Ethiopian Explorer

14 days - from $2595

This cultural adventure takes you on an amazing and surprising journey through the rich historical, archaeological and religious heartland of Ethiopia, showcasing a country steeped in beauty and diversity This trip explores the fascinating but largely unknown mountain country of Ethiopia, a place packed full of astounding and ancient history as well as some of the best scenery in Africa. We visit the magnificent Blue Nile Falls, take a boat trip on the vast Lake Tana and explore isolated island monasteries, walk in some of the most dramatic mountains you’re ever likely to see, and visit ‘Africa’s Petra’, the collection of rock-hewn churches in medieval Lalibela. Add to this some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet and you really have every reason to visit this unique and intriguing destination.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Addis Ababa On arrival in Addis Ababa, you are met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Please note this is an arrival day, so you may arrive at any time. If you arrive early, an optional visit to the National Museum can be arranged. Addis Ababa is a bustling city, dotted with Italian architecture, interesting churches and friendly inhabitants. It is also a city of immense contrasts – the Addis Sheraton, with its ‘singing fountain’ is one of the most luxurious in all of Africa, yet you only need to travel a few streets away to find yourself among busy markets, dirt roads and the odd goat or two wandering the streets. The city is relatively new– established by the Emperor Menelik II in 1887, and at 2,400m has the distinction of being the third highest capital in the world. Although Ethiopia was the only African nation never to be colonised, parts of it, including Addis, were briefly occupied by the Italians in the twentieth century, and in many parts of the city their legacy lives on in the form of old art deco buildings and coffee shops, particularly in the area known as the Piazza. Addis can seem daunting at times, but even the briefest foray into the busy streets can reveal interesting new insights. Day 2 - Addis Ababa Today we go on a guided tour around the city, visiting sites. Highlights will include Merkato and St George's Cathedral. Merkato is East Africa's largest market almost the size of a small town itself. From spices to clothes to cattle, as well as souvenirs, the merkato is said to sell almost everything that can be sold. St George's Cathedral, built in 1896 in the traditional octagonal shape by the Emperor Menelik II to commemorate his victory against Italian forces at Adwa, this small cathedral is dedicated to the national saint of Ethiopia – the same saint that serves as the British patron saint. The museum housed within the grounds contains a wide collection of important religious paintings, crosses of many designs, historic books and parchments, and beautiful handicrafts. Day 3 - Bahir Dar This morning we fly to Bahar Dar, one of Ethiopia’s most attractive towns where we will walk through the market and maybe stop at the local juice bar, which will give you a nice feel for this town. Located 32kms south of Bahar Dar, the Blue Nile Falls measure over 400 metres wide and descends 48 metres. These falls are known locally as Tis Isat (Smoking Water) and are a spectacular sight when in full flood. The famous explorer James Bruce, when he first laid eyes on the Blue Nile Falls, described them as ‘a most magnificent sight, that ages, added to the greatest length of human life, would not deface or eradicate from my memory.’ The new hydro-electrical plants and dams have somewhat impacted on their magnificence, but the sight is still a memorable one. Day 4 - Lake Tana One of the fabled sources of the Nile, Lake Tana is one of Ethiopia’s greatest natural treasures. With a surface of around 3,600km, the lake is also famous for the series of ancient monasteries and churches located on twenty of the islands that are found within the waters. We have a full day visiting the many island monasteries that lie on Lake Tana. We'll travel by boat to visit some of the more remote monasteries and churches, most of which date back to the thirteenth century. The monasteries are fascinating and unlike any others outside Ethiopia, often decorated with bright frescoes. Because of their isolation they were used to store art treasures and religious relics from all over the country. Local history says the Ark of the Covenant was kept on one of these islands when the city of Axum was under threat, and the remains of five emperors are to be found at Daga Istafanos. Day 5-6 - Gondar We head to Gondar to explore the old capital of Ethiopia. Upon arrival we head to Debre Berhan Selassie, perhaps Ethiopia's most beautiful church, followed by the Royal Enclosure. The town of Gondar is often described as ‘The Camelot of Ethiopia’, and when you approach the Royal Enclosure, situated in the middle of the town, it’s easy to understand why. A collection of superbly preserved castles built in the 17th centaury are still standing in an excellent state of preservation today. Different stories abound as to who built them – some say Portuguese craftsmen, others believe they were built by Ethiopian hands. Whatever