SOMALIA + SOMALILAND + DJIBOUTI + ERITREA

Dates: January 2 – 14, 2023

Duration: 13 days / 12 nights

Number of participants: 8 – 12

EXPEDITION FINISHED

Everything is included except for:
- international flight to Mogadishu and back from Asmara,
- flight from Djibouti to Asmara,
- flight from Mogadishu to Hargeisa,
- flight from Hargeisa to Djibouti,
- international medical insurance,
- Djibouti e-visa (25 USD, price can be changed), to be arranged on your own at https://www.evisa.gouv.dj/ in advance,
- Somalia visa (60 USD, price can be changed), we arrange and obtain upon arrival (or on your own in Somalia embassy in advance),
- Somaliland visa (60 USD, price can be changed), we arrange and obtain upon arrival (or on your own in Somaliland embassy in advance),
- 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 – Mogadishu: USD 800 – 1200. (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Estimated cost of flight Mogadisho – Hargeisa: USD 170 – 250 (We can assist in buying the ticket, and you reimburse).
Estimated cost of flight Hargeisa – Djibouti: USD 170 – 300 (We can assist in buying the ticket, and you reimburse).
Estimated cost of flight Djibouti – Asmara: USD 450 – 500. (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Estimated cost of flight Asmara – Moscow: USD 600 – 900. (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).

Single supplement in Djibouti and Eritrea: USD 480 (single supplement in Somalia and Somaliland is provided by default)





TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO SOMALIA, SOMALILAND, DJIBOUTI, ERITREA
Day 1. January 2, 2024 (Tuesday). ARRIVAL AND ACQUAINTANCE WITH MOGADISHU (SOMALIA)

Arrive in Mogadishu, meet our guide and transfer to the hotel for rest and lunch break. If we arrive with Qatar Airways flight ar 1 pm, then we will start our tour directly from the airport.
Today we start getting acquaintance with amazing Mogadishu city, ruined but charming. We visit the sea shore nearby the Fish market to see the local life and fishermen of all ages with the beautiful ocean waves. We take a walk to Arba Rancoon Mosque, Berta Salaanta, the unknown Soldiers monument and the Parliament area. If the actual security situation allows us, we also take the drive (escorted with the armed security) to the Cathedral and out of Mogadishu to see the dunes along the beach on the Indian Ocean. Dinner at the roof floor of our hotel with very fresh sea food.

* Recommended flight:
– flight from Moscow to Mogadishu via Dubai (2 hour 15 minutes stopover) with Emirates, departure from Moscow at 23:30 on January 1 and arrival in Mogadishu at 11:55 am on January 2, or
– flight from Moscow to Mogadishu via Dubai (3 hour 50 minutes stopover) with Qatar Airways, departure from Moscow at 22:55 on January 1 and arrival in Mogadishu at 13:10 on January 2, or
– flight from Dubai to Mogadishu with Flydubai, departure from Dubai at 8:20 am on January 2 and arrival in Mogadishu at 11:55 am on January 2, or
– flight from Addis Ababa to Mogadishu with Ethiopian Airlines, departure from Dubai at 8:55 am on January 2 and arrival in Mogadishu at 11:05 am on January 2, or
- or any other flight with arrival in Mogadishu no later than at 13:00 on January 2.

Accommodation: Shamo hotel or another safe hotel of similar level in Mogadishu
Meals: lunch, dinner


Day 2. January 3, 2024 (Wednesday). MOGADISHU

Morning after breakfast, escorted with the armed security we visit the atmospheric fish market where fishermen bring and sell huge sword fish, sharks and other marine giants. Take a walk to the port, to the old lighthouse to observe the local life of fishermen and their amazing catch.
Visit the local school and get acquaintance with the Somalia teachers and students. Drive to Hamarweyn Market and Hamarweyn area – the old part of the city with picturesque buildings in the style of Arab and Moorish architecture and carved stone walls and cool patios. Here we can see all the Mogadishu city from one of the roofs. We visit kat market, the harbor, the beaches, including Gezira beach or Liido beach where we can swim, and Banadir the crumbling Italian colonial waterfront, from where we can take iconic pictures of Mogadishu. Lunch break at the Liido beach with the beautiful view, or in the hotel.
Dinner at the roof of our hotel with very fresh sea food.

Accommodation: Shamo hotel or another safe hotel of similar level in Mogadishu
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 3. January 4, 2024 (Thursday). MOGADISHU – HARGEISA (SOMALILAND)

Early morning transfer to the airport for your direct flight to Hargeisa at 9:00 with African Express (the schedule may change!) or another later flight with another airlines.
Afternoon arrival in Hargeisa – the capital of the unrecognized state, once being the part of Somalia and still legally considered the part of it. However, Somaliland, English speaking part of Somalia, has its own visas which we obtain upon arrival in the airport.
Sightseeing in Hargeisa in the afternoon: the smashing money market with pounds of the cash to be sold, as well as the main market known as Suuq Wayn. Walk around the streets of Hargesa.
Dinner in traditional restaurant with camel meat and overnight in Damal Hotel Hargeisa.

