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YEMEN:
A LIVING MUSEUM
A World Heritage Sites Tour of Yemen |
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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.
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Tour
Summary
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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 |
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09
|
Sana'a |
|
10
|
Sana'a
|
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11
|
Sana'a |
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|
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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 inform 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 to 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 invented. 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
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Departure Dates |
|
2008
Jan 18,
Feb 11,
Apr 04,
May 02,
Oct 24,
Nov 14,
Dec 19
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| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ / CA$ |
Single
Sup US$ / CA$ |
| 2008 |
2525 |
410 |
| 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 $ / CA $
1400 |
| West
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1600 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of 15
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 |
|
30
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated April 04, 2008
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