The Republic of Yemen lies in the south of Arabia (The Arabian Peninsular), south west of Asia, between latitudes 12 and 20  degrees to the north of the Equator, and between longitudes 41 and 54 degrees to the south of Greenwich, bordered on the north by Saudi Arabia and on the south by the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, on the east by the Sultanate of Oman and on the west by the Red Sea.

AREA

The area of the Republic of Yemen exceeds 555,000 km, bar the Empty Quarter.

POPULATION

The population of the Republic of Yemen is according to the last census in 2003.  In spite of the fact that the density of population differs from one region to another, the general density throughout Yemen is approximately 28 persons per sq  km

LANGUAGE

Arabic is the official language of the country, with ENGLISH the most widely used second language

RELIGION

Islam is the official religion and is the religion of the majority of the population except for a Jewish minority

DRESS CODE

Being an Islamic country the dress code is for modest clothing, casual & conservative clothing is required. Skin tight clothing, short dress or shorts are considered OFFENSIVE,  go with the flow & have a good time discovering Yemen in jeans & a shirt.

A scarf is also a good measure for a woman, for certain areas & times, displaying bare cleavage, arms & legs could cause you some distress. If on business ? then business clothes

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Immunization against  ‘yellow fever’ is compulsory for anyone over 12 months & anyone coming from an infected area. Anti-malaria treatment is recommended if travelling along the Red Sea Coast or Socotra, Cholera, meningitis, typhoid are also recommended but not compulsory.

HOTELS

They range from 2 to 5 star check-out is normally at 1100hrs, for reservations follow the link  reservation

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Taxis & buses are a god way to discover the cities, however buses & shared (sardine squeeze) taxis go between cities, if taking a shared taxi, buy 2 tickets for the extra room!

GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS

In view of it’s topographical structure  the Yemen  is divided into 5 regions

Mountainous  -  between 1000 –3760m high

Highlands   -  up to 1000m in height  

Coastal   -  over 2400km of coast line, with a coastal plain 30 to 60km wide

Empty Quarter  -  a desert  area  and some vast oases, from seasonal collection of water and wandering nomad tribes

The Yemeni Islands  -  over 120 islands, most of which are in the Red Sea and Socotra in the Indian Ocean is the largest

CLIMATE

With it’s wild topography the Yemen has a varied climate, although there are no major seasonal differences. We can say that there are  two long seasons summer and winter. During summer the temperature is high and humid in the coastal areas, whilst the climate is moderate in the winter. From time to time the rainfall, due to the monsoon, moderates the temperature over the coastal areas in the summer. In the mountain areas the temperature is moderate in summer and cold in the winter during the night and in the early morning, but the bright sunlight raises the temperature during the day making the temperature very moderate in this area. The average temperature rarely goes below 11 C & that is in December.

WORKING HOURS

Business       0800 —  1230/1300 hrs  & 1600 — 1930 hrs Saturday to Wednesday

                      0800 —  1200 hrs  Thursday

Shopping       0900 —  1300 hrs  & 1600 — 2200 hrs daily

Govt               0800 —  1500 hrs  Saturday — Wednesday

ADMINISTRATION

The administrative units of Yemen are broken into 17 Governates and the capital secretariat, the City of Sana’a

ECONOMY

Based on a free market, in a developing economy

TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES & HANDICRAFTS

Most of the  skills  have been handed down throughout the generations all of which of make Yemen what it is today

VISAS & DEPARTURE TAX

Visas can be readily attained from the airport for tourists on holidays, provided your travel agent  sends all necessary information  a week before arrival to us, however it is always best to have your travel agent arrange a visa from either one of our embassies or consulates.

Departure tax is included in your fares

Standard customs procedure applies; no obscene material or literature also applies

DRIVERS LICENSES

An international driving permit is required for driving   RHD

DRINK ONLY BOTTLED WATER & ice from bottled water

AIR TICKET CONFIRMATION  48 HOURS PRIOR & IN PERSON (NOT OVER THE TELEPHONE)

TIPPING IS EXPECTED, 5 to 10%,  DO NOT GO OVER BOARD & CREATE A TOURISTS’  NIGHTMARE

SAFETY

With a virtually crime free environment & you can walk about in any city or village at any time of the night or day either by taxi or foot. A tourist permit is an essential requirement for travel from city to city if you wish to discover valuable tourist sites & it is free

SIGHTSEEING

Aden Tours offers you a diverse array of tours & or adventures throughout the Yemen. You like most of us have both budget & time constraints so  we suggest either a 4 day or a 7 day package as described below.

