Ethiopia Encompassed

Meeting at our hotel this morning, there will be time to relax and freshen up before having lunch and an orientation tour around Ethiopia’s busy capital, including Unity Park and the National Museum. In the evening we’ll have an early dinner back at our hotel in preparation for the trip ahead.

Be prepared for a very long travel day and an early start, as we head south about 500kms in our 4WD landcruisers through the East Africa Rift Valley towards Arba Minch. The journey will take all day and en route we plan to visit a few sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tiya, a stelae field, and the rock-hewn church of Adadi Maryam. In the evening we arrive to Arba Minch, located on the shores of Lake Chamo in Ethiopia's deep south, and the gateway to the diverse tribal lands of the Omo Valley and beyond. Over the next few days we will gain an insight not only into the traditions and customs of the different indigenous communities, but also learn more about the external challenges which affect their traditional way of life, and the efforts being made to help promote cultural preservation and sustainable development.

This morning we can enjoy a wonderful boat trip on Lake Chamo, an area rich in flora and fauna. One can spot many hippos and often a spectacular concentration of giant crocodiles, locally known as "Crocodile Market”. The water birds are plentiful and the scenery is truly unforgettable. We should also get a glimpse of life on the lake as we look out for locals fishing for Nile perch and many other species on their traditional boats. This afternoon we then travel just a short way outside of Arba Minch to Chencha, which is the focal point for the Dorze people. This tribe is renowned for their weaving skills and today we will visit one of their villages. Their homes, known locally as ‘ele’, are remarkable structures resembling beehives built entirely from organic materials. The design allows for natural ventilation and helps regulate temperature, with the taller homes reaching an incredible 12 metres in height.

Today we make our way south to Turmi, passing through the remote heartlands of the Konso, Derase, Ari, Tsemai and Banna peoples, all of which have lived here with their own traditional culture and customs for centuries. En route we visit a lively local market as well as a Konso village, where we can gain more of an insight into the Konso Cultural Landscape, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An example of unique land management practices, the area includes traditional terraced agricultural fields, stone-walled settlements, forest protection and grave sites of the Konso people, all of which showcase a strong connection to the land and how the community has been actively involved in conserving their environment for centuries. We arrive to Turmi in the afternoon where we will then settle in for the evening.

This morning we head to Murelle to visit the tribal villages of Kortcho, home to the Karo. Thought to be one of the most vulnerable populations of the Omo peoples, with perhaps only 1000-1500 individuals remaining, the Karo are traditionally pastoralists, and are famous for their flamboyant hairstyles and body painting. Body painting serves as a multifaceted practice, encompassing cultural, artistic, aesthetic, and spiritual aspects, and plays a vital role in preserving their cultural identity and providing a visual representation of their rich heritage. This afternoon, we then spend some time visiting a Hamer village. Thought to be descended from the ancient Egyptians, the Hamer are also pastoralists by custom and are one of the largest ethnic groups in the region. The Hamer are known for their distinct culture, traditional practices, and vibrant ceremonies, in particular the bull jumping ceremony. Known as "Ukuli Bula" in their language, this ceremony is a rite of passage for young men to transition into adulthood and marriage. The ceremony involves the young man running across the backs of bulls while naked, proving his courage and strength. It is also an opportunity for young women to demonstrate their support and show their eligibility for marriage.

Heading north once again we first drive to the lively Key Afer Market which occurs every Thursday. This market provides a platform for the different ethnic communities to come together and trade livestock, agricultural products and handicrafts, as well as take part in cultural performances and ceremonies. From here we then visit the Mursi people, renowned for their elaborate body modifications, particularly lip plates. Young girls typically have their lower lips pierced, and progressively larger clay or wooden plates are inserted over time, a practice which is considered a symbol of beauty and cultural identity. Mursi men also engage in scarification, creating intricate patterns on their bodies using razor blades. Understanding and respecting the cultural significance and uniqueness of the Mursi people is essential for visitors interested in their way of life, and our guide will be able to give us more of an insight during our visit.

We say goodbye to the south today as we fly to Bahir Dar, via Addis Ababa. Most of the day will be dedicated to travelling, but on arrival there should be some time for some initial exploration of this attractively located lakeside city.

This morning we board a boat and take a trip out on to Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. The islands and peninsulas of Lake Tana host more than 20 monastic churches, many of them founded by Amda Tsion in the 14th century. Visit the beautifully decorated Ura Kidane Mihret Monastery located on the forested Zege Peninsula, as well as Bete Selassie which was rebuilt in 1858 and is home to beautiful paintings, despite the simple exterior of the church. On our return we then drive to Tisissat, followed by a short 30-minute walk along an uneven path to visit the Blue Nile Falls, known as Tis Abay (Smoke of the Nile). Here the waterfall plunges 45 metres down before continuing its journey to join the White Nile in Khartoum. Once one of Africa's most spectacular falls, today they have unfortunately been drastically demised due to the completion of a hydro-electric plant that diverts 95% of the water when operating, so water levels are unpredictable. A suspension bridge takes us to the foot of the falls and from here we can take a pleasant walk around the other side of the falls, before crossing back on a short boat trip across the Blue Nile to our starting point, and back to Bahir Dar.