the truth, the Royal Enclosure has to be one of the most of the most striking and unusual sights in all of Africa. Day 7 - Simien Mountains Heading north we travel to Debark, on the edge of the Simien Mountains National Park. This area is characterised by enormous chasms and gorges, and offers some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa. Ethiopia is often described as ‘the roof of Africa’, and when the Simien Mountains first loom into sight, it’s easy to understand why. Characterised by massive gorges and dramatic pinnacles, the Simiens are perhaps Africa’s most beautiful range of mountains, and house the fourth highest peak on the continent, Ras Dashen (4,620m). The mountains are also home too much of Ethiopia’s wildlife and are great for bird watching. The Gelada baboon, a striking primate with a shaggy mane and a patch of bright red skin on its chest, is found here in good numbers, but nowhere else in the world. It is quite likely that you will encounter a troop of these impressive animals as you walk the mountain paths. Also found here are the rarer Walia Ibex, and the world’s most endangered member of the dog family, the elusive Simien Wolf. Your trek here takes in some of the most scenic parts of the Simien Mountains National Park, past striking chasms and gorges where lammergeiers fly past swooping for prey. We’ll take a short trek to Sankaber, where we'll camp for the night. Day 8 - Simien Mountains We spend today trekking through these magnificent mountains, hoping to see some of the fascinating wildlife that lives here. You're almost guaranteed to see Gelada baboons, a species that is found nowhere else on earth, and if we're lucky we may see Walia Ibex. Day 9-10 - Axum After a short hike this morning we travel back through fantastic scenery on our way to Axum. Here we have a day and a half sightseeing, including the Church of St Mary of Zion, which is believed to contain the Ark of the Covenant. A once great city that was under the control of the Queen of Sheba, Axum is home to many fascinating tombs and churches, and has an unusual collection of stelae dating back to the third and fourth centuries. Today it is a site of pilgrimage, and contains an amazing collection of ancient buildings, including palaces belonging to important Ethiopian kings and emperors. The huge granite stelae are the most famous monuments in Axum. Originally seven in number, the largest measured thirty-three metres and weighed about 500 tons, but it fell centuries ago and lies in pieces next to the remaining stelae. Day 11-12 - Lalibela We fly to Lalibela today, home to a spectacular collection of churches hewn out of the surrounding rock, so astounding that many believe they are the creations of angels. We'll visit the churches within the town and also head out into the surrounding countryside, to visit some of the churches that lie nearby, all made from the rock and dating back to around the twelfth century. There are many stories concerning the origin of these churches, but the most popular local legend is that angels built them in a single night. The churches have been dated back to the reign of King Lalibela sometime in the eleventh or twelfth centuries. Many of the churches are connected by underground tunnels and narrow walkways built into the rock, and they are still a site of pilgrimage today as they have been for centuries. In some of the churches hermits and monks live in tiny caverns in the walls, barely big enough for them to stretch out, staying here for years on end. The jewel of Lalibela’s churches is Beta Giorgis, a cross shaped church rising out of the earth, surrounded by the walls of the pit into which it was dug, which houses a wooden box said to have been carved by King Lalibela himself. While in Lalibela you may also be lucky enough to witness one of the religious festivals that often take place here. Day 13 - Addis Ababa An afternoon flight takes us back to Addis Ababa. We are then transferred to the hotel and get settled before enjoying an optional final dinner at a well known local Ethiopian restaurant. Here we are able to put our new-found dancing moves to the test by joining in with the traditional dancers. Day 14 - Addis Ababa Our tour ends this morning in Addis Ababa. Flights out of Addis Ababa can be booked to depart at any time today. Additional post-tour accommodation is also available.

Included

Included An experienced English-speaking leader, accommodation, meals, transportation, and sightseeing excursions as per itinerary, transfer to hotel on arrival, entrance fees for sites listed in the itinerary.

Excluded

Excluded: * Visa costs
* Border Taxes
* Drinks, tips, laundry and other items of a personal nature.
* International flights
* Departure transfers
* Meals other than those listed
* The single supplement does not cover the camping in the Simien Mountains.

Basic equipment such as sleeping mats will be provided, but you will need to bring your own sleep-sheet. Sleeping bags can be hired locally for around US$5. As we are trekking through some of Ethiopia’s most remote regions, please be prepared for very basic washing/toilet facilities. Our tour leader will carry a comprehensive medical kit throughout the duration of the trek.

Trip Reference: KTEE