Extension to Dalhak islands and Barentu

Add 5 extra days to our 7 days trip across Eritrea and explore the less traveled areas of the Dalhak islands and Barentu. Recently opened to tourism, in Barentu you will have the unique opportunity to spend  the night in a Cunama village, where you will be able to meet the local ethnic group. But before that, we will explore the Dalhak islands, 200 islands scattered over a vast area of the Red Sea like a string of pearl upon the azure, translucent waters of the Red Sea, that remain one of the last great unspoilt destinations in the world.

 

 

5 days
Sep-June
all accommodated

We add this extension in addition to our 7 days scheduled departure Treasures of Eritrea (please see dates available). We can also arrange private trips to Eritrea including this extension upon request.

 

Services included:

  • One night in Asmara, B&B accomodation, Midian Hotel or similar
  • Two nights in Barentu, B&B, Hotel Merhaba or in tent
  • Two nights at Dahlak island, overnight in tent, full board during the cruise (breakfast, lunch, dinner including local drinks among bottled water, soft drinks and beer (4 drinks per person per day).
  • All camping equipment at Dahlak camp: comfortable igloo tent (height mt 1.80), camp bed, sleeping bag, fully equipped camp kitchen and cook.
  • Transfer from Asmara to Massawa and return
  • Transfer from Asmara to Barentu and return
  • English/Italian speaking guide, except on free days
  • Local taxes, tourist permits, entrance fees and Dahlak tax
  • All that is included in the 7 days trip

 

Services excluded:

  • Meals and drinks during the tour on the mainland, on Dahlak island full board drinks included
  • All that is excluded in the 7 days trip
Day 6: Asmara - Massawa - Dalhak islands

Breakfast and departure to Massawa. (2400 meters of difference in height with Asmara in little more than 100 km of road). As soon as arriving in Massawa, we will board for the excursion to the Dahlak islands by motorboat to the discovery of “the pearls of Red Sea”.

Today we will start exploring this enchanted archipelago.

Overnight in tents on one of the islands.

 

Meal plan
  • Full board
Accommodation
Camp
Day 7: Dalhak islands

This day includes the visit of some of the most interesting and richest coral reef islands and the itinerary will be decided in the imminence of the departure dates of the cruise. The final program will be decided by the captain on the departure day considering the conditions and weather forecasts, as well as the islands for which permits are granted.

Of the 1,000-plus species or subspecies of fish known to inhabit the Red Sea, some 15% are not found anywhere else. Some corals and echinoderms, such as certain star fish, are only found here. Current records for coral fish include 40 species in 24 families on stresses coral patches near Massawa and over 250 species in 49 families on outer coral reefs such as angelfish, parrotfish, barracudas, pipefish, surgeonfish, sharks, tuna, caranx etc. Mantarays which have wing spans measuring up to several metres, occasionally leap clear of the water and flap down on the surface.

Overnight in tents on one of the islands.

Meal plan
  • Full board
Accommodation
Camp
Day 8: Dalhak islands - Massawa - Asmara

After having enjoyed a last swim in this paradise, return to Massawa that will be reached in the early afternoon. If time allowed us will do a short visit to the city and will proceed to Asmara were will arrive in the evening.

Overnight in Asmara, Midian hotel or similar.

Meal plan
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 9: Asmara - Barentu

We will take the road that led us to Keren, cross it and, after descending the Dongolohas, famous for the scene of Keren’s heroic resistance during the Second World War, if possible, we will stop to visit the Hagaz Agricultural School, a pilot project created by the “Fratelli della Salle” and now managed by the government. We will then continue to Agordat, where we will stop for lunch. After visiting the town of Agordat, we will continue to Barentù, where we will spend the night.

Accommodation will be provided in a local, very basic hotel, such as Hotel Merhaba or similar

Meal plan
  • Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 10: Barentu

Day dedicated to visiting Barentù.

Here we will meet the Cunama people, the only Eritrean ethnic group that still worships pagan deities and lives in small villages made up of cylindrical tukuls with thatched roofs, and we will visit one of  their villages where we will spend the night. It will certainly be a great surprise and an exciting  experience! Recently opened to tourism, this evening you will have the unique opportunity to spend  the night in a Cunama village, in a tent or in the rooms of the Capuchin mission, if available. You’ll get  to know the Cunama people and you won’t be surprised to find that the vast majority have Italian names, are Catholic and many speak Italian.

In order to reach the village, you will have to walk part of the way, as the road does not allow minibuses, about 40-45 minutes.

Overnight at Barentù, Merhaba Hotel or similar

Meal plan
  • Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 11: Barentu - Asmara

We will visit the market of Mogolò.

After breakfast we will say goodbye to our new friends from Cunama, with eyes and souls full of knowledge, and continue our journey to Asmara. On the way we will stop to visit the Addi Shash market, a more intimate local market. You will have the opportunity to witness the “real” reality, as this market rarely sees visitors! If possible, we will also stop to visit a Nara village. We will have lunch in Agordat or Keren and return to Asmara in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Asmara, Midian hotel or similar.

Meal plan
  • Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel
Day 12: departure

At a suitable time for your flight, you will be transferred to the airport.

Meal plan
  • Breakfast
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