Stay : Culture and history in northern and eastern Ethiopia

This cultural and historical itinerary includes stops in northern and eastern Ethiopia, where the country's major heritage sites are located: Lalibela, Aksum, Gondar and Bahar Dar in the north, Harar and Dire Dawa in the east. From antiquity to the 19th century, from the founding of the Solomonic dynasty by the Queen of Sheba to those of Gondar, via the Muslim domination of the Nubian kingdoms.

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15 days

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Detail of the stay : Culture and history in northern and eastern Ethiopia - 15 days

  • Addis Ababa
  • Addis Ababa
  • Addis Ababa
  • Entoto
  • Hayq
  • Hayq
  • Hayq
  • Lalibela
  • Lalibela
  • Sekota
  • Mékélé
  • Wukro
  • Hawzen
  • Yeha
  • Yeha
  • Axoum
  • Axoum
  • Gondar
  • Gondar
  • Gondar
  • Gondar
  • Bahar Dar
  • Lac Tana
  • Lac Tana
  • Diré Dawa
  • Harar
  • Harar
  • Harar
  • Harar
  • Harar
  • Babillé
  • Babillé
  • Harar
  • Babillé
  • Koremi
  • Addis Ababa
  • Diré Dawa

Day 1: Tour of the capital Addis Ababa

Steps: Addis-Abeba, Entoto

Visit to the capital Addis Ababa. The Ethnological Museum provides an excellent overview of the cultural reality of contemporary Ethiopia. You can also dine at the museum's delicious Lucy restaurant. A detour toEntoto Hill reveals one of Menelik II's first palaces and offers a panoramic view of the Ethiopian capital.

Places of interest :
MUSÉE ETHNOLOGIQUE

Day 2: Lalibela: sightseeing

Steps: Hayq

Early morning flight to Addis-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 the city. The more courageous can head off to theYemrehanna Kristos church near Bilbila, one of the most surprising in terms of decoration.

Places of interest :
EGLISE DE YEMREHANNA KRISTOS

Day 3: Lalibela: the eleven churches in the centre

Steps: Lalibela

It takes a good day to take the time to visit and soak up the faith of the eleven incredible churches carved into the rock of Lalibela, also known as New Jerusalem. We recommend that you visit the north group in the morning, the most spectacular, and the south group in the afternoon.

Day 4: Road trip: Sekota and Mékélé

Steps: Lalibela, Sekota, Mékélé

We recommend a magnificent road trip to Mekélé, capital of Tigré, from Lalibela, via a long road in the middle of the Ethiopian plateaus. Take a break in Sekota, a village where the beautiful hypoglyphic church of Wukré Mestale Kristos is located. On arrival in the afternoon: walk in the city of Mékélé and visit the palace of Johannès IV.

Day 5: Churches of Tigray Dabra Tsion and Abouna Yemata

Steps: Wukro, Hawzen

Visit some of Tigray's churches, some accessible, others more spectacular, isolated on their rocky outcrop. We recommend Dabra Tsion and Abouna Yemata, if you're not afraid of heights. Overnight in Wikro or Hausien.

Day 6: Debre Damo monastery and the Yeha site

Steps: Yeha, Axoum

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 trails and visit the temples. Arrive in Aksum and explore the bustling town by tuk tuk.

Places of interest :
TEMPLE DE YEHA

Day 7: Aksum: the stelae and palace of the Queen of Sheba

Steps: Axoum, Gondar

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 8: Gondar: the castles of the Fassilida dynasty

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 9: On the way to Bahar Dar

Steps: Bahar Dar, Lac Tana

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 10: Bahar Dar and the monasteries of Lake Tana

Steps: Lac Tana, Diré Dawa

Take a day trip to the monastery-islands of Lake Tana and visit the magnificent churches built there, some of which boast some of the finest frescoes in the country. Fly to Dire Dawa, connecting to Addis Ababa, as there are no direct flights.

Day 11: Visit to Harar, the Islamic capital

Steps: Harar

VisitHarar, considered the4th holiest city in the Islamic world, and home to over 100 mosques! Visit the Muslim market, Rimbaud's house, Ras Makonnen's palace and the city walls. In the evening, witness the feeding of hyenas, a centuries-old tradition at the city gates.

Day 12: On the khat road

Steps: Babillé, Harar, Koremi

The surroundings of Harar are worth a look, its coffee and khat cultures are unique in the world. Visit Koremi, Babillé, and the Valley of Wonders. At the end of the day, stop in Awadey, the world capital of khat, from where several hundred kilos of this plant leave every evening for Somalia, Djibouti and Yemen.

Day 13: Saying Dawa at the gates of Djibouti

Steps: Addis-Abeba, Diré Dawa

Visit to Say Dawa, the great city of the region, with its market teeming with colour and spicy scents, its colonial streets and above all its former station, ancient heart flying from this charming city at the gates of Djibouti. Fly to Addis Ababa by plane.

Day 14: Addis Ababa, crafts, music and dance

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. In the evening, head out to an ethiojazz or traditional Ethiopian music and dance club to discover the traditions of each region.

Day 15: The return to Paris

Take advantage of a last half-day to visit places in the capital you haven't had a chance to see. Return to Paris by plane from Bollé airport.

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