dubai-Socotra flights
• Yemeni Visa Fees
• Transportation by 4×4 on Socotra Island
• Professional English-speaking local guiding team
• All entry fees

Excluded Costs

• International airfare to & from Dubai
• UAE Visa Fee (if applicable)
• Travel insurance
• Personal spending
• Snorkle & Diving Gear
• Sleeping bags

So Why Join This Socotra Archipelago Expedition?

Quite simply put, Socotra is one of the most difficult places in the world to access right now. We have secured all the documentation and approvals necessary to reach the island by flight to offer this Socotra tour. Getting a Yemeni visa can be a nearly impossible challenge that we have navigated and will assist everyone in the group in obtaining.

This particular departure is our most unique one yet, exploring the rarely visited outlying islands of the Socotra Archipelago, combined with a trek across the Haggier Mountains and Noged Plateau.

For this Socotra expedition, we have partnered with a local operator that we personally know and trust to guide us on the island to show our small group one of the most wonderful and pristine environments on Earth.

The Socotra Archipelago Itinerary: Outlying Islands & Remote Peaks

Day 1-2: flight from dubai, hadiboh, homhil, arher.

The group will meet in Dubai airport in the early morning for our flight to Socotra. Our flight should arrive in Hadiboh around 9:30 am, but delays can be expected.

Once on the island, we will be met by our local team and then head into Hadiboh for lunch and to visit the souq. Soon after, we will make the drive out to the northeast of the island to explore Homhil Protected Area and Arher.

In Homhil we will have the chance to walk among dragon blood trees and other famous endemics of the island. In the later afternoon we’ll continue onto the powdery white sands of Arher, where we will have the chance to catch sunset from atop a high sand dune. If we’re lucky in the evening we’ll hopefully see glowing blue bioluminescent plankton crashing on the beach.

Overnight: Camping, Arher

Day 3-7: Outlying Islands of the Socotra Archipelago

Early in the morning on day three of the Socotra Archipelago Expedition, we’ll head for the northwest coastal town of Qalansiya, from which we’ll board small fishing boats to the outlying islands of Abd Al Kuri, Samhah, and Darsa. These three islands are rarely visited and will provide us opportunities to look for whale sharks, and swim amongst dolphins and coral reefs. Above water, we’ll have the chance to visit the small village of Kilmia on Abd al Kuri and explore the rugged landscapes on Samhah, and uninhabited Darsa, while keeping an eye out for some of the unique species to these small islands.

When we arrive back to the main Socotra Island, we will spend the remainder of our day exploring Detwah Lagoon in search of sea life with Abdullah the Caveman.

Overnight: Camping, Abd al Kuri, Samhah, Darsa

Day 8-13: Haggier Mountain Trek

Over these next six days, we will traverse deep into the Haggier Mountains with a team of Socotri Bedouins and camels. Once through the mountains, we will trek across the desert plateau of Noged to end up on Socotra’s rugged and remote southern coast. Each night we’ll be camping in tents along the way.

You can expect around 4-6 hours of hiking each day with pack-camels helping carry gear and food.

Overnight: Camping

Day 14: Wadi Kalysan & Arher

After a six day trek through the Haggiers we will take this remaining day to relax at the beautiful freshwater pools of Kalysan. We’ll spend our final night together on Arher Beach.

Overnight: Camping, Arher Beach

Day 15: Depart back to Dubai

Today we’ll say our goodbyes to our local team and head for the airport in Hadiboh to return to Dubai in the afternoon.

Other Important Information

Traveling in Socotra is most definitely not your standard trip, so this Socotra tour comes with a few unique hurdles.

Sleeping Arrangements & Showering

Socotra is rugged, rough, wild, and remote. We will be camping every night we are on the island on this Socotra tour. A couple of camps we stay at may have rainwater tanks for showering, but most will not. So yes, you will go for several days without bathing.

In Cairo, we will stay in hotels, and yes, they will have showers.

3 meals per day are included on the trip (except on arrival and departure days). In Socotra, meals will be locally prepared. Rice, bread, and sweet shai (tea) are staples out here and will accompany nearly every meal. When it’s available we will eat fresh locally caught seafood purchased from fishermen. If you have any allergies or special eating conditions please let us know in advance so we can try our best to accommodate you.

