Traveling to Yemen, especially on an itinerary like this, deserves careful attention due to the region’s ongoing situation. While Yemen has gorgeous natural, historical and cultural treasures that attract the more intrepid traveler, it also remains a destination where safety, logistics, and the right guidance are paramount.
In our 6 day Yemen travel itinerary, we share the best places to visit in Yemen, our Yemen tour guide information (who happens to be the best in the whole country) and all the logistics information. We also ponder the question; is it safe to travel to Yemen?
Best places to visit in Yemen – 6 Day Yemen Travel Itinerary
Traveling through Yemen is not your average holiday. It’s an adventure that takes you off the beaten path, through ancient landscapes and the rich culture of South Yemen. From exploring the markets in Seiyun to wandering through the historical fortress city of Shibam, experiencing the shoreline and markets of Mukalla and trekking in the striking Wadi Doa’n,
This six-day journey through the Hadhramaut region was such an authentic and out of this world experience!
Day 1: Cairo to Seiyun – Arrival in South Yemen
The adventure began with a 4.5 hour flight from Cairo to Seiyun, one of the key towns of the Hadhramaut Valley in Southern Yemen. Stepping off the plane in Seiyun, the warm, dry air and golden landscape created a vivid contrast to the frenetic atmosphere of Cairo.
We arrived late in the afternoon, presented our Yemen paperwork and were greeted by our Yemen tour guide who made our transition into life here seamless. From the airport, we headed directly to the Hawta Palace Hotel—a restored ancient palace constructed entirely of mudbrick and converted into a boutique hotel.
Dinner was served at the hotel, featuring a hearty, traditional Yemeni meal. The flavors were rich with spices, setting the tone for the culinary experiences that would come throughout the trip.
Overnight at Hawta Palace Hotel, we settled into our rooms, excited to start our journey into the heart of Yemen.
Day 2: Seiyun to Mukalla – Yemeni Traditions Meet Coastal Charm
The next morning, we began our day with an early breakfast at Hawta Palace before setting out to explore Seiyun Old Town. At the market we all purchased traditional Yemeni clothes. Wearing these garments was not only practical but also a gesture of respect toward the local culture, helping us to blend in better throughout our journey.
This is where we also exchanged some money for small purchases, souvenirs and tips. The rest of the trip was all inclusive.
Leaving Seiyun, we drove via the striking landscapes of Wadi Sah to the coastal port city of Mukalla. The 4.5 hour journey took us past dramatic valleys and rural settlements, where life appeared untouched by modernity. In Mukalla we settled into the Ramada Mukalla Hotel which is located at the Gulf of Aden, on the shores of the Arabian Sea.
Our first stop in Mukalla after the hotel was to stroll through the ancient market of the city. This shopping place was split into a general area and a female only one. Because our group had a female (me), the men in our group were allowed to visit the female only section as well.
The market was full of vibrant colors, from textiles to spices, and the call of vendors added to the atmosphere. It was lovely to see the daily life of folks who live in this town. They were mostly curious about us – the foreigners who descended on their city.
As the sun was setting we strolled along the water, which offered a peek into the local fishing trade—a busy scene where fishermen unloaded their daily catch as curious children ran around and some swam.
Evening found us at the Ramada Mukalla Hotel, where all rooms offered a beautiful view of the Arabian Sea, the perfect backdrop for unwinding after a day filled with exploration.
Dinner and Overnight was at Ramada Mukalla Hotel.
Day 3: Mukalla to Wadi Doa’n – Trekking Through Timeless Valleys
After an early breakfast, we visited the Mukalla fish market, a lively spot where fresh catches are sold straight from the sea. Thankfully we also visited the fruit and vegetable market. For me as a vegan the fish market was quite brutal to witness.
It was filled with freshly slaughtered manta rays and other large sea creatures still laying in their blood. However most of the guys in our group found this market fascinating.
Along the way out of town we stopped to take pictures at the Al-Ghawizi Fortress and the iconic Khoor Mukalla. Surprisingly a local woman greeted us along the way and introduced herself as an English school teacher. It was lovely to spend some time with her as women in Yemen typically don’t approach foreigners.
From Mukalla, we made our way towards Wadi Doa’n, a beautiful valley with spectacular natural beauty, dotted with age-old traditional villages. Upon arriving at Haid Al-Jizil Resort Hotel, we were greeted with what may be the most stunning panoramic view of the valley. It truly took our breath away! The hotel served a lovely lunch, and after some rest, we set off for an afternoon trek.
Trekking to Hawfah village in Wadi Doa’n was an unforgettable experience. The trek was relatively easy, but the scenery was breathtaking, with towering cliffs and lush date plantations that framed our journey. It was a one-hour descent, after which we drove to photograph Haid Al-Jizil Village, perched precariously on a rocky outcrop, and visited Buqshan Village, famous for its colored palaces. The Buqshan Palace was a highlight, offering an incredible view from its rooftop.
