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BEAUTIFUL LANDS (NORTH)

Short Code: C6A

 
 

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1st Sana’a Sightseeing

You arrive in the medieval city of Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the cradle of Arab nations. If you arrive by plane you will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel. Heading northwest from Sana'a, we will drive into the fertile valley of Wadi Dhar, known for its famous Rock Palace where the Imam used to live. This palace is the symbol of Yemen today. In the afternoon we will return to Sana'a where we will spend the day exploring Sana'a, including a visit to the National Museum and a fascinating wander around the winding, narrow streets of Old Sana'a, where you will see intricately decorated mosques and ancient multi-storey houses.

 

2nd Sana’a – Damt – Aden

In the morning we depart from Sana'a, and head south into a new Yemeni landscape of fertile terraces and lush plantations. Damt is a lovely town, known for its hot springs and excellent hamams. From this relaxing height we continue our way to Aden on the coast, dropping through some dramatically shifting landscapes on the way, until we arrive in Aden, the second biggest town in Yemen, and the most important port. Here is where we spend the night.

 
     
 

3rd Aden – Jebal Saber – Taiz

In the morning we'll do some sightseeing in Yemen, including a visit to the ancient cisterns, and a tour around Crater, which is actually an extinct volcanic crater, and used to serve as the old city center. We'll then drive to Taiz through Lahj, where we'll enjoy our afternoon in the old city’s market, and the hustle and bustle of an evening in Taiz.

     

4th Taiz – Ibb- Jiblah- Taiz

Early in the morning, we will visit the Al-Ashrafiya mosque and the National Museum, then depart from Taiz towards Jiblah, the ancient capital of the Ismaili Queen Arwa. Here you will visit the mosque where her tomb is kept and enjoy the picturesque town of Jiblah with its mid-land architecture. From Jabila we make our way north to Ibb, where we shall encounter a new Yemeni landscape. Here the hills are lined with fertile terraces and green pastures. Ibb is a lovely town, filled with a labyrinth of twisting alleys. Only when you at last loose your way can you feel its true charm. Ibb also has one of the most pleasant mosques, called Al-Jalaliya. We'll return to Taiz to spend the night there.

 
     
 

5th Taiz - Zabid - Bait Al-Faqih – Hodeidah

Early in the morning, we will visit the Al-Ashrafiya mosque and the National Museum, then depart from Taiz towards Zabid. The desert plain of Tihama along the Red Sea lends you a completely different, almost African atmosphere, with small, straw-covered huts made from palm trunks. You will see an unbelievable contrast between the desert and the fertile wadis. Zabid is one of Yemen's most precious jewels, and listed on UNESCO's World Heritage list. It was a very important and early center of Islamic learning, and the place where Algebra is said to have been invented. It will give you the impression of being frozen in the 16th century. After Zabid we drive on to Bait Al-Faqih, then to Hodeidah, a modern port-city.
     

6th Hodeidah – Manaka – Al Hajjarah - Sana’a

In the morning we'll visit Hodeidah's traditional fish market, before making our departure to the Haraz Mountains, where we'll see small villages perched among steep slopes that are bedded in qat plantations and coffee fields. Manaka is an ancient market town, full of narrow alleys, suqs, and attractive four-storey houses. From Manaka we continue directly to Al Hajjarah, one of the most picturesque fortified villages in Yemen. Before returning back to Sana'a you'll have an opportunity to enjoy trying Bara'a, one of Yemen's traditional dances.