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THE ROAD OF ARABIA DISCOVERIES
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(11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS) ROUND TRIP FLY & DRIVE
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GUARANTEED DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2006
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Jun 3, Jul 8, Aug 5, Sep 2 & 16, Oct 7 & 28, Nov 25, Dec 16, 23 & 30
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GUARANTEED DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2007
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Jan 6, Feb 3, Mar 10 & 24, Apr 7 & 21, May 12, Jun 2, Jul 7, Aug 4, Sep 1 & 15, Oct 6 & 27, Nov 24, Dec 15, 22 & 29
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Sana'a, Seyun, Shibam, Aynat, Tarim, Manakha, Al-Hoteib, Al-Hajjarah, Hodeidah, Beit Al-Faqih, Zabid, Khawkha, Taiz, Jibla, Ibb, Thula, Kawkaban, Shibam & Hababah
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At the crossroads of spice and incense routes, Yemen is one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in the world that has not touched the winds of modernity with its colorful history that dates back to primeval times. Yet Yemen remains a medieval land and modernist fantasy to be discovered. This fascinating country stretching from the shores of the Red Sea to beyond the shores of the Arabian Sea is extraordinarily rich in historical sites. These ancient sites are refreshingly free of commercial ventures with an atmosphere of uncluttered authenticity no longer present at better-trodden historical locations.
A trip to Yemen is considered an experience of a way of life long since lost to the modern world, a dream destination of unusual record, a very rich mixture of archaeological, cultural, traditional arts, natural and historical heritage, a picture of a different age.
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ITINERARY
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DAY 1: Arrival
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Arrive into the medieval city of Sana'a, the capital of Yemen considered to be the birthplace of Arab nationhood, at the airport you will be met and transferred to Hilltown hotel for a two-night stay.
DAY 2: Sana'a
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A full day exploration of Sana'a covering a visit to the National Museum, Hadda & the ancient quarter of this fascinating Arabian city with its intricately decorated mosques, 1000-year old city walls, hidden gardens, old market "Suq" and unique multi-storyed houses.
DAY 3: Sana'a, Seyun & Shibam
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Fly to Seyun, the capital of Wadi Hadramaut where the mighty Sultan's palace dominates the town. On arrival you will be taken to BMC Hotel for a two-night stay. You will have the opportunity to explore Seyun, the former capital of Kathiri Sultanate. See the 17th century Great Mosque, the Palace of Sultan Al-Kathiri built of clay & brick and decorated with gypsum. You can then wander around the traditional "Suq" with its handicrafts and home-ground produce. In the afternoon there will be an excursion to the "desert Manhattan" Shibam an awe inspiring town of ancient sky-scrapers soaring out of the desert which UNESCO has declared a protected world monument.
DAY 4: Tarim & Aynat
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Today there will be a full day excursion to the serenely peaceful village of Aynat known for its religious tombs and shrines. On the way you will pass through an area well known for its production of gypsum and will be able to watch the furnaces and workmen in action. On the way back, you will visit Tarim the capital of Kinda Kings. You will be taken around Al-Kaff Palace (Tarim Museum) & Al-Muhdar Mosque. Back to Seyun for overnight.
DAY 5: Seyun & Old Sana'a night tour
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Fly fly back to Sana'a, transfer to Hilltown hotel for the overnight stay. At night, enjoy an evening tour in the old city of Sana'a.
DAY 6: Manakha, Al-Hoteib, Al-Hajjarah & Hodeidah
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Depart Sana'a to the city of Hodeidah along Qa'a Bani Mudar where the best coffee plants are grown, continue west to Haraz region, an area of high mountain ranges where villages and coffee plantations cling to steep slopes. Its capital Manakha, is a large market town full of narrow alleys, Suqs and attractive four-story houses. Drive on to visit the fortified medieval villages of Al-Hoteib then Al-Hajjarah, an old fortified village where houses are built directly onto rock, enjoy a traditional Bara'a dance with the locals then continue in the afternoon to Hodeidah for overnight at Ambassador hotel.
DAY 7: Hodeidah, Beit Al-Faqih, Zabid & Khawkha
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Early morning you will visit the traditional fish market at the southern part of the city then drive to visit the Friday traditional market of Beit Al-Faqih, which is considered one of the biggest and most important traditional markets in the country. Drive to visit Zabid, an important early Islamic center of learning, where algebra is said to have been invented. In Zabid, see the finely decorated old houses and the 10th century mosque then continue to Khawkha where we will stay overnight. Enjoy the afternoon boat ride, swimming and the night fresh fish barbecue at the seaside of the Red Sea in Khawkha.
