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Hoq
cave:
Background
Hoq Cave was the
first cave to be surveyed by the Belgian Socotra Karst Project-team
(SKP) in December 2000-January 2001, initiated by the geologist
Peter De Geest. This discovery was the start of a complete cave
inventory study of Socotra Island by the SKP-team providing detailed
information concerning the islands geodiversity, biodiversity,
climatic and human history. We now know that the Socotra
cave-systems offer us big fresh water possibilities, eco-touristic
assets and refugees for unique endemic fauna. Together with SCDP,
EPA and SES Hoq cave is a protected area under the law.
What to see
Hoq cave offers
an overwhelming beauty and variety of crystal decorations, like the
huge hundreds of thousand year old speleothems (stalagmites,
stalactites, calcite floors, etc…). To conserve the cave for future
generations a pathway has been constructed that leads to a nice
water basin. Here the tour stops. The end of the cave is still under
study for future archaeological investigations. Thanks to the
efforts of many international researchers we know that around the
first centuries AD, people from east Africa, the Arabian mainland,
west India, up to Palmyra (today Syria) visited this cave, sailing
the trade routes between the 2 continents. Because of the fragility
and sensibility of this part of the cave, only scientists are
allowed to visit this part under strict protective conditions. For
more information contact the website
www.speleo.be/socotra
Discovery
Hoq cave is a
more than 3km long unique cave system which offers a stunning inside
view of the secret world of the caves. After a walk of about one
hour through some magnificent scenery, ascending 3 50m, you reach the
mouth of the cave. A well trained team will guide you through the
crystal wonders of nature during an easy, approximate 2 hours long
underground visit. The temperature is constant during the year and
varies between 25-27°C, while the humidity is higher than 95%.
Cave map
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