Wild Northern Ethiopia

Duration
11 Days
Price
£2,690 pp.
Location
Ethiopia, Africa
Tigray In Ethiopia

Trip Highlights

  • Trek to Tigray's rock-hewn churches
  • Explore the Danakil Depression
  • Visit Lalibela's ancient churches

What's Included

  • 10 nights accommodation
  • Guided tours
  • Transportation

Trekking, Churches and Remote Deserts – Wild Ethiopia

This route allows visitors to see some of the most extraordinary landscapes that Ethiopia has to offer.

When chatting about new trips to offer through Ethiopia, our experts Ben, Marc and Peter wanted to focus on their favourite elements of the country, the amazing trekking, historic Churches of Lalibela and the stunning Danakil Depression – one of the remotest, most inhospitable yet strangely alluring spots on Earth.

Peter’s love of the unusual naturally draws him to the Danakil Depression, which he describes as “an other-worldly landscape, unmatched for dramatic scenery, vibrant colours and hardy Afar tribespeople who mine salt from Lake Abay”. Ben’s natural affinity to be active means he heartily endorses the TESFA Trekking element of this trip which allows visitors to see some truly incredible landscape and contribute to remote local communities along the way. The incredible rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are a personal favourite of Marc’s and have drawn him back to Ethiopia time and time again.

Starting off with an overnight flight to Addis Ababa you will spend your first night in the Ethiopian capital, enjoying a tour of this bustling, modern city which is evolving day-by-day. The following morning you will fly up to Lalibela where you will be met and transferred in to mountains outside of the city, an area known as Wollo. Spend three nights trekking through these stunning mountains, sleeping in community-built camps along the rim of the mountain escarpment and learn about the lives of these remote villagers through the interpretation of your guide. Once the trekking is done you will be driven down to Lalibela where you will be spending 2 nights as the base for exploring the rock-hewn churches that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Lalibela you will continue by road to Mekelle, the jumping-off point for your trip in to the foreboding but beautiful Danakil Depression. Two nights exploring here will allow a night camping on the rim of the active volcano at Erta Ale and the staggering Dallol sulphur springs. A night back in Mekelle will allow for some time to relax before flying back to Addis Ababa late in the evening, connecting on to your flight back to London.

Highlights

  • Exploring the Merkato – Africa’s largest open-air market
  • 3 nights trekking through Ethiopia with our partners at TESFA Trekking and Tours
  • Walking through the beautiful Wollo region with its stunning views
  • Visit the spectacular cave Monastery at Yemerehanna Kristos
  • Explore the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela – 13 in total
  • Experience Danakil Depression, one of the most remote and inhospitable regions on Earth
  • Camping on the rim of a volcano

This wonderful adventure allows you to see the best of what Ethiopia has to offer – mesmerising scenery, challenging but exciting walking, riveting history and the chance to spend time with some of the friendliest and most engaging people you could ever wish to meet. A true adventure and one not to be missed.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Exploring Addis Ababa

Land in to Addis Ababa this morning where you will be met and transferred to the Impress Hotel where you will drop off your bags before setting out on an orientation tour of the city. This will include time exploring the Merkato – Africa’s largest open-air market, a trip down Independence Way and a visit to the Cathedral. Enjoy a tour of the very interesting National Museum before heading back to the hotel for some time at leisure to relax.

Day 2 These boots were made for walking

Day 3 Exploring Ethiopia on foot

Day 4 Walking the Wollo region

Day 5 Cave Monastery at Yemerehanna Kristos

Day 6 The rock churches of Lalibela

Day 7 Ethiopian road trip

Day 8 Sunset at Erta Ale

Day 9 Volcano camping

Day 10 Camel trains and salts of Lake Afera

Day 11 Departure

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When to go to Ethiopia

Find out the best time to visit Ethiopia with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January in Ethiopia is all about Timket, an annual Christian festival being celebrated throughout the country. It's a spectacular sight to behold. Check out our Timket tour for more information. Temperatures are pleasant at this time of year so it's a great time for touring around much of the country.

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February

February marks the end of winter in Ethiopia, so if you're travelling to the highlands pack a few extra layers as it can get cold at night.

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March

Temperatures begin to rise in March, making trekking in the Simien Mountains and exploring Lalibela great options this month. There are occasional rain showers but nothing that will really disrupt activities. It's wet in the Omo Valley region between March and June, with muddy roads disrupting travel in this area.

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April

April is the start of the short rains, which begin in the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia.

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May

The rains arrive in the Bale Mountains National Park and the Rift Valley Lakes during May and June, so this isn't a great time for hiking in these areas. However the downpours are usually in the afternoons, leaving the mornings with blue sunny skies, and plenty of opportunity to explore the rest of the country.

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June

The rains continue, which make this a great time for the breeding season of migratory birds, with numerous colourful species to keep an eye out for.

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July

The wettest months in the northern and central highlands are July and August. The short heavy storms mean this isn't a good time for hiking in the Simien and Bale Mountains, but the downpours don't really disrupt activities throughout the rest of the country. It's a good time to visit Lalibela which will be less crowded than during the rest of the year.

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August

The wettest months in the northern and central highlands are July and August. The short heavy storms mean this isn't a good time for hiking in the Simien and Bale Mountains, but the downpours don't really disrupt activities throughout the rest of the country. It's a good time to visit Lalibela which will be less crowded than during the rest of the year.

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September

Whilst the beginning of the month will see the tail end of the rainy season, it's actually quite a good month to travel around Ethiopia, just before peak season kicks in, and whilst the country is still green and beautiful. If you want to see the carpets of yellow Meskel flowers, or witness the colourful Meskel Festival, this is the month!

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October

October is the start of the peak tourist season in Ethiopia, bringing with it great weather, pleasant temperatures, blue skies and little rainfall. A perfect time for touring around the country, particularly the Central Highlands and Northern Ethiopia.

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November

The cooler temperatures and little rainfall during November and December make them great months for exploring the Omo Valley, with better road conditions and green landscapes.

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December

The good weather and travelling conditions continue through December and into January, making this an ideal month to explore the whole country.

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