Ethiopia is Africa like nowhere else — a highland empire of rock-hewn churches, castle cities and a history stretching back three thousand years, never colonised and proudly its own. This journey follows the fabled Historic Route through the north: the island monasteries of Lake Tana, the royal castles of Gondar, the dramatic Simien Mountains and their gelada baboons, the ancient obelisks of Axum, and the extraordinary rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Touch down in Ethiopia's high-altitude capital and transfer to your hotel. As time allows, visit the National Museum ...
Fly to Bahir Dar on the shores of Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile. Cruise to centuries-old island monasteries ador...
Travel to Gondar, the 17th-century imperial capital. Explore the Royal Enclosure of Fasil Ghebbi, a walled compound o...
Head into Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of jagged escarpments and deep valleys. S...
A full day exploring the Simiens on foot and by vehicle, watching for the endangered walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf an...
Fly to Axum, capital of an ancient trading empire that once rivalled Rome. Wander the field of towering carved stelae...
Fly to Lalibela, Ethiopia's holiest town, set high in the mountains. Settle in and soak up the atmosphere of this liv...
Spend the day exploring the eleven medieval churches hewn directly from the rock, linked by tunnels and trenches. The...
Venture into the surrounding highlands to more remote sanctuaries such as Asheton Maryam or the cave church of Yemreh...
Fly back to Addis Ababa for a relaxed final day. Shop for coffee and crafts before a farewell dinner of traditional f...
Transfer to Bole International Airport for your onward flight — your journey through historic Ethiopia complete.