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Romantic: You like Sanaa, a timeless place to see! Do not hesitate to get lost in the maze of alleys, the wonder is at every street corner!
In the streets of old Sana'a, you will make a trip back in time several centuries assured storytelling and atmosphere of a thousand and one night.
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Surprise: You can finally reveal the secrets of a legendary island and match the exploits of Simbad the sailor, visiting Socotra.
Socotra Island is the perfect place for a photographer. This is absolutely fabulous, especially the amazing Adenium obesum giants.
Discovery: Discover a country of myths and legends, unique in the world by the diversity of its landscapes and its rich architectural, Yemen has maintained a very strong personality.
His people, the legendary hospitality, will welcome you during this journey out of time.
Culture: Yemen is a unique country, another planet, far from the Western world, it is a poor but happy Arabia, a farmer of the land and architecture, a country of a thousand and one night...
Hotels: Several hotels of 4 and 5 stars are present notably in the capital and major cities of Yemen.
In Sanaa, a wide selection of hotels, from 5 stars to the hotels located in the heart of the historic district and occupying traditional mansions.
All the accommodation are called Funduq funduk or Arabic, especially in rural areas of Yemen, you can find youth hostels and rest homes with simple beds clean.
Only sleeping bags should be provided by travelers themselves. Funduqs such as call local guides are houses with rooms equipped with mattresses and shower / WC on each floor shared.
The kitchen is very good. You will find them especially in the mountains of Yemen.
Therefore, places are good starting points for walks. By following the mountains, found in the villages of local guest houses.
Architecture and verticality: You will be surprised by the consistency in the vertical architecture of Yemen. There are major styles (Sanaa, Shibam, Jiblah, Saada, the city...) and other styles that break across the country.
Lodging: Yemeni traditional tower houses towns and villages are characterized by a hierarchical organization, under the floors, with an allocation of rooms and space very accurately.
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Yemen "Happy Arabia"
Yemen: country of the Queen of Sheba. His name already has something poetic. Long divided between two antagonistic regimes north and south), difficult of access, the country has recently opened to the outside. Although for security reasons, remain cautious in its movements, it is now possible to discover this land of great beauty.
Travelers come to the landscapes of breathtaking diversity. Seen from the sky, a huge geological upheaval appears to date from yesterday, in colors ranging from tan to dark brown, climbing slopes of mountains, hills, rocky cliffs and the top of any prominence, small white squares and terraces of houses Yemeni.
In addition to majestic landscapes, travelers will be struck by the beauty of the architecture of cities and many ancient remains, true eye delights for lovers of old stones.
The architecture, considered one of the most beautiful in the Middle East, but also the people, always hospitable to foreigners. There are so many good reasons to take the lead of the "happy Arabia".
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Itinerary for a trip to Yemen
Sanaa: the old town, Trek in Jebel Harraz...
Ma'rib: temples of the sun, moon, Bilqis...
Bayhan al Qisab: crossing the desert ...
Saywun: valley of the Hadramaut ...
Tarim: 300 mosques ...
Al Mukalla: old port, old town ..
Ash Shihri: port ...
Bal-Haf - Balhaf desert ...
Al Bayda: tribes, markets ...
Aden: boulevard des Indes, Crater district
Al Hudaydah: landscapes ...
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How long we must remain at least?
Whatever the time you planned, it will be an unforgettable journey. Spend 2 or 3 days in Sana'a (2350 m) and the surrounding area to take the pulse of the country. To go (imperative) to Shibam, the Manhattan of the desert "with its" sky-line of adobe houses.
We choose to spend a night in Marib, the most important archaeological site in the country. This allows, with a driver guide and 4 x 4, crossing the desert very early to attend at the breakfast, the sunrise over the dunes.
Keep at least a week to tour the main sites. In fact, every town, every village is "a passion in itself", and the best to visit each place. Each region has an appropriate response to climate, topography, culture and history of its inhabitants.
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Itinerary for a trip to the region
Towards Oman : There are buses that make Al Ghaydah Muscat to Salalah with change. The Al-Salalah route Ghaydah is conducted once or twice a week and that coming from Oman. There is a mini bus company that goes all day from Salalah Al Ghaydah.
Towards Saudi Arabia:As far as flights Sanaa Jiddah, there are full with Yemen Airways and Air Jordan. Counting USD 400. There are many routes between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, but the problem is that you can not get a permit to borrow ... The Yemeni authorities are not too keen to see Westerners getting hostage therefore not permit ...
Towards the Djibouti (by boat) : Crossing the Bab al Mandab (the strait between Djibouti and Aden) is possible but dangerous because it is one of the world's most pirate-infested. Otherwise you can take a direct flight ADDIS - SANAA about 500 euros.
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When to go
You can travel throughout the year in Yemen, but the best period is between September and April. The high altitude of most upland villages and mountains visited nicely counterbalances the heat of summer, especially important in the East (Mareb) and south (Tihama). Sanaa winter sky has a very pure and clear, the nights are cool to cold temperatures can fall below zero degrees from the sun.
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Security
Thank you to consult the advice of the passenger site of French Foreign MinistryPlease consult >>>
Single Woman
In Yemen, the people are friendly and discreet enough to not make you feel discomfort, no tight clothing, pants and t-shirt rather extensive, no-cut, of course, and arms covered Preference (until in the middle of the forearm, at least) everything will be better. For women, no veil mandatory dress but respectful of people and customs of the country, as everywhere else!
Population
Yemenis, people who live in full respect of traditions and religion while remaining faithful to the new technologies, at least for those that their benefit. These are the most welcoming people that I’ve never seen, if you have the opportunity to attend a wedding over there!
Languages Spoken
Arabic; English is spoken in the context of business. Arabic is the language of the population. English is understood in major cities.
