YEMEN – HADHRAMAUT REGION (Mukalla, Al Ghaydah, Ataq)
Tour: Yemen Mainland Expedition – Hadhramaut and Aden. Oct 3-11, 2026
A Nomad Mania Shared Event organized by Konstantyn Liorek
Experience Traditional Yemeni hospitality, Historic mud-brick cities, Local food
Tour Price: 3280 USD (~2800 EUR) + Single supplement: 399 USD. Flights: ~880 USD
Yemen Tourist Visa: 200 USD, US$1500 > Konstantyn, US$ 1620 > Yemeni contact,
$US 1650 >Cash
Cairo is the main gateway into Yemen.
Day 1 Sat Oct 3
Flight, CAI → RIY | Yemenia IY – 617 @07:30-11:00
MUKALLA
Arrival in Mukalla (Al-Riyan Airport) from Cairo,
tha capital city of Hadhramaut region.
Al-Mukalla was founded in 1035 AD as a small fishing village. Over the centuries, it grew into an important trading port due to its strategic location along the Arabian Sea. Its maritime trade linked Yemen with East Africa, India, and the broader Arabian Peninsula. This rich history is reflected in its architecture, culture, and economic activities. Explore the narrow, winding streets and traditional houses of the old city, take a walk along the corniche
Sultan Al-Qu’aiti Palace . Al-Mukalla has faced significant challenges, including periods of control by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) from 2015 to 2016. In April 2016, local forces, supported by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, successfully recaptured Al-Mukalla from AQAP, restoring control and beginning the process of rebuilding and recovery. We will spend the night in a hotel in the cityold city exploration, welcome dinner
Historic City of Al-Mukalla Tentative WHS
Mukalla Museum
Mukalla: Alguwizi Fortress
Mukalla: Qu’aiti Palace Museum
ON Ramada Hotel, Mukalla
Day 2 Sun Oct 4 —
Mukalla fish market, Qaiti Palace,
Drive to Wadi Doa’n,
ON Haid Al-Jazil Resort, Wadi Doa’n
Day 3 Mon Oct 5
WADI DOA’N hiking, landscape. Well-known for its extensive date palm gardens and small villages with mud-brick houses. See the architectural heritage, agricultural practices, and vibrant community life. The lifestyle of these close-knit communities has remained unchanged for centuries. Cultivate date palms, grains, and vegetables.
Beit Bukshan stands out for its vibrant, colourful architecture, which adds a lively charm to the region’s otherwise earthy tones.
Haid Al-Jazeel is the most visually striking of the villages, perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the valley.
Hawfah Village, Buqshan palaces, Rehab viewpoints
The Hawf Area Tentative WHS (08/07/2002) ,
Budha village, Al-Khuraiba market,
Bin Laden mansion, Rebat village
Day 4 Tue Oct 6
SEEF Village. white fortress
AL- HAIJJRAIN historic cliff town, Shibam sunset exploration
Haid Al-Jazil and Wadi Daw’an, Hadramout
ON Seiyun
Day 5 Wed Oct 7
SHIBAM. Often called “the Manhattan of the Desert” because of ancient mud-brick high-rise buildings. Similar to the skyscrapers of Manhattan, they make the most of limited space. Some date back to the 16th century, making them some of the oldest examples of vertical urban planning in the world. Despite being made of mud bricks, Shibam’s buildings have proven remarkably durable over the centuries.
World Heritage Sites: Old Walled City of Shibam
Religious Temples:
Shibam: Great Mosque of Shibam
Shibam: Maruf Ba Jamal Mosque
SEIYUN. Hadramaut’s second-largest city. Seiyun (GXF)
Seiyun Palace (Sultan Al Kathiri Palace), Tentative WH. Some of the highest mud-brick structures in the world. The palace was built in the 1920s, and it stands as a testament to the grandeur of the Kathrini dynasty, which ruled the region for an extended part of its history. The building’s design reflects a blend of traditional Yemeni architectural elements and Islamic artistry, with influences from Indian and Southeast Asian styles, due to the historical trade connections between Hadhramaut and those regions.
ON Seiyun
Day 6 Thur Oct 8
TARIM mosques & palaces, Tarim. The city has long been a hub of religious scholarship and Sufism, extending its influence beyond its geographical boundaries. The town is renowned for its numerous mosques, madrasas, and libraries, many of which have been active for centuries. Among these, the Al-Muhdar Mosque stands out with its striking white minaret, one of the tallest in Yemen, soaring 50 meters into the sky. Tarim is also particularly noted for its palaces adorned with intricate geometric patterns and delicate wooden latticework known as “mashrabiya.” Most of these houses belonged to wealthy merchant families who made their fortunes in trade.
Qabr Hud,
Tarim City, Hadramout Tentative WHS
Tarim Palaces
Almihdhar Mosque
Ahqaf Library for Manuscripts
Einat village & limestone ovens
Day 7 Fri Oct 9
Old Seiyun
Al-Handal Souk Palace & local markets
Ahmed Al-Habshi shrine
Domestic flight. Seiyun GXF – ADE Yemenia IY @16:00-17:00.