As evening approached, we returned to Haid Al-Jizil Resort Hotel to photograph the sunset over Wadi Doa’n. There is something magical about the play of light in the valley—the cliffs turning shades of gold, pink, and purple as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Dinner was served at the hotel and after dinner the local dance troupe performed for us in the courtyard.
Overnight at Haid Al-Jizil Resort Hotel.
Day 4: Wadi Doa’n to Shibam – The Manhattan of Arabia
The following morning, we departed early from Haid Al-Jizil to explore the far reaches of Wadi Doa’n. Our first stop was Ribad Town, known as the hometown of the Bin Laden family. We continued to Qarht Bahumaish, the last village in Wadi Doa’n, and stopped to photograph Musainah Village after passing through Al-Khuraiba town.
A picnic lunch was served, under the shade of the trees with a stunning view of Qarn Majed Village.
Afterward, we visited Sif Town, which many consider the second most beautiful town after Shibam in Hadhramaut. The view from Sif Town was spectacular, and our next stop was another viewpoint, this time over Al-Hajjarain Town.
The day concluded with a visit to Shibam, often called the “Manhattan of Arabia” due to its impressive mud-brick tall buildings – the “skyscrapers”. We arrived just in time to capture the sunset over the ancient city—a breathtaking sight as the towering structures glowed in the fading light.
Overnight and dinner were back at Hawta Palace Hotel.
Day 5: Shibam, Seiyun, Aynat, and Tarim – Spiritual and Cultural Immersion
Our fifth day began with an early breakfast before setting off to explore Shibam. This ancient city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its mud-brick towers date back hundreds of years. Walking through Shibam’s narrow streets felt like stepping into a different era. We even climbed one of the buildings for a bird’s-eye view of the city and visited a local handicraft center, where artisans demonstrated their craft.
Leaving Shibam, we headed back to Seiyun to explore its Old City. The honey market and Al-Handhal Traditional Market were full of activity, offering everything from spices to fresh produce. We also visited Al-Fals Palace, an iconic structure in Seiyun.
Next, we drove to Tarim, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Najd Restaurant. I still remember the smoked vegetables that were created for my lunch there. Truly a delicious vegan dish!
Tarim, known as the center of Islamic Sufism in Yemen, has a spiritual atmosphere. We visited the Sufi shrines in Aynat and took our time to take in the peaceful surroundings. In Tarim itself, we admired the Al-Mihdar Mosque, with its towering minaret—the tallest in Yemen. The image of this mosque can be found on the 500 Yemeni Riyal Note.
As evening approached, we found a viewpoint overlooking Tarim and spent time reflecting on the journey so far. The sun set over the city, and the call to prayer echoed through the valley—a beautiful moment that encapsulated the spirit of Yemen.
Overnight and dinner was at Hawta Palace Hotel.
Day 6: Departure from Seiyun to Cairo
Our journey through Yemen concluded with an afternoon flight back to Cairo. The airport in Seiyun was quite busy on the way out and I was searched behind a curtain 3 times, while the men did not have to go through that process.
Is it Safe to Travel to Yemen?
As you may already know, we’ve got this big dream of being one of the first married couples to visit every country in the world together. So naturally, we were really excited to finally experience mainland Yemen. It was our 193rd country!
We approached this journey with a sense of gravity, acknowledging the complexities and potential risks associated with traveling to Yemen. The ongoing military activities in the Middle East gave us pause, and we delayed our trip while grappling with safety concerns. We kept on thinking; is it safe to travel to Yemen? Especially right now?!
However, our guide, Kais, instilled a sense of confidence and security throughout our adventure. Our itinerary focused solely on the safer southern region, avoiding the north, which is currently under the control of Houthi rebels.
Our Yemen tour guide also arranged for military personnel to accompany us, ensuring our safety but limiting our freedom to wander independently. Despite this constraint, they were accommodating and understanding, allowing us to explore points of interest that caught our eye.
Therefore, the question – is it safe to travel to Yemen? – is a personal one. There are so many military checkpoints and heightened concern for the safety of foreigners that we felt very safe traveling to Yemen and in the country on this Yemen travel itinerary.
Ultimately, we were rewarded with an extraordinary experience, venturing into a region rarely seen by outsiders.
Logistics for our Yemen Travel Itinerary
Our Yemen Tour Guide:
Traveling to Yemen requires meticulous planning and the right contacts. We were fortunate to have Kais, our Yemen tour guide, who took care of every aspect of our journey. From arranging our visas (which he conveniently WhatsApped to us before our departure) to ensuring we had local Yemeni clothing to blend in.
