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Eritrea🇪🇷 | landmarksQohaitoSafira rock-cut reservoir, Adi Alauti paintings, rift escarpment edge, Aksumite tombs | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Qohaito
👍 Recommendedunique site ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The Safira dam at Qohaito is a rock-cut reservoir, still holding water, and you reach it by walking a short way from the ruins along the plateau edge. Qohaito sits in the south of Eritrea, roughly east of Adi Keyih and above the Red Sea escarpment, at about 2,700 meters. The ruins themselves are modest: scattered foundations, a few standing pillars, tombs cut into the rock. Do not come expecting Axum. The real draw is the setting, a high, windswept plateau that ends in a sheer drop of nearly 600 meters into the Rift Valley, and the rock paintings at Adi Alauti, which deserve the walk. Facilities are minimal and visitors are few, which suits the place. A first day could begin with the Safira dam and the ruins in the morning, then the Adi Alauti paintings, and end at the escarpment edge at dusk.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 unique site in EritreaWhy visitors keep coming back

Qohaito rewards the backpacker who wants ancient ruins with nobody else around. Where Eritrea's better-known archaeological sites draw a trickle of visitors, the plateau often has none, and you will probably share the Mai Sufra Safira dam with grazing goats rather than tour groups. The ruins are a settlement that once sat on trade routes linking the highlands to the port of Adulis, which gives the place context well beyond its modest stones.

The second reason is the landscape. The escarpment edge drops away into the Great Rift Valley, and the view on a clear day runs toward the Danakil lowlands. Few places in the country let you stand at 2,700 meters and look straight down into that heat. It also fits a southern loop neatly, combined with the old Italian-era towns of the region and the monastery … read more 👉
Qohaito rewards the backpacker who wants ancient ruins with nobody else around. Where Eritrea's better-known archaeological sites draw a trickle of visitors, the plateau often has none, and you will probably share the Mai Sufra Safira dam with grazing goats rather than tour groups. The ruins are a settlement that once sat on trade routes linking the highlands to the port of Adulis, which gives the place context well beyond its modest stones.

The second reason is the landscape. The escarpment edge drops away into the Great Rift Valley, and the view on a clear day runs toward the Danakil lowlands. Few places in the country let you stand at 2,700 meters and look straight down into that heat. It also fits a southern loop neatly, combined with the old Italian-era towns of the region and the monastery at Debre Libanos nearby, so the trip builds into a route rather than a detour. Bring layers, since the plateau is cool and exposed.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Safira Dam (Mai Sufra): A large rock-cut reservoir with stone-lined sides, thought to date from the Aksumite era. It is the best-known sight on the plateau and is still used for water.
  2. Adi Alauti rock paintings: Cave and overhang art showing cattle and human figures in ochre and white pigment. They are reached on foot, with a local guide, across rough ground.
  3. The Great Escarpment edge: The plateau ends in a cliff of several hundred meters above the Rift Valley. The view toward the Danakil lowlands is the most dramatic on the site.
  4. Tomb of Gabri-Sessa (Aksumite-era tombs): Rock-cut burial chambers scattered across the plateau, some with carved entrances. Their craftsmanship shows the settlement's importance.
  5. Standing pillars and foundations: Broken columns and the outlines of buildings mark the
… read more 👉
  1. Safira Dam (Mai Sufra): A large rock-cut reservoir with stone-lined sides, thought to date from the Aksumite era. It is the best-known sight on the plateau and is still used for water.
  2. Adi Alauti rock paintings: Cave and overhang art showing cattle and human figures in ochre and white pigment. They are reached on foot, with a local guide, across rough ground.
  3. The Great Escarpment edge: The plateau ends in a cliff of several hundred meters above the Rift Valley. The view toward the Danakil lowlands is the most dramatic on the site.
  4. Tomb of Gabri-Sessa (Aksumite-era tombs): Rock-cut burial chambers scattered across the plateau, some with carved entrances. Their craftsmanship shows the settlement's importance.
  5. Standing pillars and foundations: Broken columns and the outlines of buildings mark the former town. A guide helps make sense of what each ruin was.
  6. Nearby Kohaito village: A small highland settlement with farmers, stone houses and a few simple places to eat or sleep. It gives you a sense of present-day plateau life.
  7. Walks along the plateau: Paths cross open grassland, juniper trees and terraced fields. The air is thin and cool, and the light is clear for photographs.
Qohaito's Safira dam is the one to do first, since it sits close to the main ruins and gives you your bearings on the plateau before you walk to the paintings and cliff edge.
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🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • October to February: Dry, sunny and the most comfortable window for walking the plateau. At about 2,700 meters (8,860 ft), days run 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F) and nights drop to 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F), so bring a real jacket. Daylight lasts roughly 11 to 12 hours.
  • March to May: Warmer and drier, with daytime highs of 22 to 27°C (72 to 81°F). Haze can soften the views from the escarpment edge toward the Red Sea lowlands, and the light is good for photographing the Sabaean-era ruins.
  • June to September: The main rains. Afternoon downpours turn dirt tracks to mud, cloud can swallow the Great Rift-style drop-off, and the Asmara to Adi Keyih road gets slow. Greenery is at its peak and temperatures sit at 15 to 21°C (59 to 70°F).
  • Crowds and prices: Visitors are few in every season. Guide and transport
… read more 👉
  • October to February: Dry, sunny and the most comfortable window for walking the plateau. At about 2,700 meters (8,860 ft), days run 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F) and nights drop to 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F), so bring a real jacket. Daylight lasts roughly 11 to 12 hours.
  • March to May: Warmer and drier, with daytime highs of 22 to 27°C (72 to 81°F). Haze can soften the views from the escarpment edge toward the Red Sea lowlands, and the light is good for photographing the Sabaean-era ruins.
  • June to September: The main rains. Afternoon downpours turn dirt tracks to mud, cloud can swallow the Great Rift-style drop-off, and the Asmara to Adi Keyih road gets slow. Greenery is at its peak and temperatures sit at 15 to 21°C (59 to 70°F).
  • Crowds and prices: Visitors are few in every season. Guide and transport prices stay fairly steady, though 4x4 hire costs more in the wet months when roads are rough.
Aim for October or November, when the fields are freshly harvested and the cliff views are clearest.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: below average for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Adi Keyih is the practical place to sleep, a market town on the main road roughly 40 km from the ruins that has the nearest cluster of simple guesthouses. Rooms there are basic, and you will mostly meet other travelers over meals in tea houses and small restaurants rather than in any organized hostel scene. Expect to arrange a guide or a ride to the plateau from town the evening before, which also gives you a chance to compare notes with whoever else is heading out.

