Qohaito, also known as Kohaito, was an ancient city in the southern Debub region of Eritrea. Rock art near Qohaito indicates that people have lived in the area since the fifth millennium BC, while the town is known to have survived to the sixth century AD. Mount Emba Soira, Eritrea's highest mountain, is nearby. The drive from Asmara takes in lots of traditional scenes of pastoral life as well as Eritrea's "Grand Canyon".

Getting a visa for Eritrea is tough, and that's only the first obstacle to visiting various parts of the country. In order to leave Asmara city limits, it is necessary for foreigners to apply for permits to visit other areas of the country. We were successful in some areas (Massawa, Keren, Qohaito) but not in others (Dahlak Islands). There are checkpoints on the roads where guards make sure the proper permits are in hand.

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The road to Qohaito presents lots of views of pastoral life and working livestock.

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Stone walls surround dwellings on a typical mountainside village.

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Never-ending supply of pretty vistas as we roll through the countryside.

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Our local guide surveys the landscape.

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Local people making themselves at home, whether doing lakeside laundry or resting atop ancient ruins.

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Some snaps from the edge of Eritrea's version of the Grand Canyon.

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It was a little surprising to be in the middle of nowhere to visit ancient ruins, only to come upon them and see another group of people already there. But since these were locals touring their own country, we yielded to them and gave them a wide berth until they were finished with their photographs. After they departed, it was quite amazing to have this entire ancient site to ourselves even though most of it remains unexcavated.

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Trailhead that drops into the canyon below to visit some ancient cave paintings.

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Rock art in the Adi Alauti cave.
I stuck my hand in one shot just to show scale, but was very careful not to touch the actual cave paintings themselves.