Small Group Experiential Travel
Tour Code
ET1
Start
Addis Ababa (ADD)
End
Addis Ababa (ADD)
Tour type
Cultural
Max Group Size
15
When To Go
Jan
Activity Level
2 - Moderate
Overnight in
Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Gonder, Aksum, Lalibela, Simien National Park, Mekelle
- Overview
- Info & Inclusions
- Itinerary
- Map & Hotels
- Photos
- Dates & Prices
Highlights
- Churches of Lalibela
- Colourful festivals
- Spectacular Simien Mountain scenery
- Axum Stellae Park
- Tribal south, kaleidoscope of cultures
- Christian churches, gilded monasteries
Description
Our 13-day Ethiopia tour is an adventure through the diverse landscapes and unique cultures of this magical land begins at its geographical centre and in its capital city, Addis Ababa.
Once a rich and powerful kingdom in northeast Africa, Ethiopia lays claim to a history that stretches back thousands of years.
From here, we travel past cascading waterfalls and through outstanding panoramic mountain sceneries - including visits to the continent's fourth largest peak at Ras Dashen and to the foothills of the Simien range.
We'll admire grand palaces, ancient monuments, majestic castles and the intricate religious paintings, artwork and architecture in rock-hewn churches dating from the 11th century, and learn about the lifestyles of locals by spending time in villages where fisherman still use papyrus boats.
Some of our tour departures coincide with Ethiopia's festivals, giving us the opportunity to witness special traditional celebrations in which tens of thousands of Ethiopians congregate in elaborate dress and sing and dance into the night.
Once a rich and powerful kingdom in northeast Africa, Ethiopia lays claim to a history that stretches back thousands of years.
From here, we travel past cascading waterfalls and through outstanding panoramic mountain sceneries - including visits to the continent's fourth largest peak at Ras Dashen and to the foothills of the Simien range.
We'll admire grand palaces, ancient monuments, majestic castles and the intricate religious paintings, artwork and architecture in rock-hewn churches dating from the 11th century, and learn about the lifestyles of locals by spending time in villages where fisherman still use papyrus boats.
Some of our tour departures coincide with Ethiopia's festivals, giving us the opportunity to witness special traditional celebrations in which tens of thousands of Ethiopians congregate in elaborate dress and sing and dance into the night.
Price Includes
- Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and restaurants).
- All transport, accommodation, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary.
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters. Airport transfers for land & air customers arriving/departing on tour dates.
Exclusions
- International airfare to/from the tour.
- Tour Leader gratuity, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, domestic and international air taxes (if applicable), visa fees.
- Airport transfers for Land Only customers.
- Optional trip cancellation insurance.
Trip Info
- Seasonality and Weather:
It is likely to be sunny most of the time on all departures. Most of the country is higher in elevation so, although the sun is powerful, the temperature is usually pleasant. There is always, however, the risk of sunburn at high altitude. Nights are generally cool to cold, depending on altitude. In the north, daytime temperatures seldom rise above 25C (80F) falling to around 9C (50F).
The main rains come between June and mid-September; November is one of the coolest and clearest in the year. January will be hotter and drier with a more arid landscape than September-November, which can still be quite lush after the rains.
Warning: the January departure of this tour tends to fill up as early as a year in advance; early booking is essential to ensure availability. Single supplements are strictly limited to four. - Transport and Travel Conditions:
THIS IS A TRIP FOR THE HARDY!
The itinerary has been designed to be as comfortable as possible, but this part of the world is still undeveloped. Many road journeys are long, rough, hot, and dusty. While every precaution is taken to ensure the quality and hygiene of the accommodations and food provided, those with weak "constitutions" or reduced immunity should not travel to this destination. Medical facilities are limited and located only in major centres; even a minor injury or illness can become very serious in these isolated locales.
Long walks may be required to reach some areas, including walks over steep gradients and poorly-maintained paths in extreme heat. If you have difficulty walking, even over short distances, or require the assistance of a cane, we regret that this tour is not suitable for you.
Our default vehicle style is a 22-seater "Coaster" bus with a separate trailer for luggage. Occasionally we use 4WD Land Cruisers or 4WD mini buses if we are informed that the variable state of the roads require a change of vehicle type. All vehicles are air-conditioned.
Many roads are rough and some days are long; a dust mask may enhance comfort. All efforts are made to ensure that our vehicle/s are in excellent condition, though punctures and weather may cause delays and require patience.