The Arab world
Visa is requested for all Arab countries, period 5 days, 60 €.
Other
A valid passport for 3 months after the return and has to be entirely free of any registration for the visa.
You will go alone but to seek permission to move to certain places. For reasons of security, movement restrictions are sometimes imposed on tourists. So before leaving, check to see the conditions.
NB
On arrival: Authorization required to travel around the country. It is obtained at the Delegation of Tourism Sana'a giving details of your itinerary. Very annoying, for security reasons, the authorities can not deliver to friends who will then go through an agency.
It is possible to get the tourist visa (valid for one month) on arrival at Sana'a airport (it cost 10,500 Yemeni rials, or approx. 50 USD), it takes 5 minutes, no need to photograph. At the embassy in Paris, it costs 60 € and it takes 4 photos.
Click here to visit our visa section
Caution: No visa if the passport contains a stamp of Israel.
Rahhala Estimation
Yemen remains a very affordable and because it is one of the poorest in the world. A traveller who is willing to spend as little as possible can get away for 15.5 euros per day. For an average budget, allow about 50 euros (all included).
It is recommended to form small groups, which, amongst other rent all-terrain vehicles at a lower cost since shared (bus and taxis still available in cities or villages.) The country is poor, prices are very affordable and a good trip is between 23 and 100 euros for the day, depending on the luxury sought.
Economic meal: € 2.
Meals average: 8 €.
Quality meals: 17 €.
Lodgings & Costs
In some places (Shibam, Sahara, Al Hajjar), the hotel infrastructure is limited to funduk (hôtellerie traditional Yemeni). In busy season, it is possible that many people are forced to sleep in the same room, and in any case on mattresses laid on the floor. But this small lack of comfort is more than offset by the beauty of the scenery and the welcome will be reserved ...
There are several categories. 500 riyals for the cheapest hostel (you must provide sheet to sleep in a dorm).
Around 800 riyals for one that provides a cloth (changed only once a week). 1 and 500 riyals for that which has 2 sheets, but only in big cities that offer single or double rooms, equipped with fan or air conditioner. For info, "mush mush kila" means "no problem".
Room: 8 €.
Medium room: 28 €.
Residence of quality: 50 € minimum.
Change
1 YER = 0,0010 €, 1 € = 276,501 YER.
1 USD = 199.763289 YER, 1 YER = 0.005006 USD.
Flights to Yemen
Several airlines offer flights to Sana'a, Aden and sometimes, out of Paris or other European cities. Airlines sometimes offer prices. Some tour operators selling flights on the same dry scheduled at lower prices, ranging from 450 to 600 Euros.
Many Arab companies also offer flights to Sanaa in passing, however, by their respective capitals. EgyptAir is one of the most interesting. KLM, Lufthansa and Egyptair also offer flights.
For flights malignant: Please see our section of low-cost Asia :Please consult.
Transports
Road transport is recommended. They are indeed cheap, frequent and reasonably fast.
Bus: It is quite possible to use public transport; you must know that they borrow roads serving major cities: Sana'a, Mareb, Hodeida, Hajja, Aden, Mukalla and a few others.
Taxis: They are special stations "taxis." This is the best way to rub people the country. It is the way to the most economical after the stop and walk if we did not suffer from claustrophobia and that is not afraid of driving "sporty" drivers always pressed (such as passengers ...) .
Depending on the route taken, taxis have different color bands. Buses and taxis have fixed tariffs.
The car with a driver: Ideal solution for several reasons: red (the agency responsible for licensing issues), time saving, safety, freedom of action (departures, arrivals, stops, detours ...). It is of course more interesting to share the rent with others.
The hitch: Possible on main roads, very random tracks and roads. The trucks will take you without difficulty, but the drivers, not philanthropists, you would normally pay the same amount as the taxi holding the same route. Yemenis pay under the scheme.
Walking: No doubt it is the ideal, yet the average visit time consuming because we must not forget that Yemen is almost as large as France. Walking sport, the trek as we say now, is also an aim in itself that many travel agencies program.
Events & most important Festivals
Victory Day, July 7.
Anniversary of the revolution, September 26
National Day, October 14.
Muslim religious holidays
Activities in Yemen: Crafts, Shopping...
Crafts, shopping: The Souq Al-Baqr, the central market of old Sanaa, full of daggers jambiya from 5 euros, but prices climb quickly depending on the quality and decoration of the scabbard. Attention, it is normally forbidden to export items and antiques over 100 years.
Silver jewelry (more or less old and often made in China "), coral, carnelian, carpets and embroideries are everywhere. Myrrh and incense fills the aisles and can be bought for next to nothing in small blocks. This souk is exceptional because, far from the clichés like the souks of Marrakech, it is quiet and when someone asks you to come watch shop is done with kindness and no pressure is put.
So ... it spends hours wandering the souk in passing stalls daggers, exposing those tissues, passing through windows, jewelry, spices and other treasures.
This walk you can admire the work of the population slows business in the afternoon to take more beautiful at the end of the day.
Music, books, movies, and more
Music: There are 4 types of music in Yemen:
- Folk songs,
- Music festivals
- Urban music,
- Religious music.
Movies: A New Day in Old Sana'a (2005) by Bader Ben Hirsi.
Book: Cry, O Queen of Sheba Khadija Al-Salami.
History and culture
700 BC: Kingdom of Sheba.
631: Yemen was the first country in the world converts to Islam.
Aden in 1839: occupied by the English.
1962: Republic of North Yemen proclaimed.
1970: Republic (Marxist) of South Yemen proclaimed.
May 1990: reunification.
Since May 1990: chaired by Field Marshall Ali Abdallah Salih. Abd al-Qadir Ba Jamal held the position of prime minister since April 2001.
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