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Traveling deep into Arabia Felix:
YEMEN MAINLAND

Expedition into Yemen's mountains, deserts, valleys and beaches. A journey through time and tradition.

In a world where most corners have been mapped, photographed, and filtered a thousand times over, Mainland Yemen remains one of the last truly untouched frontiers for the curious traveler. This is not just a destination—it’s a journey into the heart of ancient Arabia, where time seems to have paused and tradition still shapes daily life.

From the towering mud-brick skyscrapers of Shibam—often called the “Manhattan of the Desert”—to the spiritual serenity of Tarim’s 365 mosques, Yemen offers a depth of culture and history that few places on Earth can rival. The landscapes are equally breathtaking: dramatic cliffside villages in Wadi Dawan, endless date palm valleys, and the stark beauty of the Hadhramaut desert all tell stories of resilience, faith, and timeless beauty.

Traveling through Mainland Yemen is not about luxury or ease—it’s about authenticity. It’s about walking through spice-scented souks, hearing the call to prayer echo through ancient cities, and sharing tea with locals whose hospitality is as legendary as their land. It’s a place where every moment feels like a discovery, and every encounter leaves a lasting impression.In a well-trodden world, Yemen is a rare gem—raw, real, and unforgettable.

Location: Mainland Yemen

Our journey through Mainland Yemen began in Tarim, known as “the city of 365 mosques” and the spiritual heart of Yemen. Here, we experienced impressive religious architecture, including Masjid al Mihdar, the tallest mud-brick structure in the world, and the former palace Qasr Al Ishshah. In ‘Aynāt, we visited the shrine of Abubakar Salem and enjoyed panoramic views from Shaman Ahmed’s hilltop.

We then moved into some of the branches of Wadi Dawan where we were captivated by villages like Al Munayz̧irah, Al Hajarayn, and Hayd al Jazīl – a dramatic cliffside village. We also took in the view over Khaylat Buqshan and its colorful palaces dotting the valley. Moving back to the Hadramout region, we stopped at Al Mashad Shrine.

Next was Shibam, often called “the Manhattan of Arabia", and perhaps the highlight of the trip. Shibam transported us back in time withs its 500-year-old mud skyscrapers. We wandered through its narrow alleys and watched the sun set over the city from New Shibam – an unforgettable sight.

We then began our ride to the south coast moving through new sections of the Dawan Valley, where we enjoyed hiking, sunsets and sunrises across the valley. We did visits to villages such as Fufad, Qarn Mājid, and Rahab, where we saw lush date palm groves and Osama Bin Ladens family house in Ar Ribat and admired the tall white minaret in Al Quwayrah.

The journey continued to the coastal city of Al Mukallah, where we explored the lively night market, the whitewashed corniche, and the former Sultan’s Palace, now a museum. We also visited the dramatic Hisn al Ghuwayzī fortress perched on a cliff above the city.

Heading east along the coast towards Oman, we did a long coast drive stopping in several fishing villages and exploring several remote beaches such as Ash Shihr, Ra’s ‘Uqab, Nishtun, Rykwv Beach, Al Fatk and Jadhib.

Finally, we continued all the way back to the historic city of Sayun, where we were immediately immersed in the city's warm evening atmosphere and colorful markets, including spice and gun markets,. We explored beautiful mosques and the iconic Sayun Palace, which lit up the night like a fairytale castle in the desert.

More of Yemen:

  • We also visited the wild and remote island Soqotra, a Yemini island off the Horn of Africa and south of Yemen mainland

Other sites:

 

Selected pics during our encounter:

© Anders M. Pedersen & Jakob M. Pedersen. All photos have been taken by Anders & Jakob.

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