18421 E. Nine Mile Rd. Eastpointe, MI 48021
PH: 586 775 9550
FAX: 586 775 9556
Horn of Africa
Eritrea, Somaliland, Djibouti &
Eastern Ethiopia
January 5-21, 2018
Escorted by lecturer Emily O’Dell
This tour is Shangri-la for those who dare to break the mold of
conventional travel. This is the road less travelled, and virgin
territory for explorers.
Eritrea is a state on the southern shores of the Red Sea whose
history dates back to the Stone Age. Following a succession of
wars with Ethiopia that spanned a thirty-year period, Eritreans
under a United Nations’ supervised referendum voted for
independence in 1991 and gained international recognition in
1993. Asmara, the capital, proudly displays a shining collection
of Art Deco and other architectural wonders. Massawa, a port
city on the Red Sea, was heavily influenced by the Turks and
Europeans. This coastal city is the starting point for visits to the
Dahlak Islands, one of the most unspoiled and least known reefs
in the Red Sea. Eritrea's nine colorful ethnic groups are diverse
and individual, and are a major highlight.
Somaliland should not be confused with Somalia. Westerners
are welcome there... Somaliland is home to what is often
considered to be one of the most interesting attractions in the
Horn of Africa, the Laas Geel cave paintings. Untouched for
nearly 10,000 years until discovered by a French archaeological
team in November 2002, Laas Geel cave paintings have become a
major tourist attraction and a national treasure. Somaliland
boasts many natural attractions including mountains, mangrove
marshes and pristine beaches as well as opportunities for cultural
interaction in its colorful markets.
Djibouti draws few tourists thanks to its reputation for being the
hottest place in Africa (probably true) and being ridiculously
overpriced (also probably true). However, with vistas that will
take your breath away, and a culture caught half way between
20th century France and modern Africa, the smallest country in
the region is most definitely worth a visit. Despite the tensions
that at least two of these neighbors often display, it remains
somewhat removed from the hostility. Thanks largely to it being
located at the entrance of the Red Sea. Djibouti has found itself in
the enviable position of being a strategically important point with
both global industry and the military. The country itself, outside
of Djibouti City the capital of the Republic of Djibouti, is largely
composed of volcanic wasteland an apocalyptic looking terrain of
naturally-formed chimneys and beautiful lakes.
Many of you may have joined us on the Ethiopia tours in the past
years, but most likely you have not visited this gem of a city.
Harar, a well preserved walled city that stands to the east of the
Great Rift Valley. It was founded between the 7th and the 11th
centuries and emerged as the center of Islamic culture and
religion in the Horn of Africa; it also served for a long time as an
important trading center. Harar was a fiercely religious city and
was closed to visitors until 1887 when King Menelik restored
central rule. With its 99 mosques, including the 16th century
Grand Mosque with is beautiful twin towers and slender
minaret, it is considered to be the fourth most holy city in Islam
after Mecca, Medina, and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.
Besides its many mosques, Harar is also home to 102 shrines and
a very vibrant market place, regarded as one of the most colorful
in all of Ethiopia. The surrounding Ahmar Mountains are where
Ethiopia's best coffee is produced.
Ihab Zaki
Managing Director, Spiekermann Travel
Tuesday, Jan 09
Friday, Jan 05
This morning enjoy a walking tour in the old city of
Massawa. An amazing eerie city, destroyed completely
by the Ethiopian army in 1990, the town has an amazing
feeling walking around its crumbling old buildings,
palaces, mosques, Ottoman mansions, Italian villas and
market place. Walk along the famous port and after
lunch visit the nomadic tribe of Al-Rashaydeh before
heading on the mountain road towards Asmara, passing
through many picturesque villages, railroad tracks,
Italian bridges and stop to admire the baboons before
arriving to Asmara for dinner (B,L,D)
Depart USA
Depart your hometown for Asmara, Eritrea via Cairo,
Egypt arriving the following day.
