Ethiopian Northern Explorer

This is a great itinerary that visits the very best of the northern historical circuit whilst offering a few hidden treasures as well, many of which are not offered, to our knowledge, by any other UK tour operator. Starting our tour in Addis we will fly to Gonder with its medieval castles and then drive up into the wonderful Simien Mountains where we will stay at the stunning located Simien Eco-lodge.

But it is from Axum that the trip really becomes quite different, as we drive & rather than fly & to the World Heritage town of Lalibela via Yeha, through Eastern Tigray and one of the most visually stunning parts of the whole country, to see some of the most rarely seen rock churches. From Lalibela (which for some is considered to be the 8th wonder of the world) we then undertake an incredibly rewarding village walk, spending 2 nights with local communities in conjunction with the charity TESFA (Tourism in Ethiopia for Sustainable Future Alternatives). As a fitting climax, we finally arrive in Bahir Dar for a stroll beneath the Blue Nile Falls and a boat ride on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile.

“I certainly wouldn't have missed it for the world. The places we saw and the people we met will always be remembered.” Robert Schofield

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Itinerary / Highlights

Highlights:-
• A wonderful village walk staying with local communities
• UNESCO sites of Lalibela, Gonder & Axum
• Exploring the rarely visited Tigrayan region
• Boat trip on Lake Tana
• Stunning scenery in the Simien Mountains

Day 1: Addis Ababa (2400m): Meeting at our hotel this morning, there will be time to rest before having lunch and an orientation tour around Ethiopia's bustling capital, including the Trinity Cathedral and the Mercato, the biggest open-air market in Africa. We'll have an early dinner at an excellent local restaurant tasting traditional food and atmosphere.
Hotel (L, D)

Day 2: Addis Ababa & Gonder: We'll have a morning flight to Gonder, and visit the Debre Birhan Selassie church (Light of Trinity) with its wonderful murals. We will also visit the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its medieval castles; architecturally unique & unlike anything else found in Sub-Saharan Africa. After dinner we will visit one of the live singing bars for a beer or two.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 3: Gonder & Simien Mountains NP: After breakfast we'll drive up into the Simien Mountains, home to Lammergeyer vultures, Gelada Baboons and bushbuck. The scenery is truly breathtaking and there will be time for a walk around the Sankaber region of the National Park. We spend the night at the stunning located Eco-lodge.
Eco Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 4: Simien NP & Axum: After breakfast we drive to Axum, stopping for a picnic lunch en route. This is a long day but according to the Bradt Guide author Philip Briggs (as well as most of us here at WF!), the drive is one of “the most dramatic in Africa”. There will be plenty of time to stop for photographs before we arrive in town in the late afternoon. After checking into the hotel, there will be time to relax in this town that was once the capital of a large empire.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 5: Axum: We have the morning sightseeing in Axum, a town steeped in more than 2500 years of history. From the palace and tomb of King Kaleb (6th C), we will visit the extraordinary stellae field (UNESCO WHS) and tomb of King Remhay (1st-4th C), followed by a trip to the church of St Mary of Tsion, (17th C) in which (allegedly) is hidden the Ark of Covenant! In the afternoon we'll drive a few kilometres out of town and walk up to see the carved lion rock and the place where the stellae were hewn & some still lie there, half finished. From here we shall visit the Queen of Sheba's Palace and other archaeological sites. We'll end the day's wandering round the small but excellent museum.

Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 6: Axum & Tigray: After breakfast we will drive to the wonderful Gheralta Lodge, stopping en route at the Yemeni influenced, Yeha temple (also known as the temple of the Moon), (5th century BC) and then drive on to some rarely visited rock hewn churches. It should be noted that some churches require a certain agility to visit (and one in fact requires their visitors to be male!) but being a small group we will have maximum flexibility to select the most appropriate churches to visit.
Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 7: In Tigray: We will have a full day to explore this rarely visited corner of Ethiopia. You can be as active or as relaxed as you like, enjoying the wonderful serenity of the Gheralta Lodge.
Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 8: Tigray & Lalibela: We have a full day driving through stunning countryside, to Lalibela. This is a full day's drive, but there is little traffic and we can stop and take in the epic landscape which we're passing through.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 9: Lalibela: This morning we will visit the first cluster of amazing rock-hewn churches & another UNESCO World Heritage Site & that will simply stagger you. After lunch, we will visit a local family for a traditional coffee ceremony where you will be able to see how a real Ethiopian family live.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 10: Lalibela: In the morning we'll take a drive up into the mountains to visit the wonderful Yemrehana Kristos. After lunch back in Lalibela, we will visit the second cluster of churches, including the famous church of St. George, which is carved in the shape of a cross from the red basalt rock. In the evening we'll take a trip to a tej house to sample the local liquor, followed by dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 11-12: TESFA Village Walk
After breakfast we'll drive to the start of the village walk. This is sure to be a real highlight of the trip and is an opportunity not currently offered by any other UK tour operator. In conjunction with our friends at TESFA (Tourism in Ethiopia for Sustainable Future Alternatives) we undertake a fascinating walk visiting local communities and staying in traditional villages. Please note that during these days, depending on the group size, it may be necessary to divide into two groups (one with the tour leader; one with the Ethiopian guide) & this is to minimise the impact of our presence in these communities. It will also allow for a more personal & intimate experience for everyone. Both groups will visit the same villages (but in a different order), meeting up at the start, middle & end. Most walking is at around 3000m and as everyone should be fully acclimatised by now, anyone of reasonable fitness should be fine with it. The walks vary in length from 4-6 hours with the emphasis being very much on seeing the people & countryside rather than rushing through it.
Specially constructed huts (tukuls) with shared rooms in local villages x 2 (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2)

