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Our Tour Experts Asmara
Explore the charming capital city of Asmara, rebuilt as Africa’s ‘Little Rome’ by Mussolini.
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
Inside Africa's Forgotten Kingdom
| Departure date | Duration | Prices Start from | Tour Expert | Max Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/03/20 | 11 Days | £2,995 ex. flights | Local Guides | 6 | AVAILABLE | Reserve your place | 03/03/21 | 11 Days | £2,995 ex. flights | Local Guides | 6 | AVAILABLE | Reserve your place |
Explore this nascent and isolated country, only officially recognised as independent from Ethiopia in the 1990s. From the Art Deco Italian architecture and Coptic churches of Asmara to the Aksumite ruins and dramatic canyons of Adi Keyh, Eritrea is alive with culture, history and natural beauty.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1
2Camel Markets
Visit Keren’s lively Monday market, where livestock and goods are traded.
3Ruins and Rock Art
Explore Aksumite ruins and visit remote rock-art sites near Adi Keyh.
4Steam Train
Take ride on the Colonial-era steam train, which still operates near Asmara.
Why we like it
Eritrea has not yet been on maps three decades, yet it has a rich history and culture dating back millennia. From the outside, it is often seen as an isolationist state, but the few who have visited talk only of the warmth and friendliness of the Eritrean people. This, combined with the Aksumite history and the Art Deco architecture of Asmara, make it an incredibly rewarding destination.
Explore our suggested itinerary
- Days 1-2Asmara
- Day 3Asmara - Adi Keyh
- Day 4Adi Keyh - Asmara
- Day 5Asmara - Keren
- Days 6-7Keren
- Day 8Keren - Massawa
- Day 9Massawa - Dahlak Islands
- Day 10Dahlak Islands - Massawa - Asmara
- Day 11Asmara
Asmara
Begin in Asmara, home to the highest concentration in the world of 1930s Art-Deco architecture. Simple geometric shapes are enhanced by slender horizontal curves and soaring stepped towers. Look out for portholes, loopholes and elongated windows; circular balconies and jutting wings.
Originally whitewashed, this beautiful city has been enriched by the colours of Africa. One of the greatest monuments is the Catholic Cathedral of Santa Maria, with its frescoed interior.
Visit the Medeber, a 200-year-old market, where artisans in small shops mould objects of all kinds by recycling metal. The Cemetery of Asmara, located on a small hill, allows an interesting insight into the Italian adventure in Eritrea. And of course, pass by the iconic Fiat Tagliero garage, built in 1938 by Pettazzi.
Qohaito and the Southern Highlands
Continue on to the southern highlands, visiting the dramatically located ruins of Qohaito – once a thriving Aksumite settlement.
Located over 2,500 metres above sea level, the ruins sit on the edge of a high plateau, at the very tip of the Great Rift Valley. The site is remarkable for the spectacular views over the rugged Eritrean mountains, as they fall away towards the Red Sea.
Sadly, Qohaito has yet to be fully excavated, but the visible ruins include the pre-Christian Temple of Mariam Wakino and the Sahira Dam, which might also be pre-Aksumite. Nearby, rock art decorates a number of sites, including several caves.
Steam Train and Keren
Return to Asmara for a trip aboard a colonial-era steam train – remarkably preserved and operating along a short but incredibly beautiful stretch of track.
Then venture north, through the country’s highlands, to Keren. Famed for the decisive battle that took place here in World War Two, the city sits beneath mountain peaks.
Arrive in time for the Monday market – a highlight of any visit. Still of great importance, the market is the perfect place to mix with locals and merchants alike. It is an unforgettable experience and one that is alive with sounds, smells and colourful clothing.
Massaw and the Dahlak Archipelago
From the mountains, drop down to the coast, to the historic port of Massawa. Although badly damaged during Eritrea’s bloody war of independence, the city is still dotted with older buildings, both Ottoman and Italian, that survived the Ethiopian bombing.
Here, board a boat on the Red Sea and spend a night camped on Dessei Island, in the idyllic Dahlak Archipelago. Have the chance to swim and snorkel off the reefs, where the marine life is spectacular.
Includes / Excludes
Important Information
Activity Level
Moderate ActivitySingle Supplement
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
Flexibility
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf and the above is an indication of the cost, based on return flights departing from London. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
What is included
- 1 night camping on Dessei Island
- 1 night's accommodation in the Central Hotel
- 1 night's accommodation in the Grand Dahlak Hotel
- 3 nights' accommodation in the Sarina Hotel
- 4 nights' accommodation in Albergo Italia
- All meals whilst not in Asmara
- All transportation with driver
- Breakfasts in Asmara
- Experienced English-speaking guide throughout
- Travel permits and museum fees
What is excluded
- Gratuities
- Insurance
- International flights
- Lunches and dinners in Asmara
- Visa
Why a Steppes expert-led group tour
1.Experience Matters
We have been running insightful and groundbreaking group tours since our inception in 1989. We have worked with institutions such as the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum and run wildlife tours in conjunction with conservation agencies such as Fauna & Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Orangutan Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute.
2.Size Matters
Our average group size is typically eight to ten people, smaller than other group tours typically offered – a factor which many of our clients appreciate. Travelling as part of a smaller group provides a more intimate, personalised and relaxed atmosphere.
4.It’s about who you know
We have developed an enviable pool of expertise from which to choose our tour experts, who we carefully select based on their knowledge, companionship and personality. Often, these experts can use their influence to facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
3.Like-Minded People
Steppes Travellers are like-minded people – interesting, interested and curious. Our group tours aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere – we have a lot of fun on our tours and many friendships have been formed.
5.Value for money
Our tours are well-priced to ensure you get real value for money. We include gratuities on the majority of our tours and do not pass on currency surcharges. We strive to look after single travellers as well as we can, keeping single supplements to a minimum.
6.Peace of Mind
When you travel on one of our group tours, you will be looked after by our local agents and your tour expert with the back-up of our 24-hour emergency number and duty manager. All our holidays are fully bonded and protected – our ATOL number is ATOL 6495.
Our future tour dates
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 601 784
| Departure date | Duration | Prices Start from | Tour Expert | Max Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/03/20 | 11 Days | £2,995 ex. flights | Local Guides | 6 | AVAILABLE | Reserve your place | 03/03/21 | 11 Days | £2,995 ex. flights | Local Guides | 6 | AVAILABLE | Reserve your place |
Reserve your place on this group tour
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
01285 601 784Expert-Led Group Tours
Explore similar expert-led group tours
With an average group size of just eight to ten people our group tour itineraries enable you to travel to some of the most intriguing regions of the world in the company of experts guides in the field and, of course, with likeminded people.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise sets us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary?
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