Ethiopia in Depth

• 10 nights in comfortable hotels, two nights in basic hotel, most with en suite facilities
• Travel by mini- or coaster bus
• Two internal flights
• Off the beaten path in the Tigrai region

All breakfasts included. Hotel meals are generally good although they can lack variety. Local dishes tend to be very good if you like hot, spicy food although milder versions can be requested. Local food is traditionally eaten with the hands. The sour bread known as injera is used as a scoop from the casserole dishes known as wat. Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. It is normally drunk black with sugar. The coffee ritual is something to be experienced at least once on your trip. It is possible to get coffee with milk which the Ethiopians call machiato. Please note, you should not drink the tap water in Ethiopia. We also suggest that clients bring snack food as this can be difficult to obtain outside Addis Ababa. Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared. The Ethiopian diet is meat based except for fasting days. Fasting food is completely vegan as fasters should not consume any animal by-product. Clients who have specialist dietary requirements must contact us to discuss if they can be accommodated. Ethiopia is a poor country and they are not familiar with gluten- or lactose-free diets.

It is likely to be sunny most of the time on all departures. Most of Ethiopia is at a high altitude, so although the sun is powerful, the temperature is usually very pleasant. There is, however, the risk of sunburn at high altitude, so it is essential you are adequately protected. Nights are generally cool to cold, depending on the altitude. Daytime temperatures seldom rise above 25C (77F) except at lower altitudes.

This is a busy trip and requires a certain level of fitness and agility, especially due to the heat and altitude. There are several walks that are easy to moderate in difficulty. The harder walk in the Simien Mountains is optional. When visiting the rock-hewn churches in Tigrai and Lalibela, we must walk on uneven ground and climb on rock faces that can be slippery. Clients who suffer from vertigo should be aware that the Simien Mountains are famous for having dramatic sheer cliffs; however, you do not have to walk close to the edge. The maximum altitude we walk at on this trip is 10,660ft (3,250m), although our drive on Day 10 will take us to 11,480ft (3,500m). Clients with heart or respiratory problems should consult their doctor.

The optional mule ride to visit Ashetan Maryam follows the same rocky trail used for walking. This is a steep and exposed trail where the consequences of a slip of the mule could be severe. Walking the trail would take at least two hours. You will need to dismount the mule for a few sections of the route where the terrain is particularly steep or rocky. This route is not suitable for those nervous about or unfamiliar with steep mountain routes or riding animals such as mules. There is a heightened level of risk on this activity due to both the terrain and the level of local safety standards.

Roads are not as well maintained as in Europe or the US and combined with the distances covered on this itinerary, we have some days with long drives. The longest drive by some margin is between Mekele and Lalibela, which can take approximately 12 hours including stops for tea/coffee, lunch and photos. The views en route are spectacular and should make for a memorable journey.

What tourism exists is quite well organised and in places you may be surprised at the standard of services and personnel. However, you should never forget that you are travelling in one of the poorest countries in the world. Water and electricity can be erratic and hotels usually have set times when hot water is available. Please leave behind your Western comforts and bring with you a sense of adventure, humour and flexibility for the experience of a lifetime.

Please note, this trip involves a boat river crossing on the optional Blue Nile Falls excursion where local safety standards may differ from those you are used to. There are unlikely to be personal flotation devices (ie lifejackets or buoyancy aids) available for you to use on the activity. If you cannot swim, you should not take part in this excursion. If you are concerned about taking part in this activity, please discuss with your leader at the start of the tour so they can make alternative arrangements.

Festival departures

Certain departures are scheduled to coincide with Ethiopian festivals such as Meskal, Mariam Tsion and Ethiopian Christmas (these are highlighted on the Dates & Prices page on the website). Witnessing these festivals is a great experience but please note that some time may be spent in crowded areas. The below itinerary is not altered for these dates.