Electricity, Internet & Communications

Much of the time we will not have electricity. There is electricity in Hadiboh although it isn’t totally reliable, and you will only have a handful of camps that have electricity with generators. I highly recommend purchasing a  solar charger  and  external batteries  to bring with you to keep your electronics charged out here.

Given the remote nature of this trip, don’t expect to find wifi. Mobile phone coverage is extremely limited and not the most reliable in Socotra. If you want to keep in contact with those back home, I highly recommend bringing a  Inreach Explorer+  or  Find Me Spot  with you.

A Note For Photographers

Bring as many camera batteries as you can with you from home to avoid running out of power between chargings. I also recommend bringing far more memory with you than you think you may need for the days we are in Socotra.

You will take heaps of photos, that goes without saying. There is nowhere on the island to purchase more memory cards so do come prepared.

I also recommend purchasing a good quality dry bag to protect cameras and electronics as this Socotra Archipelago expedition will see us spending several days on the water. Dust protectors are a wise idea too.

Medications & First Aid

Bring any medication you need or may possibly need from home. There isn’t much in way of medicine and doctors out here in Socotra, and there is no medical service on the outlying islands, so come prepared. I also highly recommend carrying a simple first aid kit with you for any minor injuries.

This Socotra tour is limited to a maximum of 14 travelers so spots will fill quickly. Click the button below to sign up for the trip or get email updates about the tour. If you’re looking for more info on Socotra in order to start planning, I recommend picking up a copy of Bradt’s new Socotra Guidebook !

Need Socotra Travel Insurance?

Start shopping plans over at  battleface , my go-to travel insurance choice.

Bring Relief To Those Effected By The Crisis In Yemen

Yemen, especially the mainland of the country is undergoing one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern times. If you are interested in helping the people of Yemen, please consider donating to one of the following organizations:

• Zakat Foundation : Provides emergency relief and food distribution in several countries including Yemen.
• International Rescue Committee : Helps to bring safety, education, power, and health services to some of the world’s most devastating humanitarian disasters including Yemen.
• Baitulmaal AHED : Organization that works in Yemen as well as all over the world to help bring poverty and disaster relief.
• Islamic Relief : Working to alleviate hunger, illiteracy, and disease in Yemen and globally.
• Solidarios sin Fronteras : Spanish organization helping bring relief, food, water, and reconstruction projects to Yemen as well as Socotra.

More Posts from Socotra & Yemen:

Socotra Travel Guide: The Jewel Of Arabia

Socotra Expedition April 9-16, 2024

8 Day South Yemen Expedition April 13-20, 2024

13 Day Socotra & South Yemen Expedition April 8-20, 2024

The Yemen-Oman Border Crossing

Visiting Sana’a, Yemen, A Travel Diary

Exploring The Sufi Crossroads In Tarim, Yemen

Yemen Travel: Everything You Need To Know

10 Days In Socotra: The Most Alien looking Place on Earth

How To Get To Socotra In 2024

Camping Under The Stars In The Yemeni Empty Quarter

A Journey Through Yemen’s Al Mahrah Region

Where The Wild Things Grow: Socotra’s Firhmin Forest

Socotra Packing List & Prep Guide

Wadi Hadhramaut Travel Guide, Yemen

A Guide To Traveling In South Yemen

A Journey Through Wadi Daw’an, Yemen

Visiting the Outer Islands of the Socotra Archipelago

Wanna Go To Socotra?

Socotra In Photos

Haid al Jazil: Central Yemen’s Most Beautiful Village

The Mud Skyscrapers Of Shibam: The Manhattan Of The Desert

How To Get A Visa For Socotra (Yemen)

Ancient Rock Art in Dahaisi Cave, Socotra

Visiting The Teetering Husn Fort In Qarn Majid, Yemen

Why I Traveled to Yemen in 2014

Socotra Tour: Camel Trekking & Rugged Coastlines

Socotra Archipelago Tour: Outlying Islands & Remote Peaks

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My Free Range Family

Destinations , Yemen, Socotra Island · Last Updated: November 24, 2023

Travel to Socotra – Everything You Ought to Know

🏖 If you intend to travel to Socotra or want to know more about what travel in Socotra looks like then welcome! Here I share a series of posts that provide some clarity on what to expect if you are planning a visit – clarifications on the safety side of things , the best tour operator to book with, and the best places to visit on Socotra Island , Yemen.

