MERKATO
The Merkato is a vast area, almost the size of a small town itself, which houses Addis' principal market. From spices to clothes to cattle, as well as souvenirs, the merkato is said to sell almost everything that can be sold. The merkato is divided into many separate sections, each concentrating upon a particular type of product. Its huge, busy, and loud, but the merkato is an essential part of Addis Ababa, and is one of the sights you can't afford to miss.


DAY 3 - Bahir Dar
We fly today to Bahir Dar, a pleasant town situated on the shores of the impressive Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake and the source of the Blue Nile. This afternoon we head out to the Blue Nile Falls, the second largest in Africa. Breakfast and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

BLUE NILE FALLS
The famous explorer James Bruce, when he first laid eyes on the Blue Nile Falls, described them as 'a most magnificent sight, that ages, added to the greatest length of human life, would not deface or eradicate from my memory.' Flowing from the mighty Lake Tana, the Blue Nile Falls were once the second largest in Africa, after Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. However, since the construction of a hydro-electric dam upstream in 2003, the falls have been reduced somewhat, and are quite different to those seen by Bruce. The walk to the falls takes you through the village of Tis Isat, then crosses the river using an old and picturesque bridge built by the Portuguese sometime in the seventeenth century, before winding through small homesteads and ending up at a viewpoint over the falls.

DAY 4 - Lake Tana
A full day visiting some of the many island monasteries that lie on Lake Tana. We travel by boat to visit some of the more remote monasteries and churches, most of which date back to the thirteenth century and have interesting frescoes. Return to Bahir Dar for the night. Breakfast and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Lake TANA
Lake Tana, one of the fabled sources of the Nile, is one of Ethiopia's greatest natural treasures. With a surface of around 3,600 square kilometres, the lake is also famous for the series of ancient monasteries and churches located on twenty of the islands that are found within the waters. Life on Lake Tana goes on as it has done for centuries, and local people traverse the lake on tankwas, boats made from papyrus that are capable of holding enormous weights. The monasteries themselves are fascinating and unlike any others outside Ethiopia, often decorated with bright frescoes. Because of their isolation they were used to store art treasures and religious relics from all over the country. Local history says the Ark of the Covenant was kept on one of these islands when the city of Axum was under threat, and the remains of five Emperors - including the renowned Fasilidas - are to be found at Daga Istafanos.

DAY 5 - Gondar
This morning we drive along country roads to the town of Gondar, old capital of Ethiopia. The town is home to the Royal Enclosure, a collection of well preserved castles built in the seventeenth century, and we spend some time exploring and learning about them. Afterwards we head to Debre Berhan Selassie, thought by many to be the most beautiful church in Ethiopia. Breakfast and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

DAY 6 - Simien Mountains
Heading north, we travel to the small village of Debark, on the edge of the Simien Mountains National Park. This area is characterised by enormous chasms and gorges, and offers some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa. We make a short trek to Sankaber, where we camp for the night. Breakfast and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

TREKKING
The Simien Mountains are one of Africa's premier trekking destinations, and this tour includes a short trek to the village of Sankaber, where you will spend the night. The trek included in this trip is graded B - Moderate and consists of two short walks, approximately three hours each in length - one on the day of your arrival in the mountains, and one the following morning. You will be transported by 4wd vehicle to the start point of the trek, at around 3,000m, although there will not be too many ascents and descents while you are actually walking. Although no previous trekking experience is required for this trip and everyone can walk at his or her own pace, it is recommended that you have a reasonable level of fitness before joining this trip - the more physically fit you are, the more easily your body will adapt to hiking. We also recommend that you bring hiking boots with ankle support as footing can be treacherous. Please note that this trek must not be used as a way of getting fit - you must be fit before starting this trip. As well as your tour leader, you will be accompanied by a scout (compulsory for all visitors to the National Park), and mule handlers will take care of your luggage, leaving you to carry only your day pack. Our porters will also take care of all other necessary tasks, such as setting up the communal camp and cooking meals. Most food is fresh and we try to limit tinned or dehydrated food. Our camping accommodation will be in twin share tents Basic equipment such as sleeping mats will be provided, but you will need to bring your own sleep-sheet. Sleeping bags can be hired locally for around US$5. As we are trekking through some of Ethiopia's most remote regions, please be prepared for very basic washing/toilet facilities. Our tour leader will carry a comprehensive medical kit throughout the duration of the trek.

DAY 7 - Simien Mountains - Gondar
This morning we trek for a short while in the hope of seeing some of the fascinating wildlife that lives in these mountains. You're almost guaranteed to see Gelada baboons, a striking species that is found nowhere else on earth, and if we're lucky we may see Walia Ibex or the Simien Fox. Afterwards we return to Gondar for the night. Breakfast and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

DAY 8 - Lalibela
We take a short flight to the isolated town of Lalibela, which is home to a spectacular collection of ancient churches hewn out of the surrounding rock, so astounding that local legend has it that they are the creations of angels. We visit the many churches within the town today. Breakfast and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

DAY 9 - Lalibela
Heading out into the rugged surrounding countryside, we travel along dirt tracks visiting some of the churches that lie nearby, all made from the rock and dating back to around the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Breakfast and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

DAY 10 - Axum
Today we fly to Axum, the centre of a once great empire that was under the control of the legendary Queen of Sheba. Axum is home to many fascinating tombs and churches and has an unusual collection of stelae dating back to the third and fourth centuries. Breakfast and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

DAY 11 - Axum
Today we have a full day sightseeing in Axum, including a visit to the Church of St Mary of Zion, which is believed to contain the Ark of the Covenant. Breakfast and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

DAY 12 - Addis Ababa
We fly back to Addis Ababa where the rest of the day is at leisure. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 13 - Addis Ababa
Today we make an excursion to Mount Entoto where you can see the old palace of Menelik II, the St Mary's Church, and a panoramic view of Addis. The rest of the day is at leisure. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 14 - Addis Ababa
Tour ends after breakfast. Breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast

If you would like to extend your stay in Ethiopia, and visit the Islamic city of Harar, this could be extended as follows:

DAY 1 - Addis Ababa - Harar
Drive to the walled city of Harar, a once important centre of Islamic scholarship. For many years the city was closed to Christians and early explorers were forced to enter in disguise, at their peril. Dinner included.

HARAR
Harar, an ancient city surrounded by great walls, has the most colourful market place in Ethiopia. Harar was for centuries the main center for Islamic learning and culture in Ethiopia, and a prosperous centre for the caravan trade. Harar is the spiritual heart of Ethiopia's large Muslim community. With almost a hundred mosques in a small city of less than one square mile (the highest concentration in the world), Harar is considered by some to be the fourth holiest Muslim city in the world.

DAY 2 - Harar
A guided tour of Harar to see the mosques and interesting old architecture of the town, including the old city wall and the house of the French poet Rimbaud. This evening you may wish to go and see one of the most amazing sights in Ethiopia - the nightly feeding of the hyenas that live in the countryside nearby. Breakfast and dinner.

DAY 3 - Awash National Park- Addis Ababa
Awash National park is one of the most beautiful parks in Ethiopia. The river Awash runs through a spectacular gorge; the park itself is home to 392 species of birds and many mammals including oryx, gazelles and antelopes. The river Awash is the longest river in Ethiopia; it does not run into the sea, but feeds into the Danakil depression close to Asayta and terminates in a series of lakes. After visiting the Park we will drive back to Addis Ababa where the tour ends upon arrival. Breakfast included.