Expedition to "Little Italy" in Africa and pristine Dahlak Archipelago
ERITREA
January 11 - 15, 2025
Tour to Eritrea
Tour to Eritrea
Discover one of the world's newest countries, occupying apparently the most beautiful part of Horn of Africa: "little Italy" in Africa with its well-preserved colonial architecture and Africa's best coffee, pristine Dahlak Archipelago and unique Rashaida people.
Explore the country recently re-opened for rare tourism.
Explore the country recently re-opened for rare tourism.
SCHEDULE AND COST: TOUR TO SOMALIA
Dates: January 11 – 15, 2025
The program is consistent with the expedition to Somalia+Somaliland+Djibouti from 3 to 11 January 2025
Expedition to Somalia+Somaliland+Djibouti
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Number of participants: 7 – 12
Cost per person:
– 1 890 USD subject to 11 – 12 participants,
– 2 190 USD subject to 10 participants,
– 2 350 USD subject to 9 participants,
– 2 690 USD subject to 7 – 8 participants.
10% early booking discount (in case you book before August 11, 2024)
Everything is included except for:
- international flight to Asmara roundtrip,
- international medical insurance,
- Eritrea visa (70 USD, price can be changed), we arrange and obtain upon arrival (or on your own in Eritrea embassy in advance).
Estimated cost of flight Moscow – Asmara – Moscow: USD 1000 – 1200. (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Estimated cost of flight Djibouti – Asmara: USD 450 – 500. (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Single supplement: USD 220 (provided throughout the entire itinerary)
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Eritrea
Day 1. January 11, 2025 (Saturday). ASMARA
Arrival in Asmara, capital of Eritrea and the country's largest city. Laying at an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level, Asmara has a year round pleasant climate.
Meet the guide and transfer to Asmara Palace hotel, the best hotel in Asmara, with swimming pool and many other facilities.
Evening in the center of Asmara. Dinner in Gibabo restaurant.
Overnight in Asmara.
* Recommended flight from Moscow:
– flight with Ethiopian Airlines from Moscow to Asmara via Addis Ababa (3 hours 20 minutes stopover), departure from Moscow at 22:00 on January 10 and arrival in Asmara at 11:15 am on January 11, or
– flight with FlyDubai from Moscow to Asmara via Dubai (5 hours 20 minutes stopover), departure from Moscow at 7:10 am on January 12 and arrival in Asmara at 22:35 am on January 11, or
– flight with Turkish Airlines from Moscow to Asmara via Istanbul (2 hours 20 minutes stopover), departure from Moscow at 13:50 on January 10 and arrival in Asmara at 0:50 am on January 11 (extra night needed), or
– or any other flight with arrival in Asmara any time on January 11.
* Recommended flight from Djibouti:
- flight from Djibouti to Asmara with Ethiopian Airlines with 1 hour 20 minutes stopover in Addis Ababa, departure from Djibouti at 12:55 am on January 11 and arrival in Asmara at 17:10 on January 11 or
- any other flight with departure from Djibouti any time on January 11 and arrival in Asmara any time on January 11.
Accommodation: Asmara Palace hotel
Meals: dinner
Day 2. January 12, 2025 (Sunday). ASMARA – MASSAWA – RASHAIDA COMMUNITY – MASSAWA
Early morning breakfast and short sightseeing in Asmara. Visit of the tank graveyard, remnants from the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia of 1961-1991.
Directly journey to Massawa. It will take us 3 hours driving by bus to cover these 115 km of mountainous road. 1 more hour will be taken for formalities.
Short city tour in the port city of Massawa. Massawa enjoys a combination of Turkish and Italian architects, an apparent indication of the Ottoman and Italian colonial history. There is, among others, an old Turkish Palace and a more than 1000 years mosque. Lunch in the restaurant in Massawa.
In the environs of Massawa (in the area of Gurgusum beach) we will meet the Rashaida Community. The Rashaidas are nomads. They travel along the costs of Massawa to the north until Sudan. The Rashaidas earn their living mainly by trade. These tribes are believed to have crossed to Eritrea from Yemen and Saudi Arabia some 4 centuries ago. They still maintain their Arab ancestry.
Back to Massawa, dinner and overnight in Dahlak hotel in Massawa.
Accommodation: Dahlak hotel
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3. January 13, 2025 (Monday). MASSAWA – DAHLAK ARCHIPELAGO
After breakfast, at 9 am we start our sea voyage to Dahlak archipelago. Eritrea is endowed with 1200 kilometers of coast line. Moreover, there are 360 islands in its territorial waters. The Dahlak archipelago is a fascinating group of islands. The largest one is Dahlak Kebir, the area of which is the size of Singapore. The other islands are Dahret, Durgam, Dorghella, Dissie and others.
