LCGB Tour
TOUR 10/09– ERITREA STEAM
Tuesday 20th to Wednesday 28th October 2009

We are pleased to announce details of our sixth tour to Eritrea. The 2008 tour was sold out so early reservation is recommended.

Proposed programme.


Tuesday 20th October – Flights London to Asmara via Cairo using EgyptAir. Early morning arrival transfer to hotel.

Wednesday 21st October – Day free in Asmara.

Thursday 22nd October– Littorina Railcar Asmara to Ghinda, 4-4-2 Mallet Ghinda – Massawa - Overnight Massawa.

Friday 23rd October – 4-4-2 Mallet to Ghinda – return by road Massawa – Overnight Massawa.

Saturday 24th October – By road to Ghinda – 4-4-2 Mallet to Baresa then to Nefasit (or until light fails). Continue by road to Asmara. Overnight Asmara.

Sunday 25th October – By road to Ghinda – 4-4-0 + 4-4-2 Mallet Ghinda – Asmara. Overnight Asmara.

Monday 26th October – 440 + 442 Mallet Asmara to Nefasit and return. Overnight Asmara.

Tuesday 27th October – Morning sightseeing with British built bus. Visit to Asmara shed with 202 class locomotive in steam and line up arranged. Group evening meal at a Chinese restaurant in Asmara.

Wednesday 28th October – Very early morning flight from Asmara to London with change in Cairo.

Tour prices as follows:-
£1,625 ex London Heathrow on EgyptAir includes hotel accommodation on a shared bed/breakfast basis. Group dinner on final evening. Packed lunch when using charter trains – 5 days. All charter trains and minibus transfers. Gratuities. Eritrean Visa. Tour cost basis £1.00 = $1.50

We are using Egyptair on this occasion due to previous problems with flight schedules. However we would ask you to keep your diary clear of important events a day or two on either side of the tour dates in case this happens again. If you require a stopover in Cairo, I would suggest plan this on the return trip. We can organise an escorted stopover, please request if interested. Also the possibility of an extension at the start of the trip within Eritrea will be considered to explore the former railway west of Asmara.

For participants wishing to make their own flight and visa arrangements a land only price of £990 applies. Single room supplement £130.

All participants must be current LCGB members. Details can be obtained from the LCGB website http://www.lcgb.org.uk/ or by application to the organiser. Travel insurance is required by all participants.

UK Passports will be required on or about 1st September to obtain Eritrean visa. Non-UK passport holders obtain theirs directly at their local embassy. Please ensure that your have validity until April 2010 and two consecutive clear double pages totally unmarked in your passport.

If you wish to book please forward a completed booking form together with a deposit of £100 payable to LCGB. Final payment will be required by August 14th.

All arrangements are subject to change

Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Adrian K Palmer 46 Heathside, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 9YL England
Tel: 01932 850624 - - email akpalmer@talktalk.net

Click on any picture to see a bigger version
	Eritrea is a charming country of friendly people. Its 950mm narrow gauge railway has gradually been rebuilt using the original rails. The line was re-opened fully just a few years ago and many of the original Italian steam locomotives have been restored. And great news - the 440 class Mallet is now back By popular demand the tour is back in the programme and scheduled to run in October one of the best months for weather to visit this fascinating country. . Book now with ADRIAN PALMER. Photographs on this page by Chris Lewis
	Additional photograph by Alan Ross