We planned, booked and made the journey to Socotra in March 2022.  After many years of longingly searching the web and each time falling further in love with the images that popped up, we knew it was a must on our travel bucketlist. 

In these series of posts, I share firsthand  our  experiences on  our  travel to Socotra. So read on to learn about visas, booking a tour and price, how to book flights, currency, tipping, what to wear and pack, the best time to travel  and so on. I love photography, so I share some tips on what to ask your travel guide so that you can capture the photos that you need.  

I also include my thoughts on sustainable and responsible travel on the island.  Information related to the dragon blood tree, camping versus hotels, volunteering opportunities and the UAE and Socotri relationship.

Basically, I share ALL the travel tips across a total of four posts . In other words, everything you’ll need to know for visiting Socotra. Have a look around… and contact me if you have ANY questions at all.

* This post may contain affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support!

Table of Contents

Tourism & Travel to Socotra

One of the most unique elements to visiting Socotra is that just over 100 people visit per week. This is because currently just two flights arrive and depart a week.  The busiest flight, Air Arabia, arrives from Abu Dhabi with about 100 people onboard. Given it’s a turnaround flight a returning 100 people later the same Monday are bound for home via Abu Dhabi.

This number of visitors makes exploring Socotra island rather cozy.  You’ll bump into familiar faces, others on the same flight, as you travel around Socotra.   Expect to see many photographers, nature lovers and other off the beaten track travel lovers … they are all there for the same reason you are!

There are only a handful of tour operators and they will sponsor your visa so that you can enter the Republic of Yemen.  And they will take care of your every need.  

I recommend you read my post on booking the right tour to Socotra . In this post I explain further how tourism on the island works along with information about the tour type we booked, and the price . Otherwise read on for more on currency, packing and planning – the need to know stuff – to help you plan your travel to Socotra.

We teamed up with Inertia Network ! Use code: FREERANGE100 for a $100 discount (per individual)

Visas / Money and Tipping

The most widely accepted currency in Socotra is US Dollars.  The tours are essentially all inclusive and after you have paid your trip and put aside money for tipping the driver, guide and cook, there is little else to pay for.  Though it’s definitely a good idea to bring a little extra so that you can purchase small souvenirs here and there.

It is recommended to tip the guides, drivers and cooks 10-20 USD each per day .  This indication ranges between fair to generous, so depending on your overall level of satisfaction you can make the call here.

Also, you might occasionally be provided a guide to specific destinations such as Hoq Cave or within Firhman with the Dragon Blood trees.  Having some smaller USD notes is a good idea for tipping in these situations as well.

There is a really beautiful shop which you might have the opportunity to visit at the end of your visit which I just loved.  The Women’s Foundation has a lovely selection of handicrafts and by purchasing here you are also supporting a great cause.

These are arranged by your tour provider and are included in the overall tour fee. In 2013 Socotra was declared an autonomous governorate, and so they are now able to arrange visas directly on the island rather than through mainland Yemen. According to the tour providers this has made tourism a great deal easier for them to organise.

Read: Our guide to visas & the best guided tour of Socotra

Taking Kids to Socotra

Okay so this is a great question… and we had honestly intended on taking our two girls aged 7 and 9 to Socotra.  Following all the information we had read and people we had spoken to, we were advised that travel to Socotra is safe for children , and also that they would be very welcome.

We had gone so far as booking our two to come with us, and then in the last month, from a budget point of view we decided against it.  Given that we travel full-time , this type of holiday pushed our weekly budget well beyond what we would normally spend.  And so, we decided instead to enjoy some time away from the kids in a destination that we had long wanted to visit.  Time for ourselves for a change.

Tips for Taking Kids

If you plan to take the kids there are a few things I would suggest you keep in mind…

• The time of year you visit should be taken into consideration, as it can get very hot in April and May during the middle of the day.
• The walks up to the Infinity Lake and Hoq Cave are very steep and quite intense walks.  Children should be used to somewhat intermediate level mountain walks. The terrain is very rocky and at times unstable, so suitable footwear is a must. Our kids always travel with these Keens .
• If you choose to take the camping option, then you’ll often be staying on the beach, so the ocean is nearby. 
• The food is very good but quite simple, beans, fish, rice and salad.  If you have a fussy eater on your hands, then perhaps you want to bring extra snacks to keep bellies full.
• These Mosquito bands are a great idea for keeping them protected.
• Be aware seat belts aren’t really a thing on the island. If you want to bring a car seat it would be advisable to check with the tour provider.

