Africa · Ethiopia
Ten days along Ethiopia's historic route: the Blue Nile Falls, the monasteries of Lake Tana, the castles of Gondar, the Simien Mountains and the churches of Lalibela. Flight included.
Quick facts
Indicative price from
€2,599
per person
This itinerary is a starting point: we'll adapt it with you in your tailor-made proposal.
Request informationEthiopia has an ancient Christian history and landscapes unlike anywhere else in Africa. The historic route, in the north of the country, brings them together: from Addis Ababa you climb onto the highlands to Lake Tana, where monasteries hidden on its islands keep manuscripts and frescoes, and to the Blue Nile Falls.
Gondar is the city of castles, home to the emperors in the 17th century. From here you reach the Simien Mountains, a plateau of peaks and gorges where gelada baboons live. The trip ends in Lalibela, with its monolithic churches carved into the rock, still a place of prayer and pilgrimage today.
A local Italian-speaking guide accompanies you, with private transfers and scheduled flights from Italy included. The itinerary can also be built around the great Orthodox festivals, such as Timkat in January.
10 days in the programme
The National Museum and the Merkato. Arrival in Addis Ababa, on the highlands at 2,400 metres. Visit to the National Museum, home to the skeleton of Lucy, one of the oldest hominids ever found, and the Merkato, one of the largest open-air markets in Africa.
The capital and the Entoto hills. A second day in the city: Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Piazza district with its Italian-era buildings and the drive up to the Entoto hills, with views over the capital.
To Lake Tana. Transfer to Bahir Dar, on the shores of Lake Tana, and excursion to the Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tis Abay, "smoking water". Their flow depends on the season: they are most spectacular after the rains.
Island monasteries and the city of castles. In the morning, a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit some of the island monasteries, with their paintings and manuscripts. In the afternoon, transfer to Gondar.
The imperial castles and the church of angels. Visit to the Fasil Ghebbi royal enclosure, a UNESCO site, with the castles of the 17th-century emperors, Fasilides' Bath and the church of Debre Berhan Selassie, with its ceiling painted with angels' faces.
Peaks, gorges and gelada baboons. Excursion into Simien Mountains National Park, a plateau of peaks and cliffs above 3,000 metres. This is home to the gelada baboon, found only in Ethiopia, and with luck the Walia ibex. Back to Gondar.
Arrival in the holy city. Transfer to Lalibela and a first visit to the rock-hewn churches at sunset.
The monolithic churches, a UNESCO site. A day devoted to the eleven churches of Lalibela, carved out of the rock in the 12th and 13th centuries and linked by tunnels and passages. The cross-shaped Church of St George is one of Ethiopia's most famous images.
Across the highlands via Lake Hayk and Dessie. A long drive back to Addis Ababa across the highlands, with stops at Lake Hayk and Dessie. Alternatively, on request, a domestic flight from Lalibela. Evening flight home.
End of the trip. Arrival in Italy.
