Description
This is a great itinerary which gives a real insight into Eritrea. Popularly known as the North Korea of Africa, it is said that Eritrea is the most repressive and hermetic country in all of Africa, a real off-the-beaten-path destination not many travelers have had the chance to visit. It offer many hidden treasures. This expedition also focuses on the Dahlak Archipelago
Duration: 11Nights /12Days
Accommodation: Standard Hotel, Lodge and camping
Tour Starts: Asmara
Tour Ends: AsmaraHIGHLIGHTS
- Asmara city sightseeing
- Getting involved in an epic steam train adventure in the steam train, riding back in time
- Explore Massawa
- Cruising in the Red Sea and discovering the Dahlak Archipielago
- Spending time with the Rashaida people
- Visiting the ancient port of Adulis
- Immerse yourself in the Keren Camel market on of the most spectacular livestock markets in the world
- Be amazed by the attractive of the Saho tribe
- Spending some time in Eritreas highest mountain Soira Mountain
- Discovering the ancient sites of Quohaito
OVERVIEW
Eritrea, a real off-the-beaten-path destination not many travelers have had the chance to visit.
Most people whom had visited Eritrea agree that this is one of the most unique destinations in the continent, home to the most laid-back city in sub-Saharan Africa and also the most diverse country in terms of landscapes, ethnicities and culture, all concentrated in such a small piece of the African continent.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 – Arrival in Asmara
Airport pick-up, followed by checking into the hotel. Introductory briefing on this Eritrea expedition. Afternoon walk city center tour. Overnight in Asmara
DAY 2 – Journey by steam train from Asmara
A spectacular Sunday trip with the legendary century old locomotives from 2450 meters altitude in Asmara to a descent of 1350 meters to the little town of Nefasit. Along the way visitors will pass through 30 tunnels of an exhilarating experience. One would wonder at the feat of engineering the Italians had by the turn of the last century. There are also traces of the longest cable car in the world in the 1920’ that stretches for 70 kilometers from Asmara to Massawa. Overnight in Asmara
DAY 3 – Asmara – Keren Camel Market
We will be visiting the camel market which takes place every Monday, will probably be the best livestock market you have ever seen. We will have plenty of free time in the market, for taking pictures and interacting with the locals and discovering it on your own.
After lunch we will be visiting the new mosque Al Sahaba, the famous Mariam Dearit Chapel inside a Baobab tree and the British and Italian cemeteries of World War II. Overnight in KerenDAY 4 – Keren – Asmara – Ghinda – Massawa
Early in the morning we will drive uphill to Asmara then further downhill via a Ghinda road to Massawa. Enjoying the breathtaking scenery and exotic flora and fauna that are part of this ever green so called “Green Belt”. Arrival to the port city of Massawa. Overnight Massawa
DAY 5 – Massawa
Massawa, the City of Island and the Pearl of the Read Sea, an old city that has been occupied by the Portuguese, Arabs, Egyptians, Turks, British and Italians.
It gained prominence back in the 16th century when it was captured by Ottoman forces, who developed the old town using traditional Ottoman architectural styles, often with coral instead of bricks.
We’ll visit the old Ottoman town, the Italian legacy and have some great seafood. In addition to the citys attractions, pristine beaches and world class swimming are available just a short distance from the city center. Overnight MassawaDAY 6 – Massawa to Disse Island
Excursion and swimming at Dahlak Archipelago (Over three hundred Islands).A trip by fast boat
from Massawa to Disse and Madot Islands. Overnight, camping in Disse IslandDAY 7 – Disse Island – Madot Island – Massawa
Second day in the Islands. We will be visiting Madot, the island of the birth then back to Massawa. Overnight in Massawa
DAY 8 – Massawa – the Rashahida tribe – Ancient Port of Adulis
We will be visiting the Rashahida people, an ethnic group that lives across the coast plain of the Red Sea, from Port Sudan to Massawa. They are the descendants of Arab tribes from the 19th century and are nomadic people and are characterized by their colorful dress and camel breeds. We will have lunch in the Rashahida community
In the afternoon we will be visiting Adulis, once among the greatest ports of the ancient world, linking the Roman, Egyptian and Greek Empires. Overnight MassawaDAY 9 – Massawa – Asmara
Early in the morning we will driving uphill towards Ghida, then further to Asmara.
Asmara city tour. Visit Asmara, the city called as “Piccola Roma”
Wide, palm-lined boulevards, art deco, more Fiat Cinquecentos than Italy itself, and a great coffee scene. Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, might be the most charming city in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Things we will visit include: Fiat Tagliero building, Cinema Roma, Cinema Imperio, Saint Joseph Cathedral, Medemer Market, and the famous bowling center, the emblematic post office building, the old steam train station among other things. Overnight AsmaraDAY 10 – Asmara – Senafe – Soho Tribe
Early in the morning we will driving direction Southeast of Asmara towards the city of Senafe passing by Decamhare, a town that served as the industrial hub for Italian Eritrea. At its peak in 1938, almost half the town’s inhabitants were Italian citizens.
Decamhare is known for its vineyards and flour mills and, despite considerable fighting in the War of Independence, Decamhare still has good examples of colonial architecture.
Then, we’ll continue to Adikeyih through a valley of beautiful sycamores, making our way to Senafe, close to the Ethiopian border, from where a rough 20km track leads to the country’s second-highest mountain, Emba Soira 3,018m.
We will also discover some pretty ancient rock art, as well as meet members of the Soho tribe.
Overnight in SenafeDAY 11- Senafe – Quohaito – Emba Metera – Belew Kelew – Asmara
Early in the morning we will be driving to the pre-Axumite Archeological site of Quohaito 20km from Adikeyih, located at 2,600m on the edge of the Great Rift Valley. We will be also visiting the sites of Emba Metera and Belew Kelew, all of which are highly influenced by the ancient Axum empire. Back to Asmara direction segeneiti and Dekemehare. Overnight in Asmara
DAY 12 – Asmara
Time for a last walk in the city, some shopping or coffee before your transfer to the airport.
END OF THE EXPEDITION
Note: an extension can be arranged to visit other parts of the country or simply stay for an extra day in Asmara before your return flight. Just let us know in advance and we can arrange it for you.
PRICE AND DATES
DEPARTURE : November 2nd
PRICE: USD 2.470
A 15% deposit of the tour price is required at time of booking.
MEALS
Breakfast is included everyday of the expedition.
Dahlak Islands, Day 5, full board included
TRANSPORT
In this expedition we will use a combination of minibus and 4WD vehicles depending on the number of people
GROUP SIZE
Maximun: 7
EXPERT TEAM
Menelik Trails, Expedition Leader, Raquel (English, Spanish and Amharic speaker, despite of the National language of Eritrea being Tigrinya Amharic is also spoken by the majority of the population as Eritrea and Ethiopia were the same country till Eritreans indepence) with local guides where appropriate
ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
FITNESS RATING:
Moderate