Best Time to Travel to Socotra?

The travel season on Socotra begins in October and goes through till May .  The in between months are known as the windy months and can be a bit of a rough time to be in Socotra according to some expats we met living on the island.

April is beginning to get pretty warm and May I imagine could get a bit uncomfortable during the middle of the day, but this is a great time to see turtles nesting on the island.  December and January can be a bit wet, so my recommendation would be March and April.

We went in April and loved this time of the year.  The bottle trees were in bloom and the pink flowers dotted along the hillsides made for a stunning sight. Though I’m sure any time of the year you visit, you will have the adventure of a lifetime.

What to Pack for Socotra

If you are camping you will need a few things to keep comfortable.  I love my sleep and at the risk of sounding like a bit of a snob the camping is pretty rugged. So below are my tips for a more comfortable experience.

I have broken it down into two packing categories – must haves & recommended extras.

Packing Must Haves

• First aid kit – Fucidin, Imodium, general antibiotic, Panadol, plasters.
• Head torches are a very good thing to have for the cave walk and camping.
• A few rolls of toilet paper are always a good idea.
• A really good microfibre towel .
• Solar Power Bank – (this is the one we used and recommend). We charged our DJI mini drone, mobile phone and camera batteries on it most of the time. 
• A car charger with multiple ports – likewise with this.  There is no electricity if you are camping and these are an absolute must.
• Dual purpose water-friendly and hiking shoes. We can’t recommend our Tropic Feel shoes enough! One minute you’re on the beach, the next in the mountains, and they dry immediately, making them super practical for Socotra. I love the Canyons , while Mike prefers his Monsoons .
• Some seriously good sunblock – the sun is HOT and it burns!
• A very good hat and sunglasses.
• Protein bars – these were great for a bit of a pick me up when we needed them.

Packing Recommended Extras

• Foam mattresses are provided – however they are on the thin side so put in a thin inflatable mattress if you have room.  We attached ours to our pack.  And I tell you, the first night we didn’t use them, and sleep was very interrupted.  The following night, the inflatable under the foam mattress made ALL the difference.
• Sleeping bag – sheets are provided but I tend to feel the cold and ended up using my sleeping bag a couple of times.  
• Bring your own snorkel and mask – Our Cressi kit is a must for us. On the first morning when dolphins swam past us at 6 am on Arhar Beach I was grateful we had them with us at hand.
• Lifestraw bag – we used ours to reduce the amount of plastic water bottles we would use on Socotra Island.
• Camera Gear – DJI Mavic Mini drone (this is the one we have) and filters , camera with lenses and multiple batteries, Go-Pro with filters.  We keep everything packed in our Wandrd PRVKE camera bag . This is a god send for our travel and kept our gear sand and dust free.
• Alternatively combine your packing – gear and camera kit together – in this awesome little Tropic Feel Shell Backpack . Basically start with the shell and add the accessory of your choice – toilet bag / camera cube / wardrobe and so on.
• A 10 L dry bag was big enough for our week on the island.
• We brought packets of dates which we were able to gift when we felt it was appropriate in certain situations.
• Soap free shampoos and cleansers.  Because you will be camping off-grid you really want to be conscious about not putting soaps into the ocean.  We used these shampoo bars and soaps .
• If you are a coffee snob like me then grab a Nanopresso .  We don’t go anywhere without our one and I enjoyed starting the day with a quality cup of coffee. Read our Nanopresso review here.
• Ladies bring one of these menstrual cups (my fav) – trust me you don’t want to be messing around with anything else.

What to Wear 

Before I get into what to wear, I’ll remind you that you are off-grid. So, forget washing machines and dryers.  Your clothes will need to last the week, or two, if you stay longer.  Think light, quick drying, breathable fabrics .  We always pack super light and had three outfits each with us. We rinsed these in the wadis when they needed some freshening up which seemed to work very well.

Men will be fine wearing shorts and t-shirts.  Singlets are also fine, but I would advise that you keep a t-shirt on hand.  A long pair of trousers, and some light long sleeved clothing is good for the evening when the temperature drops.  Woman are slightly different so carry on below for more details.

