Ethiopia: Northern Explorer (Christmas Departure)
Ethiopia: Northern Explorer (Christmas Departure)
13 Days
Visiting: Ethiopia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ETH2
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Interests:
Tour Overview
This is a great itinerary that visits the best of the historical northern circuit whilst offering a few additional hidden treasures as well.
Starting our tour in Addis we will fly north to Mekele and drive through the Eastern Tigray region, one of the most visually stunning parts of the whole country, to visit a number of the impressive rock-hewn churches on the way. With some time to visit the sites of the ancient capital of Axum via Yeha, we continue to the stunning Simien Mountains National Park to go hiking amongst the beautiful landscapes and hopefully spot some of the endemic wildlife.
With time in Gonder to see its medieval castles we then fly to Lalibela to see the impressive rock-hewn churches (which for some are considered to be the 8th wonder of the world). From here we undertake a rewarding village walk, spending 2 nights with local communities in conjunction with a community-based tourism project called TESFA (Tourism in Ethiopia for Sustainable Future Alternatives). As a fitting climax we finish in Bahir Dar for a boat ride on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Addis Ababa
Accommodation: Capital Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
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 bustling capital, including the Trinity Cathedral, the National Museum and the Mercato, the biggest open-air market in Africa. In the evening we’ll have an early dinner back at our hotel in preparation for the trip ahead.
Day 2: Addis Ababa - Mekele - North East Tigray Region
Accommodation: Agoro Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A morning flight takes us to Mekele from where we’ll drive north to our lodge. En route we will explore some of this fascinating region of Ethiopia, which is home to the stunning rock-hewn churches of Tigray. We will get the chance to discover Wukro Chirkos church, a crooked cruciform sandstone church, which is semi-monolithic and believed to have been created during the 4th century. From here we can continue on to the rock-hewn church of Abreha Atsbeha, considered among the country's earliest churches and architecturally one of its finest. Enjoying the dramatic scenery of the Northern Tigray region we then complete our journey to our lodge.
Day 3: In & Around North East Tigray Region
Accommodation: Agoro Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will visit two of Ethiopia's most striking churches, known for their unique location and stunning views. Miriam and Daniel Korkor are rock hewn churches located in the heart of the Gheralta Mountains. These unique churches are found in splendid isolation on remote rocky outcrops and involve a strenuous (but highly rewarding!) walk up to reach them, taking around 2hrs to climb up. Taking our time and enjoying the magnificent views as we work our way slowly up the escarpment, at the top we are not only rewarded with the epic vistas but also a wealth of 17th century paintings and church treasures. After enjoying some time exploring the two churches, we can begin our descent, which will take around an hour back down to the main road.
Day 4: North East Tigray Region - Yeha - Axum
Accommodation: Sabean Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we’ll turn west to Axum, stopping en route at the Yemeni influenced Yeha temple (also known as the temple of the Moon from the 5th century BC). On arrival in Axum, a town steeped in more than 2,500 years of history, we’ll visit some of the key sites such as the palace and tomb of King Kaleb, the extraordinary stelae field (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the tomb of King Remhay, and the church of St Mary of Tsion, in which the Ark of Covenant is allegedly hiding! Depending on time we will also visit the Queen of Sheba’s Palace (if not the following morning).
Day 5: Axum - The Simien Mountains National Park
Accommodation: Lima Limo Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our journey continues south west to the Simien Mountains National Park, stopping for lunch en route. The scenery along this route is truly breath-taking and there will be time for photo stops along the way. On arrival to the Simiens there should be time for a leisurely walk in the nearby area where with some luck we'll get to see some of the wildlife the park is known for, including lammergeier vultures, Gelada baboons and bushback.
Day 6: In The Simien Mountains National Park
Accommodation: Lima Limo Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we’ll have a full day to explore the stunning landscapes the National Park is renowned for. Taking a picnic lunch with us we’ll walk along the escarpment taking in the exceptional views. Without doubt we’ll get to spend some time observing the Gelada baboons and if we’re lucky we might get to see the elusive walia ibex.
Day 7: Simien Mountains National Park - Gonder
Accommodation: Goha Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving the mountains behind our next stop is Gonder, where we’ll visit the key sites of the ancient capital including the Debre Birhan Selassie church (Light of Trinity) with its wonderful murals. We’ll 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.
Day 8: Gonder - Lalibela
Accommodation: Maribela Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we will 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'll 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. This evening we hope to visit the home of a local family for a traditional coffee ceremony. This is a wonderful opportunity to share in a core cultural custom of Ethiopia, which centres around socialising with relatives, neighbours and other visitors
Day 9: In & Around Lalibela
Accommodation: Maribela Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we’ll drive up into the mountains to visit the wonderful Yemrehana Kristos cave church, situated about 40km from Lalibela. Set at an altitude of 2,700m and protected by an unflattering wall, Yemrehana Kristos is an old built-up church within a large cavern and is a particularly fine example of late Axumite architecture, with a cruciform carved window and an etched wood-panel roof. It's a short hike up to the church but well worth the visit and the scenery en route is spectacular. With lunch back in Lalibela, this afternoon we'll visit 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.