Overall, past travellers on this tour have referred to it as "challenging," "exhilarating," fascinating," and "exhausting." As mentioned above, many roads are in poor condition and many road journeys seem to go on much longer than they should. Food is well-prepared and served with pride, but it can get repetitive with a lack of the variety to which you may be accustomed. Our tour is busy and moves around a lot, which can be fatiguing over time. Ethiopia is a place of great beauty and a fascinating place to visit, but it is also a place of "rough edges" and things that don't always work out as planned. One must definitely approach this trip with an open mind and spirit of adventure. If you do so, you will be rewarded by one of the world's most enriching travel experiences.
Related to the above, please see our entry under "accommodation."
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form - Accommodation:
One of the problems with accommodation outside of main cities in Ethiopia, is the inconsistency in quality and comfort that we will experience as the tour progresses. Beginning/ending the trip with a modern international-class property in Addis should not suggest that we can expect this same standard throughout the tour. While some hotels, though simple and lacking charm, are still comfortable and welcoming in some locations, other hotels can be disappointing by comparison. Cumulatively, the rough edges -- lack of hot water or air-conditioning, lapses in cleanliness and basic maintenance, lack of atmosphere, etc -- can enhance once's fatigue and tiredness, especially after a long day of travel.
Though every effort is made to monitor levels of quality and to confirm our preferred properties, one should nonetheless be prepared for the reality of a tourist infrastructure that's still in its infancy.
For more information, please click on the "Map & Hotels" tab elsewhere on your screen. - Activity Level: 2
These are particularly busy tours that feature a lot of moving around, sometimes by train and short journeys on local transport. Walking tours of towns and cities are leisurely but you should be prepared to be on your feet for several hours. Some of our cultural trips that occur at high altitude and/or require greater independence with baggage handling (at hotels, airports, train stations) also fall into this category.
To learn more about the Activity levels, please visit our tour styles page. - Staff and Support:
Tour Leader, drivers, local guides. - Group Size:
Maximum 15 plus Tour Leader
Download Itinerary
- Day 1:Arrival in EthiopiaArrive in Addis Ababa, (2450 m/8,038 ft) Ethiopia's capital city.
THIS IS A TRIP FOR THE ADVENTUROUS. The itinerary has been designed to be as comfortable as possible, but this part of the world is still undeveloped. Accommodation is basic in some places and some road journeys are long, dusty, and rough. This trip is suitable for hardy travellers who do not expect "creature comforts" or things to work smoothly everywhere. Despite the often-rustic conditions, delays, and bumpy roads, this will be a fascinating journey, full of epic moments for the experienced traveller who possesses a sense of humour, flexibility, and a true spirit of adventure.
Overnight in Addis Ababa.
Included Meal(s): Dinner - Day 2:Addis Ababa: City TourThis morning we tour Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, which translates as "New Flower" in the Amharic language. The city shows little sign of losing its youthful, lusty edge and is the pulsing heart of this eclectic nation's resurgence as one of the world's fastest-growing economies. "Addis," as it's often simply known, is the world's third-highest capital city at 2400 meters (7,880 ft), and has worn its heart on its sleeve since it was founded by Ethiopian Emperor Menelik about 1892.
Although not well-known outside the country, the Ethiopian National Museum is a world-class museum; truly a hidden gem! The most famous exhibit is the replica of Lucy, an early hominid, but the museum offers much more. With Ethiopian civilization being one of the oldest in the world, the artifacts within the museum span thousands of years, including some from its earliest days. During our visit, we'll see a wide variety of artifacts, from sculptures to clothing to artwork, both traditional and modern.
Next is the Ethnological Museum, a fascinating place with exhibits relating to the history and culture of Ethiopia. There are many displays of the various ethnic groups with information about each of their lifestyles. A large amount of ethnic outfits, instruments, tools, and other artifacts accompany each ethnic exhibit, making it one of the most interesting museums in the city.
We also visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the second most-important place of worship in Ethiopia and the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.
At some point today we should be able to sample Ethiopia's 'Black Gold'. It's impossible to separate Ethiopian culture -- that unparalleled Ethiopian-ness -- from coffee, and this is the land of the finest Arabica coffee. As legend would have it, it was discovered by an Ethiopian shepherd boy and his goats sometime around the sixth century.
