The service we offer

As you can see from our information on historical and modern Yemen, we want to offer you a chance to experience the "living" country – its rich and ancient culture, as well as encounters with the inhabitants. They are mainly young people living in an Arab country, whose lifestyle, traditions, attitudes and emotions are shaped by Islam, but whose everyday lives bring them into contact with the achievements of globalisation and telecommunication, arousing their interest in visitors from abroad. If you are keen to get to know the land at close quarters, you will encounter equal interest in the Yemeni population.

In order to offer you this experience, your itinerary will be primarily in places where you meet Yemenis in their own environment. This is facilitated by the fact that there is no mass tourism in Yemen. Visitors are not taken by coach in large groups from one place to the next and disgorged into international hotels, but travel individually by car or min-van, and sometimes on foot. Authentic Yemeni life is found in the funduqs (lodging-houses) and matams (inns), where we sit at tables or on the floor, eating the simple, easily digestible food with a piece of thin Yemeni bread held in the right hand, instead of cutlery. Maa (water) and spiced schai (tea) are always served with the food. Hands are washed before and after eating. On walking tours and (Wadi Massilah, Wadi Surdud, mountains) and on deserted beaches, we sleep in chaim (tents) and buy provisions for picnics in the souqs from the fakihi (fruit-sellers), chudhari (vegetable-sellers), baqali (general stores) and habaz (bakers). As far as possible, we adapt to the lifestyle and immerse ourselves in the countryside and the life, work and culture of the people.

We drive in land-cruisers, which hold three to four passengers with their luggage and all the camping equipment. We will pick you up at the airport, drive you to all the destinations and stops named in the route descriptions, and take you back to the airport at the end.

The price includes all the overnight stays in funduqs, in single rooms if available, but also in shared rooms. Camping is in single tents. Food is included in the price, and consists of three meals a day with the customary drinks. Picnics will be provided when we are travelling or camping, with simple cooking equipment. During Ramadan, daytime restrictions must be expected in restaurants.The price also includes entrance charges for museums and other places of interest.

The following are not included:

Travel and health insurance. We strongly advise you to take
out such an insurance policy.
Flights. Please check times and availability of tickets before
booking your trip.
Visa charges: currently 50 US dollars; please have a banknote
ready on arrival at the airport.
Tip for the guide/driver: a satisfied client usually gives 10%
of the fare.
Tips in hotels (customary only in tourist places)
Non-local drinks, such as alcohol-free beer
Personal expenditure
For Tour 4 (Western Yemen) there is an extra charge of 150 euros per person for the two nights in Kameran. This includes the transfer to the island and a boat trip into the mangrove forests.
For overnight stays with Bedouins in the desert, there is an extra charge of 350 euros per car. This includes an escort vehicle and a driver familiar with the desert.

Charges:
The current charge is 120 euros per person per day
Arrival in the evening counts as a whole day, since it includes
the overnight stay.

We prefer joint bookings by 3-4 persons, which ensures that the participants get on well together, but we are also happy to take single bookings and form small groups. We can also organise trips for larger groups of up to 12 persons (many places have insufficient accommodation for greater numbers) and take three cars. If so wished, we can hire an English-speaking guide, at extra charge.

Alterations in the programme may have to be made at short notice, depending on local conditions. Besides the routes we have drawn up, we can offer individually selected tours, especially for those already familiar with Yemen. You may choose your own routes and times, and we will do our best to fulfil your wishes. Prices for such tours will be arranged separately.