Our Eritrea Monasteries Tour is a private, fully guided journey through Asmara, Debre Bizen, Debre Sina, Keren, led by our own local guides.
Eritrea Monasteries Tour — overview
Eritrea keeps one of the oldest living Christian traditions on Earth. This five-day Eritrea monasteries tour combines the clifftop community of Debre Bizen with the 4th-century church of Debre Sina, the baobab shrine of Mariam Dearit in Keren and the Art Deco streets of Asmara - a rare, moving window into a faith woven into daily life, set against the dramatic scenery of the highlands.
Eritrea keeps one of the oldest living Christian traditions on Earth, and this is a journey into its sacred heart. Over five days, this Eritrea monasteries tour takes you from the Art Deco capital to clifftop communities of monks who still chant a 4th-century liturgy among ancient manuscripts and incense.
You hike to Debre Bizen above the clouds, visit Debre Sina - founded in the 4th century and among the oldest churches in the world - and travel to Keren for the baobab shrine of Mariam Dearit, where Christians and Muslims share a famous pilgrimage. It is a rare, moving window into a faith woven into everyday life.
With an expert local guide, all permits and transfers, and comfortable highland hotels, this pilgrimage suits travellers drawn to history, spirituality and the dramatic scenery of the Eritrean highlands.
Before you travel, read our Eritrea travel guide for visas, the best time to go and everything you need to know.
Eritrea Monasteries Tour highlights
- Debre Bizen Monastery hike
- Ancient Orthodox churches
- Nefasit highland scenery
- Monastic library manuscripts
- Coffee ceremony with priests
- Panoramic escarpment views
Why book this Eritrea Monasteries Tour with Adulis Travel
Adulis Travel is an Eritrean-owned operator based in Asmara, so every Eritrea Monasteries Tour is led by local guides who know the region first-hand. We keep groups small, arrange the visas, travel permits and logistics, and stay with you from arrival to departure.
Eritrea Monasteries Tour itinerary, day by day
Arrival – Asmara
Arrive in cool, high-altitude Asmara and settle into the highland capital. Take a gentle orientation walk along palm-lined Harnet Avenue, visit the Enda Mariam Orthodox Cathedral, and learn how Christianity here reaches back to the 4th century - among the oldest in the world. Over a first traditional coffee ceremony, your guide sets the scene for the pilgrimage ahead.
Overnight: Bologna Hotel, Asmara · Meals: Breakfast
Asmara → Nefasit → Debre Bizen → Asmara
Drive down the escarpment to Nefasit, then hike around two hours up to Debre Bizen, perched at some 2,400 m above the clouds - the best-known monastery of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, founded in the 14th century. Its monks guard around 1,000 ancient manuscripts, including illuminated parchments and a remarkable 14th-century Bible. By tradition the monastery is open to men only; female travellers enjoy the spectacular highland views and villages below. Return to Asmara for the night.
Overnight: Bologna Hotel, Asmara · Meals: Breakfast
Asmara → Debre Sina → Keren
Drive north out of Asmara through the Anseba highlands, past the citrus groves and dairy herds of the Elabered estate, first planted by Italian settlers in 1908. Eighteen kilometres beyond it, eighty-three from the capital, a steep track climbs to Debre Sina, founded by Abba Salama in the 4th century and counted among the oldest monasteries on earth. The last kilometre is walked. Its inner church is cut from the living rock, and some sixty priests and nuns still keep the cave dwellings on the hillside. Unlike Debre Bizen yesterday, Debre Sina is open to women as well as men. Carry on north to Keren for the night.
Overnight: Sarina Hotel, Keren · Meals: Breakfast
Keren → Asmara
A morning in Keren, capital of the Anseba region, where highland and lowland peoples have met and traded for generations. Two kilometres out of town stands Mariam Dearit, a statue of the Madonna set in the hollow trunk of a baobab more than five hundred years old, where Christians and Muslims gather in their thousands every 29 May. In town, climb the nineteenth-century Egyptian fort of Tigu for the view over the valley, see the Italian railway station of the 1920s, and stand at the Commonwealth cemetery holding 440 graves from the 1941 battle for Keren. On a Monday the camel market runs, as it has since the late 1800s. Drive the ninety kilometres back to Asmara in the afternoon.
Overnight: Bologna Hotel, Asmara · Meals: Breakfast
Departure – Asmara
After breakfast, transfer to Asmara International Airport for your onward flight, carrying the chant, incense and mountain silence of Eritrea's living monasteries with you.
