DAY 1/2 Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar
After a short briefing we drive to Bahir Dar, the road takes a winding route over the Ethiopian Plateau towards Debre Libanso for lunch. After eating we continue to our campsite at Bahir Dar. Bahir Daris a large town on the edge of Ethiopia’s largest lake, the deep blue Lake Tana. Optional Activities: Lake Tana cruise. Blue Nile Falls

DAY 3/4 Bahir Dar to Gonder and Simein Mountains
In the morning we drive from Bahir Dar to Gonder. We will take a tour of Gonder, once the first capital city of the Ethiopian Empire and home of some impressive ancient African archecture. The next day we explore the castles of Gonder and visit a Woleka village before travelling to the Simien Mountain NP. This mountain range is one of Africa’s largest.

DAY 5/6 Simien Mountains NP to Axum and Mekele
On our way to Axum we pass the Limalimo Mountain and traverse the Tekeze valley. Axum is the site of Ethiopia’s most ancient city and the reputed home of the biblical Ark of the Covenant. The next day we tour the ruined city of Yeha (dating back over 2,700yrs). The ancient crowns of many Ethiopian Emperors are held in Axum and, if that is not enough, the supposed ruins of the home of the historical Queen of Sheba are also to be seen here. After absorbing all this history it is on to Mekele for an enjoyable dinner.

DAY 7/8 Mekele to Lalibela
The whole day is required to get to Lalibela. The unpaved road climbs several times to heights of 3,000 m, before descending again into river valleys. The landscape is dry, but visually splendid. We will arrive in Lalibela in the early evening. Lalibela is one of the holiest cities and home to amazing churches that are hewn from solid rock. Between the 10th and 13th centuaries, Roha (previous name) was the capital of the Zagwe dynasty. The current name comes from the famous Zagwe ruler, the 12th century King Lalibela.

DAY 9/10 Lalibela to Kombolcha and Addis Ababa
The road runs through villages, cultivated plains and small passes. We are close to the land occupied by the Afar shepherds, a Seminomadic people who live mainly in the deserts of Danakil depression. On our return to the capital of Addis Ababa the road crosses the Ethiopian plateau and the expanse of cultivated fields. We arrive in Addis Ababa in the evening. Optional Activities: Dinner and Cultural Evening.-

Departure dates to end:

• 01-Jan-2008     to: 10-Jan-2008
• 29-Jan-2008     to: 07-Feb-2008
• 26-Feb-2008     to: 06-Mar-2008
• 25-Mar-2008     to: 03-Apr-2008
• 22-Apr-2008     to: 01-May-2008
• 20-May-2008     to: 29-May-2008
• 17-Jun-2008     to: 26-Jun-2008
• 15-Jul-2008     to: 24-Jul-2008
• 12-Aug-2008     to: 21-Aug-2008
• 09-Sep-2008     to: 18-Sep-2008
• 07-Oct-2008     to: 16-Oct-2008
• 04-Nov-2008     to: 13-Nov-2008