Overnight in Addis Ababa.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 3:Addis Ababa - Fly to Bahir Dar: Tis Abay (Blue Nile Falls)Today we fly to Bahir Dar, situated on the shore of Lake Tana in northwestern Ethiopia. Bahir Dar is a small town set on the southeastern shore of Lake Tana (Ethiopia's largest lake), where local fishermen still use papyrus boats, and just 30 km (19 miles) from the spectacular Tissisat Falls.
This afternoon we have an excursion to Tis Abay (Blue Nile Falls), a cascade 45m (150 feet) high. The locals call it Tisissat, which means "Water that Smokes". The area is also home to a great variety of birds and plants.
Return to Bahir Dar.
Overnight in Bahir Dar.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 4:Bahir Dar - Zege Peninsula - GondarToday we have a boat excursion on Lake Tana and the Zege Peninsula, home to seven ancient monasteries.
It has been said that the inside of the Ura Kidane Mehret monastery is the most impressive and beautiful in the whole region. Just a 25 minute walk from the boat landing point takes us to the monastery, winding through coffee plantations under tall shady trees. The monastery is highly decorated with beautifully painted, colourful and vibrant frescoes depicting Ethiopian saints and the history of the Ethiopian-Orthodox Church. Both men and women are permitted to enter and there is also a small museum, the Zege Satekela Museum, for visitors to learn about hand-crafted objects and musical instruments that are still used be the local communities today. The Azuwa Maryam Monastery is a round church with a thatched roof, which makes it one of the most attractive churches around Lake Tana. Step inside and watch its paintings come alive.
We return to the mainland and continue by road to Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia (1818 m / 6,000 ft). This "City of Castles" is one of Ethiopia's most interesting. Set in a beautiful landscape, Gondar is situated at the base of the Simien Mountains. The city's unique imperial precinct contains a dozen castles built by various emperors over a 236-year period.
Overnight in Gondar.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 5:Gondar: Town TourToday we will acquaint ourselves with the city of Gondar, touring the castle of Emperor Fasiledes, founder of the former capital. The two-story castle with its domed towers was said to be "one of the most marvelous of buildings" by a visiting Yemeni envoy. We will also see the Bathing Palace, once surrounded by a moat of water. Today the moat is only filled with water during Epiphany for an annual baptism celebration.
We will also visit the monasteries of Qusquam and Debre Berhan Selassie. The latter has not only many detailed 16th century frescoes, but also one of Ethiopia's most photographed ceilings, painted with angels' faces.
Overnight in Gondar.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 6:Gondar - Simien MountainsToday we travel by road into the Simien Mountains. The highest point above us, Ras Dashen (4620 m / 15,246 ft above sea level), is Africa's fourth highest peak. Numerous large rivers, including the Blue Nile, drain the highlands from east to west, towards the Nile Basin. From north to south, it's the Omo River, flowing into Lake Turkana. Our overnight location approaches 2800 m / 9,000 ft (the highest point on our tour); not terribly high, but you will notice the thinness of the air and cold at night. The Simiens stretch for over 40 kilometres with an almost two mile drop into the valley below.
Overnight in Simien National Park.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 7:Simien Mountains - AxumToday we continue our journey north towards Axum (2202m/7,226 ft). This afternoon you may want to walk through part of the town or relax at our hotel.
Axum (Aksum) was the centre of the (eventual) Christian marine trading power the Aksumite Kingdom, which predated the earliest mentions in Roman era writings (around the time of the birth of Jesus) in good correlation to the expansion of Rome into northern Africa, and later when it developed into the Christian kingdom, was a quasi-ally of Byzantium against the Persian Empire. The historical record is unclear; primary sources are limited mainly to ancient church records.
Overnight in Axum.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 8:Axum: Area TourToday we explore the wonders of ancient Axum, beginning with the Stelae Park. Carved completely from blocks of granite, these stelae are truly impressive. Although never erected, the largest stelae -- now broken into several pieces -- measures over 30m (100 feet) long and dates from Ethiopia's pre-Christian era.
Our tour continues to the Archaeological Museum, and to St Mary of Zion Church. We will see the ruins of the original 4th century church, and view an amazing collection of church relics including crosses and ancient crowns. It is here that we will also see the building that houses Ethiopia's most sacred religious artifact, the supposed Ark of the Covenant.
We will wander through King Ezana's Park. Of particular interest is a tablet inscribed in three languages: Ge'ez, Sabean, and Greek. We will also visit the tomb of King Basen, who ruled Axum at the time of Christ's birth. This afternoon we will visit two sites located outside the modern town of Axum: the Palace of the Queen of Sheba, and King Kaleb's Palace. Both enjoy commanding views of the countryside -- lands that were once part of the powerful Axumite Kingdom.