Women Travellers

As a woman you need to think sensibly about what to take in terms of suitable clothing.   Remember Yemen is a strict Muslim country .  Local woman are seldom seen. And when you do see them they will likely be wearing full abaya, covered completely except for their eyes.  

This doesn’t mean that you’ll need to do the same, but as a courtesy you’ll need to keep in mind what you’re wearing at certain times. If in doubt ask your guide and he will let you know what is appropriate for the given situation.

The guides and drivers in Socotra are comfortable with foreigners in bikinis, shorts, singlets and vest tops.  So, the majority of the time, like beaches, walks into the mountains and the campsites you’ll be okay wearing this kind of thing.  However, when you get to towns and villages it’s best to be respectful and cover up .  Basically hair, knees and shoulders should be covered when entering these busier kinds of locations. 

I prefer to wear longer light clothing like cotton t-shirts and linen skirts to the ankle, which I can tuck up if I get hotter.  I put a scarf around my neck to cover my hair in case I need to. And I carry a long shirt in my bag to throw on if the situation presents itself.  

In other words, just be ready to cover up.  And if you ever get the opportunity to join the women in a village, take it!  They will shower you with curiosity and it’s a very special chance to get a glimpse into their lives.

Photography in Socotra and What to Pack

This is one of the most incredible destinations in the world. And if you are a photographer then chances are you are already familiar with some of the sights the island has to offer.  Including the Dragon Blood tree.

To clarify, I am by no means a professional photographer.  I just love to take photos and learn more the longer I experiment, read blogs and question other photographers.  So below are my tips from a hobbyist perspective.

Read: What makes Socotra so unique – 10 reasons to visit!

Drones in Socotra

If you are travelling in from Abu Dhabi then you will be able to bring a drone with you, and if you can then I thoroughly recommend it.  This island is one of the best places I have flown my drone.  

Keep in mind however, that charging them is no easy task.  The batteries require a lot of juice, so it’s better if you have a DJI mini .  Alternatively, if you are travelling with a bigger drone, then you may need to consider staying in the city hotel. This way you’ll be able to get it charged at the end of each day.

I recommend that you bring extra batteries, we travelled with three and used one each day.  Before each flight, we thought about what shots we wanted and so made calculated flight plans before each flight.

If you are travelling via Egypt, then getting a drone in may be more difficult. Check here for more.

Don’t forget to travel with some good CPL filters to take away ocean glares etc.

Bring your favourite camera and the best lenses you’ve got. 

A quick warning – the sand and dust gets everywhere !  I mentioned in the packing list above to be prepared with a dry bag, Wandrd PRVKE camera bag, or a Tropic Feel Shell Backpack .  And I also recommend a small travel cleaning kit.  We were constantly brushing dust and sand off the camera and lenses when it had been left out of the bag.

We also loved having a Go-Pro for the dolphins and the wadi where we were able to get a few clips of places that we couldn’t have got to otherwise.

Don’t leave your tripod behind if you want to get photos inside Hoq Cave. OR if you want to practice night photography under the Dragon Blood trees.  

I also met a photographer who was travelling with an iPhone for her night photography. She used a great little phone tripod , this combined with a 30 second exposure on her iPhone 12, I was very impressed by the photos she managed to capture.

Photography Tips

Let your guide know on the first day that you love photography and fingers crossed he will help you get what you need.  I specifically asked to sleep under a Dragon Blood tree and I’m so glad I asked as boy did he deliver.  

Note:  IF you book as part of a group tour the possibility of this will be less likely.  I definitely recommend travelling as a small group or couple to get the best photography opportunities.  We booked with Inertia Network for this reason.

Ask your guide if you can stay in Firhman Forest as this is the BEST place to photograph dragon bloods.

Also, wake early in the morning and get to the special sights early.  That way you’ll have them to yourself.  Alternatively stay longer till other travelers have left – we did this at the wadi and it was one of my favourite afternoons in Socotra.

More from my Travel Socotra Series

Don’t miss the other posts as each blog shares something new – 

• Is it Safe to Travel to Socotra
• A Socotra Tour Review & Guide to Tourism on the Island
• 10 Beautiful Locations and Reasons to Visit Socotra

Book with Inertia Network & use our discount code: FREERANGE100 for $100 off your trip to Socotra !

Just quote our discount code with the team at Inertia Network and they will kindly discount each traveller $100 off the booking . Cool right… actually you won’t find a cooler travel tour operator!

