|
YEMEN:
A LIVING MUSEUM
A World Heritage Sites Tour of Yemen |
 |
Yemen
is one of the very few countries in the world that can
lay claim to be "A Living Museum". Yemen is a country
as old as history, having retained its culture, traditions,
dressing and architecture, truly an august land. Our 11-day
program attempts to cover the many highlights of its rich
history from the city founded by the son of Noah to Queen
of Sheba's the capital and the souqs of a Thousand and
One Nights.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Sana'a |
|
02
|
Sana'a / Seyun |
| 03 |
Seyun |
|
04
|
Seyun
/ Sana'a |
|
05
|
Sana'a / Hodeidah |
|
06
|
Hodeidah
/ Beit Al-Faqih / Zabid / Khawkha |
|
07
|
Khawkha
/ Taiz |
|
08
|
Taiz
/ Jibla / Ibb / Sana'a |
|
09
|
Sana'a |
|
10
|
Sana'a
|
|
11
|
Sana'a |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
|
World Heritage Sites in Yemen covered on this tour |
| Old
Walled City of Shibam (1982) |
Surrounded
by a fortified wall, the 16th-century city of Shibam is
one of the oldest and best examples of urban planning
based on the principle of vertical construction. Its impressive
tower-like structures rise out of the cliff and have given
the city the nickname of "the Manhattan of the desert". |
| Old
City of Sana'a (1986) |
Located
in a mountain valley at an altitude of 2200 m, Sana'a
has been inhabited for more than 2500 years. In the 7th
and 8th centuries the town became a major centre for the
spread of Islam. This religious and political heritage
can be seen in its 106 mosques, 12 hammams and 6500 houses,
all built before the 11th century. Sana'a's many-storeyed
tower or pis� houses add to the beauty of the site. |
| Historic
Town of Zabid (1993) |
The
domestic and military architecture of this city and its
urban plan make it a site of outstanding archeological
and historical value. Besides being the capital of Yemen,
from the 13th to the 15th centuries, Zabid was of great
importance in the Arab and Muslim world for many centuries
because of its Islamic university. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day
01: Arrive Sana'a
"Salaam - Peace be upon you" as we are welcomed to the medieval
city of Sana'a, the capital of Yemen considered the birthplace
of Arab nationhood. As we drive on to the city center, we get
an interesting first insight to Yemen, its architecture and
landscape - so different and so warm.
Overnight: Taj Sheba Hotel, Sana'a (1 night)
Day 02: Sana'a / Seyun (Flight)
We start our Yemen journey with a flight to the eastern city
of Seyun, the capital of Wadi Hadramaut where the mighty Sultan's
Palace dominates the town. We begin exploring Seyun, the former
capital of Kathiri Sultanate, with a visit of the Palace of
Sultan Al-Kathiri which was built of clay and brick and decorated
with gypsum. We then have time to wander around the traditional
"Souq" with its handicrafts and homegrown produce. Our afternoon
tour starts with a visit of Shibam, an awe-inspiring town of
ancient skyscrapers soaring out of the desert. Declared a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO, Shibam is commonly referred to as the
"desert Manhattan". A stroll through the maze-like lanes provides
us an interesting experience of the day-to-day life of the people
still living their traditional ways and values. We are welcomed
to various homes not only to see the interior, but also meet
the family. Our visit of Shibam ends with an opportunity to
photograph the desert and the exceptional skyline at sunset
from a hill across the ravine.
Overnight: Samah Hotel, Seyun (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 03: Seyun
Today we take a full day excursion to the peaceful village of
Aynat, known for its religious tombs and shrines. We first visit
a village known for its gypsum production where we watch the
workmen at the furnaces. Another highlight of today is a visit
to Tarim, the capital of Kinda Kings where we visit the Al-Kaff
Palace (Tarim Museum), the Al-Muhdar Mosque and the Bin Yahya
Palace. Before returning to Seyun w also visit the old Summer
Palace, which is now the Al-Qubba Palace Hotel. (B, D)
Day 04: Seyun / Sana'a (Flight)
A return flight in the morning gets us back to Sana'a. Upon
arrival, we take a short drive to visit Dar Al-Hajjar, the summer
palace of Imam Yahya, perched on the top of a rocky pinnacle
at Wadi Dhar. We then transfer to our hotel. In the evening
we enjoy a tour in the old city of Sana'a. This is an exciting
walk through the maze lanes bringing back, right infront of
us, the picture, nay the reality of the Arabian Nights. A wonderful
opportunity to meet the local folks is an additional bonus on
this day.