YEMEN – ADEN REGION (Aden, Zinjibar, Lahij)
Tentative WHS
Agricultural Terraces in Yemen
Wetland Natural Reserve, Aden
Day 8 Sat Oct 10
ADEN
The Historic City of Aden. Tentative WHS:
Cisterns of Tawila. Vestiges of the Past:
Airports: Aden (ADE)
Sira Fortress
Aidrus Mosque
St. Francis of Assisi Church
Little Ben Aden. Monuments
Ra’s Marshaq Lighthouse
Aden colonial and volcanic scenery: Crater district, Tawila Tanks, Seera Castle, coastal views & markets
Day 9 Sun Oct 11
Flight. Aden to Cairo. ADE – CAI Yemenia IY – 600 @05:45-09:30
Tentative WHS
Al-Hawtah City
Archaeological Sites of the Kingdom of Qataban in Behan
Balhaf/Burum coastal area (08/07/2002)
Biodiversity Sites in Hadramout
Old Incense Trade Routes
Sharma/Jethmun coastal area (08/07/2002)
Airports: Al Rayyan (RIY)
Villages and Small Towns
SHABWA
The Archaeological Sites of the Kingdom of Hadramout in Shabwah. Tentative WHS
Habban City, Shabwah. Tentative WHS
Vestiges of the Past: Shabwa
Architectural Delights: Hadramaut: Sheikh Bugshan Palace Hotel
Beaches: Bi’r Ali Beach
Indigenous Peoples: Hadramaut : Hadhramis
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Arabic calligraphy: knowledge, skills and practices
Arts, skills and practices associated with engraving on metals (gold, silver and copper)
Date palm, knowledge, skills, traditions and practices
Henna: rituals, aesthetic and social practices
Song of Sana’a
Experiences
al-Ghina al-San’an
National Unity Day
YEMEN – ADEN REGION (Aden, Zinjibar, Lahij)
ADEN
The Historic City of Aden. Tentative WHS:
Cisterns of Tawila. Vestiges of the Past:
Airports: Aden (ADE)
Sira Fortress
Aidrus Mosque
St. Francis of Assisi Church
Little Ben Aden. Monuments
Ra’s Marshaq Lighthouse
Tentative WHS
Agricultural Terraces in Yemen
Wetland Natural Reserve, Aden
ZINJIBAR
Roads, Road Bridges and Tunnels
Road – 100: Aden-Mukalla-Oman border
Road – Sanaa-Damar-Aden
DARE: Lahij – Al Had District (Lahij extreme northeast)
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YEMEN – AZAL (Sana’a, Amran, Dhamar) and SHEBA (Al Jawf, Ma’rib)
World Heritage Sites: Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba
Tentative WHS
Dar Al Hajar
Agricultural Terraces in Yemen
Al Madrasah Al Amereyyah
Al-Qarrah City, Yafe’
Barāqish City Archaeological Site
Jabal Haraz (08/07/2002)
Old Incense Trade Routes
Shaharah City and its Bridge
The Cities and Landmarks of Ma’in Old Kingdom
The Historic City of Thula (08/07/2002)
DHAMAR
IBB
SA’DAH
Tentative WHS: Historic city of Saada (08/07/2002)
Religious Temples: Sa’ada: Al Hadi Mosque
SANAA
World Heritage Sites: Old City of Sana’a
Tentative WHS: Sites of the Cultural Landscape and Heritage Landmarks in Sana’a
History, Culture, National and City Museums: Sanaa: National Museum of Yemen
Castles, Palaces, Fort
Sana’a: Aljabowbi Castle
Sana’a: Baynun
Sana’a: Dar al-Hajar
Sana’a: Ghumdan Palace
Religious Temples
Sana’a: Al Bakiriya Mosque
Sana’a: Al-Saleh Mosque
Sana’a: Great Mosque of Sana’a
Monuments: Sana’a: Al Sabeen Square Memorial
Villages and Small Towns
‘Amran
Al Hajjarah
Roads, Road Bridges and Tunnels: Road – Sanaa-Damar-Aden
Vestiges of the Past
Archaeological site of Marib
Barāqish
Temple of Barran
World of Nature
Dhamar Montane Plains Mahjur Traditional Reserve
Hof Nature Reserve
Mountains: Dschabal an-Nabi Schuʿaib
Pedestrian and Historical Bridges: Shaharah Footbridge
Culinary Delights: Harisa/Harees/Haresa/Arizah/Korkot/Jarish
Mukbaza/Moukhbaza
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YEMEN – TIHAMAH and ALJANAD (Al Hudaydah, Taiz, Ibb, Raymah)
DARE
Hanish islands
Zubair Group of islands
Perim (Mayyun) island
ZABID
Historic Town of Zabid World Heritage Sites
Religious Temples: Zabid: Great Mosque of Zabid
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Zabid: Old Fort
Tentative WHS
Agricultural Terraces in Yemen
Al Mokha City
Erf Mountain Natural Reserve
Jabal Bura (08/07/2002)
Jibla and its surroundings (08/07/2002)
Shibam Kawkaban
The Archaeological Remains and Water Management Systems Himyar Kingdom in Dhafar
Islands: Hanish islands, Kamaran
TAIZ
Tentative WHS: The landmarks of Ta’iz City
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Taizz: Al Kahera Castl
Religious Temples
Taizz: Al-Ashrafiyyah Mosque
Taizz: Al-Janad Mosque
Taizz: Mudhaffar Mosque
AL HUDAYDAH
Tentative WHS
The Historic Fortifications of Hudayyedah
The Old City of Al-Hudaydah (Ḥārat al-Sūr)
IBB
Villages and Small Town
JIBLA
House and Biographical Museums: Jibla: Queen Arwa Museum
KAUKABAN
World of Nature
Jabal Bura Valley Forest
Otma Nature Reserve
Zuqur Islands Marine National Park
Waterfalls: Al-Mishna Waterfall
Beaches: Al Khawkhah Beach
Lighthouses: Abu Ali Lighthouse
