Enticing Ethiopia: History, Culture & Landscapes

On arrival meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day will be your leisure time to spend at your hotel; optionally, you can visit the Holy Trinity Church and Ethnological Museum.Founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and the seat of the African Union (AU). Addis Ababa is the third highest capital in the world and one of the largest cities in Africa with a population well over 5 million. It is located at 2500 m above sea level at the footstep of the highest peak of Entoto Mountain chain (3200m above sea level), and enjoys an excellent climate all year round; with an average temperature of 160C. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of Jacarandas, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as Merkato.Ethnological Museum: It is found in the main campus of Addis Ababa University by the Institute of Ethiopian Studies with the aim to preserve the country's historical and cultural heritage. It has complete collections that describe almost all the tribal groups in Ethiopia. Here you will have an overview of the history, culture and traditions of the people of Ethiopia. The collections include the nomadic tribal groups that are now living just as man's forefathers lived thousands of years back.Trinity Cathedral: a beautiful church with a baroque style of European architecture which is unique to both Ethiopia and Africa and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Here you will find scripts of the imperial families, statues done by a Greek sculpture, Stained glass window paintings from the Old and New Testament in the Bible and coffins of Emperor Haile Silassie-I; the founder of the church, and his wife.Overnight: Caravan Hotel or Similar Hotel [http://www.caravanaddis.com/]

Drive: Bahir Dar to Blue Nile FallsDistance: 32 KmETD: 1hr. and 30 MinRoad Type: Asphalt [Gentle Slope]Flight: Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar (1hr. and 15 Min)After breakfast, drive to the airport and catch your flight to Bahir Dar. Later, visit Lake Tana Monastery and Blue Nile Falls. Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia, measuring approximately 84km long and 66km wide, and is also the source of the Blue Nile. The lake contains 37 islands; however their visibility varies according to seasonal water fluctuations, which are regulated to measure inflow to the Blue Nile Falls. The islands accommodate 20 monasteries, which are used to store religious artefacts due to their remote location.The Blue Nile Falls, also known as Tis Abay, mean 'smoking water' in Amharic. They start as a gentle river flowing 5,223km north of the Mediterranean Sea before joining the impressive falls. The waterfall itself is around 150ft high and half a mile wide, which is just spectacular to witness. Surrounded by immense natural beauty, the falls attract parrots, bee-eaters, white throated seedeaters and vervet monkeys, just to name a few.Overnight: Jacaranda Hotel or Similar Hotel

Drive: Bahir Dar to Simien MountainDistance: 280 KmETD: 6hrs.Road Type: Asphalt [From Gondar to Simien Mountain (110Km) is steep road]Drive to Sankaber- the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park- passing rural villages and crossing mountain passes with stunning vistas.The Simien Mountains National Park occupies a surface area of 180 km sq. The park, situated between 4,430 and 1,900 meters (6,200 - 4,500 feet), boasts varied flora with three marked botanical areas. The highest parts have meadows with little vegetation, characteristic of afro-alpine zones. Here we can find the endemic lobelia rhynchopetalum, small groups of perpetual flowers, helichrysum, and the striking kniphofiafoliosa.Optionally, late afternoon, walking near your lodge to spot the endemic gelada baboon and appreciate the breathtaking scenery.Overnight: Simien Lodge or Similar Hotel [http://www.simiens.com/]

Drive: Simien Mountain to GondarDistance: 110 KmETD: 2hrs.Road Type: Asphalt [ (110Km) is steep road] In the morning, you can explore the legendary Simien Mountains and its unique inhabitants. The landscape in the area is remarkably picturesque with panoramic vistas overlooking the deep gorges of the Escarpment. Our main interest will be the endemic gelada baboon and the great scenery. Amidst beautiful alpine meadows punctuated with Giant Lobelias and flowering “red hot pokers” (Kniphofia’s), we will find ourselves surrounded by massive troops of extremely well habituated and photogenic Gelada Baboons.The mountains are also home to 16 bird species endemic to Eritrea and/or Ethiopia as well as an important population of the rare and beautiful Bearded Vulture that can frequently be seen gliding along the cliffs here.Overnight: Simien Lodge or Similar Hotel

