Lupine Travel

The mysterious country of Eritrea is one of the least visited places in the world. A real shame considering the many historical, architectural, and natural wonders within its borders. Art Deco architecture, bright blue archipelagos, and pristine coral reefs in the Red Sea are just a handful of things that make Eritrea an underrated destination.

Itinerary

Day One, Nov 13 2026
Arrive in Asmara

• Arrival at Asmara Airport where we’ll be met by our driver who will take us to the hotel.

• Today is free time to spend at leisure in the capital.

• Overnight in Asmara.
Day Two, Nov 14 2026
Visit to Qohaito

• Today will be an early morning departure to visit Qohaito; an ancient city in the Southern Debub region, boasting vast picturesque canyons.

• We will take a short hike to see the cave paintings. This ancient rock art dates back to the 5th millennium BCE!

• Afterwards, we’ll drive back to Asmara to relax for the night.
Day Three, Nov 15 2026
Asmara-Arborobue Steam Train

• After breakfast, we’ll board the iconic Eritrean steam train from Asmara to Arborobue and back again. This historic railway, operated by restored 1930s-era Italian Mallet steam locomotives, offers a different side of Eritrea as you ride through mountain descents, tunnels and viaducts. Originally built in the late 19th century, it is now primarily a photography and heritage experience.

• Next, we’ll drive to Keren (1,392 meters above sea level), a historic town linking the highlands and lowlands, well known for its silver filigree craftsmanship. Scenic and cultural stops are included along the way, with arrival in the late afternoon.

• Evening spent at leisure.

*Note – The steam train excursion is not 100% guaranteed. If it’s unavailable, the morning will be spent exploring Asmara, before departing for Keren.
Day Four, Nov 16 2026
Keren and the Red Sea

• Today, we’ll start by visiting the camel markets to watch people buy and sell hundreds of camels.

• Next, we’ll visit the silver and wood markets, 19th-century fortress, Commonwealth and Italian war cemeteries and the Mariam Dearit shrine, which is found inside a baobab tree said to be over 500 years old!

• We’ll depart Keren and drive toward Massawa, experiencing the dramatic transition from highlands to desert landscapes. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel and have time to relax by the Red Sea.
Day Five, Nov 17 2026
Dahlak Islands

• After breakfast, we’ll depart by boat for a full-day excursion to the Dahlak Archipelago, a group of pristine islands in the Red Sea. If we’re lucky, we may spot dolphins swimming alongside! We’ll have time for independent nature walks, relaxing on the beach or swimming in the sea.

• Before the sun sets, we’ll return to Massawa to spend the evening at leisure.
Day Six, Nov 18 2026
Massawa Tour

• In the morning, we’ll explore Massawa’s historic city, known for its unique blend of Arabic, Ottoman and Italian architecture. We’ll visit forts, mosques and traditional buildings in the old colonial part of the city.

• We’ll stop for lunch before driving back to Asmara, where we’ll spend the night.
Day Seven, Nov 19 2026
Tour Ends

• Today we’ll take a tour of the capital, visiting the National Museum for a deeper insight into Eritrea’s history and culture, as well as seeing the Great Mosque of Asmara, historic theatre and other colonial landmarks. We’ll also visit the tank graveyard and the famous Fiat Tagliero; this is a Futurist-style service station built in 1938 by an Italian engineer.

• In the evening, we will transfer to the airport for our departure flights.