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Incredible Ethiopia

13 Days | Explore Ethiopia, the ‘cradle of humanity’.

4.5 out of 5 based on 4 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
NZD $4,046
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Travel to Ethiopia and discover a beautiful country, barely touched by modern society. It’s an incredible combination of history, tradition, culture and nature. From 3 million-year-old fossilised hominid remains in Addis Ababa to the amazing rock-hewn churches, hidden crypts and grottoes in Lalibela, this trip take you deep into human history. The 500-year-old monastery islands of Bahir Dar, the elegant castles of Gondar, the majestic geological formations of the Simien mountains, the giant obelisks that rise out of Axum, and even the rumoured home of the Ark of the Covenant. This 13 day trip travels through the north of the country, taking in views of the Blue Nile and trekking to the peaks of the Simien Mountains (meeting red-chested Gelada baboons). You’ll be sure to taste the country’s famous coffee and delectable cuisine, and meet the genuine and friendly people along the way. This is an adventure like no other.

Trip overview

Map of Incredible Ethiopia including Ethiopia
Start
Addis Ababa to Lalibela , Ethiopia
Finish
Lalibela, Ethiopia
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Ethiopia
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
YOZE
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Search for the source of the Blue Nile on a boat cruise at Lake Tana, then discover the churches and unique castles of the regal city of Gondar.
  • Trek the majestic series of undulating amethyst peaks that make up the Simien Mountains, looking out for the distinctive red-hearted gelada.
  • After learning about its deep history, relax in the beautiful streets of Aksum and watch life go by, imagining when it was once at the centre of an important trade route that stretched from Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea
  • Explore Lalibela's unique churches - astonishing constructions sculpted from huge slabs of stone - that make up one of the world's greatest historical and religious sites.
  • Meet locals for a cooking class and traditional coffee ceremony

Is this trip right for you?
  • In Lalibela and Simien Mountains National Park we include day hikes to experience the beauty of the regions on foot.
  • Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres / 9200 feet where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude.
  • There will be some long drives on days 7 & 10.
  • Refer to Special Information within the itinerary to see if your chosen date is aligned with any festivals

Itinerary

Map of Incredible Ethiopia including Ethiopia

Inclusions

Meals

12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (12 nights)

Activities
  • Lake Tana - Boat Cruise
  • Bahir Dar - Blue Nile Falls
  • Gondar - Market visit & cooking demonstration
  • Simien Mountains National Park - Hike
  • Aksum - Yeha Temple
  • Lalibela - Morning & Afternoon Churches Tour
  • Lalibela - Asheten Mariam Hike
Add on activities
  • Addis Ababa - Afternoon City Tour - USD50
  • Gondar - Church of Debre Berhan Selassie - ETB100
  • Gondar - Fasil Gimb Castles Compound - ETB200
  • Aksum - Historical Site Tour - USD30
  • Aksum – Stele field & Archaeological museum - ETB100
  • Aksum - St Mary Zion church, castle church (men only) & museum - ETB200

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres / 9200 feet where it is common for travelers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude.
3. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Ethiopia before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 based on 4 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Roberta · Traveled February 2020
This was an outstanding and intense trip, led by Gabriel, our uniquely knowledgeable and flexible leader. We felt we really were able to get under the cultural and religious skin of Northern Ethiopia. Go for it if you can afford it!
Review submitted 27 Feb 2020

Milla · Traveled December 2019
The trip was more than I could have dreamt of: fascinating culture, phenomenal guide and the most wonderful local people. I felt safe and welcome. Highly recommended.
Review submitted 15 Jan 2020

Tom · Traveled December 2019
Excellent interesting trip encompassing history ,culture and wildlife
Review submitted 06 Jan 2020

Mark · Traveled December 2019
This trip is full on with long days in the bus but that's part of the fun. It is expertly run and Teme the guide and Tag the driver where both highly professional. Do be aware though - Ethiopia is desperately poor. I have been to a number of southern African countries and experienced poverty but nothing on this scale. If you can handle that this trip has a lot going for it. My highlight was having lunch with the Gelada monkeys in the Simien mountains
Review submitted 02 Jan 2020
Incredible Ethiopia
From
NZD $4,046