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| Day 1: | Asmara Arrive in Asmara and transfer from the airport to your hotel. Overnight Ambasoira 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 Ambasoira Hotel or similar. (B) |
| Day 3: | Keren Today we leave the capital by 4WD vehicle 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) |
| Day 4: | Keren to 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) |
| 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. (BL) |
| Day 6: | Day Excursion to Adulis and the Gulf of Zula Visit the ancient port of Adulis - 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 Ambasoira Hotel or similar. (B) |
| Day 8: | Decamhere Travel to Decamhere, 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 Ambasoira Hotel or similar. (B) |
| 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 Ambasoira Hotel or similar. (B) |
| Day 10: | Asmara Tour ends. (B) |
We are passionate about Eritrea and are committed to increasing positive awareness of this little visited East African country.
Eritrea has huge tourism potential which we are keen to help the local communities develop. The economic benefits of tourism play a vital role in this young country’s development and correct management at this stage is crucial. Our local operator is fully briefed and contributes to our ‘Responsible Travel’ policy. Through this and ongoing discussions, they understand that the only way to grow the business is in a responsible and sustainable way.
Your visit makes a real difference, bringing scarce work to local drivers, guides and other staff. You can rest assured that the money spent in the community stays in the community. We also visit local projects, including a fascinating market in Asmara where almost everything on sale has been recycled. By purchasing souvenirs you are promoting recycling and benefiting the supplier directly.
At the end of the journey travellers may donate any unwanted clothing, medicine and books, which are distributed to appropriate local charities.
We only employ local staff and unlike many operators we believe that to send a foreign Tour Leader along to accompany your trip is an unnecessary burden on your wallet and our carbon footprint. We believe that locals know best. Our local operators only use locally owned accommodation. This means your money stays in the area to benefit the local community. When possible we use local transport, (i.e. rail or bus) and we always use local restaurants, markets and shops. In doing this your travels are supporting and encouraging the development of local services.
We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. This may include giving a percentage of the profits from each tour to a foundation to help street children or local conservation projects. Furthermore, in order to allow our clients to make an informed decision on where a greater proportion of their money should be spent, we avoid including pre-paid full board meals where possible. Local restaurants and cafes then benefit.
Our groups average only six clients, and many tours operate on a private basis with just two travellers. This has much less impact when travelling through rural areas, reducing our environmental and social affects.
Finally to emphasis our commitment to Responsible Tourism all clients will receive a copy of our Travellers Code of Conduct with their travel documents.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