Today we will drive back and have sightseeing tour of Gondar- the first capital of the Ethiopian empire, founded in 1635 by the Emperor Fasilidas. Gondar is best-known for its collection of 17th century castles and palaces. Spend the day exploring the Royal Enclosure and its buildings. The fortress, which is surrounded by a 300-foot-long wall, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The oldest and most impressive structure in the compound is the two-story palace of Emperor Fasilidas, built of solid basalt stones. Other royal buildings of interest include the library of Emperor Yohannes I, the House of Song where royal ceremonies took place, the elegant reception and banquet hall of Emperor Bakaffa, and the palace of the king's wife. Also visit the nearby bath of King Fasiledes, where modern-day Timkat ceremonies are performed. Finally, view the Church of DebreBirhan Selassie, an imposing structure with brightly coloured ceilings.Overnight: Goha Hotel or Similar Hotel

Drive: Gondar to Tesfa TrekkingDistance:310 KmETD: 6hrs. And 30 Min.Road Type: Asphalt [steep road]Walking (easy grade) time: 2/3 hours.Filakit, is the administrative centre for Meket (woreda) district and it is here that you would travel to start your trek to Mequat Mariam Community site. You may have your guide with you if travelling from Lalibela, otherwise you will meet him here at the Save the Children office. You will probably want a quick lunch in one of the local 'hotels' - enjara and wot.At Werkhaye villagers from Mequat Mariam will await you with a donkey to carry your bags. From here you trek across the plateau following well-worn paths (often bolder strewn) through the agricultural landscape of the highlands. Little boys and girls watch their sheep,cattle, horses and donkeys. Older girls can be seen fetching water from springs along the way, and the men ploughing fields with oxen, engaging in harvesting activities or other agricultural work depending on the time of year and day of the month (on saints days it is forbidden to engage in many activities).At the newly renovated church of Hanna Mequat, with acacia trees dotted around the church compound, you will get a glimpse of the escarpment edge that will be with you for much of the trip. Beyond the church you will join it and follow it round to the tukuls at Mequat Mariam. The walk time is about 3 hours plus stops. The staff - all members of the local villages - will meet you and serve snacks - perhaps a 'Meket Pizza' with tea or coffee, or perhaps you will be ready for a beer. As you enjoy this you can watch the birds soaring on the thermals - ravens, the odd vulture, perhaps a lammergeyer, and innumerable others. There is a shower, with water warmed by the sun - though do go a bit easy on the water. Don't miss the sunset on the 'rock bar' with a sundowner drink.The community will serve a good meal - simple western food - after dark in the dining tukul, and if you would like will prepare a traditional Ethiopian style coffee ceremony. The community has built especially designed tukuls bedrooms - traditional style with thatched roof, and stone walls. However the beds are comfortable mattresses, with clean bed linen and blankets.

Walking (easy grade) time: 2/3 hours in the morning, 2/3 hours in the afternoon.A breakfast of either eggs or pancakes, with tea or coffee will get you ready for a good days walk. The walk from Mequat Mariam to Wajela winds along the escarpment for much of the way with staggering views of the river systems and farmland below. There is a good chance to see gelada baboon along these escarpments, and if you are lucky rock hyrax, even a klipspringer.After a few hours the Mequat community hand over to the Wajela community - a fresh donkey for the luggage. Here you can eat a simple picnic lunch, maybe with a soft drink carried by one of the community. Some of the route cuts across the plateau top and there are some shortcuts if you want to reduce the walking, but if you feel fit much of the time you can follow the escarpment edge.Towards the middle of the afternoon, you will reach the church of Kura Anbessa Giyorgis, perched on the rock edge, with Olive (OliaAfricanus) and other indigenous trees around. Kura means crow
aven and Anbessa Lion! If you meet one of the priests ask for an explanation of the name. It is possible to take another route and come across the carpet weavers, but there is no time to do this and the church.After Kura Anbessa you cross the road and head north across the plateau to the Wajela site. Again a warm welcome and snacks will await you at Wajela with its cosy tukuls overlooking a wooded escarpment. If you are early there is a 2-hour round trip to a church and cave structure below. You can also rinse off in the shower. Dinner as in Mequat is served in the dining tukul, sometime after sunset.

