Treasures of Eritrea

Embark on a journey to Eritrea, a land where history traces its roots to the stone ages. From timeless landscapes to preserved historical cities, the echoes of the past resonate vividly. Immerse yourself in a tapestry of history, culture, religion, and nature, woven together in this African jewel-box. Eritrea promises surprises that delight and captivate, a treasure chest of wonder waiting to be unlocked.

This is a 7 days all accommodated trip to discover the main interesting sites of Eritrea with the possibility to extend your trip to the places you prefer:

Duration:7 days

Season:Sep-June

Type of tour:all accommodated

Overview
Itinerary
Dates

We organize one scheduled departure each month, including the extra extensions (please see dates available). We can also arrange private trips upon request.

Services included:

Five nights in Asmara, B&B accomodation, Hotel Midian or similar.
One night in Keren, B&B accommodation, sarina Hotel or similar.
Welcome at arrival and farewell at departure
4WD excursion to Kohaito archaeological sites
English/Italian speaking guide, except on free days
Local taxes, tourist permits, entrance fees and Dahlak tax

Services excluded:

Entry visa
Meals and drinks in Asmara and Keren
Excursion by colonial train
4WD excursion to Adi Quala
Tips and gratuities
Travel insurance: is a MUST to have a comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, curtailment, medical, emergency travel and assistance, as this is compulsory on all our trips. Personal expenses
All what is not included in the “Services included”

Day 1: Asmara - arrival

On your arrival at the Asmara International Airport, after processing custom formalities you will be transferred at your hotel.

In the afternoon you will start with the discovery of Asmara. A guided tour will lead you to the most interesting and unusual places that Asmara, UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers. From October to March Asmara is an explosion of jacarande, ibiscus and cascades of buganville.

Overnight in Asmara, Midian hotel or similar.

Accommodation

Hotel

Day 2: Asmara - Keren

After breakfast excursion on board the legendary train, pulled by locomotives “Mallet” from Asmara to Nefasit and back. (tour subject to availability and to be paid locally).

You will have the rare opportunity to travel along one of the most daring railways in the world, whose construction began in 1897, on board trains that go back to the times of the colonies, still efficient thanks to a “loving” maintenance. We will cover the stretch Asmara-Arbaroba, about 18km one of the most striking and scenic part of the entire route.

If the excursion by train will not be available, the morning will continue the visit of Asmara.

In the afternoon departure to Keren, (1,392 Mt. high), crossroad between the highland and the lowland and well-known for its silver filigree works, with several stops along the way and arrival in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Keren, Sarina hotel or similar.

Meal plan

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

Day 3: Keren - Asmara

Today in Keren there is the cattle market, and therefore a crossroads that attracts all the people of the areas surrounding the city.

Sightseeing tour of the city and its market. Worth-seeing places are: the Italian and British war cemeteries, the mosque and the little Greek church near the market, the governor country-seat, the Romanesque Saint Michael church and the old Fortress (1,460 Mt. high). Last but not least, a visit to “Mariam Dearit” (Our Lady of Baobab), a chapel built inside the tree itself.

On the way back to Asmara, if possible, stop at Elabered for a visit to the “De Nadai Estate”. An efficient system of dams, still today working, was created by the Italian farmers, which allows the cultivation of vegetables and fruit and the breeding of animals in exemplary stables. Large mango trees can be seen along the river.

Overnight at Asmara, Midian hotel or similar.

Meal plan

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

Day 4: Asmara – Kohaito – Asmara

After breakfast excursion to Kohaito, heading south, with 4×4 off-road vehicles. Short stop at Dekemhare.

At Dekemhare, a short walk will let us know the center, with the Italian style houses of the early ‘900, and the local market: the one covered for the various merchandise and foodstuffs, that of animals outdoors. From the city develops the road that leads from Dekemhare to Nefasit, which was built by the Italians in just 7 months, crossing the famous Piana D’Ala and creating a road that reached Ethiopia without passing through Asmara.

Proceeding to Segheneyti where you will observe the majestic sycamore trees, the largest in the country, some old even 300 years old, in what is called the “Valley of the Sycamores”. The most beautiful is reproduced on a banknote of the country. Arrival in Senafè and Kohaito, where the ruins of the ancient axumite cities of Metara and Coloe rise.

Return to Asmara.

Overnight at Asmara, Midian hotel or similar.

Meal plan

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

Day 5: Asmara - Adi Quala - Asmara

Free day in Asmara or optional full day excursion at Adi Quala.

Breakfast and departure with 4×4 off-road vehicles along the road that leads to Ethiopia in the direction of Adwa and Axum. Arrival in the Mareb valley and visit to the church of Santa Rita in Adi Quala where there is a memorial plaque in memory of the deaths of Nova Scotia.

In the town of Adi Quala, on the borders of Ethiopia, we will visit the Coptic church, dedicated to the Madonna, one of the few built in the colonial times, of good workmanship and which houses beautiful frescoes inside. Then we will see the Catholic church of Santa Rita that holds the plaque in memory of the deaths of “Nova Scotia” and then we will visit the shrine that houses the remains of the fallen in the battle of Adwa in 1896.

Continue to Daaro Khonat where the Memorial of the Dead of Adwa is located. From here you can enjoy one of the most spectacular views and a splendid view of the Mareb valley, and on clear days, the view sweeps right up to the hills of Adwa

Overnight at Asmara, Midian hotel or similar.

Meal plan

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

Day 6: Asmara

Asmara full day guided tour.

Alternatively on this day you can continue your trip adding one of our extensions:

Located on a highland plateau at the centre of Eritrea, Asmara, a Modernist city of Africa is the capital of the country and is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a colonial planned city, which resulted from the subsequent phases of planning between 1893 and 1941, under the Italian colonial occupation.

Overnight at Asmara, Midian hotel or similar.

Meal plan