Eritrea Discovery

Dossier

A fantastic insight to this little visited corner of Africa, this tour allows you to discover the highlights of the country. We start and end with the charming capital Asmara, at 2,300m pleasant at any time of the year. You will have plenty of time to check out some of the Italian style cafes and bars before we head north to Keren, famous for its Monday camel market. Next we travel towards the Red Sea Coast and the city of Massawa, a place with an engaging, exotic character and a delight to explore. Returning to the capital, we make an excursion to the interesting town of Decamhere and also take a ride on the Italian era steam train, one of the world’s great rail journeys. A great trip through a truly exciting part of Africa.

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Day 1 - Asmara
Arrive in Asmara and transfer from the airport to your hotel. Overnight Crystal Hotel or similar.

Day 2 – Asmara
Explore beautiful Asmara on a city tour to see many examples of Art Deco architecture dating from the Italian period, and enjoy the perfect year round climate by taking a cappuccino at one of the many outdoor cafes. Overnight Crystal Hotel or similar. (B)

Asmara
Asmara is renowned as one of the most pleasant cities in Africa, situated on the edge of an escarpment on the Rift Valley and Eritrean Highlands. Founded in the 12th century, it originally consisted of four villages, and by the 16th century had become a significant city. Its name derives from these original villages, being an Italianised version of the ‘four united’ villages. It gained prominence when in the 19th century, a local governor appointed by the Ethiopian ruler moved his capital there and established and important marketplace. In 1889 Asmara was occupied by Italian forces bent on creating an African empire, and was developed greatly, later with many superb examples of Art Deco architecture, many of which remain today. Asmara in the 1930s had a sizeable Italian community, but almost nothing of it remains today. After the Italians were pushed out of the country during the Second World War, Asmara was administered by the British before Eritrea was effectively transferred to the rule of Ethiopia. Asmara today, with its elegant palm lined streets, is a great place to wander around, taking in the old Art Deco buildings as well as admiring the numerous other styles of early 20th century architecture, such as the futuristic Fiat Tagliero building. You can also take a ride on one of the traditional horse and carts that still ply the streets. It also has a great market and is dotted with small Italian style cafes where it is possible to grab a cappuccino and lazily watch the world go by. Unlike many other towns in Eritrea, it was largely undamaged during the thirty year war for independence against Ethiopia.

Day 3 - Keren
Today we leave the capital and head north through the highlands past steep terraces of coffee and orange groves to Keren, set on a plateau at 1392m surrounded by dusty ochre mountains. One of the country's most attractive towns, Keren is also the heart of Eritrea's agricultural community. Visits include Keren’s popular markets, including one for livestock and camels, which attracts traders from a wide area. Overnight Sarina Hotel or similar. (BL)

Keren
Keren, whose name means ‘highland’, was once a small town, but developed quickly with the advent of the railway linking it to Asmara. Known as one of Eritrea’s prettiest towns, it wasn’t all roses for Keren – during both World War Two and the war for independence, Keren was the scene of much conflict including one of the fiercest battles of Britain’s fight against fascist Italy. Today it contains an interesting British War Cemetery as well as the Italian style railway station, and is overlooked by an old Egyptian fort dating back to the 19th century. It has an overtly Moslem feel to the town and is inhabited by a number of Eritrea’s different ethnic groups. The pace of life here is best reflected in the way that camels and donkeys still outnumber cars.

Day 4 - Massawa
We continue from Keren to the Red Sea Coast and the city of Massawa. Our leisurely drive will take us through Filfil, home to Eritrea’s last remnant of tropical forest. It forms part of the Semenawai Bahri or ‘Green Belt’ area and, amid the arid starkness of the surrounding landscape, rises up oasis-like before you, cool, lush and verdant. It is also one of the best places in the country to see birds and mammals. There is a good chance of spotting vervet monkeys and hamadryas baboons. Overnight Red Sea Hotel or similar. (BL)

Massawa
Massawa has very much of an Arab feel to it, reflecting its trading links with the Arabian peninsula. It consists of two islands connected to the mainland by a causeway, and is the largest natural deepwater port on the Red Sea. With its strategic position on the Red Sea Coast, it was much coveted by foreign powers and has been occupied by the Portuguese, Arabs, Egyptians, Turks, British and Italians. Originally it was the capital of Italian Eritrea, before a decision was taken to move it to Asmara. 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. Many of these old buildings remain today. One of the delights of Massawa is exploring its narrow streets, chancing upon old mosques, tombs and merchants’ houses dating back several centuries, and giving you a real feel for what the town was like in its heyday.

Day 5 – Massawa
Spend the day exploring Massawa. Stroll among the many white Turkish, Egyptian and Italian buildings and through the maze of narrow alleyways to soak up the atmosphere and maybe sample some of the mouth-watering seafood available. Overnight Red Sea Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 6 - Day Excursion to Adulis and the Gulf of Zula
Visit the ancient port of Adulis- one of the ancient ports once numbering among the greatest ports of the ancient world with links to the Roman, Egyptian and Greek Empires. From there continue to the Gulf of Zula - a deep cleft in Eritrea's coastline which is the birthplace of the Great Rift Valley on the African continent. Return to Massawa for the night. Overnight Red Sea Hotel or similar. (BL)

Day 7 – Asmara
Return to Asmara, with more time to explore the capital upon arrival. Overnight Crystal Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 8 – Decamhere
Travel to Decamhare, a charming town once called secondo Roma (Second Rome) designed to be the transport hub of the Italian Empire in the Horn of Africa. It was once a favourite settlement of the Italians and contains some good examples of old colonial architecture. Overnight Crystal Hotel or similar. (BL)

Day 9 - Steam Train Excursion
Today we have arranged a morning excursion on Eritrea's famous Italian-era steam train through the mountains and back to Asmara. This journey is considered to be one of the greatest rail journeys in Africa and will be enjoyed even by those who are not train enthusiasts. You will arrive back in Asmara around lunch time and the afternoon will be free for you to relax and enjoy the city. Overnight Crystal Hotel or similar. (B)

Please note the railway company operates the train subject to a minimum of 10 passengers, including those from Undiscovered Destinations. In the event that the train does not operate an alternative excursion will be arranged locally

Day 10 – Asmara
Free time to explore further until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Please ask us about our Cairo stop overs - the perfect way to break up your journey to or from Asmara.

Tour style: Traveller

Inclusions:

Arrival and departure transfers
All accommodation on twin share basis
Services of English speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Excluded:

International flights
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visas
Drinks

Important Information

At the time of writing all visitors to Eritrea must hold a locally issued travel permit. This is required for most journeys outside of Asmara, including areas visited as part of this tour. The permits are issued at the discretion of the local authorities and although the process is generally routine we are unable to offer any guarantees that they will be issued for all of the places shown in this itinerary. In the event that permits are not available then we may have no other option but to make late changes to the itinerary and to arrange an acceptable alternative programme for those places which it is not possible to visit. We thank you for your understanding.

Please note that you should also read the Country Notes in association with this itinerary for practical information about your trip and the destination you will be visiting.

The itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and does not form part of a contract between the client and Undiscovered Destinations.