Ethiopian Explorer - Overland Trip
2 weeks: Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa (IMT-KTEE)
Intro
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.Arrival transfer
Airport transfer to hotel day 1Staffing & Participation
Fully escorted by Imaginative Traveller tour leader or local tour leader. No participation necessaryTransport
Private bus, 4wd vehicles, boatFlights
Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar, Gondar to Lalibela, Lalibela to Axum, Axum to Addis AbabaActivities
Extensive walking at sights, short trek in Simien Mountains, boat ride on Lake TanaAccommodation
12 nights in simple hotels or guesthouses, 1 night camping in Simien Mountains in dome / A-frame tents on twin share basisMeals
As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-DinnerEntrance Fees
Included for all sites listed as part of the itineraryHARAR EXTENSION
Why not extend your stay in Ethiopia with a short trip to the fascinating walled city of Harar, home to much of Ethiopia’s Muslim population ?
Day 14, HARAR
Drive to the walled city of Harar, a once important centre of Islamic scholarship. For many years the city was closed to Christians and early explorers were forced to enter in disguise, at their peril. (BD)
Day 15, HARAR
A guided tour of Harar to see the mosques and interesting old architecture of the town. This evening you may wish to go and see one of the most amazing sights in Ethiopia - the nightly feeding of the hyenas that live in the countryside nearby. (BD)
Day 16, ADDIS ABABA
Awash National park is one of the most beautiful parks in Ethiopia. the River Awash runs through a spectacular gorge; the park itself is home to 392 species of birds and many mammals including oryx, gazelles and antelopes. After visiting the park we will drive back to Addis Ababa where the tour ends upon arrival. (B)
See the trip dossier for more details.
Itineraries
Day 1,ADDIS ABABAArrival day.
Day 2,ADDIS ABABAToday we go on a guided tour around the city, visiting various sites including St George's Cathedral, the site of Emperor Haile Selassie's coronation, as well as the Merkato, East Africa's largest market. (B)
Day 3,LALIBELAWe 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 today. (BD)
Day 4,LALIBELAHeading out into the surrounding countryside, we travel along dirt tracks visiting some of the churches that lie nearby, all made from the rock and dating back to around the twelfth century. (BD)
Day 5,AXUMToday we fly to Axum, 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. (BD)
Day 6,AXUMWe have a full day sightseeing at Axum, including the Church of St Mary of Zion, which is believed to contain the Ark of the Covenant. (BD)
Day 7,SIMIEN MOUNTAINSHeading south, we travel through fantastic scenery 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. We'll take a short trek to Sankaber, where we'll camp for the night. (BD)
Day 8,GONDARThis morning we trek for a few hours in the hope of seeing some of the fascinating wildlife that lives in these mountains. 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. Travel to Gondar for the night. (BD)
Day 9,GONDARThis morning we explore Gondar, the old capital of Ethiopia. Today it is home to the Royal Enclosure, a collection of superbly preserved castles built in the seventeenth century, and we'll spend some time exploring these. Afterwards we head to Debre Berhan Selassie, perhaps Ethiopia's most beautiful church. (BD)
Day 10,BAHIR DARToday we drive to Bahir Dar, a pleasant town situated on the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake and the source of the Blue Nile. This afternoon we head out to the Blue Nile Falls, the second largest in Africa. (BD)
Day 11,LAKE TANAA 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. We return to Bahir Dar for the night. (BD)
Day 12,ADDIS ABABAToday we fly back to Addis Ababa. (B)
Day 13,ADDIS ABABAA free day to explore this vibrant capital city. Perhaps take a trip out to Lake Wonchi, a crater lake where you have the opportunity to go horse riding or hike through the forest. (B)
Day 14,ADDIS ABABATour ends. (B)
Last updated: 2nd December 2008
I am interested in this trip!
Download PDF with trip and operator details
