Ethiopian Odyssey

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines. (N)

Arrive in the third highest capital in the world. Afternoon city tour, including the Ethnographic Museum and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Overnight at the Golden Tulip Hotel (or similar). Pre-dinner welcome drink. (L, D)

Morning flight to Mekelle. Short tour of Mekelle, including Bete Yohannes. Drive to Hawzien. En route, visit the rock-hewn churches of Wukro Cherkos and Abraha Atsbeha. Stay overnight at the Gheralta Lodge (or similar). (B, L, D)

Morning drive to Axum. Stay 2 nights at Sabean Hotel (or similar). The next day visit the tombs of King Kaleb and Gebra Meskel, the Queen of Sheba’s swimming pool and palace, King Ezana’s Stone and the magnificent stele (obelisks). Afternoon visit to the Cathedral of St Mary of Zion and the Chapel of the Tablet, said to contain the Ark of the Covenant, as well as the Axum Museum. (B, L, D)

Fly to the world heritage site of Lalibela, via Gondar. The site features 11 rock-hewn churches. Afternoon visit to the north-west cluster of churches, including the Church of St George. Stay 2 nights at the Mountain View Hotel / Mezena Lodge. Morning walk the following day up to Asheton Maryam (weather permitting). Alternatively, visit the cave church Nakutelab, accessible by car. Afternoon visit to the south-east cluster of churches. (B, L, D)

Fly to Gondar, located at the foot of the Simien mountains. Visit the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie to see its murals. Drive to the Simien Mountain Lodge and stay for 2 nights. Evening talk on gelada monkeys, endemic to this area. Morning drive the following day to Chennek, home to the endemic walia ibex. Stop to view gelada monkeys and walk to a waterfall. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L, D)

Drive to Gondar and stay 1 night at the Mayleko Lodge (or similar). Afternoon tour of the castles of Emperor Fasiladas and the Palace of the Queen Mentuab. (B, L, D)

Drive to Gorgora and visit the monastery of Debre Sina Mariam. Cross Lake Tana by boat and visit Narga Selassie. Continue to URA Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam on the Zege peninsula. Stay 2 nights at the Kuriftu Resort & Spa (or similar). (B, L, D)

Visit the Blue Nile Falls at Tissisat. Afternoon visit to the Bezawit Palace and the market in Bahir Dar. Optional spa treatments available. (B, L, D)

Morning flight to Addis Ababa. Day room at the Golden Tulip Hotel. Short visit to the Mercato. Dinner at a cultural restaurant and transfer to the airport. Fly to London. Arrive the next day. (B, L, D) (N)