On our late November departures, we watch the Hidar Zion Day processions and celebrations. This festival is attended by tens of thousands of people from all over Ethiopia, making it one of the most joyous annual pilgrimages in Axum, the "sacred city of the Ethiopians."
Overnight in Axum.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 9:Axum - Fly to LalibelaToday we fly to Lalibela, a rural town of +/- 15,000 people in a stunning setting at an elevation of 2600 m (8,500 ft) in the midst of the Lasta mountains in the eastern highlands of Northern Ethiopia. Its unique and remarkable monolithic churches hewn from living rock, most built more than 900 years ago, are one of Ethiopia's leading attractions and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. Lalibela's relative isolation and small size means you will get to understand more intimately and thoroughly the innate piety and hard lives of the rural poor.
Depending on our flight schedule, we may begin our sightseeing today upon arrival.
Our Ethiopia tours that occur in January coincide with the Timkat Festival in Lalibela, the biggest celebration of the year in Ethiopia, marking the Epiphany every year on the 19th of January. Timkat is celebrated all over Ethiopia, but nowhere is it quite as spectacular as in Lalibela. The festival begins with Timkat Eve and dramatic processions through a night of fasting. Crowds of revelers, all dressed in white, sing and dance in the streets to the beating of drums. Priests, decked out in jewel encrusted velvet and satin robes, carry a replica of Arc of the Covenant known as a talbot in a grand procession through the streets.
Your Tour Leader will advise in greater detail how the following described program will be organized in order to achieve our sightseeing of both church groups and the festivities. Due to the fluid nature of festival activities, our actual itinerary may vary from the next two days' descriptions, which should be regarded as a guide only. Similarly for non-festival dates, your leader will brief you on the actual order of attractions to be visited; in both cases, you should be prepared for some juggling, possibly last-minute, in order to achieve our intended program.
Overnight in Lalibela.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 10:Lalibela SightseeingToday's sightseeing begins with a visit to the Northwestern group of churches.
Since the town, first called Roha, was founded by the eponymous King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty more than 900 years ago as the "new Jerusalem", the later-renamed Lalibela has been a major ecclesiastical centre of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and a place of pilgrimage to its amazing concentration of rock-hewn churches. Pious Ethiopians often walk hundreds of kilometres in bare feet from all over Ethiopia to receive blessings. Contrary to certain spurious myths, they were not built with the help of the Knights Templar; rather, they were produced solely by medieval Ethiopian civilization.
Although all the church exteriors and interiors are carved from soft volcanic tufa, their architecture is extremely diverse: some stand as isolated monoliths in deep pits, while others have been cut into the face of a cliff. Establishing a sequence or chronology for a rock-hewn building is much more difficult than for a conventional one, especially when the churches in Lalibela are all in daily use for services. Consequently, there have been long running academic disputes as to both the time period and duration of construction.
We will visit the small site museum before our church visit begins. Most of the churches were arranged on an east-west axis with the entrance facing west and the Sancta Santorum to the east; this orientation has a precise meaning: the believer comes from the western gate that represents the darkness of sin and evil and advances towards the light of knowledge and salvation.
The Northwest cluster is the more architecturally cohesive of the two groups, and was most likely conceived as a whole, quite possibly by Emperor Lalibela. This is also the "easiest" of the two groups in terms of navigating the site; this said, you must be very careful of uneven surfaces, slippery/steep stairs and drops without handrailings, inclines, loose gravel, low tunnels, and heat. Our visit will last about three hours.
During festival time, our late afternoon/evening will be spent observing the colourful prosessions and, a rarity in Ethiopia, large crowds!
Overnight in Lalibela.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 11:Lalibela Touring ContinuedWhile in Lalibela, we'll also visit the more disparate Southeast cluster, regarded by experts to be closer in architectural style to the ancient temples and churches of the Aksumite Empire. Several of its churches started life as secular excavations centuries before Lalibela's time.
Visiting the churches of the Southeastern group it immediately appears evident that the churches, belonging to this group, are smaller but more finely sculpted, compared to those of the Northwestern group.
This is also the more challenging cluster to visit; you must be sure on your feet and prepared to do a bit of scrambling. By this point, your Tour Leader will be familiar with your abilities and well-placed to advise regarding your suitability for this visit. As our overall visit will be governed by group ability and interest, our time duration will be a little more free-form than that of the Northwestern cluster.