Day 10 : Days 10 - 11: Lalibela - Tesfa Trek
Accommodation: Specially constructed huts (tukuls) with shared facilities
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
TESFA is a community-based enterprise that invites visitors to trek between villages, stay in traditional accommodation and learn about the day-to-day lives of the people of the Ethiopian Highlands, while contributing to the protection of their culture and environment. This is sure to be a real highlight of the trip and is an opportunity not currently offered by any other UK tour operator (as far as we are aware!). Driving to the start point we undertake a fascinating walk visiting local communities and staying in traditional villages. Please note that depending on the overall group size it may be necessary to divide in to two groups – in an attempt to minimise the impact our presence may have in these communities. It will also allow for a more personal and intimate experience for everyone. Both groups will visit the same villages (but in a different order), meeting up at the start, middle and end. Most walking is at around 3,000m and as everyone should be fully acclimatised by now, anyone of reasonable fitness should be fine with it. The walks vary in length from 4-7 hours with the emphasis being very much on seeing the people and countryside rather than rushing through.
Day 12: Tesfa Trek - Bahir Dar
Accommodation: Blue Nile Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a final morning walk to the trail-head we will be picked up and driven west to Bahir Dar on the shores of Lake Tana. Here we’ll have the chance to freshen up in our rooms before dinner.
Day 13: Tour Ends In Bahir Dar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we’ll drive to Tisissat to visit the Blue Nile falls. Here the waterfall plunges 45 metres down before continuing its journey to join the White Nile in Khartoum. After taking in views of Tis Abay (Smoke of the Nile) from a classic vantage point we’ll take a beautiful walk via the base of the falls and a short boat trip across the river back to Tisissat. Heading back towards Bahir Dar we’ll board a boat and take a trip out on to Lake Tana, visiting a highly distinctive monastery found there replete with some truly spectacular frescoes. The tour ends late this afternoon, and those on the suggested group flights will be transferred to Bahir Dar airport in time for their return flight to Addis.
Please be aware that the flow of water at the falls is significantly reduced due to a hydro-electric plant. We therefore have no way of knowing the size of the falls in advance. Despite this a visit still makes for an enjoyable excursion from Bahir Dar, whatever the level of water.
What's Included
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MEALS
12 x Breakfasts13 x Lunches12 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use a mini bus, a boat, internal flights and your own two feet!
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
3 nights x Premium
5 nights x Superior
4 nights x Simple -
ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Moderate
What's Not Included
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We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport .Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
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We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flightsBeverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
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 for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for Ethiopia.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents 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
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Travelling Solo and single supplements
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except whilst on the TESFA trek. Here you will share Tukul huts with others on the trip (typically 3 or 4 people to a hut). In addition we can’t guarantee a single room at Lima Limo Lodge and Gheralta Lodge (although we will do our best to get you a single room at these 2 places).
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. However, please note that there will be some long days in the car and when visiting some of the sights you will be on your feet walking around.
Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be easily catered for, but we will need to know of any dietary requirements before departure.
For the TESFA walk you will be walking at altitudes of around 3,000m, walking up to 15-20km on one day, of which there are periods where you will be walking over uneven rocky paths, so you will need to bring footwear that supports your ankles. The walking however is mostly on the flat and we can take our time to cross the rocky areas. The walking should be within the capabilities of anyone with a reasonable level of fitness but you should ensure that you’re in good shape before departing for your trip in order to get the most out of it. If you’re unsure about your fitness, horses can be hired for the duration of the walk (for a small fee) for which you don’t need to have much riding experience. If you are unsure about your level of fitness please contact the office.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. However, please note that there will be some long days in the car and when visiting some of the sights you will be on your feet walking around.
Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be easily catered for, but we will need to know of any dietary requirements before departure.
For the TESFA walk you will be walking at altitudes of around 3,000m, walking up to 15-20km on one day, of which there are periods where you will be walking over uneven rocky paths, so you will need to bring footwear that supports your ankles. The walking however is mostly on the flat and we can take our time to cross the rocky areas. The walking should be within the capabilities of anyone with a reasonable level of fitness but you should ensure that you’re in good shape before departing for your trip in order to get the most out of it. If you’re unsure about your fitness, horses can be hired for the duration of the walk (for a small fee) for which you don’t need to have much riding experience. If you are unsure about your level of fitness please contact the office.
Check out our Q&As
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise
You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**
We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:
There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
Tourist visas (if required) are available.
There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****
** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
**** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
*****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.
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