Drive: Tesfa Trekking to LalibellaDistance: 110 KmETD: 2hrs. And 30 Min.Road Type: Asphalt [steep road], [2Km Gravel road]Trekking: 2hrs. Lalibela is arguably one of the most important religious and historical sites in all of Africa and the entire Christian world. There are no less than 200 churches in the Lasta Region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves, but it's exceptional to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one locale. These brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often referred to as the "Eighth wonder of the world". The churches are said to have been constructed during King Lalibela’s reign during the 12th and 13th centuries when Lalibela (then known as Roha) was the capital of the Zagwe dynasty.On the way to Lalibella, Visit Nakuto Leab Church, Situated around 7km from central Lalibela, the Na’akuto La‘ab Monastery is found inside a natural cavern in the highlands surrounding the town. A wonderful monastery that pre-dates the more popular churches in the centre of the town.Overnight: Sora Lodge or Similar Hotel

In the morning, visit Yimerhane Kirstos church. The church of Yemrehanna Kristos is one of Ethiopia's best-preserved late Axumite churches, and is named for a twelfth-century Zagwe priest-king and saint. It is set in a spectacular landscape of juniper trees located inside a large natural cavern on a hill in northern Ethiopia, predating the famous nearby rock-hewn churches of Lalibela by almost a century. The walls of the building were constructed with alternating layers of recessed timber beams and projecting plastered stone, and the windows are covered by carved cruciform lattices. The interior is divided into a nave and two side aisles by masonry pillars and arches, with a domed sanctuary on the east end.In the afternoon, visit the first group of churches which represent the earthly Jerusalem. This group includes Bete Medhanialem (Savior Church), Bete Miriam, Bete Denagel, Bete Meskal, Debra Sina, and Bete Golgotha. Standing 38 feet tall with seventy-two pillars, Medhane Alem is not only the largest in Lalibela, but it is the largest monolithic rock-hewn church in the world. Bet Golgotha houses remarkable reliefs of figures, early Christian art rarely seen in other parts of Ethiopia.Overnight: Sora Lodge or similar hotel

Drive: Lalibella to Asheton MaryamDistance: 8 KmETD:  30 Min.Road Type: Asphalt [steep road]Trekking: 1hr.After breakfast, you can optionally, participate on a special cookery event or visit Asheton Maryam. In the afternoon, visit the second group of churches representing the heavenly Jerusalem. In this group are the Bete Gabriel & Raphael, Bete Merquorios, Bete Emmanuel, and Bete Abba Libanos Finally, visit the most interesting cross-shaped church of BeteGiorgis (St. George), which is said to be the symbolization of Noah’s ark. The cruciform-shaped BeteGiorgis is the most perfect and beautiful church here; its interior is dominated by depictions of Saint George killing the dragon.A cookery event is a special arrangement where you can experience the making of Ethiopian traditional dishes at one of the community houses in Lalibella.Trek (halfway mule or horse ride) to the 13th-century rock-hewn monastery of Asheten Mariam (over 3000 meters high). It is about 8 km from Lalibella. The road is very steeply looked like a twisted rope hugged on the wall but very beautiful scenery and rewarding to experience it. On top, it looks like flying over the town of Lalibela and its surroundings. The mountain views are impressive and panoramic and it’s easy to understand why the priests at this church believe they are the “closest to God.”Overnight: Sora Lodge or similar hotel

After breakfast, catch your flight to Addis Ababa.There are options for today: you could visit the Hamlin Festula center or the Merkato, as part of a shortened Addis Ababa city tour. Merkato is the largest open-air market in Africa. Here you will be presented with confusing, but fascinating, glimpse of the vast range of goods and artefacts available from all parts of the country and you will enjoy the Ethiopian trade exchange tradition in the open air, you can purchase anything you desire here.  In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner, after which you will be transferred to the airport to catch your departing flight. You may also choose to spend an extra night in Addis - we can help with those arrangements also.About the Hamlin Institute: Founded over 63 years ago, by pioneering Australian surgeon Dr Catherine Hamlin and her surgeon husband Dr Reg Hamlin, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is dedicated to treating Ethiopian women who have suffered the most horrific childbirth injury: obstetric fistula. More info: https://hamlinfistula.org/en/You will then have a delicious group dinner in the city.Overnight: Caravan Hotel or Similar Hotel [http://www.caravanaddis.com/]

For clients continuing their adventure to Harar, please see the Add-On adventure below. If this isn't for you it is time to return home revitalised from your thrilling Ethiopian adventure!