Saturday, Jan 06
Arrive Asmara (Eritrea)
If using Egyptair from JFK, you will have a full day in
Cairo before your late night connection to Asmara then
transfer to hotel for overnight. (B)
Sunday, Jan 07
Asmara to Keren
Arrive very early morning in Asmara (if Egyptair) and
transfer to your hotel to rest and have breakfast, in the
late morning head out for a short orientation tour of
Asmara, the city known as the Piccola Roma (little
Rome). Admire its aesthetically inspiring collection of
Art Deco architectural wonders and other styles
portrayed in many of its buildings. After lunch depart to
the town of Keren in the north, transfer to your hotel for
check in, dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Monday, Jan 08
Keren to Massawa
This morning you enjoy visiting the open air market of
Keren, which only takes place one a week, shop for
baskets, and pottery. It is a photographer’s delight with
all the colors and excitements. View the camel and
livestock market as well then visit the Shrine in the
Baobab tree where we have a picnic lunch before
departing to the city of Massawa across some of the
most picturesque roads and mountain paths of the
country and through the town of Filfil-Salamona. Have
dinner and overnight at your hotel in Massawa. (B,L,D)
Massawa
Today you start by a visit to the ancient port of Adulis
that had links to the Egyptian, Greek and Roman
Empires. You will also visit the Gulf of Zula, the
birthplace of the Great Rift Valley on the African
continent. Then after lunch, head by small local boat to
one of the many islands for some time to enjoy the ride
and have some snorkeling to the beautiful unspoiled
reefs and upon return to Massawa, dinner. (B,L,D)
Wednesday, Jan 10
Thursday, Jan 11
Massawa - Asmara
Asmara
Spend the full day in Asmara exploring the local
attractions. The Catholic Cathedral is a top rated
attraction in the city. This cathedral of Asmara was built
in the year 1922. The Lombard-Romanesque style of the
building is simply amazing. It is a tall Gothic bell tower
that is visited by many people from abroad. The Nda
Mariam Coptic Cathedral and the Al Khulafa Al
Rashiudin Mosque are also ideal places of visit, which is
located on Peace Street. It was built in 1938. The blocks
of dark stone arranged in various geometrical patterns
in front of the mosque is simply beauty. The Synagogue
of Asmara built in 1906 is another important place of the
city. Other places of attractions are St. Michaels
Orthodox Church and the old market. Gibi is one of the
significant public buildings. Built in 1897 as the former
palace of the government, it was the seat of the first
Italian governor of Eritrea. Eritrea's White House which
is the office of the President is also very beautiful. The
Denden Club which stands next to the president’s office
is a remarkable place. Then visit the Old Post Office, and
the Italian Opera House and after lunch visit to the
small but rich Museum of Antiquities of Asmara where
a vast collection of the various finds and relics from the
entire country are stored and studied (if opened by then
as it is undergoing restoration works). (B,L,D)
Friday, Jan 12
(Ethiopia)
Asmara–Cairo-Addis
Very early morning transfer to airport and flight to
Cairo. Another full day in Cairo for optional activities or
touring, otherwise relax at your hotel. Late evening
transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. (B)
Saturday, Jan 13
Addis to Djibouti
Arrive early morning arrival in Addis Ababa and spend
the day in a city tour visiting the highlights of Addis.
Begin with a stop at the National Archeological
Museum to see some interesting collections including
Lucy. You will also visit Ethnographic Museum which is
also known as “Institute of Ethiopian studies“with the
palace of Haileselassie in the University of Addis Ababa
before transferring to the airport for your flight to
Djibouti (B,L,D)
Sunday, Jan 14
Djibouti City
Start your tour of the capital that includes the colorful
market, the railway station and the main port. Have
some free time before dinner in one of the restaurants in
town that specializes in seafood. Return to the hotel for
your overnight. (B,L,D)
Monday, Jan 15
Lake Abbe (190km)
Drive southwest to Lake Abbe, on the border between
Djibouti and Ethiopia. The Awash River in Ethiopia
crosses the Great Rift Valley and flows for a total
distance of 1,200kms to the lake. This area is home to
many species of water birds including the Greater and
Lesser Flamingoes. There are also hot springs and
strange lava chimney formations to be seen. Overnight
at a simple Afar house type lodge. (B,L,D)
Tuesday, Jan 16
Tadjourah (250km)
Head north to Tadjourah by way of the salt lake Assal
and the new fissure, an extension of the Rift Valley.
