Highlights of Ethiopia

Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) to Addis Ababa. Afternoon guided city tour including a visit to the National Museum, home to the remains of ‘Lucy’, said to be an ancestor of every human alive today. Overnight at the Golden Tulip Hotel. (N) (L, D)

Fly to Makelle, then transfer by road to Gheralta. En route, visit a cluster of hidden Orthodox Christian churches, including Debre Mariam Korkor and Daniel Korkor which have been painstakingly carved into the barren, rocky landscape. Devote the next day to exploring the Tigray region around Gheralta with its stunning mountain landscapes, remote hermitage caves and ancient Christian relics. Spend 2 nights at Gheralta Lodge. (B, L, D)

Transfer to Axum, stopping at the Yeha Temple ruins. Axum was once the seat of an empire that boasted its own alphabet, and numerous large-scale engineering projects, and is said to have been one of the greatest powers of the ancient world. You will visit a number of fascinating sites here, including the purported house of the Ark of the Covenant and the alleged former home of the Queen of Sheba. Overnight at the Sabean Hotel. (B, L, D)

Drive to the Simien mountains, home to gelada monkeys, bearded vultures, cliff dwelling walia ibex, Nile feeding waterfalls and superb hiking opportunities. You can choose your excursions depending on your interests and also get involved in a community project in one of the poorest areas on the planet. Spend 2 nights at the Simien Lodge. (B, L, D)

Head to Gondar, stopping at a working farm on the way. Gondar, another former capital, is often dubbed the ‘Camelot of Africa’ due to the many medieval style castles and churches that adorn its streets. Explore some of these before overnighting at the Goha Hotel. (B, L, D)

Journey to Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile, and board a boat trip to an ancient island monastery and onwards to Bahir Dar*. The following day enjoy a 20-kilometre drive, followed by a short hike to the Blue Nile Falls, before visiting the old palace of Emperor Haile Selassie in Bahir Dar. Spend 2 nights at the Kuriftu Resort. (B, L, D)

Fly east to Lalibela. Over the next two days you will visit the town’s collection of 11 extraordinary Unesco-listed rock-hewn churches. Created from single stone blocks, they were designed to give worshippers a place to pilgrimage after religious conquests cut off access to the holy lands in the 12th century. You will also take part in an Ethiopian cooking class and dine at the famous Ben Abeba restaurant. Spend 2 nights at the Maribela Hotel. (B, L, D)

Fly back to Addis Ababa. Day at leisure with day room at Golden Tulip Hotel, before transferring to the airport for the very early flight to London the following day. (B) (N)