Overnight: Taj Sheba Hotel, Sana'a (1 night) (B, D)
Day 05: Sana'a / Hodeidah (Drive 240 kms / 148 miles)
We start the day with a drive through Qa'a Bani Mudar, home
of the best coffee plants. Yemen is well known for its coffee.
A picturesque view as we continue west to the Haraz region,
an area of high mountain ranges, with villages and coffee plantations
clinging to steep slopes. Manakha, its capital, is a large market
town full of narrow alleys, souqs and attractively designed
four-story houses. We continue to visit the fortified medieval
villages of Al-Hoteib and Al-Hajjarah, where the houses are
built directly on to the rock; here we also enjoy a performance
of the traditional Bara'a dance. We end the day at the city
of Hodeidah.
Overnight: Fakhama Hotel, Hodeidah (1 night) (B, D)
Day 06: Hodeidah / Beit Al-Faqih / Zabid / Khawkha (Drive
170 kms / 105 miles)
Early morning an exciting experience as we visit the traditional
fish market at the southern part of the city. Next we visit
Zabid, an important early Islamic center of learning, where
algebra is said to have been born. In Zabid we see the finely
decorated old houses and the 10th century mosque before continuing
to Khawkha where we overnight.
Overnight: Mokha Marine Village, Khawkha (1 night) (B, D)
Day 07: Khawkha / Taiz (Drive 185 kms / 114 miles)
Taiz was the capital of Yemen under the medieval Rasulid Dynasty.
As we drive from Khawkha to Taiz, it will be another day of
interesting landscape and meeting country folks along the way.
At Jabel Saber we visit the fine Ashraffiya Mosque with its
twin minarets and take a walk through the old souq, with its
exotic wares.
Overnight: Yemen Tourist Hotel, Taiz (1 night) (B, D)
Day 08: Taiz / Jibla / Ibb / Sana'a (Drive 260 kms / 160
miles)
A morning tour of this one time capital covers the in the old
Palace of Imam Ahmed, now a museum preserving its curious lifestyle.
Our next stop will be at Jabla which is truly a picturesque
village. Jable in the 11th Century was the capital of Queen
Arwa Bint Ahmed. Amongst the interesting sites include the great
mosque with its colonnaded prayer hall and the finely decorated
tomb of the Queen. Before we reach Sana'a we visit the town
of Ibb.
Overnight: Taj Sheba Hotel, Sana'a (3 nights) (B, D)
Day 09: Sana'a
Today we visit Thula, a fortress-town with its original walls
nearly intact, a prime example of the Arabian use of stone as
a building material. We continue to Hababah, one of the most
attractive Yemeni stone villages, before traveling through the
volcanic landscapes to Shibam (not to be confused with Shibam
near Seyun), the former capital of the Yaffouride Dynasty (861
- 956 AD) at the foot of the step wall of Jabel Kawkaban. Dating
far back into antiquity Kawkaban is the upper town of Shibam
and can be reached by a paved path which follows the flank of
a cliff; at 3000 meters / 3281yards Kawkaban dominates the region.
Evening is free to enjoy a stroll into time - into the Arabian
Nights. (B, D)
Day 10: Sana'a
We spend our day exploring Sana'a starting with a visit to the
National Museum and Haddah (Beit Bows) followed by a visit to
the ancient quarter of this fascinating Arabian city with its
intricately decorated mosques, 1000-year old city walls, hidden
gardens, unique multiple-storied houses and old souqs. The souq
takes us back to the times of the Arabian Nights and is an experience
never ever to be forgotten. Our last evening in Sana’a
is made even more interesting, as we are treated to a farewell
dinner at a typical Yemeni restaurant. (B, D)
Day 11: Depart Sana'a
All good things come to an end and we have to bid farewell the
ancient land of Yemen. We are transferred to the airport for
our departure flight. (B)
|
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
|
Back
to top
|
Departure Dates |
|
2012
Please call for details
- 1-800-663-0844 / 604-264-7378
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
| 2012 |
Please
call for details |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
•
Hotel accommodation as mentioned
• Meal plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast
D=Dinner)
• All sightseeing and transfers
• Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites
• Local English speaking guides
• Visa Support as required |
•
International Airfare / Departure Taxes
• Travel Insurances
• Visa Fees
• Drinks / Beverages with meals
• Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides |
| Domestic
/ Regional Airfare INCLUDED in Tour Price |
| Sana'a
/ Seyun & Seyun / Sana'a. |
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| West
Coast |
US
$ 1600 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of -
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
33
years in small group journeys
|
Back
to top
|
|
|
|
Site
updated Nov 07, 2011
|
|
|