Continue to Tadjourah, a 12th century historic capital
and spend some time sightseeing before heading to
Sable Blanc Beach for a little down time. Have dinner
and overnight in a resort near the Red Sea. (B,L,D)
Wednesday, Jan 17
Lake Assal to
Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Depart after breakfast for Lac Assal (the lowest spot in
Africa). Stop on the way to see the volcano. The last big
eruption in Djibouti occurred in November 1978, when
Ardoukoba, which translates to “flooding” in Afar,
lived up to its name. At this time, there are no active
volcanoes in Djibouti, but the Danakil depression is
divided between Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Eritrea and the
volcano Erta Ale in Ethiopia is still active. Near the lake,
stop once again in Korilli to see the hot springs before
visiting Lac Assal (Bahr al Assal in Arabic, which means
the sea of honey). Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way.
Tour the area around the lake before heading to Dire
Dawa crossing the border and transfer to Samrat hotel for
check in, dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Thursday, Jan 18
Dire Dawa to Harar
Depart to Harar and explore the walled city of Harar
with the Christian and Muslim markets, the former
residence of the French author Arthur Rimbaud and the
Harari Museum that depicts the interior architecture
and decoration of the homes of the Harari people. You
will also have the chance to visit the hyena-feeding man
in the evening. Transfer to Heritage Plaza hotel for
check in, dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
Friday, Jan 19
Harar to Hergeisa,
Somaliland
After breakfast, drive to Hargeisa in Somaliland, via
some very interesting countryside where you will see
the locals growing coffee and Quat (chat).
Upon arrival at the border, you will obtain your visa for
Somaliland (the land of Punt to the ancient Egyptians).
After formalities, you will be transferred to Maan Soor
Hotel or similar for check in, dinner and overnight.
(B,L,D)
Saturday Jan 20
Somaliland to
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
Depart with a picnic lunch for a day tour to the amazing
Neolithic rock paintings at Laas Geel that are more than
5000 years old. Here you will see paintings of giraffe,
dogs and antelopes. There are also images of cattle in
ceremonial garb being worshipped by men who appear
to be bowing before them. After lunch drive back to
Hargeisa for your flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in
Addis, you will either catch your International flight to
return home or transferred to the hotel for overnight.
(B,L)
Sunday, Jan 21
Addis to USA
Depart Addis either on the very early flight to Cairo to
connect to JFK or on other carriers back to USA, arriving
the same day.
“Itinerary, hotel, flight arrangements as well as local guides
are subject to change with best available alternatives if
necessitated and program sequence is also subject to
alteration and reshuffling if needed due to any unforeseen
conditions that may arise“
Trip Grade:
III Challenging – Parts of the trip are physically
challenging, involve hiking on rough terrain or in
sand or at high altitudes. There may be very long
drives on rough roads (really rough especially in
Eritrea); weather conditions with high heat or
humidity, presence of insects. You may have simple
picnic lunches, primitive bathroom facilities along the
road and remoteness from modern towns or cities
plus services in Eritrea are very often slow.
Lodging Level:
 Simple – One or more properties on the trip are
very basic, and primitive, with shared bathroom
facilities (1 or 2 stars)
 Superior: Lodges & hotels with additional
amenities, refined service and comfort level acceptable
to western standards. (3 or 4 stars)
About your lecturer... Dr. Emily O’Dell
is a true adventurer in every sense of the word. A
globetrotting professor, polymath, and polyglot, she is currently teaching cultural studies, literature, creative
writing, and postcolonial theory at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman. Previously, she taught at Harvard
University, Columbia University, American University of Beirut and Brown University. Emily regularly leads tours
around the world, and her travel-related writing has appeared in The New York Times, NY Times
Magazine/International Herald Tribune, Salon, Christian Science Monitor, NPR, and Huffington Post. She has
conducted in-country research on Islam, politics and cultural heritage in Afghanistan, Iran, and all of Central Asia.
