L’ABYSSINIE IMPÉRIALE

Addis Abeba
African capital

Cosmopolitan metropolis, high Addis Ababa has established itself over time as the capital of the entire continent, but this seat of major pan-African institutions holds curiosities that only reveal themselves to the attentive traveler.
After welcoming you at the airport and taking you to your hotel to drop off your luggage and freshen up, we will begin exploring this multifaceted city. Obviously, we will start with the National Museum, where the unmissable Lucy, our common ancestor, can be found. We will then go to the Ethnographic Museum in the former palace of Negus Haile Selassie at the heart of the current university, then to the Holy Trinity Cathedral where he is buried. In the afternoon, we will gain altitude to enjoy the formidable viewpoint offered by Entoto Hill at the origin of the city’s creation and its wonderful rehabilitated park. We will end this day at Sheger Park, a true green lung resurrected in the heart of the city that inaugurates a new era. From this green enclave, you can observe the rise of this irresistible and modern Addis, all of vertiginous skyscrapers, concrete and polished glass.
Night at Nexus Hotel

Debre Libanos
A crucible of faith

We will leave the bustling Addis Ababa early in the morning to begin our journey in the North of the country. As we advance, the high-perched green landscapes follow one another. The pleasant climate could quickly make you forget that the major part of the country, and especially the North, rises to more than 2500 meters altitude. Along the way, you will cross the Blue Nile Gorges. Don’t miss the breathtaking plunging view offered by the small stone arch bridge, called the Portuguese Bridge over the immortal Nile…. We then take you to the monastery of Debre Libanos, one of the nerve centers of Ethiopian orthodoxy where trained priests are ordained. We will finish this stage in the peaceful city of Debre Markos

Night at Gozamen hotel

Bahir Dar

Today, we will go to the surprising city of Bahir Dar. Its long avenues lined with palm trees and jacarandas, its palace nestled on the heights of an overlooking hill betray Hallie Selassie’s ambition to make Bahir Dar the modern capital of Ethiopia. If the project did not succeed, Bahir Dar with its false airs of Riviera on the shores of Lake Titicaca remains the elegant Amhara capital.
In the afternoon, the time will be ideal for a short hike that will take you to the Blue Nile Falls. During the rainy season, a torrent 400m wide plunges into an enormous chasm of 45 meters and diffuses a mist that envelops the surrounding countryside. This pillar of clouds on the sky, lavish with sumptuous rainbows explains the name « Tiss Issat » the smoking water given to this geological wonder.
We invite you in the evening to fully enjoy the seaside atmosphere of the city by inviting you to a meal at one of the best fish restaurants in the country.

Night at Jacaranda Hotel

Bahir Dar
Island monasteries

This morning from the dock we will depart for a cruise on Lake Tana to discover very ancient monasteries hidden on the Zeghie peninsula. Lake Tana in Ethiopia, where the Blue Nile takes its source, where hippos like to bask, and where papyrus canoes glide on the waters, proves to be the shelter of island and secret sanctuaries where far from the eyes of the curious hide monasteries and sumptuous churches. Lake Tana, also called Tsana, with its area of more than 3,600 km2 is the largest lake in Ethiopia. There are about 37 islands, some of which are completely submerged during the rainy season. Twenty of them house monasteries or sumptuous sanctuaries. The islands best known for their religious buildings are Nerga Sellassie, Dega Estefanos, Tana Cherqos, Kebran Gabriel, Debre Maryam.
A persistent legend has it that one of the sacred enclosures lost in the middle of the lake served as a refuge for a time to the mythical Ark of the Covenant. After this fantastic cruise, we will take the road to Gondar

Night at Goha Hotel

Gondar
Castles in Africa

After the Muslim invasions, which devastated the country during the 16th century, Emperor Fasilidas established, once and for all, his capital in Gondar. The city retained this prestigious status until the middle of the 19th century. From this glorious period of Ethiopian history, we will admire the imperial city, where numerous castles were built between the 17th and 18th centuries, still magnificently preserved today. Surreal spectacle to admire these constructions, of European inspiration in the heart of Africa. It is true that the Portuguese Jesuits were present at the Court of the Kings of Gondar during the 17th century. They had then been entrusted by the Pope with the mission of bringing the heretical kingdom of Prester John back into the fold of Rome. Will you be part of the crowd of faithful who will immerse themselves in the waters of Fasiladas baths to celebrate Timkat, the Ethiopian Epiphany or will you rather come to taste the tranquility of the places where trees aspiring to serenity have intertwined with the century-old walls of the sacred enclosure?

Night at Goha Hotel

Siemens National Park
A showcase of nature

The Ethiopian highlands are definitely full of unexpected surprises. Today, we will go to the roof of Africa, in the sumptuous Siemens National Park, a natural wonder jealously preserved and inscribed on the UNESCO heritage. This impressive mountain massif, fruit of an immemorial and titanic erosion impresses by its steepness, its deep gorges, its vertiginous precipices and its enclosed valleys. Exceptional and endemic fauna has found refuge in this spectacular setting. If without a doubt you will encounter gelada baboons, the famous bleeding heart monkeys, perhaps, you will have the chance to spot some foxes, golden jackals or even Walyas, the famous Ethiopian ibex. Whatever the case, it is unlikely that at the end of this escape to the heights, you will not be intoxicated by this breath of fresh air.