Asmara is the other sensible option, and the one most backpackers choose. It is where you will find the real social atmosphere: … read more 👉
Adi Keyih is the practical place to sleep, a market town on the main road roughly 40 km from the ruins that has the nearest cluster of simple guesthouses. Rooms there are basic, and you will mostly meet other travelers over meals in tea houses and small restaurants rather than in any organized hostel scene. Expect to arrange a guide or a ride to the plateau from town the evening before, which also gives you a chance to compare notes with whoever else is heading out.

Asmara is the other sensible option, and the one most backpackers choose. It is where you will find the real social atmosphere: budget hotels and pensions around the center, cafes where travelers swap route information, and the easiest access to transport and permits. Asmara is also the safest and most comfortable place to base for several days, with Qohaito as a long day out or an overnight add-on.

Within Qohaito itself, accommodation is extremely limited, and camping or staying in a very simple local setup depends on arrangements made in advance with local contacts. Travelers without a tent or permit arrangements are better off sleeping in Adi Keyih or Asmara.
Best hostels in Eritrea


Best quality hotels in Eritrea

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Qohaito costs roughly US$12 to 25 per person per day when you travel independently from Asmara, with the total daily budget below set at US$70.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 25Simple guesthouse rooms in Adi Keyih or budget hotels in Asmara. Rates are higher in peak months.
Accommodation (low season)US$8 to 18Rooms are easier to find in the rainy months, with little haggling needed.
Site access and guideUS$10 to 20A local guide is normally needed, and travel permits are arranged beforehand in Asmara.
TransportUS$20 to 40Shared buses to Adi Keyih cost little, but the final stretch to the plateau usually means hiring a vehicle or a driver.
Food and drinkUS$6 to 10Injera with stew, eggs and tea at local restaurants, plus bottled water.
Total Daily BudgetUS$70Typical
… read more 👉
Qohaito costs roughly US$12 to 25 per person per day when you travel independently from Asmara, with the total daily budget below set at US$70.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$12 to 25Simple guesthouse rooms in Adi Keyih or budget hotels in Asmara. Rates are higher in peak months.
Accommodation (low season)US$8 to 18Rooms are easier to find in the rainy months, with little haggling needed.
Site access and guideUS$10 to 20A local guide is normally needed, and travel permits are arranged beforehand in Asmara.
TransportUS$20 to 40Shared buses to Adi Keyih cost little, but the final stretch to the plateau usually means hiring a vehicle or a driver.
Food and drinkUS$6 to 10Injera with stew, eggs and tea at local restaurants, plus bottled water.
Total Daily BudgetUS$70Typical independent day trip or overnight at the higher end of the ranges.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Qohaito is an ancient highland site in southern Eritrea, thought to be the Sabaean-influenced town of Koloe, set on a plateau about 2,700 meters above sea level. It holds the ruins of a temple, tombs, and the Safira dam, along with rock paintings nearby at Adi Alauti. The plateau edge drops about 1,000 meters toward the Red Sea lowlands, giving a dramatic view, and it lies roughly 120 km south of Asmara.
Qohaito deserves a full day, with a minimum of five to six hours on the plateau to see the ruins, the dam and the cliff-edge views. Reaching it from Asmara and returning takes around three hours each way by road, so most people go out early and come back at night. An overnight stay lets you add the Adi Alauti rock shelters and the walk to the Safira area without rushing.
From Asmara, travel south on the main road to Adi Keyih, a drive of about two to three hours, then continue another 40 km or so on rougher road to Qohaito. Shared buses reach Adi Keyih for a few dollars, but the last leg usually requires a hired 4x4 or driver at roughly US$20 to 40. Travel permits for leaving Asmara must be obtained beforehand, and most travelers go with a guide arranged through a local operator.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Eritrean landmarks near Qohaito

Explore more nearby:

  • Adulis—ancient port ruins, Red Sea coastline, archaeological remains| 51 km away
  • Debre Bizen Monastery—mountain monastery, steep ascents, panoramic views| 62 km away
  • Asmara Cathedral—Italian-era architecture, bell tower, city center landmark| 73 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Qohaito works best as an overnight, not a rushed stop. Stay one night in the village so you can walk to the dam in the morning and reach the escarpment edge before the haze builds. A second night only helps if you want to hike toward Adi Alauti slowly. Bring warm layers for the evening.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Eritrea. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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