From preserving Sufi shrines on the Silk Road to excavating medieval Islamic archaeology in Turkmenistan, Emily
is the perfect travel guide to explain both the history of the region and contemporary political events. For
her regional expertise on Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Islam, Emily has been an Edward A. Hewett Policy Fellow,
a Fulbright-Hays Fellow, a Harvard Traveling Fellow, an American Councils Research Fellow, an IREX Fellow, and a
State Department Critical Languages Fellow for Persian and Tajiki. She received her BA, MFA, MA and PhD from Brown, and an additional
Masters in Central Asian Studies from Columbia. She completed her Post-doctoral Fellowship at Harvard. For her ability to communicate
her far-reaching expertise she received a teaching award from Harvard. She is very passionate about sharing her love and knowledge of the
region with fellow adventurous travelers on any trip along the Silk Road or the Trans-Caucasus region.
Tour cost (Land ONLY): $9,295.00 per person
(Sharing in double occupancy)
Single room Supplement: $1,200.00
Price based on group size minimum of 4 participants
and maximum of 10 participants
Trip Grade: III
Lodging Level:  - 
Price does not include
Price includes
 All transfers and ground transportation (A/C coaster bus,
English speaking drivers, 4 x 4 vehicles on some portions
of the tour –not necessarily A/C equipped).
 Accommodations in a mix of Tourist class (3*) and first
class (4*) or best available hotels outside of major cities
(some are as low as simple 2* hotels).
 Flights Asmara/Cairo/Addis as well as Addis/Djibouti &
Hargeisa/Addis.
 All meals; and bottled mineral water daily on tours
 All entrance fees as per the program.
 Day use room at hotel (+ transfers) in Cairo.
 English speaking guides in each country.
 Government taxes on all included services.
 Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel and restaurant
staff.
 Roundtrip International air into Asmara and out of
Addis.
 Visas, currently costing: Ethiopia ($70); Egypt
($30.00), Somaliland ($74) as well as Eritrea ($160) and
Djibouti ($160) (all must be obtained from DC
consulates).
 Any required additional dayroom or hotel overnights
if necessary due to airline schedule changes.
 Items of personal nature: beverages, laundry, phone
calls, email, souvenirs, camera fees at sites, etc.
 Any tours in Cairo between flights.
 Travel insurance (highly recommended).
Special tour remarks:
These countries are primitive and not touristy (aside from Ethiopia, though the Eastern frontier where you will go is also rather backward).
Many of the services are missing a lot to be desired. Therefore, some meals may be simple; food may be very slow coming, some hotels are
quite basic and you will encounter issues like electric outage or lack of hot water or poor internet service. And one camp in Djibouti is
primitive with shared bathroom facilities (for one night). Some roads are in need of repaving, some sites can be closed without prior
notification. These drawbacks require a sense of tolerance, acceptance, and visitors are reminded that they are pioneering in unchartered
terrain and this is the real attraction of these destinations. Also the internal flights are unpredictable and could be cancelled at the last minute
or rescheduled and thus require flexibility and humor. In this trip you have a bonus of spending a possible day in Cairo between
connections; we can assist with any services in either city. This journey is an adventure for those prepared to accept some uncertainties as
well as gain the rewards of travel to a region where Americans are seldom seen. If for any reasons we need to alter the itinerary, we will do
our best to make the most reasonable substitutions but any additional expenses, the travelers will be responsible to pay them. The trip also
requires participants to be in fit physical conditions and be able to walk and climb and endure sightseeing in the heat (usually between upper
80’s to mid 90’s at day time). By joining this tour, you fully accept the conditions explained above and agree to abide by the spirit of
adventure and pleasantness throughout the tour.
18421 E. Nine Mile Rd. Eastpointe, MI 48021
Ph: 800-645-3233 / 586-775-9550  Fax: 586-775-9556  www.mideasttrvl.com  Email:[email protected]