1) Sana’a & it’s surrounds  4 days which includes Shahara, Hajjah, AL     

            Mahweit, Shibam, Kawkaban, Thula, Hajara. This tour  takes in 

            mountains, coffee plantations, Palaces, citadels, fortresses, trekking,

            Yemeni culture.& architecture.

2) or you may consider  taking a 7 day tour of the famous area of Mareb, Shabwa, Seyun, Shibam, Tarim, wadis Hadhramaut &  Do’an, then Mukalla with a final round up of Sana’ni architecture and markets (suuqs)

3) You may wish to have a totally self structured tour with specific things in mind, many

 

 

You may wish to customize your visit to suit your needs.

You would have heard all about the bad news, because it travels fast ! Well the good news is that most of what you have heard does not reflect the true nature of the nation as a whole, Yemen is very tribal with Sheikhs that still have an important role in the society. Respect the culture, it is not Rio, San Francisco or Sydney. Yemen has high moral standards compared to other countries, dress code is strict & inappropriate consideration by you can severely offend both gender. Regardless of what you have heard, to avoid problematic officials at check points, they are very poorly paid & rely on an unofficial toll, always carry your passport & travel permits, why create the stress, go with flow (all good tour operators handle these incidentals for you). The only safety issue is a car accident as apposed to travel in so called ‘safe’ countries like Australia !

Arabia fantastic Arabia

Facts on yEMEN

Everyday is a Sunday:

You will find this land fresh & alive with a culture that reflects, sound family values, underpinned by their firm religious beliefs, a very tolerant people who welcome tourists openly Most adults chew Qat, a leaf which is consumed in daily afternoon social gatherings, with family & friends. They discuss & interact with one another on level that puts most of us to shame. The life here is as laid back in  nature as, that of James A Michener's - ’Adventures in Paradise’ (with fewer dancing girls).

Things to know:

The currency is Riyal, a quiet a few banks have ATMs so bring U$10,20,50 100’s will ensure a better rate than 1U$ notes. Euros are also excepted & encouraged

Bring electric adaptors for the electric appliances if you need them.                         

Communication -Tele-Yemen  which supports cell-phone & internet services, with many internet cafes.

 

Banking is increasingly supporting credit card transactions with ATMs in large cities only, so bring currency, it is safe. Money can be transferred very easily with Western Union & Money Gram Branches.

 

Climate varies from the hot ‘n’ humid to mild ’n’ perfect, the major rains are associated with the monsoons from the ‘sub continent.’

 

Weekends are Thurs & Fri. Music is not to be played when called to prayer.

 

Respect  their practice of social behavior toward each other & gender in particular, photos of women is a taboo.

 

Mosquito repellant is a good thing to bring so is personal deodorant. Bring a little amount of clothing because it is cheap to buy suitable Yemeni garments & sandals.

 

If you like a glass of wine a good quality cask is more practical, alcohol is expensive & elusive (bring it with you), drinking is forbidden however the larger Hotels sell alcohol, expensive & poor quality wines.

 

Expect at least one stomach complaint.

 

Always wash your Qat!

 

When in the Suuqs, get lost, it is a great way to see the unexpected.

Stay in the Old City for it’s charm & you’ll feel why it’s the oldest living city

 

For those who travel here for a short stay, there are a number of 1, 2 , 3 & 4 day trips from Sana’a that can include some of the most beautiful places including the Hadhramaut, all of which Aden Tours can comfortably arrange..

 

Do not pat stray cats & dogs, they are wild, nor feed them, some tourist buy food that some Yemenis cant buy for their own children, like milk, it offends them.

 

Safety:

 

hintS FOR yEMEN

Planning your trip & where to go:

Your planned stay would have been influenced by what you have read, advice from others, perhaps romantic notions of exotic places. Well for those coffee lovers forget any romantic ideas of Al Mocha being an aromatic paradise, as you will find a quote by the real ‘Rambo’ who was less tactful: hot, humid, uncomfortable & more importantly at least day used up needlessly. Consider your choices well, ask us !

 

Phone     + 967 1 224 220

Mobile     + 967 777635898

                + 967 733710726

Fax:         + 967 1 223 921

E-mail: yemen.aden.tours@y.net.ye

Holder of Tourism Permit No 314