Day 13: To Bahir Dar
After a final half-day walk to the trail-head, we will be picked up and driven to Bahir Dar, aiming to arrive early evening.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 14: In Bahir Dar
We will have a full day to enjoy this relaxed lakeside town and its surroundings. In the morning we'll take a look around town, see the papyrus boat makers and the market before driving to Tisissat (45mins) to visit the Blue Nile falls. After taking in the ‘Smoke of the Nile' from a classic vantage point we will then take a beautiful walk, via the base of the falls and a short boat trip across the river, back to Tisissat. In the afternoon we'll take a boat trip out onto Lake Tana, visiting some of the highly distinctive monasteries found there, replete with some truly spectacular frescoes.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 15: Bahir Dar & Addis Ababa: Depending on flight times, there will be free time in either Bahir Dar or Addis before our final dinner at a traditional restaurant with folk dancing and singing from the various regions of the country.
Day Rooms (B, L, D)
NB, those on the suggested group flight will transfer to the airport for check-in late this evening.

Wild Extensions:
Arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts. Explore the country after your tour on a bespoke Wild Extension or just allow a few days to relax afterwards. Maybe choose all of the above and get cheaper flights mid-week?

Here are some ideas...
Harar: For a completely different side of Ethiopia, why not visit the walled city of Harar & Islam's 4th holiest city. This fascinating city is famous for its qat market, ornately decorated traditional houses, vibrant mix of local people (including Afars & Somalis), historical links with Richard Burton, and the “hyena man” who feeds wild hyenas outside the city walls each night - this extension is the perfect complement to a trip to the predominantly Christian northern highlands! 3-4 night extension possible.

The Great African Rift Valley: For nature lovers, this extension to one of Africa's predominant geological features gives you the opportunity for some great bird watching and relaxing on the shores of beautiful Lake Langano. 3-4 days.

Omo Valley: Visit one of the most culturally diverse regions in Ethiopia, home to several unique and fascinating tribes. 12-15 days.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Accommodation We generally use the Hilton in Addis and Ghion Government chain of hotels around the country but as new privately owned hotels are becoming increasingly more available, we are also looking at these as viable options. Please bear in mind however that all these hotels would only amount to 2/3 star hotels in Europe. The Simien Eco-lodge and the Gheralta lodge are fond favourites of ours and generally very popular with our clients. Accommodation during the village walk will be in simple but comfortable huts with shared facilities.
All hotels mentioned in the itinerary are subject to availability and if not available substitutes will be of a similar quality.

Transport:
Transport our trips use planes, coasters and minibuses or 4WDs depending on local conditions.

Fitness:
As stated in the itinerary above, the walk is at altitudes of about 3000m, walking up to 25km a day, some of which is on uneven rocky paths. However, the walking is mostly flat and we can take our time. The walking should be within the capabilities of anyone of a reasonable level of fitness but it is advisable to ensure that you are in good shape before departing for your trip in order to get the most out of it. If you are unsure about your fitness horses can be hired for the duration of the walk for a small fee and you do not need to be an experienced rider. If you are unsure about your level of fitness please contact the office.

Insurance: Insurance is compulsory for all tours. Please note that it is very important that your insurance policy is relevant to the Wild Frontiers style of travel and be you should be aware that most standard insurance policies will not cover you adequately for Wild Frontiers trips.

Accordingly in order to ensure that you are covered for any eventuality that may arise on a Wild Frontiers trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance specifically designed for us by Travel & General. If you do decide to purchase alternative insurance, then you must ensure that it covers you for every aspect of this trip. Please pay particular attention to ensuring that you are covered for travel to 3500m.

Visas: Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such we advise that you check with the relevant embassies for the latest advice.
For this tour, UK passport holders currently require a visa for Ethiopia.
Non-UK passport holders should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.

Responsible Travel: Responsible travel and sustainable tourism are fundamental ideas that Wild Frontiers has been committed to since our birth. It is our strong belief that these words should not be simply ‘tagged on´ to dossiers and websites but should be at the very core of each trip, and our adventures are therefore designed with the local people, culture and eco-system in mind. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our clients, but that it also benefits the peoples whose lands we are privileged to visit.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Sat 16 Oct 2010 to Sat 30 Oct 2010

+44 [0]20 7736 3968