Kais, our Yemen tour guide, made sure we were comfortable and safe throughout our stay. If you are curious about traveling to Yemen, we would highly recommend that you give him a call (we do not profit in any way from this recommendation).
Kais What’s App: + 967 777 007 706
Traveling to Yemen – How to Get Here
The only way for most foreigners to arrive in Yemen is to fly from Cairo to Seiyun on Yemenia Airways. Flights are Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. We had arranged the flights through a travel agency in Cairo through Kais’ contact. Unfortunately the cost for foreigners is quite inflated at $890 USD per person return.
However, if you can arrange for a friend living in the Middle East to purchase the ticket for you the cost is reduced substantially.
Visa for Yemen
As I mentioned above, Kais took care of our visa for Yemen. For us, the process was easy and seamless. The most arduous part was getting the required Medical Certificate dated within a month of travel. Kais provided templates for the letter that was required from a medical practitioner. Oddly we needed to be screened for infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS.
Within our group we had citizens of the USA, Canada and Belarus. Here is the wiki page for the Yemen visa policy.
Money in Yemen
One of the first things we did upon arrival was exchange money at a local money exchange in Seiyun. This is essential in a country where credit cards are not accepted and ATMs are either not available or just don’t work due to the sanctions. Kais facilitated this process, ensuring we got a fair rate and had enough cash for markets and other small purchases.
It is imperative to bring crisp, unmarked US dollar bills that are younger than 2009. Each one of our notes were inspected carefully and on one, a small dot was found – the bill was rejected.
At time of writing, the exchange was $1 USD = 1890 Yemeni Riyals
Amenities during a Yemen Travel Itinerary
Traveling in Yemen presents unique challenges due to limited infrastructure and ongoing security concerns. This translates to a more restricted choice of amenities, especially for foreign visitors who are generally required to travel with authorized guides and security personnel.
Accommodation:
Options are often limited to basic hotels or guesthouses, particularly outside major cities.
Amenities like reliable Wi-Fi and hot water may not always be guaranteed, though our experience with Kais’s chosen accommodations was positive in this regard.
Expect a more spartan experience compared to typical tourist destinations.
Restaurants:
Independent restaurants can be scarce, with many dining options attached to hotels.
Be prepared to eat most of your meals at your accommodation or pre-arranged locations.
Food variety might be limited, with a focus on traditional Yemeni cuisine which is delicious and flavorful. For one of my vegan meals I enjoyed a smoked vegetable stew dish which was incredible!
Traveling to Yemen as a Woman
Traveling to Yemen as a woman, it is important to understand the life of a regular Yemeni woman. Although these norms do not apply to foreigners, they are important to acknowledge.
Being a woman in Yemen means navigating a society with deeply ingrained traditional and conservative values. The black abaya, a loose-fitting, full-length robe, is the prevailing attire for women, worn with a headscarf and typically with a niqab, which covers the face, leaving only the eyes visible. While the extent of covering varies across regions and social groups, modesty and adherence to traditional gender roles are generally expected.
Women’s lives often revolve around family and domestic responsibilities. Their movement and decision-making can be restricted, with male guardianship playing a significant role in many aspects of life, including marriage, travel, and legal matters. Access to education and employment opportunities, though gradually improving, still faces challenges due to societal norms and economic limitations.
However, it’s important to acknowledge the diversity within Yemeni society. Women are increasingly active in various fields, including education, healthcare, and even politics. Change is slow, but there’s a growing movement advocating for women’s rights and greater participation in society.
Khat
Yemen is known for its widespread consumption of khat, a mildly narcotic leaf that is chewed predominantly in the afternoons and evenings. While this habit is prevalent among a significant portion of the population, including some of our security personnel, it did not affect our trip. Our drivers abstained from it during our travels, allowing for smooth, uninterrupted exploration.
Wrap Up: Our Yemen travel itinerary
This journey through Yemen offered a rare glimpse into a world that feels largely untouched by time. From the coastal charm of Mukalla to the ancient mud towers of Shibam, and the breathtaking scenery of Wadi Doa’n, the country is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty.
Wadi Doa’n was undoubtedly the highlight of the journey. The dramatic landscapes, the trek to Hawfah village, and the sunset views were experiences that will stay with us for a lifetime. Despite the challenges Yemen faces, its beauty and the hospitality of its people are unparalleled.
Traveling in Yemen is not without its challenges, but with the right guide and careful planning, it is possible to experience the wonders of this incredible country. We left Yemen with a deep appreciation for its resilient people, its stunning landscapes, and its profound sense of history—a journey that will forever remain a highlight of our travels.
For us, Yemen reminded us a bit of Syria’s mystique and challenges. What about you – have you been to Yemen or are you planning on traveling to Yemen? We would love to hear from you in the comments.