On the boat we will be provided with life jackets and snorkeling equipment. Lunch and dinner, as well as drinking water, will also be provided on the boat. Freshly caught fish will be offered as a BBQ.
The journey to the island takes about 1,5 hours by 2 motor boats. In the afternoon we have time for swimming and snorkeling nearby desert Madote island and then move to the nearby Dissie island for overnights.
Dinner and overnight in camping in big tents on the island. Tents and mattresses will be provided.
Accommodation: camping in tents on the island
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4. January 14, 2025 (Tuesday). DAHLAK ARCHIPELAGO – MASSAWA – NEFASIT – ASMARA
After breakfast, about 9:30 am, by motor boats we start our journey back to Massawa. We will reach Massawa by 11:00 or so.
Driving back from Massawa to Asmara is an enjoyable ascending from zero sea level to a gradual climbing to Gahtelai, Dongolo Basso, Dongollo Alto , Ghindae and Nefasit up to 2400 meters above sea level, with spectacular landscapes that we will photograph en route. Nefasit is overshadowed by the famous Debre Bizen Monastery at an altitude of 2450 meters above.
Then finally the journey takes us to Asmara at 19:00 to 20:00.
Dinner and overnight in Asmara in Asmara Palace hotel.
Accommodation: Asmara Palace hotel
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5. January 15, 2025 (Wednesday). ASMARA – RETURN FLIGHT
After breakfast in the hotel, at 8:00 am our guide will take us around Asmara Bella – this is the name given by Italians to this beautiful city.
The modern Asmara was literally created by the Italians between the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. The city's elegant streets and the adjoining promenade are comfortable for day or night walking. The city now accommodates more than 400 art deco buildings officially recognized by UNESCO. One would feel as if one is in Rome when touring Asmara.
We visit the art deco buildings of Asmara, such as Albergo Italia (1899), Bank of Eritrea (1905), Post Office (1915-1916), Villa Roma (1907), Cinema Roma (1920). In the morning we will have a coffee break at the bar Tirestele.
At 14:30 direct transfer to the airport to catch international flight back home.
* Recommended flight to Moscow:
– flight with Ethiopian Airlines from Asmara to Moscow via Addis Ababa (3 hour 55 minutes stopover), departure from Asmara at 18:10 on January 15 and arrival in Moscow at 7:25 am on January 16, or
– flight with FlyDubai from Asmara to Moscow via Dubai (5 hour 55 minutes stopover), departure from Asmara at 23:35 on January 15 and arrival in Moscow at 14:55 on January 16, or
– flight with Emirates from Asmara to Moscow via Dubai (5 hour 5 minutes stopover), departure from Asmara at 23:35 on January 15 and arrival in Moscow at 13:55 on January 16, or
– flight with Egypt Air from Asmara to Moscow via Cairo (2 hour 15 minutes stopover), departure from Asmara at 3:25 am on January 17 and arrival in Moscow at 14:45 on January 17 (extra night in the hotel in Asmara is needed), or
– any other flight with departure from Asmara not earlier than at 18:00 on January 15.
Accommodation: no
Meals: breakfast
The program is consistent with the expedition to Somalia+Somaliland+Djibouti from 3 to 11 January 2025
Expedition to Somalia+Somaliland+Djibouti
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Number of participants: 7 – 12
Cost per person:
– 1 890 USD subject to 11 – 12 participants,
– 2 190 USD subject to 10 participants,
– 2 350 USD subject to 9 participants,
– 2 690 USD subject to 7 – 8 participants.
10% early booking discount (in case you book before August 11, 2024)
Everything is included except for:
- international flight to Asmara roundtrip,
- international medical insurance,
- Eritrea visa (70 USD, price can be changed), we arrange and obtain upon arrival (or on your own in Eritrea embassy in advance).
Estimated cost of flight Moscow – Asmara – Moscow: USD 1000 – 1200. (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Estimated cost of flight Djibouti – Asmara: USD 450 – 500. (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Single supplement: USD 220 (provided throughout the entire itinerary)
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Eritrea
Day 1. January 11, 2025 (Saturday). ASMARA
Arrival in Asmara, capital of Eritrea and the country's largest city. Laying at an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level, Asmara has a year round pleasant climate.
Meet the guide and transfer to Asmara Palace hotel, the best hotel in Asmara, with swimming pool and many other facilities.
Evening in the center of Asmara. Dinner in Gibabo restaurant.
Overnight in Asmara.