* Recommended flight:
- flight from Mogadishu to Hargeisa with African Express, departure from Mogadishu at 9:00 am on January 4 and arrival in Hargeisa at 10:00 am on January 4.

Accommodation: Damal Hotel Hargeisa
Meals: breakfast, dinner


Day 4. January 5, 2024 (Friday). HARGEISA – LAAS GEEL – CAMEL FARM – HARGEISA

Early in the morning we take the COVID test with picking-up result in morning next day (only those who don't have COVID full vaccination certificate – will need this COVID test certificate for crossing to Djibouti next day).
Later on, drive straight (50 km) to Laas Geel for visiting amazing rock painting caves. This UNESCO World's Heritage site is dated to (unbelievable!) 9000 – 3000 years BC! Of course it is considered the most significant monument of Neolithic era in all Africa. Las Geel, consisted of 20 caves, one of which is 10 meters length, is very impressive, colors of petroglyphs are very vivid.
Driving to the west, where on the greener areas we meet the traditional Somalia camel herders. Here on the local farm we can see camels, sheep, hear about nomadic practices, milk a camel and taste fresh camel milk. Supper around the fire.
Driving back to Hargeisa. Dinner and overnight in Damal Hotel Hargeisa.

Accommodation: Damal Hotel Hargeisa
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 5. January 6, 2024 (Saturday). HARGEISA – DJIBOUTI CITY (DJIBOUTI)

After breakfast, we visit a local school to talk to the kids. Then bustling livestock market of Hargeisa. Somaliland, together with Somalia, house almost half (!) of world's 14 million population of camels.
Lunch and transfer to the airport for the direct flight to Djibouti city at 17:20 with Air Djibouti (the schedule may change and still not available!) or at 12:00 with Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa.
Around 18:00 arrival in Djibouti city – the capital of Djibouti, former French part of Somalia Peninsula. Meet the guide, transfer and check-in at the hotel.
Visit historical city center in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Atlantic Hotel 4* in downtown Djibouti.

* Recommended flight:
- flight DJ-209 from Hargeisa to Djibouti with Air Djibouti, departure from Hargeisa at 17:20 am on January 6 and arrival in Djibouti at 18:00 on January 6, or
- flights ET-373, ET-364 from Hargeisa to Djibouti with Ethiopian Airlines, departure from Hargeisa at 12:00 am on January 6 and arrival in Djibouti at 18:25 on January 6.

Accommodation: Atlantic Hotel 4* or similar hotel in Djibouti city
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 6. January 7, 2024 (Sunday). WHALE SHARK TRIP

Morning after breakfast, picked up at 7:45 from hotel and then drive to Arta Plage. We drive through a scenic wadi to use local boats and boat drivers at Arta Plage. We search for whale sharks, and hopefully swim and snorkel with whale sharks. The chances to find whale sharks in warm waters of Indian ocean in January are really high however not 100% guaranteed and very much dependent on the weather.
After looking for whale sharks we will stop at an isolated beach to snorkel on pristine coral reefs and have lunch on the beach. Lunch break.
Scuba diving can be planned as an option at extra cost.
Drive back to Djibouti city in the afternoon, dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Accommodation: Atlantic Hotel 4* or similar hotel in Djibouti city
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 7. January 8, 2024 (Monday). SOUTH CIRCUIT AND LAKE ABBEH

After breakfast in the hotel, we drive to the south. The South Circuit of the Republic of Djibouti goes through the Grand & Petit Bara, which is the most desert area of the country. Then visit shortly Afar and Somali people village of Dikhil. Drive to Afar village of As Ela and have a traditional lunch in the local house. Afterwards drive to Lake Abbeh.
Lake Abbeh is the largest one in the chain of six salt reservoirs located on the border of Djibouti and Ethiopia. This amazing lake is located in a basin called the Afar Point. A unique place where the giant Arabian, Somali and Nubian plates slowly move away from each other, which creates a fantastic landscape. Boiling water of thermal springs with a high content of calcium carbonate for centuries created peculiar limestone pipe columns (called here "chimneys" or "fumaroles"). Some of these columns, surrounded by swirling steam, reach a height of 50 meters, reinforcing the mystery of the landscape. Interestingly, the name Abbe means "rotten", since the smell of hydrogen sulfide emanates from the lake. On the shore of Lake Abbe, parts of the film "Planet of the Apes" was shot.
Explore the area until the sunset. After dinner, real nomad folkloric dance can be arranged. Overnight at Lake Abbeh tourist camp with all amenities and the beautiful view on the lake Abbeh chimneys.

