Sorry! There are no remaining departures for "Mysteries of Ethiopia" (DEHNG), but here are some similar trips.
Mysteries of Ethiopia
13 days, Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa
Itinerary
Day 1Addis Ababa
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Addis Ababa, founded more than a century ago, means “new flower” in Amharic. At an elevation of 2,400m (7,874 ft), it's the third highest capital in the world and the climate is pleasantly cool. The city mixes past and present, the streets a mishmash of expensive cars, old Russian (Lada model) taxis, along with donkeys, sheep, and goats. Traditional mud houses stand not far from austere fascist architecture and private-sector banks.
Accommodation in Ethiopia is not to the standard of the west or other parts of Africa where tourism is more developed. Please see about accommodation section in trip details for more information.
Arrival Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Addis Ababa/Bahir Dar
Take a late morning flight to Bahir Dar. Enjoy a guided hike to the Blue Nile Falls. The falls are some of Africa's most scenic and are known as Tis Issat, which means “smoking water.”
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Blue Nile Falls Hiking Excursion
Enjoy a two-hour hike to the Blue Nile Falls, crossing over the Blue Nile via the historic Portuguese bridge. You can also take a path to the bottom of the falls to experience a close-up view. During full flood (July - September), the falls increase to 400m (1,312 ft) across and a 45m (148 ft) drop.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Bezawit Climb
Drive to Bezawit, the palace of Haile Selassie, which lies on a hill 5km (3.1 mi) outside of Bahir Dar. The panoramic views of the Blue Nile River, Lake Tana, and the town are absolutely stunning.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Bahir Dar
Take a boat trip on Lake Tana to enjoy stunning views and visit monasteries including Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam. In the afternoon, take a city tour with a visit to the Bahir Dar market.
Lake Tana Boat Trip (Monastery Visit)
Visit two monasteries on Lake Tana. Both men and women can visit these monasteries, Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam. From Ura Kidane Mihret, go for a twenty-minute walk through the forest on Zege Peninsula to a second monastery, Azwa Maryam. Have a short visit at this monastery before boarding your boat.
Bahir Dar Market
Visit the busy market in Bahir Dar, where you can see colourful woven clothing, basketry, cereals, spices, and other local goods.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Bahir Dar/Gonder
Visit the egalitarian community of Awra Amba with a local expert. You’ll learn about the unique way of life that sets men and women equally in all community, social, and labour matters. Continue to Gondor and visit the Kusquam Castle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Awra Amba Community Visit
Visit the unique egalitarian community of Awra Amba. Founded in 1980, the village, which aims to relieve poverty and provide social security to its members, has been ostracized for failing to subscribe to a mainstream religion. Join a local expert and learn about the way of life in this innovative community where men and women are treated equally and labour is not divided by gender.
Kusquam Castle Visit
Visit Kusquam, Queen Mentawab's 18th century residence and church, which is dedicated to St Mary. The skeletal remains of Empress Mentawab, Emperor Iyasu II, and her grandson, Iyoas, are all found (underground) inside the church. The impressive banquet hall is also worth a visit too.
Free Time
Enjoy some free time on your own. Opt to visit the local market.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Gondar Market Visit
Opt to visit the city market to see the locals shopping and pick up a few trinkets for yourself or friends back home.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Gonder
Explore Gondar and visit Debre Berhan Salassie Church, Fasiladas's castles, bath, and gardens. Visit the Ploughshare Women Crafts Training Centre in a Falasha village where underprivileged single mothers can learn pottery, weaving, and other technical skills that enable them to make a living independently. Continue to our lodge just outside Gondar. In the evening, visit the Kossoye Community where you’ll learn about the staples of Ethiopian food and have an Injera making demonstration before enjoying a traditional dinner.
Fasiladas Castle and Bath Visit
Visit the Fasiladas' Castle compound, which covers an area of over 70,000sq m (229,659 sq ft), surrounded by high stone walls. Emperor Fasiladas's Palace is the oldest and perhaps most impressive of the castles. It is two stories high, has an imposing parapet and four small domed towers. Thought to be designed by an Indian architect, it reflects Indian, Portuguese, Moorish, and Aksumite influences. Following the castle visit, we drive to Emperor Fasiladas’s bath and wander around the grounds shaded by huge fig trees.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Ploughshare Women's Association Visit
Visit the Ploughshare Women’s Crafts Training Centre where underprivileged single mothers can learn pottery, weaving, and other technical skills that enable them to make a living independently. Tour the facility, learn more about the initiative, enjoy handicraft demonstrations, and talk to some of the trainees. Browse the small on-site gift shop where you can see some of the completed works and finish off the experience with a traditional coffee ceremony.
