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hunwagner Says: The trail from Nefasit up to Debre Bizen is very obvious - you certainly dont need a guide to go up there. It is wide and well-trodden, lined with stones.At the roadside near the trail-head in Nefasit there is a small store selling bottled mineral water. Get at least two...
hunwagner Says: Well, the views alone make a visit here worthwhile. On a clear day, you could see all the way down to the Red Sea coast from here (I didn't). There are some great viewpoints from the monastery itself, but I also found it very interesting to follow the confusing, narrow...
hunwagner Says: These humble little houses scattered behind the main monastery buildings are the homes of the monks here. I felt it would be too nosey to poke around them too much.
hunwagner Says: This is the main complex of buildings inside.After arrival, you are invited to a reception room where an old monk examines your permit, offers you some of their food and drink, and then lets you wander around on your own. Note that no guide is provided to open up buildings...
hunwagner Says: This is the actual entrance to the monastery, seen from the inside.The towering stone buildings actually reminded me more of some countries in southern Europe or the Caucasus than anything in Africa.I passed the camels carrying firewood here on my way up. They were all male...
hunwagner Says: This picture, along with the opening one, gives you a good idea of what a steep-sided ridge the monastery is situated on.Fortunately that's not what you climb to get in there! ;-)
hunwagner Says: Nefasit is about an hour from Asmara along the road to Massawa. With an early start, Debre Bizen can be visited as a stopover between those two cities.It takes 2-3 hours to climb to the monastery from Nefasit.Remember that you need to get a permit in Asmara before visiting!
Plan a Nefasit vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Nefasit locals
This picture, along with the opening one, gives you a good idea of what a steep-sided ridge the monastery is situated on.Fortunately that's not what you climb...
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Nefasit: The Gateway to Debre Bizen Monastery
The nondescript little town along the road between Asmara and Massawa is of most interest as the starting point of the long hike up to the hill-top monastery of Debre Bizen. This is probably the most...
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