Accommodation: Lake Abbeh tourist camp
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 8. January 9, 2024 (Tuesday). LAKE ABBEH AND LAKE ASSAL

Wake-up call for the sunrise is early in the morning. We drive to the chimney's area for sunrise and visit hot springs.
After visiting and exploring Lake Abbeh, back to tourist camp for breakfast and visit Afar traditional village nearby. En route we stop in Kouta Bouya to visit the village, after lunch at La Palmeraie, we drive to another lake – Lake Assal to visit the lowest point in Africa. En route, you stop for visiting scenic views of Canyon and faults – part of the Danakil depression. The Lake Assal or Bahr al Assal in Arabic, the sea of honey (153 m below sea level) is located 107 km west of Djibouti city. After visiting Lake Assal and surroundings, drive to Djibouti city for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Atlantic Hotel 4* or similar hotel in Djibouti city
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 9. January 10, 2024 (Wednesday). DJIBOUTI CITY – ASMARA (ERITREA)

After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the airport. At 11:55 am flight with Ethiopian Airlines to Asmara, Eritrea, with the stopover in Addis Ababa.
In the afternoon, at 17:10, 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 Crystal hotel.
Evening in the center of Asmara. Dinner in Gibabo restaurant.
Overnight in Asmara.

* Recommended flight:
- flight from Djibouti to Asmara via Addis Ababa (1 hour 35 minutes stopover) with Ethiopian Airlines, departure from Djibouti at 11:55 am on January 10 and arrival in Asmara at 17:10 on January 10 or
- any other flight with departure from Djibouti any time on January 10 and arrival in Asmara any time on January 10.

Accommodation: Crystal hotel
Meals: breakfast, dinner


Day 10. January 11, 2024 (Thursday). ASMARA – MASSAWA – DAHLAK ARCHIPELAGO

Very early morning (5:00 am at the latest) we start our 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.
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 tents on the island. Tents and mattresses will be provided.

Accommodation: camping in tents on the island
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner


Day 11. January 12, 2024 (Friday). DAHLAK ARCHIPELAGO – MASSAWA – RASHAIDA COMMUNITY – 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.
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.
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.

Accommodation: Crystal hotel
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 12. January 13, 2024 (Saturday). ASMARA – HALIB MENTEL – KEREN – ASMARA

After breakfast, we drive some 80 km (2 hours) towards Keren, up to Halib Mentel village. This village is inhabited by Billen tribe. Billen are mostly farmers and pastoralists, they primarily live in huts. We will explore their traditional culture and their hospitality. The Italians took many pictures of the beautiful ladies of the Billen during the end of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, so that there are still photos on sale to this day.
Continue driving (10 km) to Keren city. This city is inhabited with Tigre people, speaking the same language to those live in the neighboring Tigray region of Ethiopia.
We will visit the famous Mariam Dearit temple of the Madonna inside a big Baobab tree.
Visit to the Italian and Common Wealth war cemeteries. Keren is well known for the fiercest battles that went on between the Common wealth and the Italian forces in 1941. The fall of Keren in the hands of the Common Wealth advancing army signaled the end of an era of the Italian occupation in Eritrea. The Italians ruled Eritrea from 1885 until 1941.
Keren is also famous for its many handicrafts productions, that we can enjoy shopping.
Driving back to Asmara for 2 hours: gradual ascending toward the highlands will make one feel as if one is being airlifted.
Dinner and overnight in Asmara.

Accommodation: Crystal hotel
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 13. January 14, 2024 (Sunday). 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 19^th and beginning of the 20^th 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.
Visit o the tank graveyard, remnants from the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia of 1961-1991.
At 14:30 direct transfer to the airport to catch international flight back home.

* Recommended flight:
– flight from Asmara to Moscow via Addis Ababa (3 hour 55 minutes stopover) with Ethiopian Airlines, departure from Asmara at 18:10 on January 14 and arrival in Moscow at 7:40 am on January 15 or
– flight from Asmara to Moscow via Cairo (5 hour 20 minutes stopover) with Egypt Air, departure from Asmara at 3:25 am on January 15 and arrival in Moscow at 16:05 on January 15 or
– flight from Asmara to Moscow via Istanbul (2 hours stopover) with Turkish Airlines, departure from Asmara at 1:40 am on January 15 and arrival in Moscow at 12:20 pm on January 15 or
– flight from Asmara to Moscow via Dubai (3 hour 35 minutes stopover) with Emirates, departure from Asmara at 8:00 am on January 15 and arrival in Moscow at 20:50 on January 15 (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 14.

Accommodation: no
Meals: breakfast