Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
available time. The standard half-day hike is a downhill one from Al-Khutayb back to
Manakhah.
Away from blisters and bivvy bags, attractions in Manakhah include the lively morning
market (at its most raucous on Tuesday and Sunday), which draws all manner of charac-
ters from the surrounding villages.
Sleeping & Eating
Manakhah used to have some of the most enjoyable guesthouses in Yemen, but at the time
of research the total lack of foreign tourists meant that all had closed down. If security
continues to improve and tourists return then it's almost certain that both the superb
Al-Hij-
jarah Tourist Hotel & Restaurant
and the
Manakha Tourist Hotel
(Manakhah Askari Hotel)
will re-open.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Manakhah
Al-Khutayb (Al-Hoteib)
Lying 6km south of Manakhah and perched on a solitary hilltop is the pilgrimage site of
Al-Khutayb (Al-Hoteib). Dedicated to a 12th-century preacher revered by followers of the
Ismaili sect, the shrine attracts pilgrims from as far afield as India, and in fact the complex
has a slightly Indian look to it. Ask a Yemeni about this place and they will no doubt glee-
fully regale you with stories about all the immoral activities that take place here - very
little of which is probably true! You can walk around the area, though the shrine is fenced
off to non-Muslims.
Al-Hajjarah
Stunningly situated on a mountain precipice 5km west of Manakhah, and a little higher up
the mountain, is the spectacular 11th-century village of Al-Hajjarah. The Ottomans found
its strategic position useful when defending the roads from the coast to Sana'a. Nowadays
this setting and its century-old stone and whitewashed tower houses (some up to eight
storeys) have caught the eye of visitors with mountain-walking in mind.
Sights & Activities
