Discover Ethiopia

Early in the morning you will travel to the Tississat Falls, located about thirty kilometres from Lake Tana. Due to a nearby HEP scheme, the waterfalls can no longer be guaranteed to be in full force. It is still a charming sight, however, and amazing to see the Blue Nile pouring over the fern-fringed lip to be channelled into the incredibly narrow gorges on its journey to Khartoum in Sudan. Embark on a gentle walk to the falls (approx two hours) before stopping to admire them. From here you head back to the river for a short boat ride to meet the vehicle. (N.B. A shorter visit to the falls can be arranged for those who don’t want such a long walk). Return to Bahar Dar for lunch and explore the town, where you may choose to visit the local market, watch the activity in and around the lake where the main means of transport is the traditional boats known as Tankwa-a which are made of bundled papyrus. (B)

This morning you drive to Debark on the edge of the Simien Mountains. The road is fairly rough and rugged and usually takes about two and a half hours. In the afternoon we drive up into the mountains for some spectacular views of this unique ecosystem. The highland plateau is capped by a dramatic skyline of jagged volcanic plugs and split by deep gorges and gullies. On a good day, the views are sensational and the striking towers and formations have been described as the ‘chess pieces of the Gods’. You take an optional walk and hope to sight the endemic gelada baboons and Klipspringers before returning to Debark. The maximum altitude we reach is 3250m.

Hotel – 1 night (B)

PLEASE NOTE that the Timkat departures will NOT visit the Simien Mountains. An extra day will be spent in the town where we celebrate the festival to ensure that we have time to visit all the relevant sites.

Axum is the seat of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Axum, which was once one of the most powerful in the ancient world. Located at the centre of the trading routes between the Mediterranean and India, and the great port of Adulis on the Red Sea, it was economically, politically and technically advanced and at times had control over both sides of the Red Sea. Axum is also the origin of Christianity in Ethiopia and believed to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The old church of St Mary of Zion was the first church to be built in Sub-Saharan Africa around 330AD. Its ruins can be seen in the precinct of the church compound. We visit the famous monolithic stelae of Axum, the tallest one still standing reaches over 21 metres and the greatest one of them all, once 34 metres high now lies toppled on the ground. However, it is still the largest monolith ever erected by man. The subterranean tombs, stone inscriptions of ancient Axumite kings and the small archaeological museum are also living witness of the ancient Axumite history. Plus we also visit the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba who is said to have given birth to Menelik the First, fathered by King Solomon, the founder of Ethiopia’s ruling family until the late Emperor Haile Selassie.CH (B)

In the morning you enjoy an adventurous mule journey to visit Ashetan Maryam (St Mary), built on a ridge with excellent views over the surrounding countryside. The trip takes approximately 5 hours and will start early to avoid the heat. You will ride the mules up the mountain for approximately an hour, then hike the rest of the way up the mountain to the church. After visiting the church you then walk back down to the village on slippery mountain paths. This is a tough walk and this is an optional activity. If you choose not to do the walk there is plenty to do in Lalibela: There is the opportunity to walk into the town and visit some of the many shops or relax in a Tej café and sample the local fermented honey drink. In the afternoon you visit the further cluster of churches that include the twin churches of Bete Gabriel and Rafael, Merkorous, Emanuel and Abba Libanos. Bete Emanuel is the best in this group and exceptionally carved with unique Axumite building features, such as the indentations on the walls, symbols of the multi-storey building taken from the stelae of Axum, monkey heads and false windows. The rest of the day is spent absorbing the atmosphere of this extraordinary town with its Tukul or round houses. Made as two-storey buildings, they are unusual in Africa. (B)

Travel south, on surprisingly good roads to Lake Abiata-Shala National Park. This region is home to the Oromo people, farmers and cattle herders, and you will probably see them grazing their stock on the lush lakeshore pastures. You should see Grants gazelle, greater and lesser flamingo, as well as a variety of water birds, including the sacred ibis, which loves to perch in fig or acacia trees. The final destination is the little oasis of Wendo Genet. Hotel – 2 nights (B)