Debre Berhan Selassie Church Tour
Visit Debre Berhan Salassie Church, probably the country's most famous church and a highlight of Gondar. Its ceiling is covered with famous paintings of Ethiopian cherubs and the walls portray Ethiopian saints, martyrs, and lore.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Community Injera Making Demonstration and Traditional Dinner
Venture to the Kossoye community to discover the key ingredients of local dishes and try making injera, the flatbread that accompanies most meals. Then sit down to a traditional dinner, scooping up savoury stews with injera that’s fresh off the griddle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 6Gonder/Debark’
Travel to Debark, our base for visiting Simien Mountains National Park. Relax at the scenic lodge with views of the stunning mountain ranges.
It is cold in the morning, during the day, in the evening, and at night when there is cloud cover or sleet. Ice often forms on water in the early mornings during the cold period of December through February, and afternoon spurts of hail frequent the beginning of the rains (April through September).
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Relax and take in the fresh air of the mountains.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Debark’
Spend the day in Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy guided hiking excursions around Sankaber campsite, the Jinbar waterfalls, and Chenek campsite with its scenic views and wildlife. Return to our comfortable lodge for the evening.
The scenic Simien Mountains are a good break from the busy cities. Rising high above an eroded landscape of deep gorges and valleys, they rank as one of the continent’s most beautiful (and unusual) mountain ranges. A number of peaks reach well over 4,000m (13,123.4 ft), and Ras Dashen, the highest peak in Ethiopia, is one of Africa’s highest mountains. Here, you can see some of Ethiopia's remarkable flora and fauna, including Gelada baboon, Walia ibex, and, if you're lucky, the Ethiopian wolf. The huge lammergeyer is also found soaring over the valleys here.
Today is a full day of hiking. Those not interested in hiking can spend the day relaxing at the lodge.
Simien Mountains Trek
Enjoy a day visit to Simien Mountains National Park. In the morning, hike from Sankaber campsite to the Jinbar waterfalls. Later, depending on road conditions, drive as far as the Chenek campsite for a picnic lunch and short excursions in search of Walia Ibex and the Ethiopian wolf.
Hiking
Lace up your hiking boots and get to the next stop under your own power.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Debark’/Āksum
Drive to Axum, Ethiopia's oldest and holiest city, which was once the home of the Queen of Sheba.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Āksum
Spend the day exploring Axum, Ethiopia's oldest city. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church was founded here in the 4th century and it remains the holiest city in the country. Visit archaeological sites and Axum Tsion church.
Axum Historical Site Visit
Explore the Axum historical site, including visits to the main stelae field, the Queen of Sheba’s palace and bath, and the Church of Tsion Maryam (St. Mary of Zion), which is believed to be the first church in Sub-Saharan Africa and claimed to house the Ark of the Covenant.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Āksum/Lalībela
This morning, we rise early for our flight to Lalibela. Upon landing, we head out to visit historical sites, including St. George Church, and other rock-hewn churches.
Lalibela is a good place to taste the local beverage, tej (honey wine) accompanied by local traditional song and dance.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Lalibela Churches Tour
Lalibela is considered by many as the greatest of the religio-historical sites. The churches, carved out of single rocks, date back to the 11th and 12th century AD and are still in use. Visit various churches here, learning more about the culture and history of the area.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Lalībela
In the morning, enjoy a hike to Asheton Maryam, for panoramic views of the town and countryside. In the afternoon, we'll continue our tour of the second group of churches.
Asheton Maryam Hike
Enjoy a 3 hour morning hike to Ashetan Maryam, set at 3,150m (10,335ft) on top of the highest peak. Take some time to wonder at the panoramic views of the town and countryside. While this hike can be strenuous and demanding, there is an option for those who wish to hire a mule.
Lalibela Churches Tour
Lalibela is considered by many as the greatest of the religio-historical sites. The churches, carved out of single rocks, date back to the 11th and 12th century AD and are still in use. Visit various churches here, learning more about the culture and history of the area.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Lalībela/Addis Ababa
Take a late morning flight to Addis Ababa. Opt to enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Addis Ababa
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.