Eritrea

Eritrea has recently enjoyed a steam renaissance. Its 950mm narrow gauge railway was closed and the rails removed in the 1970s. But the railway has been rebuilt and it opened recently. Six of the original Italian built narrow gauge steam locomotives have been restored, including several Mallets. The line passes through spectacular scenery on its climb from the Red Sea to the capital, Asmara, reaching nearly 8,000 feet! It has been dubbed as the Darjeeling of Africa, but it is significantly higher. We travel during a month when the weather is comfortable and you’ll find it an extremely friendly place, not yet influenced by mass tourism. This trip also offers an extension to visit Cairo (including the Pyramids) and Alexandria.

Tuesday 5th October 

Fly to Eritrea 

We depart London Heathrow at 14:00, changing in Cairo for Asmara, transferring direct to the Asmara Palace Hotel for an early check in. 

Wednesday 6th October 

Asmara Tour 

Eritrea’s capital since 1897, Asmara is perched on the eastern edge of the country’s highland plateau. Colonized by the Italians, it was once the jewel in Italy’s East African Empire. Our city tour of Asmara includes the Catholic Cathedral (thought to be the finest example of its style outside of Italy), the Neo-classical Governor’s Palace, the Romanesque opera house, the city park and the cemetery of tanks, full of scrap military metal. There will also be time to visit the city’s bustling market. (B L D) 

Thursday 7th October 

Ancient Massawa 

We travel by coach to Eritrea’s main port, Massawa. Massawa is vitally important to Eritrea, the largest natural deep water port on the Red Sea. The island of Batse is an ancient Moorish centre, well worth a visit. The district of Taulud has a war memorial, cathedral, the Imperial Palace and the old railway station. All the Eritrean trains on this tour are chartered especially for us. 

After lunch we are steam hauled from the harbour for a return trip to Monculu. We will be hauled by a Mallet locomotive on a mixed train, stopping for photos along the way. Alternatively, choose a tour of Massawa city instead of the train ride. Overnight accommodation is at the Red Sea Hotel situated on the Red Sea. (B L D) 

Friday 8th October 

Steam to Ghinda 

Our train today will be hauled by a large Mallet locomotive for the long climb from the sea at Massawa high up into the mountains, through gorges and across high slender viaducts to Ghinda. At Ghinda station two Breda 0-4-0 tank locomotives will be in steam for us and they’ll work a short mixed train for our benefit.
We travel by coach back to the Asmara Palace Hotel for five nights. (B L D) 

Saturday 9th October 

Head for Asmara 

After breakfast today we will retrace our steps by road back down to Ghinda station. Here our train, complete with two Mallets, will haul us over the steepest and most spectacular section of the line between Ghinda and Asmara. This is the final section to have been reopened on this once dilapidated line, climbing steeply as it twists and turns, passing over bridges and through tunnels. 

We will enjoy several run pasts for photos on this spectacular line. (B L D) 

Sunday 10th October 

Visit Keren 

Today there is a visit to the ancient city of Keren, a predominately Muslim town. Our journey passes through more spectacular scenery as we traverse the mountains. Keren has some wonderful examples of Italian and Ethiopian architecture, overlooked by the Tigu, a 19th century Egyptian fortress. There are good views from the top of the fort and at its foot you’ll see the ruins of the old Imperial Palace, destroyed in 1977. Alternatively feel free to spend your day exploring Asmara or chilling out by the hotel swimming pool. (B L D) 

Monday 11th October 

Back on the Mountain 

We start with a visit to the locomotive depot and workshops at Asmara. Construction of the railway started in 1888 by the Italians to link the capital with coastal Massawa. Totally destroyed during 30 years of war, it has now been fully restored with the last parts of the track finished in early 2003. The line has 29 stone bridges, two metal ones and 39 tunnels. One of the little Breda tank locomotives will be available for shunting and light duties. We will have lunch at a restaurant in Asmara followed by a run down the mountain behind a Mallet locomotive on our chartered train. We will travel as far as Arbaroba and – if we’re lucky – beyond, after which the Mallet tank runs around our train for the return journey.
As we climb back up towards Asmara the afternoon sunlight should give us spectacular photo opportunities against a mountain backdrop. We hope to use our road coach to photograph the train as it grinds its way through the panoramic scenery. (B L D) 

Tuesday 12th October 

The Fiat Railcar 

Today an ancient Fiat Littorina railcar will make the journey from Asmara to Nefesit. There will also be a steam train if you prefer it, which will also take us back to Asmara. Again there will be lots of opportunities to take pictures of the trains and the spectacular scenery. (B L D) 

Wednesday 13th October 

Fly to Cairo/London 

We have an early morning departure for London via Cairo. (B L)

Cairo Extension
 

Wednesday 13th October 

To Cairo 

From Cairo Airport we transfer to the Cairo Sheraton Hotel, located on the Nile, for three nights. We take a local tram through the streets of Cairo to the railway station which also houses the Egyptian Railway Museum. After lunch in the city our private coach will take us to the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar for some shopping, before returning to our hotel for dinner. (B L D)

Thursday 14th October 

The Pyramids 

We have arranged a private tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza and their steadfast and enigmatic guardian, the Sphinx. After lunch we tour the Egyptian Museum to see the golden treasures of Tutankhamun and other amazing exhibits of ancient Egypt. We have dinner at our hotel. (B L D) 

Friday 15th October 

Alexandria 

After breakfast we transfer to the main station for a mid morning express train to Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest city and its major seaport. It takes just over two hours on surprisingly comfortable trains. In Alexandria we will have lunch and sample the city’s old trams, with fares less than 3p a trip! We return to Cairo and have dinner on the Nile, with an Egyptian show including belly dancing. (B L D) 

Saturday 16th October 

Return to UK 

We transfer to the airport for our return to Heathrow.

Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner