Ethiopia combines a rich history, cultural variety, and geographic diversity. The highlands’ Orthodox Christian tradition has been maintained for millennia, alone among Islam and African tribal cultures. Ethiopia is a land of opposites, from the hectic Addis Ababa to the peaceful island monasteries of Lake Tana. This itinerary includes wandering in the Simien Mountains for a peek at highland life and visiting the greatest historic churches and monasteries, including the rock-hewn chapels of Lalibela and ancient obelisks of Axum. Ethiopia’s ethnic variety and rich traditions are obvious as we tour the continent’s only colonial-free nation.
Addis Ababa is the world’s third-highest capital. Altitude may tire you at 2,400 metres above sea level in the Entoto mountain chain. First we take a 9am hotel-departing full-day city trip to go city-sightseeing. We’ll visit the National Museum (home of “Lucy”) and the Addis Ababa University Ethnological Museum (housed in the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie).
