Nothing quite prepares the traveller for Ethiopia’s breathtaking beauty, remarkable ancient history, rich culture, and sheer diversity of people. From the rugged Simien Mountains to dramatic desert landscapes and lush countryside. Ethiopia was the only country in Africa never colonised and the lack of outside influence gives visitors an insight into an old and original Africa. It was here the first humans roamed and today the rich tribal culture and strong Coptic Christian beliefs offer an amazing contrast. We visit the most important sites including Lalibela and its 12th century rock-cut Christian churches, and Axum, the ruins of an ancient city with obelisks, tombs, castles, and Our Lady Mary of Zion church.
SPECIAL EXPERIENCES
Attend the Meskel festival in Ethiopia Ethiopia is renowned for its colourful festivals and Meskel is one of the major highlights of the year. Witness people dancing and singing around bonfires in Meskel Square, Addis Ababa.
Visit the Mursi Tribe Living in one of the most isolated regions of Ethiopia, the Mursi people in the beautiful Omo Valley are one of the most fascinating tribes in Africa. Still wearing brightly coloured traditional dress, they are best known for the clay plates that women start wearing in their lips from their late teens.
The Dallol Depression Numerous sulphur springs, volcanoes, geysers, acidic pools, vast salt pans, and colourful mineral-laden lakes dot this alien-looking landscape.
YOUR JOURNEY AT A GLANCE
• Visit the Simien Mountains – a vast cauldron of deep ravines and gorges, towering pinnacles and rock spires, and fascinating wildlife found nowhere else on Earth
• Admire the impressive castles at Gondar
• Travel back to biblical times at Axum and learn the history of the Queen of Sheba
• Walk through the incredible rock-hewn churches of Lalibela – carved out of solid rock by hand
• Walk on the salt pans of the Dallol Depression
• Visit some of the most traditional tribes in Africa with their striking decorations
. Harer and Bale mountains