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T r e k k i n g T o u r s (15 days) Introduction Yemen offers some of the best opportunities in the world for trekking, especially in the mountains north-west of Sana'a. There, the distances between villages are short, a few hours on foot at most, plenty of picturesque and stupendous views, fascinating landscape, open-minded and helpful people. The highlands of the Yemen are surely one of the greatest undiscovered trekking regions in the world. The very idea of trekking in Arabia seems strange to many people, but on seeing photographs they can understand the attraction. Areas best for Trekking : 1 - Haraz; 2 - Jabal Maswar; region 3 - Shaharah region. Our main concern in the following program will be trekking in the regions and surrounds of Haraz, Maswar and Shahara Mountains. HIGHLIGHTS : JABAL HARAZ - JABAL MASWAR - JABAL SHAHARA JABAL HARAZ - In the Haraz Mountains 90 km to the west of Sana'a stands the proud mountain village of Manakha, at an altitude of 2200 metres. Manakha is an excellent base for trekking. Small villages and hamlets lie scattered everywhere between the terraces that extend across the steepest slopes. Many visitors have suggested that the majestic spirit of the mountains can be felt more intensely in Haraz Mountains than anywhere else in Yemen. The Haraz region is full of old fortified villages built on hilltops. One of the finest examples, the tightly built Al-Hajjara, is five km south-west of Manakha. The four and five-storey stone houses of Hajjara can already be spotted in the distance. The village, dating to the 12th century AD, served as an important fortification during the Turkish occupations of Yemen. The Ismaili villages with their decorated houses provide a wonderful area for trekking; Hutaib, the most important place of pilgrimage for members of the small sect,lies only about five km downhill, southeast from Manakha. the roads, tracks and footpaths uphill to the west lead to other picturesque villages like Kahil which overlook Hutaib and Manakha itself. Jabal Shibam, the highest peak of the Haraz region at almost 300 metres, stands to the south of Manakha, a couple of km south-east from Hutaib. JABAL MASWAR - The province of Mahweit is arguably the best place to trek in Yemen as well. The distances are not overwhelming, the mountain scenes are breathtaking and the people are among the friendliest in the country. In our programme 001 we drive from Manakha to Mahweit and then to Tawilla from which we start our second part of the trekking in Jabal Maswar region; heading north-west towards Hajja city. A good halfway destination is the 3240 metre Jabal Maswar, some 35 km south-east of Mahweit. Extraordinary beautiful terraces abound on the slopes of the mountain. To the east of the mountain, almost directly north of Tawilla (some 20 km) is a village called Bait Adaga lies under Jabal Maswar where an overnight camping is spent. JABAL SHAHARA - Our third and last part of programme 001 is trekking upto Jabal Shahara and surrounding areas. We drive from Hajja city via Kuhlan and Amran to Gabie village at the bottom of Jabal Shahara. Jabal Shahara is situated on the top of 2600 metre. The village of Shahara (at the top) with its famous stone bridge dating from the 16th century, is an impressive mountain fortress village. The bridge was built by a famous architect, Saleh Al-Yaman, using two support bridges below. If it were easier to get to, this bridge would surely be one of the great tourist sites of the Middle East. There are impressive views wherever you look from shahara. Our option is to climb up Jabal Shahara to shahara village, enjoying the extraordinary views from the terraced and qat-growing slopes of the mountain. However, you need to be in excellent physical shape to do this because the trip will take at least five to seven hours. Walking all the way to the top will vividly demonstrate to you why the Turks were not able to conquer the village on top of the mountain. Programme - HARAZ - MASWAR - SHAHARA (15 days) Combines three of the most beautiful areas of mountain Yemen. The areas are not remote and have basic facilities for spending some nights in tents and some in local Funduks (simple countryside accommodation). All the way the group could be accompanied by cars carrying luggages, tents and other camping equipments. The way is absolutely safe with no technical difficulties and clients should not be scared of the heights. Nevertheless it is possible to make changes avoiding problems with vertigo - but this means to choose less attractive routes.
Day 1: Drive from Sana'a heading westwards to Menakha - Overnight at Funduk in Menakha. (B) (L) (D) Day 2: Trekking from Menakha to the villages of Hutaib and Al-Hajjara. (6 hours walking - easy day) Overnight at Funduk in Al-Hajjarah. (B) (L) (D) Day 3: Trekking from Al-Hajjarah to Matwah (Safan region in Haraz) - 6 hours walking. (B) (L) (D) Day 4: Trekking Matwa - Al Gadam (leading to the Sana'a - Hodeidah main road) then drive back to Menakha for overnight at Funduk. 6 hours walking, tough day, descent more than 1000m. (B) (L) (D) Day 5: Drive from Menakha via Khamis Bani Sa'ad along Jabal Hufash and through Wadi Lahima to Mahweit for a late lunch and then proceed to Tawila for overnight at Funduk. (B) (L) (D) Day 6: Trekking from Tawila - Mahel Raiys. 8 hours walking, very tough day - 1500m down, 700 m up, long way for drivers (no direct connection). Alternative : beside the car's way connected with sightseeings of Shibam, Kawkaban, Hababa and Thulla ( the most attractive villages frequently visited by tourists) (B) (L) (D) Day 7: Trekking from Mahel Raiys - Bait Adaga 6-7 hours walking. O/N in tents. (B) (L) (D) Day 8: Trekking Bait Adaga - Shamada summit of Jabal Maswar (3300 m) 6-7 hours walking. O/N in tents. (B) (L) (D) Day 9: Trekking Shamada - Hajja city. 6-7 hours walking. It is not necessary to walk all the distance and can be shortened to two hours or half day trekking and rest of the way proceed in cars directly to Hajjah. O/N in confortable hotel. (B) (L) (D) Day 10: Drive from Hajja - Kuhlan - Amran - Al Qabai (bottom of Mount Shahara). O/N in tents. (B) (L) (D) Day 11: Trekking - old fortified way up to Shahara. Ascent optionaly 1300m or 700m. 5-7 hours or 3 hours tour round Shahara. O/N at Shahara Funduk. (B) (L) (D) Day 12: Trekking - first day round tour in Shahara mountains towards Rahwan. 6 hours walking. O/N in tents. (B) (L) (D) Day 13: Trekking - second day round tour, Rahwan - along the old Turkish road Back up to Shahara.5 hours walking but exteremely tough-1000m up. O/N Shahara Funduk (B) (L) (D) Day 14: Trekking : Shahara - Al-Mirwah. & hours walking. long route. O/N in tents. (B) (L) (D) Day 15: Drive back to Sana'a - Departure (B) (L) Note: Tour and Tour Information are subject to change. Tour Prices: Single Person $1190; Double Occupancy Per Person Price $1125 Airfare is not included in the tour price. Notes : Prices given are per person in USD currency and include the followings:- - Transportation: airport transfers & all ground travels in Yemen (in 4-seat Toyota Land Cruisers). - Accommodation in the countryside and mountainous areas/villages overnight will be spent in a clean local inn (Funduk). Tents will be provided where camping is applicable. - Meals on full-board basis in the available restaurants. Sealed mineral water will be served all through the trip. - Services of a bilingual local tour guide (Arabic and English, German, French or Italian speaking tour guide. - Entrance fees to all attractions visited. End. |