Yemen in 17 or 22 days: contrasts and riches

Visit of the two museums, national and military, and discovery of the old city of Sanaa. Pass through Bab Al Sabaah and along the inner walls to Bab Al Yemen, pass under the door, visit the inside of the wall transformed into an art gallery, and walk up the main street, perpendicular to the door. Then you must walk in search of the caravanserai, the "souk al zabid" (grapes), the great mosque (into which you do not enter), find vegetable gardens, follow the road to the "Seyla" and head towards the northern ramparts and exit through the Al Sheaub gate. We sleep in Sanaa.

Visit the villages north of Sanaa, with Baukour where you should be around 8am, the fortress of Zakatin, and then go to the village of Hababa very famous for its large fresh water tank. The second village of the morning is Thoula, entirely paved, whose ramparts can still be seen; you can also have lunch there unless you prefer to take the road to Shibam and eat there. Above Shibam is the fortified city of Kaukabam, from which there is a splendid view of the northern and southern valleys. We end the day with ouadi Dhar and the palace of the imam who can be visited entirely. We sleep in Sanaa.

Village of Mantova and then visit the most beautiful village in the region, Marouit, where it is possible to sleep and wake up in the midst of clouds.

We have to go back to Sana'a without stopping there and take the road that leads to Hodeida. The last two-day journey begins among the high mountains, including Jebel Haraz; it is accessed from the village of Manakha. You and your guide should plan this trip in advance and tell him that you want to see the villages of Manakha, Al Hajjara, Al Houteip, Kahel, and climb on the djebel Haraz and plan with him your sleeping place between the fourth and fifth day.

You will come back late in the afternoon, to Sana'a.

Take the plane for Seyoun where you arrive early in the morning, often in the early morning. As this region is hot, it is better to relax and rest in the afternoon, in the shade. The first visit is to Shibam, this city built of buildings in charge of which we visit certain buildings. You must then climb on the piton which dominates it so that you have a panoramic view on the site.

Seyoun, with its souk and the Sultan's palace which also contains a small museum. From Seyoun we head towards the city of Tarim, built by the Al Kaf family, originally from Singapore, who built about twenty palaces there and made the city famous. You can swim in the shaded swimming pool of one of them, the Quba Palace. Along the road, you will see lime kilns, mausoleums with dome of Sufi saints.

Its entrance is marked by a famous crossroads where young camels are traded; a restaurant even offers tasting, but it is a very firm meat that requires a lot of preparation. The valley of all beauty, trapped between several canyons, is declined according to the villages clinging to their sides, including Hajjarin, Sif, Khourayba. Take your time before arriving at the Buksham Hotel where you are recommended to stay: an eight-storey building built of cedar and adobe, with a multicoloured exterior that stands out.

The road goes over the hotel and you stay on the plateau. It is then a succession of landscapes: desert plateaus, arid mountains, sandstone valleys dug by the last glaciation, expanse of sand as Moukalla approaches. You will arrive in this main city of the Arabian Sea for lunch. Then visit the city after diving in the ocean, at the cool of the sunset, with a fruit juice on the jetty converted into coffees.

Visit the Sultan's Palace before taking the road to Chaboua. For three hours, landscapes will flow under your eyes. Beautiful coves where wooden boats are floating, black volcanic stone that weaves the yellow sand, gigantic craters and finally the rocky piton of Bir Ali, ancient port of Canaa. It is on the beach, in the built huts, that you will spend the night.

After your first bath of the day in the Arabian Sea, climb on the piton to discover the antique tanks at its summit. Visit the fish hall and watch the landings of mackerel, sharks and lines. Take a boat to go to one or more islands and swim in the middle of colourful fish. It takes three hours to go to Moukalla airport to fly to Aden.

Visit the city museum, then stroll through Krater, the central district. You can walk on the Al Mouhalla ledge. In the afternoon, you can go swimming in Gold Mohour cove and taste grilled lobsters.

The road from Aden to Ta is not very interesting and takes place in two or three hours. At Ta, you can climb up to the top of Jebel Saber, admire the point of view, and go down on foot. In the surroundings, if you have time, you can visit forests or a marsh with all kinds of birds.

On the road to Tihama, the city of Mokha is erected, which is unfortunately no more than a decaying myth. Continuing, we arrive at the African-looking port of Kaokha. The highlight of the road is the city of Zabid, still surrounded by its original walls. It is necessary to dare to knock at the inhabitant's house to enter it, because few houses are intended only for tourism. We can sleep in Hodeida at night.

A half day drive to go back to Sana'a.

Either it is the end of the trip, or you can still opt for three or four days on the island of Socotra depending on the flights available and the season (the island is unlivable from May until October, due to the monsoon that causes very hot and very violent winds).