I hope this post has shed some light on your travel to Socotra.  And I urge you to contact me if you have questions that I have not covered here.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Pin this post or Bookmark for later!

We now travel full-time and have plenty more itineraries and guides to share on all the destinations we visit. Sign up to follow our journey! (And don’t worry we won’t spam you with unnecessary emails.)

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February 1, 2023 at 1:51 pm

Happy to find this blog! Plenty of useful information 🙂 Socotra Island is such an unique place (and a hidden gem).

February 14, 2023 at 2:55 am

Oh wow… thanks for your message Elisa, I’m so happy to know you find it helpful. It certainly is a special place and I hope it continues to stay hidden ☀️

April 5, 2023 at 12:24 pm

Thank you for all the fantastic tips! I am just considering going, last day to decide is tomorrow, and had so many questions – most of them you were able to answer 🙂 Socotra is on my bucket list since a loong time, alonside with Yemen – which is obviously out of question now.

Still, foreign ministries of all Western countries I have checked say it’s DO NOT GO recommendation! So glad to see yours and some others’ reassuring tips…

April 5, 2023 at 5:08 pm

Hi Ida, thanks for your comment and I’m glad our tips helped. And you are right, there is so much conflicting information out there, particularly those posts published on government travel websites.

Feel free to get in touch with any unanswered questions… and if you decide to go, have the most incredible time!!!

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INERTIA NETWORK (Socotra Island) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

TRAVEL TO SOCOTRA

Welcome to the mesmerizing world of Socotra Island, a hidden gem nestled in the Indian Ocean. Situated off the coast of Yemen, Socotra is a place of unparalleled beauty and wonder, where landscapes meet extraordinary biodiversity, making it a destination unlike any other.

Socotra Island is Unique

What sets Socotra apart is its unique blend of surreal landscapes, rare flora and fauna, and a rich cultural tapestry. Also known as the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean,” Socotra is home to endemic species found nowhere else on Earth, including the iconic Dragon’s Blood Tree with its umbrella-like canopy and the otherworldly Bottle Trees that dot the landscape like sentinels from a forgotten era.

Beyond its natural wonders, Socotra boasts a rich cultural heritage shaped by centuries of trade and conquest. The island’s strategic location along ancient trade routes has left a legacy of diverse influences, reflected in its cuisine, and traditions.

How to Travel to Socotra Archipelago

While Socotra’s remote location may seem daunting, traveling to this enchanting island is more accessible than ever before. With regular flights from the UAE, adventurers from around the globe can now embark on a journey to discover the secrets of Socotra firsthand.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast seeking out rare and endemic species, an intrepid traveler craving off-the-beaten-path experiences, or a cultural explorer eager to uncover the island’s rich heritage, Socotra promises an unforgettable adventure unlike any other destination on Earth. Join us as we delve into the mysteries of Socotra and experience the magic of this truly unique island paradise.

Best Time to Visit Socotra

The peak season for visiting Socotra is between January and April as these are excelent months due to the weather conditions. Besides October to December are also good months to visit the Island although those months can be wet and rainy. December is the most rainy month in Socotra Archipelago. Avoid visiting Socotra from May to September as there incredible hot and you can barely survive in a island where you spend the majority of the time outside in the nature.

January to April: Peak season, wet season is finishing and the temperatures are still good. May to September: Avoid visiting during these months due to the incredible hot temperatures. Besides, you will not find flights operating during these months. October to December: Wet and rainy season. You can visit Socotra during these months, although better to Avoid December due to rainy season.

Travel Agencies

Existing travel agencies arranging travel to Socotra:

There are a number or travel agencies offering travel packages to accommodate different needs. Below is a list of some the agencies that are currently active in the Socotra Island. We will keep this list updated as more information becomes available.

I love Socotra

Socotra Specialty Tours

Inertia Network Expeditions

Welcome To Socotra

If you or your agency arranges for travel to Socotra Island and interested in having your contact info being added to our list, feel free to contact us . The listing on our website is completely free. Our objective is to promote tourism to the amazing island.

Disclaimer: we’re not affiliated with any travel agency. If you have any question regarding trip packages offered by any entity, please directly contact the entity for further details.

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As He Exits Congress, Blumenauer Wants His Party to Embrace Pot Legalization

The long-serving congressman from Portland, who has become the top marijuana advocate on Capitol Hill, believes the issue could boost President Biden’s support with young voters.