Our January/Timkat tour will likely involve an option to observe an early morning/pre-breakfast baptismal ceremony.
Overnight in Lalibela.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 12:Lalibela - Fly to Addis AbabaToday we fly from Lalibela back to Addis Ababa.
Depening on our flight time, your Tour Leader may have chosen to defer some previously-described sightseeing, which we can accomplish this morning prior to our onward journey.
Overnight in Addis Ababa.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 13:DepartureDeparture from Addis Ababa, or continue to our longer Southern Ethiopia itinerary.
BON VOYAGE!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Regions Visited: East Africa
Countries Visited: Ethiopia
Countries Visited: Ethiopia
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.
Excellent
Overall Rating
4.6
Extend Your Trip
This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip.
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1-800-665-3998
- Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
- A non-refundable $500 USD deposit is payable at the time of booking
- Optional Single Supplement: $980 USD (number of singles limited).
This tour may require a mandatory single supplement charge of $490 USD if you join our share program and we are unable to pair you. - Transferring to another tour or tour date is only permissible outside of 120 days prior to departure and is subject to a $100 USD change fee. (Read our cancellation policy for more info.)
- Due to festival dates which will be announced closer to departure, our 2025 date IS TENTATIVE and could shift slightly.
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. Get general information on flights to/from the tour.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the maximum number of participants on a trip?Most of our tours carry a maximum of 18 participants; some tours (ie hiking tours) top out at 16. In the event that we do not achieve our minimum complement by our 90-day deadline, we may offer group members the option of paying a "small-group surcharge" as an alternative to cancellation. If all group members agree, we will confirm the trip at existing numbers; this surcharge is refundable in the event that we ultimately achieve our regular minimum. If the small group surcharge is not accepted, we will offer a refund of your deposit or a different trip of your choice.
- Can I extend my tour either at the beginning or end? What about stopovers?Yes, you can extend your tour either at the beginning or the end and we can book accommodation in our tour hotel. Stopovers are often permitted, depending on air routing. Stopovers usually carry a "stopover" fee levied by the airline.
- How do I make a reservation? How and when do I pay?The easiest way to make a reservation is via our website; during office hours, you are also more than welcome to contact us by telephone.
A non-refundable deposit is payable at the time of booking; if a reservation is made within 90 days, full payment is required. Some trips require a larger deposit. If international airline bookings require a non-refundable payment in order to secure space or the lowest available fare, we will require an increase in deposit equal to the cost of the ticket(s).
Early enrolment is always encouraged as group size is limited and some trips require greater preparation time.
Once we have received your deposit, we will confirm your space and send you a confirmation package containing your trip itinerary, any visa/travel permit related documents, invoice, clothing and equipment recommendations, general information on your destination(s), and forms for you to complete, sign and return to us. Your air e-tickets (if applicable), final hotel list, final trip itinerary, and instructions on how to join your tour, will be sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure. - What about cancellations, refunds, and transfers?Please review our cancellation policy page for details.
- I am a single who prefers my own room. What is a single supplement?All of our tours have a single supplement for those who want to be guaranteed their own room at each location.
This supplement is a reflection of the fact that most hotels around the world do not discount the regular twin-share rate for a room by 50% for only one person occupying a room. Most hotels will give a break on the price, but usually in the range of 25-30% of the twin-share rate. This difference, multiplied by each night, amounts to the single supplement.
The conventional amount can also vary from country to country and some destinations are more expensive than others for single occupancy. In order to be "single friendly," the supplements we apply are not a profit centre for us and we do our best to keep them as reasonable as possible.
On most tours we limit the number of singles available, not to be punitive, but rather because many hotels allow for only a limited number of singles; some smaller hotels at remote locations also have a limited number of single rooms available.
Please note that most single rooms around the world are smaller than twin-share rooms and will likely have only one bed. - Do you have a shared accommodation program?Yes! If you are single traveller and are willing to share, we will do our best to pair you with a same-gender roommate. On most of our tours, if we fail to pair you, we will absorb the single supplement fee and you will default to a single room at no extra charge. At some destinations, however, where single rooms are not significantly discounted, or not at all, we may apply a "mandatory" single in the event that we cannot find you a share partner. This is usually 50% of the usual supplement, but can be as much as 100%. If applicable, this proviso will be noted on each tour page on this website, on your invoice, and in our tour date/price book (available for download under "Resources").
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