From Bahir Dar we drive north today around the eastern edge of Lake Tana to the town of Gonder. The 185km trip takes about 3 hours and we will be able to experience the countryside away from the towns and historical sites. This afternoon we then discover the key sites of the ancient capital, including the Debre Birhan Selassie church (Light of Trinity) with its wonderful murals. We also visit the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its medieval castles, architecturally unique and unlike anything else found in Sub-Saharan Africa.

We have an early start this morning as we set off to spend the day exploring the stunning landscapes of the Simen Mountains National Park, located around 2.5hrs away from Gonder. One of the largest ranges in Africa, here we can see vaulting granite columns, towering escarpments and plummeting valleys, all home to a vast assortment of wildlife, including Gelada Monkeys, the Simien fox, bushbuck and the magnificent Lammergeyer vulture. Taking a picnic lunch with us we walk along the escarpment taking in the exceptional views and hopefully spotting some of the wildlife, before returning to Gonder in the early evening.

This morning we catch a flight to Lalibela, arriving late morning. This isolated town, situated high up in the Lasta Mountains, is famous throughout the world for its incredible rock-hewn churches. At 2,630m and perched among wild mountains, the setting is fantastic. From the 10th to the mid-13th century it was the capital of the Zagwe Dynasty that ruled the country and it was under the direction of its most famous King, Lalibela, that the churches were carved. He gathered together the greatest craftsmen possible and some estimate as many as 40,000 people were required to create the churches. This incredible group of monuments consists of six churches to the north and five churches to the south, and the churches are linked by a series of rock hewn tunnels similar to catacombs. After settling into our hotel and enjoying an early lunch, this afternoon we visit the first cluster of UNESCO World Heritage Site churches, included the famous church of St. George, or Bete Giyorgis, carved in the shape of a cross from the red tuff.

Enjoy a slower start this morning, before we set off to learn about the traditional methods of producing Ethiopia’s unique culinary delights. Our host will welcome us and show us how they cook typical Ethiopian food, usually a spicy vegetable and lentil stews and slow-simmered meats. They will also show us a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, which is a wonderful opportunity to share in a core cultural custom of Ethiopia, which centres around socialising with relatives, neighbours and other visitors. This afternoon we can then enjoy a visit to the second cluster of staggering rock hewn churches. In the evening we'll take a trip to a tej house to sample the local liquor, followed by dinner at a traditional restaurant.

Today we spend most of the day driving east to Weldiya, offering a glimpse into the landscapes and rural communities of the Amhara region. En route we can visit a local village, home to an Amhara community. The Amhara are one of the largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia, speaking Amharic, Ethiopia’s official language, and have a rich cultural heritage which can be seen through their music, art, dance, clothing and cuisine.

It’s another long drive today as we make our way to Semera, the gateway to the Danakil, passing from the highlands down to the lowland landscapes. En route we stop at an Afar village where we can observe rural life in this area. Traditionally, the Afar people have been nomadic pastoralists, relying on livestock, particularly camels, goats, and sheep, for their livelihood, and moving across vast areas in search of water and grazing land for their animals. However, due to various factors such as modernization and changing climatic conditions, some Afar people have transitioned to settled agricultural or semi-nomadic lifestyles. Continuing on to Semera we settle in for the evening. Here we will obtain the necessary permission required to enter the Danakil region tomorrow.

This morning we will make our way northwards into the barren landscape of the Danakil Desert. All the while we will be slowly losing altitude and by the time we reach Lake Afrera we will be 100m below sea level. Continuing north to Dallol, the driving is all off road, through the desert. Dallol is like nowhere else; a bizarre landscape of colourful mineral deposits, sulphur pools and geysers, where we’ll have the afternoon to explore this seemingly alien terrain. We will also visit the striking landscape of the salt canyons, before driving to Ahmed Ela, a small settlement where the salt caravans meet before their long walk to Mekele. Here we will camp for the night.

After another chance to visit Dallol this morning, we head towards Erta Ale Volcano, which literally translates to ‘Smoking Mountain’ in Afar language. Reaching Kuswarad, an Afar village where we pick up our local guides, we then continue through the desert where we reach the basalt rock formed by old lava flows. After getting off our vehicle, we trek to the rim of the volcano at around sunset, to avoid walking during the heat of the day. The trek will take about 45-60 minutes, with the latter part of the walk taking part in the dark. The path is not that steep, but it is important everyone has a torch and sticks together. We camp on the crater rim, a safe distance away from the lava. Here we will hopefully be able to witness the volcano in all its glory, and see the beauty of its lava lake, one of only six active lava lakes in the world.

We return to Semera today to catch our flight back to Addis. Enjoy a well-earned shower at the hotel before having an evening at leisure to unwind after a busy few days.

Enjoy a free morning to relax at the hotel or explore independently at leisure. After checking out of our hotel, we will then meet for a late lunch, followed by an afternoon exploring more of the city, including the Ethnological Museum - located in the former Emperor Haile Selassie's palace grounds, and the Merkato - the largest open-air market in Africa. We can also pay a visit to the church of the Holy Trinity, which houses some stunning stained glass windows, and whose dome is a prominent landmark in the city. After our final dinner, what better way to end our adventure than listening to some mesmerising Ethio-jazz at one of the city hotspots. Those on the suggested group flight will then be transferred to the airport late this evening.