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By Kayla Guo

Reporting from Washington

As a 23-year-old serving his first term in the Oregon state legislature, Representative Earl Blumenauer cosponsored the first bill in the country to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.

More than 50 years later, the congressman from Portland is preparing to retire after nearly three decades on Capitol Hill, and mounting a lonely campaign to persuade his fellow Democrats, including President Biden, to press for legalization of marijuana at the federal level as a central plank of their political platforms.

“I have been doing this longer than any other politician in America, and I can say unequivocally, no politician was ever punished for being on the cutting edge of legalization of cannabis,” Mr. Blumenauer, who has become Congress’s top advocate for changing marijuana policy, said in an interview. “This is something every candidate should embrace.”

Mr. Blumenauer has urged officials close to Mr. Biden to make the issue a more prominent part of the president’s re-election message. He argues that legalization is not only good policy, but a potentially “electric” political issue that could help the 81-year-old Mr. Biden appeal to young people who polls show have drifted away from him , and whose backing could be vital to his chances of winning a second term.

“I take every chance I get to nudge my friends in the Biden administration,” he said this month at a cannabis policy forum. “The quickest way to engage young people, minority voters, to break the mold, is to come out foursquare for legalization. For compassion. For people who have been caught up in the legal morass of the failed war on drugs, and make a clean break of it.”

Legalization, in some form, is overwhelmingly popular across the country, with 88 percent of Americans saying marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational use, according to a January survey by the Pew Research Center . Twenty-four states have legalized small amounts of marijuana for adult recreational use, and 38 states have approved it for medicinal purposes.

But federal law still prohibits the use and possession of weed, and it puts marijuana under a classification reserved for the most dangerous drugs , including heroin and LSD, that the government deems to have a “high abuse potential” and “no accepted medical use.” Advocates have urged the federal government to re-evaluate that classification and remove it from the list of controlled substances altogether.

Mr. Blumenauer, now 75, estimated that he has been involved, in some way or another, with every state-level cannabis policy initiative that has cropped up since his days as a “child member” of the state legislature. Back then, the government was still jailing chronic late-stage alcoholics and a movement to relax anti-weed laws was growing in the face of the war on drugs.

On Capitol Hill, Mr. Blumenauer, with his signature bow tie and bicycle-shaped lapel pin (he is an avid cyclist and commutes by bicycle), has led the charge to make marijuana more widely accessible. He has pushed legislation to expunge federal marijuana use and possession crimes from criminal records, expand medical marijuana research, ensure veterans can access medical marijuana, tax and regulate marijuana, allow legal marijuana businesses to access financial services and more.

He founded and is a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, and he was honored this month by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws with an inaugural “Trailblazer Award” named for him.

“He has literally been our most important and most influential advocate. He’s played an enormously powerful role,” Keith Stroup, the organization’s founder, who lobbied the Oregon state legislature on cannabis policy during Mr. Blumenauer’s early statehouse years, said in presenting the award.

Mr. Blumenauer, who announced in the fall that he would not seek re-election, argued that this was the year to “break the logjam” and get federal changes across the finish line.

He cited a spate of successful state ballot initiatives to legalize marijuana in some way, on top of bipartisan backing in the House for various pieces of cannabis legislation and support from top Democrats including Senators Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader, and Ron Wyden of Oregon, the chairman of the Finance Committee, for federal legalization.

With Republicans, many of whom have opposed cannabis legalization, in control of the House, congressional action this year is an exceedingly long shot. But Mr. Blumenauer pointed to Mr. Biden’s own evolution on the issue as a glimmer of hope.

The president, who has long been personally conservative on marijuana policy, directed his administration to “expeditiously” review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. Though that review is still underway, U.S. health officials recommended the Drug Enforcement Administration downgrade marijuana to a lower classification that covers drugs, such as ketamine, that are viewed as less dangerous and that can be obtained legally with a prescription.

Mr. Biden also made a high-profile mention of the issue during his State of the Union address this year, and he has pardoned thousands of people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses in an effort to remedy racial disparities in the justice system.

Vice President Kamala Harris recently called marijuana’s federal classification “absurd,” and said that “nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed.” And this month, just before April 20 — considered a holiday by marijuana devotees — Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, emphasized that Mr. Biden had been “very, very clear he doesn’t believe that anyone should be in jail or be prosecuted just for using or possessing marijuana.”