Night at Ras Dejen Hotel

Axoum
An empire equal to Rome

Axoum was one of the first kingdoms to convert to Christianity and the entire Ethiopian liturgy still carries within it the rituals of this early mutation that dates from the reign of Ezana in the 4th century. The ruins of this past splendor are clearly visible throughout the city comprising some 300 gigantic monolithic obelisks or stelae, royal tombs, palaces, fortresses and temples. The granite obelisks, some of which once rose more than 30 meters into the sky, represent immense tombstones. The city is also the birthplace of the legendary Queen of Sheba and the mythical Ark of the Covenant would rest within the enclosure of the Church of Saint Mary of Zion. According to legend, the ark would have been brought from Israel to Ethiopia by Menelik, the son of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. The only person authorized to see the « Tabot », as the Ark is called here, is the guardian priest prisoner forever of this sanctuary where the holy relic is kept. Today, Axoum is considered the holiest Orthodox city in Ethiopia and its destinations for numerous pilgrimages.

Night at Consolar hotel

Hawzen
Vertiginous churches

After the mythical ancient capital, we will continue our expedition to immerse ourselves in one of the most beautiful landscapes of Ethiopia: The Gheralta massif and its hidden treasures. On the way, the temple of Yeha awaits us. Centuries after its disappearance, another relic of the Axumite kingdom still remains. A limestone temple that is slowly collapsing and hides more than two thousand years of history. The Temple of the Moon – or Yeha temple – is considered one of the oldest buildings still standing in the world.
This afternoon, we will begin the exploration of the fantastic rock-hewn churches of Gheralta. We will start with the most astonishing of all, that of Abune Yemata Guh, with its polychrome frescoes dating from the 15th century representing scenes from the Bible. If its access may intimidate the most daring travelers, know that a harness will protect you throughout the ascent.

Night at Gheralta lodge

Hawzen
Summits of faith

Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor are two churches accessible without climbing, a pleasant hike will take us there. In the church of Maryam Korkor, the walls are covered with frescoes applied directly to the rock. The style of these paintings is very characteristic, and incorporates in its codes all the characteristics of early Christian iconography, which once again refers to the ancient origins of Ethiopian Christianity. It is one of the largest rock-hewn churches in the region.
Daniel Korkor is located a few hundred meters from another religious building, Daniel Korkor.
Its frescoes, which may date back to the 12th or 13th century, could be among the oldest identified to date in Ethiopia. A manuscript of the Life and Miracles of Daniel of Korkor is kept there.

Night at Gheralta lodge

Hawzen/Mekele
Another capital

During our passage in the active capital of Tigray, we will linger particularly on two important sites. The palace of Yohannes IV was probably created in the 13th century but knew its peak when Emperor Yohannes IV decided to establish his capital there and had his palace built which is located on a point dominating the city and offering a panoramic vision of the surrounding mountains.
We will then take you to the Hawelti Memorial. The building is topped by an imposing 51-meter tower, commemorates the courage of the fighters who sacrificed themselves to free the people from the military dictatorship of the Derg. This site also offers a magnificent viewpoint over the surroundings.

Night at Planet hotel

Mekele/Lalibela
The black Jerusalem

Today we take one of the most beautiful roads in the country which also has a high historical value since it is the road of the Lasta plateau. Like the pilgrims of centuries past, you will discover breathtaking landscapes that little by little, from astonishment to astonishment, will lead you to the place of all covetousness of these northern highlands, the « Black Jerusalem » or « the second Jerusalem ». This high monastic city in the former province of Lasta remains the holy place and the most important pilgrimage center where the millenary Orthodox traditions of Ethiopian Christians crystallize.

Night at Sora lodge

Lalibela
The eighth wonder of the world

Visiting the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela is experiencing a journey through time. Formerly called Roha, it remains attached to the legendary personality of King Lalibela canonized by the Ethiopian Church who had this breathtaking architectural ensemble of eleven buildings built.
The route to the pilgrimage to Jerusalem made extremely dangerous because of the expansion of Islam, the king decided to build a new celestial city here. This ensemble of eleven churches built from the 11th century constitutes an unequaled feat of engineering and architecture. The churches of Lalibela were carved from the solid volcanic rock on which they rest and impress both for their size, their sober power enhanced further by the subtlety of goldsmith interior work. The reputation of Lalibela far exceeds borders to the point that this masterpiece of inventiveness classified as UNESCO World Heritage is often qualified as the eighth wonder of the World

Night at Sora lodge

Lalibela
Little-known surroundings

The mountainous surroundings of Lalibela are just as impressive as the sacred enclosure and can be the subject of a hike. Religion holds sacred places such as the church of Nakuto Lab, nephew of Lalibela and last sovereign of the Zagwe dynasty built in a cave, whose legend relates that he prayed lying on swords and would have ascended to heaven body and soul. Paintings tell of his hunt for the bandit Tsarakems, who pushed the population to believe in other gods and who will eventually become an evangelizer after receiving the king’s forgiveness. Inside the church, basins collect the blessed waters that flow from the Ashetan Mariam church and which the faithful consume for their healing virtues and their power to chase away evil spirits.

Night at Sora lodge

Lalibela/Addis Abeba
It’s only goodbye

Lalibela being more than a day and a half drive away, we have favored an air transfer so that you can make the most of your last day in the Horn of Africa. We make available to you in the capital a courtesy room so that you can rest, freshen up or reorganize if needed.
We wish to show you the metropolis you have already glimpsed through a completely different angle, that of craftsmen and artists, far from the usual souvenir shops. Indeed, we will take you directly to places of production and creation (potteries, tanneries, art galleries). And to end the trip beautifully and before taking you to the airport, we invite you to a traditional restaurant where you will have the chance to attend a music and dance show.

Courtesy room at your disposal