Meals: Breakfast
Where you will stay
- Bologna Hotel, Asmara — A characterful hotel in the highland capital, ideally placed for exploring Asmara's art deco streets, cafes and UNESCO-listed architecture.
What is included
- All transfers to/from airport & hotel
- 4 nights hotel accommodation
- Breakfast each day
- English-speaking guide
- Local taxes and entrance fees
- Travel permit fees
What is not included
- International flights and entry visa
- Lunch and dinner
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending and optional tours
- Any services not listed above
Optional extensions
Upgrade your lodge
Step up to a premium tented camp or boutique lodge for the ultimate in comfort and seclusion.
Private photographic guide
A dedicated photography guide to help you capture the light, the wildlife and the architecture at their best.
Bush breakfast or sunset dinner
A private meal set up in a spectacular spot: sunrise on the plains, or sundown beside the sea.
Extra nights on the coast
Extend your journey with relaxed days on the Red Sea or Indian Ocean before flying home.
Scenic charter
Add a light-aircraft or boat charter for a memorable new perspective on the landscape.
Cultural add-on
A guided visit to a local community, market or craft workshop, arranged with care and respect.
Practical travel information for Eritrea
Essential Travel Information: Sacred Monasteries & Pilgrimages
Planning a trip to Eritrea is exciting, but smart preparation makes all the difference. Below is everything experienced travellers wish they knew before flying to Eritrea, followed by answers to the questions we are asked most often.
Is Eritrea Safe to Visit?
Eritrea has a well-earned reputation as one of Africa's safest and calmest destinations. Asmara is famously walkable, clean and low-crime, day or night.
The real challenge for visitors is paperwork (visas and travel permits) rather than security. Everything on this tour is arranged and accompanied by a licensed local guide.
Travel Permits: Required Outside Asmara
This is the single most important practical point for visitors to Eritrea: any travel beyond 25 km from Asmara city centre requires a government-issued travel permit. This includes Keren, Massawa and every destination outside the capital.
Permits must be applied for in advance and specify the exact destinations, dates, vehicle and licensed guide.
When you book this tour with us, we arrange all travel permits on your behalf, one of the key advantages of using a licensed local operator instead of travelling independently.
Visa for Eritrea
Most nationalities can get a tourist visa on arrival in Asmara for around USD 70; some nationalities instead need to obtain one in advance from an Eritrean embassy or consulate.
Tourist visas are usually valid for 30 days.
We can issue a visa support / invitation letter for guests who have booked a tour. Ask us when you book.
Money & Currency: No ATMs in Eritrea
There are no ATMs in Eritrea. Zero. None.
You must bring all the cash you will need for your entire stay.
Bring EUR or USD, both accepted.
Critical rule for USD: Only clean, new banknotes printed after 2016 are accepted. No rips, no marks, no old series.
Best Time to Visit Eritrea
The optimal time to visit Eritrea is October to April.
Highlands (Asmara, Keren): spring-like temperatures of 18–25°C and green landscapes after the rains.
Coast (Massawa): hot year-round, but most comfortable October–February.
Avoid July–August, when the highlands receive heavy rain and the coast becomes extremely hot. Keren's Monday camel market runs year-round.
Flights to Asmara (the only international airport)
You will fly into Asmara International Airport (ASM). These airlines operate direct flights:
Flydubai, from Dubai (DXB)
Flynas, from Jeddah (JED)
EgyptAir, from Cairo (CAI)
Turkish Airlines, from Istanbul (IST)
Tarco Air, from Port Sudan (PZU)
⚠️ Baggage delay alert: Luggage delays are common. Always keep medication, a swimsuit, a change of clothes, and your camera in your carry-on bag.
Vaccinations & Health
Visit a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure. Recommended vaccinations often include:
Hepatitis A & B
Yellow fever (if traveling from an endemic country)
Malaria is present in some lowland and coastal areas. Ask your doctor about prophylactics if your itinerary includes the Red Sea coast or Dahlak region.
Bring any personal medication with you. Pharmacy supplies outside Asmara are limited.
Travel Insurance: Non-negotiable
You are responsible for your own travel insurance. We strongly recommend a policy that covers:
Emergency medical evacuation (remote areas have limited facilities)
Trip cancellation
Baggage delay
Check SafetyWing for digital-nomad-friendly plans.
What to Pack for Eritrea
Eritrea spans cool highlands and a hot Red Sea coast, so pack for both:
Highlands (Asmara, Keren): light layers. Evenings can be cool at 2,300 m. Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses are essential.
Coast (Massawa): lightweight, breathable clothing; modest dress near mosques and markets; swimwear for Green Island.