Still, Mr. Blumenauer said, Mr. Biden needed to do more to prioritize changes in the law, including by directing the D.E.A. to remove cannabis from the controlled substances list altogether, which would end the federal prohibition on the drug. Doing so, he argued, would make a bold statement to voters and telegraph a commitment to ending the war on drugs, promoting social justice, expanding medical research and boosting businesses.

“Honestly, I can’t think of anything else that would have this impact immediately, in terms of aligning interests with young people, with racial justice, solving real-life problems for thousands of businesses and millions of people,” Mr. Blumenauer said.

He diagnosed slow federal action on the issue as “inertia” generated by 40 years of a policy of prohibition and once-broad public disapproval of marijuana usage.

But he argued that decisive action was necessary to reap the potential political benefits of the issue in what Democrats have cast as an existential election cycle.

“It would send shock waves. People wouldn’t expect Joe Biden to do this,” Mr. Blumenauer said, adding that a strong position for legalization would likely set up a contrast with former President Donald J. Trump. “It’s one of the few things that could really upset the apple cart.”

In fact, Mr. Blumenauer contended that it was an embrace of pot legalization that won Democrats control of the Senate. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, whose victory in 2022 provided Democrats with their two-vote majority, included legalization in his platform. Mr. Blumenauer also noted that a marijuana ballot initiative in Arizona had drawn progressive voters to the polls in 2020 to help clinch the battleground state for Mr. Biden.

“It’s time to unlock the full power of legalization, being straight with the American public and making sure that we mobilize the pro-cannabis electorate, because we need it,” Mr. Blumenauer said at the marijuana policy summit. “Democracy is on the line this election.”

Mr. Blumenauer, who has about seven months left in Congress, vowed to keep pushing for policy changes, even after leaving office.

“If we can break the logjam,” he said, “I think it ceases to be very controversial — except it’s controversial that we’re not doing more, faster.”

Kayla Guo covers Congress for The New York Times as the 2023-24 reporting fellow based in Washington. More about Kayla Guo

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race

As Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate, tries to get on the ballot in all 50 states, he’s confronting fierce resistance .

​​Donald Trump told donors at a Republican National Committee retreat that the Biden administration was like the Gestapo .

Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, defending her tale of shooting and killing her family’s dog, suggested that President Biden’s German shepherd had merited a similar fate .

A Foot Soldier for Trump:  Republicans have spent years drawing Latino evangelicals into their fold. One pastor’s conversion shows how Trump is reaping the benefits .

Talk of Escape:  At Washington dinner parties, dark jokes abound  about where to go into exile if Trump reclaims the White House.

Insulin Takes Center Stage:  Biden says lowering the cost of insulin for seniors is among his proudest domestic policy achievements. He now faces the challenge of selling it to Americans of all ages .

Politics Without Trump?:  Democrats call Trump dangerous, while Republicans see him as revolutionary. For young Trump voters, he is just normal .

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The trains and stations of the Moscow Metro

2 Comments · Posted by Alex Smirnov in Cities , Travel , Video

The Moscow Metro is the third most intensive subway system in the world after Tokyo and Seoul subways. The first line was opened on May 15, 1935. Since 1955, the metro has the name of V.I. Lenin.

The system consists of 12 lines with a total length of 305.7 km. Forty four stations are recognized cultural heritage. The largest passenger traffic is in rush hours from 8:00 to 9:00 and from 18:00 to 19:00.

Cellular communication is available on most of the stations of the Moscow Metro. In March 2012, a free Wi-Fi appeared in the Circle Line train. The Moscow Metro is open to passengers from 5:20 to 01:00. The average interval between trains is 2.5 minutes.

The fare is paid by using contactless tickets and contactless smart cards, the passes to the stations are controlled by automatic turnstiles. Ticket offices and ticket vending machines can be found in station vestibules.

Tags:  Moscow city

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Tomás · August 27, 2012 at 11:34 pm

The Moscow metro stations are the best That I know, cars do not.

Alberto Calvo · September 25, 2016 at 8:57 pm

Great videos! Moscow Metro is just spectacular. I actually visited Moscow myself quite recently and wrote a post about my top 7 stations, please check it out and let me know what you think! :)

http://www.arwtravels.com/blog/moscow-metro-top-7-stations-you-cant-miss

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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