National park · Yemen
Haraz Mountains
Visit Haraz Mountains: hire a local guide, trek the Beni Ismail coffee terraces (2‑3 h) or the Manakha ridge loop (4‑5 h) in October–March; entry is free, but guide fees apply; avoid peak heat by starting early.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Yemen before …
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Yemen ↗Check your own government travel advice for Yemen before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Yemen ↗No independent tourist entry route is documented here.
- Yemen ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Yemen before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- Yemen
- Area
- 1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²)
- Approximate area of the Haraz highlands; the boundaries are not formally surveyed (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- Not needed
Haraz Mountains rise above central Yemen, offering terraced coffee farms, historic villages and rugged high‑land trails. The area has no formal entry fee, but hiring a local guide is strongly advised for safety and cultural respect.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
1,200 km² (463 sq mi)463 sq mi (1,200 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximate area of the Haraz highlands; the boundaries are not formally surveyed (check).
Why go
- Highland scenery with terraced farms and historic villages.
- Traditional Yemeni culture visible in daily life and local festivals.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syrian brown bear (rare sightings)Oct–Mar · Very rare; sightings are exceptional. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Mountain ibexApr–Sep · More active in warmer months. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Manakha village | Base camp, guesthouses, and starting point for most hikes. | Open to visitors; guide recommended. |
| Beni Ismail coffee terraces | Terraced farms and historic coffee processing sites. | Accessible via short walks from Manakha. |
| Haraz Wildlife Sanctuary | Protected area with native flora and occasional wildlife sightings. | Guided access only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on Manakha village, the main visitor hub.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | — |
| Local guide (per day) | YER 20,000–50,000 | day | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Guided trek no permit
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from local authorities.check
- Guides
- Strongly recommended for all treks outside the immediate Manakha area.
- Camping
- Not permitted in the sanctuary; stay in guesthouses or homestays.
Where to stay
In the park
Manakha guesthouses
Simple rooms, often family‑run, offering meals.
Near the park
Sana'a hotels
Larger hotels for those preferring more amenities; 2‑hour drive.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Getting lost on remote trails high
Security situation high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Manakha village reachable by car; short walks are on uneven terrain.
- Longer treks involve steep and rocky sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides to support community income.
- Avoid litter; carry out all waste.
- Respect cultural norms, especially dress and behavior in villages.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Haraz Mountains?
There is no formal entry fee; the main expense is hiring a local guide, typically 20 000–50 000 YER per day.
What are the best hikes in Haraz Mountains?
The Manakha ridge loop (4–5 h, moderate) and the Beni Ismail coffee terraces trek (2–3 h, easy) are popular; longer guided walks in the wildlife sanctuary are also available.
When is the best time to visit Haraz Mountains?
October to March offers cool, dry weather ideal for trekking; avoid the hot, rainy months June–August.
Do I need a guide to hike in Haraz?
A guide is strongly recommended for safety and cultural reasons, especially on routes outside Manakha, but not legally required.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
No campsites are allowed; stay in guesthouses or homestays in Manakha village or in Sana'a.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Haraz Mountains
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