Health kit: personal medication, oral rehydration salts, basic first aid.
Documents: passport (valid 6+ months), visa, printed flight confirmations, and all your cash in USD/EUR.
Food & Drink in Eritrea
Eritrean cuisine is a highlight in itself.
Injera (sourdough teff flatbread) served with zigni (spiced beef stew) and tsebhi birsen (lentil stew) is the national staple.
Asmara's Italian heritage means excellent pasta and the famous macchiato coffee culture.
The traditional coffee ceremony (roasted, brewed and served in three rounds) is a must.
On the coast, Massawa is known for fresh grilled Red Sea seafood.
Language & Communication
English is widely spoken in hotels and by tour operators. The official working languages are:
Tigrinya
Arabic
English (plus some Italian in Asmara)
Your guide handles all local communication throughout the tour.
Connectivity, SIM Cards & Internet
Internet in Eritrea is slow and often unreliable, especially outside Asmara.
Mobile data and public Wi-Fi are very limited; do not rely on being constantly online.
Download offline maps, documents and entertainment before you arrive, and let family know you may be offline for stretches.
Tipping & Etiquette
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. A discretionary tip for your guide and driver at the end of the tour is customary if you are happy with the service.
Dress modestly at religious sites and markets, and always ask before photographing people.
Electricity & Water
Electricity: 230V, European-style plugs (Type C & F). Power cuts happen. Bring a power bank.
Water: drink only bottled or boiled water.
How do I pay for the tour?
We require a 10% deposit to confirm your booking. Pay via bank transfer in USD or EURO. We will send you an invoice with all banking details. The remaining balance is paid in cash upon arrival in Asmara (USD or EUR preferred). You may also prepay 100% via bank transfer if you prefer.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
If Adulis Travel fails to deliver a service listed in the itinerary (excluding force majeure, weather delays, flight cancellations, road conditions, or government travel permit denial), we will refund the cost of that specific service. No refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or voluntary changes made by the traveller.
Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions of Adulistravel.com form the basis of the agreement when you book a trip with Adulistravel.com. Therefore, we kindly ask you to carefully review the Adulistravel.com terms and conditions.
Eritrea Monasteries Tour — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions travellers ask us most before booking this tour.
Can I travel to Eritrea independently?
Yes, within Asmara. For Keren and Massawa you need travel permits, which require a licensed local operator. Most independent travellers find the cost worth it for the time and stress it saves.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Yes. Departures are confirmed with a minimum of one guest. A single-room supplement applies if you want your own room, or we can pair you with another solo traveller to reduce the cost. Just let us know.
Can we customise the itinerary?
Yes. This is our most popular fixed tour, but we also build bespoke itineraries: longer stays, different combinations, and add-ons to the Dahlak Islands, the Danakil Depression, or archaeological sites. Contact us with your interests.
What if the Keren permit is denied?
It happens only rarely. When it does, we immediately arrange an alternative day of equivalent quality, usually extended Asmara exploration, a drive to Filfil, or a scenic highland excursion. We contact you before departure if there is any risk for your dates.
Is the Monday Camel Market guaranteed?
We design the Keren day to fall on a Monday wherever possible. Confirm this with us when booking. The market runs throughout the week regardless, and camels are a common sight in Keren's streets every day.
Can vegetarians and vegans eat well in Eritrea?
Very well. Eritrean food is naturally plant-friendly: lentil stew, fava beans, salads and injera are all excellent. Tell us your requirements when booking and we brief your guide and restaurants in advance.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?
Only if you are arriving from a country on the WHO yellow fever endemic list. It is not required for most European, North American or Asian travellers, but is still recommended as a general health measure. Always carry your yellow vaccination card.
Is Eritrea safe for LGBTQ+ travellers?
Same-sex relationships are illegal under Eritrean law, so LGBTQ+ travellers should exercise significant discretion and avoid public displays of affection. Please check your government's current travel advice before booking.
Can I extend the tour to include the Dahlak Islands or the Danakil Depression?
Yes, both are possible as add-ons or as part of a longer custom tour. Dahlak adds 1–2 days from Massawa; the Danakil needs 3–4 extra days. Contact us for details and pricing.
Useful resources
For background before you join the Eritrea Monasteries Tour, these external sources are worth a read:
Explore more of the Horn of Africa
Ready to join our Eritrea Monasteries Tour? Places on this private journey are strictly limited, so early booking is essential. Contact Adulis Travel to reserve your place or to tailor the itinerary around your dates.
