Stay : Major sites and nature trekking in northern Ethiopia
A three-week visit to northern Ethiopia is ideal. Firstly, because of its rich history, from Antiquity to the Middle Ages, and its numerous sites: Aksum, Tigray, Bahar Dar, Lalibela and Gondar... And because the geography is varied, from the Danakil desert to the Simiens mountains, via the altiplano ofAddis Ababa, the capital at an altitude of 2,500 m.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
21 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : Major sites and nature trekking in northern Ethiopia - 21 days
Day 1: Visit the capital Addis Ababa
Steps: Addis-Abeba, Entoto
The Ethnological Museum provides an excellent insight into the cultural reality of contemporary Ethiopia. You can also dine at the museum's delicious Lucy restaurant. A jaunt toEntoto Hill reveals one of Menelik II's first palaces and offers a panoramic view of the Ethiopian capital.
MUSÉE ETHNOLOGIQUE
Day 2: Lalibela, the surrounding area
Steps: Hayq
Early morning flight from Addis to Lalibela. Arrive at the hotel and set off to visit the Estifanos monastery on the shores of Lake Hayq, or some of the churches around town. The more courageous can head off to theYemrehanna Kristos church near Bilbila, one of the most surprising in terms of decoration.
EGLISE DE YEMREHANNA KRISTOS
Day 3: Eleven churches of Lalibela
Steps: Lalibela
It takes a good day to take the time to visit and immerse itself from the faith of the eleven incredible churches dug in the rock of Lalibela, also known as the new Jerusalem. We advise you to visit the northern group in the morning, the most spectacular, and the south group in the afternoon.
Day 4: Sekota > Mékélé road
Steps: Lalibela, Sekota, Mékélé
We recommend a magnificent road trip from Lalibela to Mekélé, the capital of Tigray, via a long road through the Ethiopian plateaus. Stop off at Sekota, a village with the beautiful hypogeum church of Wukro Meskal Kristos. On arrival in the afternoon: stroll through the town of Mekélé and visit the palace of Johannes IV.
Day 5: Danakil: Mekele > Erta Ale road
Early departure by 4x4 from Mékélé following a descent from the altiplano to the arid plains at the desert's edge. Stop for lunch in the village of Berta Alé, then road trip through the desert, with breaks in camps for Afar nomads. At sunset, departure for a 3-hour hike to the volcano. Bivouac under the stars at the foot of the crater.
Day 6: Danakil: Berta Ale > Hamed Ela
We set off again by 4x4 early in the morning, this time towards Lake Assal and the Dalol depression. The road is long, and we pass caravans of hundreds of camels leaving Lake Assal laden with blocks of salt. Photos by Lake Assal. Overnight in Hamed Ela, an Afar village at the end of the world, where conditions are truly extreme.
Day 7: Danakil: Dallol's depression
Morning: departure for the Danakil Depression, a unique, almost Martian geological formation, where the rock forms improbable color palettes of green, blue, ochre, yellow and white. Visit to Salt Mountain and the open-pit salt mine, where men have been hand-cutting blocks of salt for 2,000 years. Return to Hamed Ela and overnight stay.
Day 8: Danakil: back to Mékélé
The journey is tough at this stage, with no showers or electricity. You set off early in the morning by 4x4 to cross the entire desert and return to the Tigray region. Stop for lunch in an Afar village, and again in Berta Alé for a drink - at last! - an ice-cold drink. After a tortuous drive, we return to Mekélé at around 4pm, back in the cool of the altiplano.
Day 9: Tigray: Dabra Tsion and Abouna Yemata churches
Visit some of Tigray's churches, some accessible and others more spectacular, isolated on their rocky outcrop. We recommend Dabra Tsion and Abouna Yemata on the first day, if you're not afraid of heights. Overnight in Wikro or Hausien.
Day 10: Tigray: Mariam Korkor and Abouna Daniel churches
There are many spectacular churches in the region, but on this second day, don't miss Mariam Korkor and Abouna Daniel, among the most incredible, carved out of the rock and rarely visited for thousands of years. Then take a 4x4 to Adigrat for a night's rest before taking the road to Aksum the following morning.
Day 11: Adigrat > Aksum route
Road to Aksum, with an en-route excursion to the Debre Damo monastery, one of the most impressive in the country (but forbidden to women), and the Yeha temple, the oldest building in Ethiopia. A full day is required to complete the journey over mountainous tracks, including the visits. Arrive in Aksum and explore the bustling town by tuk tuk.
TEMPLE DE YEHA
Day 12: Visit Aksum
VisitAksum, the country's northernmost town on the border with Somalia. Its majestic stelae date back to a pagan era about which little is known today. We visit royal tombs, the ruins of the Queen of Sheba's palace and churches, as we do everywhere. Late afternoon flight to Gondar, overnight stay.
Day 13: Visit Gondar
Steps: Gondar
Gondar: visit the fortified complex of the city's six castles, capital of Ethiopian rulers from the 17th to 19th centuries, and theDebre Birhan Selassie church, a must-see. Stroll around the town, which is quite developed and dynamic. Rest in preparation for the Simien trek early next morning.
Day 14: Simien Trek Stage 1
Steps: Debark, Parc National Du Simien
Early-morning departure by 4x4 for Debark, a town at the entrance to Simien National Park, where you'll need to take care of administrative formalities and have lunch on site. 4x4 ascent to the Simien lodge at 3,500 m altitude. Dinner, stroll in the beautiful surroundings of the lodge and overnight stay.
Day 15: Simien Trek Stage 2
You set off early with guides, mules, tent, sleeping bag, food, etc., for a trek to the second base camp of the Simien ascent. Along the way, you'll come across gelada baboons with their impeccable blond hair, and a few mountain ibex, the local chamois. Night in bivouac.
Day 16: Simien Trek Stage 3
A new start, this time in less oxygenated conditions, as you have to go slowly to climb the mountain. You meet many farmers who live in these extreme conditions. Arrival at the last base camp, at 4,200 meters altitude, where you rest after lunch. Walk around the area to observe the flora and fauna.
Day 17: Bwahit summit and return to Gondar
Steps: Gondar
Last trek to the summit of Bwahit at 4,200 metres, from where the view is inevitably spectacular. Oxygen is in short supply! Back to base camp, where a 4x4 loaded with all your belongings awaits you for the descent to Gondar. A well-deserved night's rest after a long half-day 4x4 journey back.
Day 18: Bahar Dar: the center
Drive to Bahar Dar, allow half a day by 4x4. On the way, enjoy the beautiful scenery around Lake Tana. Afternoon: stroll through the pleasant lakeside town, shop for local handicrafts, enjoy a well-deserved rest and dine in a good local restaurant.
Day 19: Bahar Dar: the islands
Take a day trip to the monastery-islands of Lake Tana and visit the magnificent churches built there, some with the finest frescoes in the country. Return to Bahar Dar in the late afternoon and fly to Addis Ababa. Arrival at the hotel and dinner in a good restaurant in the capital.
Day 20: Addis Ababa: shopping and last visits
Take advantage of your stay in the capital to visit the lively and popular market districts in the city center, and do some shopping. Traditional fabrics, silver jewelry, handicrafts... You'll find all kinds of gifts to bring home. Go out in the evening to an ethiojazz or traditional Ethiopian music and dance club.
Day 21: Back to Paris
Take advantage of your last half-day to visit places in the capital you haven't had a chance to see. Return to Paris by plane from Bolé airport.
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