Celebrate Timket in Eritrea: A Small-Group Cultural Journey

Itinerary

Sunday 17 January 2027 – Arrival in Asmara, Eritrea

Arrive at Asmara International Airport and be welcomed by our local guide before transferring to our central hotel in the heart of Asmara, Eritrea’s beautifully preserved Art Deco capital. Asmara sits on a high plateau at 2,325 metres, offering crisp mountain air and panoramic views over the surrounding highlands.

After a long journey, take time to relax or enjoy a stroll through the quiet, palm-lined avenues. The city is renowned for its extraordinary Italian modernist architecture, charming cafés serving freshly roasted Eritrean coffee, and atmospheric neighbourhoods that have remained largely unchanged since the 1930s. This first evening offers an ideal introduction to Eritrea’s cultural blend of African traditions, Italian influence and warm local hospitality. 

At 17:00 you’ll meet your fellow group members for a short introduction before we’ll go for dinner. 

Overnight stay in Asmara. 

Monday 18 January 2027 – Art Deco Architecture & Cultural Heritage Tour in Asmara

We begin our morning with a walking tour of Asmara’s UNESCO-listed Art Deco district, one of the most architecturally significant urban landscapes in Africa. See the iconic Fiat Tagliero Building, a futuristic 1938 petrol station designed to resemble an aeroplane with 30-metre cantilevered wings. Continue to the Asmara Cathedral, a Lombard-Romanesque landmark dominating the city centre, and the Nda Mariam Coptic Church, famous for its mosaics and unique blend of Eritrean and Italian religious styles.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Tank Graveyard, where hundreds of armoured vehicles, Soviet tanks and military equipment lie abandoned, a powerful reminder of Eritrea’s long independence struggle. Nearby, the Italian Cemetery reflects the deep colonial legacy that continues to shape the city’s character.

Highlight: At the end of the day we will join the locals gathering for the Timket preparations, filling the streets with chanting, the smell of incense and the start of the spiritual celebration.

Overnight stay in Asmara. 

Tuesday 19 January 2027 – Timket Festival in Asmara

Highlight: Today you witness Timket, Eritrea’s Epiphany celebration and one of the country’s most important Orthodox Christian festivals. The celebration commemorates the Baptism of Christ, and in Asmara it transforms the capital into a vibrant display of spiritual devotion. Priests dressed in embroidered robes carry sacred Tabots (replicas of the Ark of the Covenant) through the streets while choirs chant ancient hymns. Thousands gather to receive blessings as holy water is sprinkled over the crowds.
This authentic cultural experience offers a unique insight into Eritrean spiritual life. The colourful umbrellas, incense smoke, rhythmic drumming and joyful atmosphere create a celebration unlike anywhere else in East Africa.

Overnight stay in Asmara. 

Wednesday 20 January 2027 – Scenic Highland Journey to Keren

Today our group will embark on a scenic drive north from Asmara through the picturesque Anseba Region towards Keren, Eritrea’s second-largest city. The journey offers dramatic views of terraced highlands, mountain passes and rural villages that show a unique look into traditional Eritrean life.

Highlight: Visit the revered St. Mary of Da’arit Shrine, a pilgrimage site where a statue of the Virgin Mary is housed inside a centuries-old baobab tree. Thousands of Eritrean pilgrims visit this holy site annually, particularly during local feast days.

Continue to the peaceful Italian War Cemetery, one of the most significant World War II sites in East Africa. The marked gravestones and well-kept grounds commemorate the soldiers who fought in the 1941 Battle of Keren, one of the most decisive moments in the region’s wartime history.

Return to Asmara in the afternoon.

Overnight stay in Asmara. 

Thursday 21 January 2027 – Red Sea Coastal Exploration in Historic Massawa

After breakfast we will depart the highlands and descend nearly 2,400 metres along one of Eritrea’s most scenic roads to reach Massawa, a historic port city on the Red Sea. The landscape shifts dramatically from cool mountain air to warm coastal breezes, passing through small towns and desert-like lowlands.

Highlight: Discover Old Massawa, a unique blend of Ottoman, Egyptian and Italian architecture. Wander through coral-stone buildings, narrow alleyways and atmospheric waterfronts that speak to centuries of maritime trade. As the former capital of Italian Eritrea, Massawa once served as a bustling gateway between Africa and the Middle East.
Learn about the city’s role in Eritrea’s independence struggle and how many buildings still show the scars of past conflicts. 

Overnight stay in Massawa.

Friday 22 January 2027 – Green Island Boat Trip & Return to Asmara for Departure

Highlight: Begin the day with a relaxing boat trip to Green Island, located just 5 kilometres off the coast of Massawa. Known for its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, this small island is a perfect place to unwind, swim or enjoy a leisurely coastal walk. Its coral-rich shoreline makes it one of Eritrea’s most scenic natural escapes.

After returning to Massawa, we begin the climb back into the highlands towards Asmara, stopping for panoramic viewpoints along the way. Upon arrival in Asmara, transfer to the airport for your international departure, concluding your unforgettable Eritrea Timket Festival journey.

End of tour.