* Recommended flight from Moscow:
– flight with Ethiopian Airlines from Moscow to Asmara via Addis Ababa (3 hours 20 minutes stopover), departure from Moscow at 22:00 on January 10 and arrival in Asmara at 11:15 am on January 11, or
– flight with FlyDubai from Moscow to Asmara via Dubai (5 hours 20 minutes stopover), departure from Moscow at 7:10 am on January 12 and arrival in Asmara at 22:35 am on January 11, or
– flight with Turkish Airlines from Moscow to Asmara via Istanbul (2 hours 20 minutes stopover), departure from Moscow at 13:50 on January 10 and arrival in Asmara at 0:50 am on January 11 (extra night needed), or
– or any other flight with arrival in Asmara any time on January 11.
* Recommended flight from Djibouti:
- flight from Djibouti to Asmara with Ethiopian Airlines with 1 hour 20 minutes stopover in Addis Ababa, departure from Djibouti at 12:55 am on January 11 and arrival in Asmara at 17:10 on January 11 or
- any other flight with departure from Djibouti any time on January 11 and arrival in Asmara any time on January 11.
Accommodation: Asmara Palace hotel
Meals: dinner
Day 2. January 12, 2025 (Sunday). ASMARA – MASSAWA – RASHAIDA COMMUNITY – MASSAWA
Early morning breakfast and short sightseeing in Asmara. Visit of the tank graveyard, remnants from the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia of 1961-1991.
Directly journey to Massawa. It will take us 3 hours driving by bus to cover these 115 km of mountainous road. 1 more hour will be taken for formalities.
Short city tour in the port city of Massawa. Massawa enjoys a combination of Turkish and Italian architects, an apparent indication of the Ottoman and Italian colonial history. There is, among others, an old Turkish Palace and a more than 1000 years mosque. Lunch in the restaurant in Massawa.
In the environs of Massawa (in the area of Gurgusum beach) we will meet the Rashaida Community. The Rashaidas are nomads. They travel along the costs of Massawa to the north until Sudan. The Rashaidas earn their living mainly by trade. These tribes are believed to have crossed to Eritrea from Yemen and Saudi Arabia some 4 centuries ago. They still maintain their Arab ancestry.
Back to Massawa, dinner and overnight in Dahlak hotel in Massawa.
Accommodation: Dahlak hotel
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3. January 13, 2025 (Monday). MASSAWA – DAHLAK ARCHIPELAGO
After breakfast, at 9 am we start our sea voyage to Dahlak archipelago. Eritrea is endowed with 1200 kilometers of coast line. Moreover, there are 360 islands in its territorial waters. The Dahlak archipelago is a fascinating group of islands. The largest one is Dahlak Kebir, the area of which is the size of Singapore. The other islands are Dahret, Durgam, Dorghella, Dissie and others.
On the boat we will be provided with life jackets and snorkeling equipment. Lunch and dinner, as well as drinking water, will also be provided on the boat. Freshly caught fish will be offered as a BBQ.
The journey to the island takes about 1,5 hours by 2 motor boats. In the afternoon we have time for swimming and snorkeling nearby desert Madote island and then move to the nearby Dissie island for overnights.
Dinner and overnight in camping in big tents on the island. Tents and mattresses will be provided.
Accommodation: camping in tents on the island
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4. January 14, 2025 (Tuesday). DAHLAK ARCHIPELAGO – MASSAWA – NEFASIT – ASMARA
After breakfast, about 9:30 am, by motor boats we start our journey back to Massawa. We will reach Massawa by 11:00 or so.
Driving back from Massawa to Asmara is an enjoyable ascending from zero sea level to a gradual climbing to Gahtelai, Dongolo Basso, Dongollo Alto , Ghindae and Nefasit up to 2400 meters above sea level, with spectacular landscapes that we will photograph en route. Nefasit is overshadowed by the famous Debre Bizen Monastery at an altitude of 2450 meters above.
Then finally the journey takes us to Asmara at 19:00 to 20:00.
Dinner and overnight in Asmara in Asmara Palace hotel.
Accommodation: Asmara Palace hotel
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5. January 15, 2025 (Wednesday). ASMARA – RETURN FLIGHT
After breakfast in the hotel, at 8:00 am our guide will take us around Asmara Bella – this is the name given by Italians to this beautiful city.
The modern Asmara was literally created by the Italians between the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. The city's elegant streets and the adjoining promenade are comfortable for day or night walking. The city now accommodates more than 400 art deco buildings officially recognized by UNESCO. One would feel as if one is in Rome when touring Asmara.
We visit the art deco buildings of Asmara, such as Albergo Italia (1899), Bank of Eritrea (1905), Post Office (1915-1916), Villa Roma (1907), Cinema Roma (1920). In the morning we will have a coffee break at the bar Tirestele.
At 14:30 direct transfer to the airport to catch international flight back home.