DAY 8: Khawkha & Taiz
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Depart Khawkha for Taiz, explore the medieval capital of Yemen under the Rasulid Dynasty. A short drive to Jabel Saber then visit the fine Ashraffiya Mosque with its twin minarets and walk through the old Suq, with its exotic wares, overnight at Yemen Tourism hotel.
DAY 9: Taiz, Jibla, Ibb & Sana'a
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In the morning visit the old Palace of Imam Ahmed, now a museum preserving his curious lifestyle & depart Taiz for Sana'a via Jibla, this picturesque village was the capital of Queen Arwa Bint Ahmed in the 11th century. Here you can see the great mosque with its column prayer hall, and the finely decorated tomb of the Queen. Drive to visit Ibb then continue to Sana'a for dinner & overnight at Hilltown hotel.
DAY 10: Wadi Dhar, Thula, Hababah, Shibam & Kawkaban
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A short drive to visit Dar Al-Hajjar, the summer palace of Imam Yahya, perched on the top of a rocky pinnacle at Wadi Dhar then drive heading northwest, you will visit Thula a fortress town with its original walls, a prime example of Arabs use of stone, as a building material is nearly intact. Continue to Hababah, one of the most attractive Yemeni stone villages before traveling through volcanic landscapes to Shibam, at the foot of the step wall of Jabel Kawkaban. Dating far back into antiquity Kawkaban is the upper town of Shibam and can be reached by a paved path which follows the flank of the cliff, at 3000m Kawkaban dominates the region. Shibam lower down is the former capital of the Yaffouride Dynasty (861 - 956 AD). Tonight there will be a farewell dinner in a traditional Yemeni restaurant.
DAY 11: Departure
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Transfer to Sana'a airport & departure.
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GUARANTEED DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
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Arrival at Sana’a
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Departure from Sana’a
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June 03
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June 13
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July 08
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July 18
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August 05
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August 15
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September 02
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September 12
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September 16
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September 26
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October 07
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October 17
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October 28
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November 07
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November 25
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December 05
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December 16**
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December 26
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December 23**
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January 02, 2007
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December 30**
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January 09, 2007
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Arrival at Sana’a
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Departure from Sana’a
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January 06
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January 16
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February 03
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February 13
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March 10
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March 20
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March 24
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April 03
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April 07**
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April 17
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April 21
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May 01
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May 12
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May 22
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June 02
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June 12
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July 07
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July 17
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August 04
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August 14
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September 01
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September 11
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September 15
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September 25
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October 06**
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October 16
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October 27**
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November 06
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November 24**
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December 04
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December 15**
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December 25
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December 22**
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January 01, 2008
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December 29**
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January 08, 2008
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Rate per person: (double occupancy) US $895
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Supplement per person: Single room US $165
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Supplement** - High Season: Extra US $125 per person
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Customised Departure Dates & Itinerary Cost
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The cost (per person) of the tour for the same itinerary but on dates selected by you is :
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Double Occupancy
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Single Supplement
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US $1030.00
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US $200.00
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Supplement** - High Season: Extra US $125 per person
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Domestic airfare: sector Sana’a/Seyun/Sana’a is available on request.
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Hotels: The hotels used in this program are as follows (or similar): .
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Sana'a: Hilltown Hotel, 3-star Seyun: BMC Hotel, 3-star
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Hodeidah: Ambassador Hotel, 3-star Khawkha: Mokha Marine, 3-star
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Taiz: Yemen Tourism Hotel, 3 star
INCLUDED: Half board accommodation in double/twin rooms, all surface transportation (4 persons per vehicle) 4x4 air-conditioned, tour program as per itinerary, entrance fees, (English speaking) private guide services, Khawkha boat ride & barbecue.
NOT INCLUDED: International & domestic airfares, lunches, hotel extras (Telephone, mini bar, etc.), travel insurance, tips, airport taxes and visa procurement.
DEPOSIT & FINAL PAYMENT:
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A deposit of US $200 per person is required within seven days of reservation. Final payment is due 45 before departure. Cancellations received in writing at least 45 days before departure will result in an administration fee of US $200. Between 35 and 44 days 50% is non-refundable. Cancellations received less than 35 days before the starting date will not receive a refund. Should you for any reason be unable to complete the tour, FUTURE TOURS INDUSTRIES will not reimburse any fees. The purchase of travel insurance with trip cancellation is recommended.
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
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Rates are quoted in US Dollars & tour is guaranteed to operate on a minimum of two persons traveling together. Other terms: as per our web site at http://www.ftiyemen.com/about.htm (terms & conditions)
Payment procedure: by telex transfer (bank account is available on request)
Special notes: travelers should be prepared for high altitudes (sometimes over 7,000 ft), some long though spectacular drives, and early mornings starts. This day-by-day itinerary is subject to change according to local conditions. The sequential order of the day-by-day itinerary may also change to avoid congestion at certain sites
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