* Recommended flight to Moscow:
– flight with Ethiopian Airlines from Asmara to Moscow via Addis Ababa (3 hour 55 minutes stopover), departure from Asmara at 18:10 on January 15 and arrival in Moscow at 7:25 am on January 16, or
– flight with FlyDubai from Asmara to Moscow via Dubai (5 hour 55 minutes stopover), departure from Asmara at 23:35 on January 15 and arrival in Moscow at 14:55 on January 16, or
– flight with Emirates from Asmara to Moscow via Dubai (5 hour 5 minutes stopover), departure from Asmara at 23:35 on January 15 and arrival in Moscow at 13:55 on January 16, or
– flight with Egypt Air from Asmara to Moscow via Cairo (2 hour 15 minutes stopover), departure from Asmara at 3:25 am on January 17 and arrival in Moscow at 14:45 on January 17 (extra night in the hotel in Asmara is needed), or
– any other flight with departure from Asmara not earlier than at 18:00 on January 15.
Accommodation: no
Meals: breakfast
Cost includes:
• Accommodation in good hotels, based on TWIN/double accommodation
• Accommodation in big tents on the island, based on TWIN accommodation
• 3 times a day meals throughout the entire itinerary
• mineral water during the entire trip
• all airport transfers
• all transport as per program: Toyota Coaster bus in good condition with AC and experienced drivers
• motor boats in good condition for sea tours & professional captains
• all travel permits and local communities financial support
• All entrance fees
• visa facilitation
• government tax
• Experienced English speaking guide throughout the entire itinerary
• Russian and English speaking team leader throughout the entire itinerary
Cost excludes (additionally paid):
To take with:
- sets of clothes suitable for the weather conditions, including lightweight clothes (shorts, T-shorts), and one set of warm clothes (hoody or light jacket), long sleeve clothes
- sun hat/panama
- swimwear
- raincoat
- comfortable trekking footwear, light footwear (sneakers)
- sleeping bag for warm weather (for 1 night)
- mosquito net
- personal hygiene items (towel, wet tissues, soap)
- sunblock set (cream, spray)
- repellents
- sunglasses
- big backpack (or tourist bag, or suitcase) for stuff
- small backpack for radial walks (25 – 30 L)
- head torch
- individual medical kit (analgesics, antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, intestinal, multivitamins, rehydration, court plaster, your personal medications)
- anti malaria prevention pills (up to you to decide)
- no any COVID requirement exist (requirement may change)
- photo and video camera, tripod
- power bank, batteries
• Accommodation in good hotels, based on TWIN/double accommodation
• Accommodation in big tents on the island, based on TWIN accommodation
• 3 times a day meals throughout the entire itinerary
• mineral water during the entire trip
• all airport transfers
• all transport as per program: Toyota Coaster bus in good condition with AC and experienced drivers
• motor boats in good condition for sea tours & professional captains
• all travel permits and local communities financial support
• All entrance fees
• visa facilitation
• government tax
• Experienced English speaking guide throughout the entire itinerary
• Russian and English speaking team leader throughout the entire itinerary
Cost excludes (additionally paid):
- international air tickets to Asmara roundtrip
- international medical insurance
- Eritrea visa
- Video filming and photography fees
- Sodas & alcohol beverages
- Tips & personal purchases
- Single room supplement
To take with:
- sets of clothes suitable for the weather conditions, including lightweight clothes (shorts, T-shorts), and one set of warm clothes (hoody or light jacket), long sleeve clothes
- sun hat/panama
- swimwear
- raincoat
- comfortable trekking footwear, light footwear (sneakers)
- sleeping bag for warm weather (for 1 night)
- mosquito net
- personal hygiene items (towel, wet tissues, soap)
- sunblock set (cream, spray)
- repellents
- sunglasses
- big backpack (or tourist bag, or suitcase) for stuff
- small backpack for radial walks (25 – 30 L)
- head torch
- individual medical kit (analgesics, antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, intestinal, multivitamins, rehydration, court plaster, your personal medications)
- anti malaria prevention pills (up to you to decide)
- no any COVID requirement exist (requirement may change)
- photo and video camera, tripod
- power bank, batteries
KEY FEATURES:
TOUR TO
Eritrea
Best season: October – May
Asmera and Massawa: a "little Italy" in Africa.
Dahlak archipelago in the Red Sea
Wonderful desert landscapes of the Horn of Africa and original cuisine
Eritrea
Best season: October – May
Asmera and Massawa: a "little Italy" in Africa.
Dahlak archipelago in the Red Sea
Wonderful desert landscapes of the Horn of Africa and original cuisine
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
- 1UNIQUENESS
We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears. - 2ADVENTURISM
Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again. - 3SAFETY
In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features. - 4EXPERIENCE
We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you. All the expeditions and climbings are guided by Mzungu himself, guaranteeing exciting traveling and your comfort. - 5REASONABLE PRICE
All our trips are reach in adventures, with high quality accommodation, transportation and meals included. We do not save on it. Thanks to solid contacts with reliable providers we offer really good prices and high quality.
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