Culture and history in northern and eastern Ethiopia
2024
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage.
Best times to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Printemps, Eté, Automne, Hiver.
Petit Futé
Where to stay - Addis-Abeba ?
The map of your stay "Culture and history in northern and eastern Ethiopia"
Detail of the stay : Culture and history in northern and eastern Ethiopia
How to get there - Addis-Abeba
Tour of the capital Addis Ababa
Steps: Entoto
Visit to the capital Addis Ababa. The Ethnological Museum provides an excellent overview of the cultural reality of contemporary Ethiopia. You can also dine at the museum's delicious Lucy restaurant. A detour toEntoto Hill reveals one of Menelik II's first palaces and offers a panoramic view of the Ethiopian capital.
Places of interest : MUSÉE ETHNOLOGIQUE
Lalibela: sightseeing
Steps: Hayq
Early morning flight to Addis-Lalibela. Arrive at the hotel and set off to visit the Estifanos monastery on the shores of Lake Hayq, or some of the churches around the city. The more courageous can head off to theYemrehanna Kristos church near Bilbila, one of the most surprising in terms of decoration.
Places of interest : EGLISE DE YEMREHANNA KRISTOS
Lalibela: the eleven churches in the centre
Steps: Lalibela
It takes a good day to take the time to visit and soak up the faith of the eleven incredible churches carved into the rock of Lalibela, also known as New Jerusalem. We recommend that you visit the north group in the morning, the most spectacular, and the south group in the afternoon.
Road trip: Sekota and Mékélé
Steps: Mékélé
We recommend a magnificent road trip to Mekélé, capital of Tigré, from Lalibela, via a long road in the middle of the Ethiopian plateaus. Take a break in Sekota, a village where the beautiful hypoglyphic church of Wukré Mestale Kristos is located. On arrival in the afternoon: walk in the city of Mékélé and visit the palace of Johannès IV.
Churches of Tigray Dabra Tsion and Abouna Yemata
Steps: Hawzen
Visit some of Tigray's churches, some accessible, others more spectacular, isolated on their rocky outcrop. We recommend Dabra Tsion and Abouna Yemata, if you're not afraid of heights. Overnight in Wikro or Hausien.
Debre Damo monastery and the Yeha site
Steps: Axoum
Road to Aksum, with an en-route excursion to the Debre Damo monastery, one of the most impressive in the country (but forbidden to women), and the Yeha temple, the oldest building in Ethiopia. A full day is required to complete the journey over mountainous trails and visit the temples. Arrive in Aksum and explore the bustling town by tuk tuk.
Places of interest : TEMPLE DE YEHA
Aksum: the stelae and palace of the Queen of Sheba
Steps: Gondar
VisitAksum, the country's northernmost town on the border with Somalia. Its majestic stelae date back to a pagan era about which little is known today. We visit royal tombs, the ruins of the Queen of Sheba's palace and churches, as we do everywhere. Late afternoon flight to Gondar, overnight stay.
Gondar: the castles of the Fassilida dynasty
Steps: Gondar
Gondar: visit the fortified complex of the city's six castles, capital of Ethiopian rulers from the 17th to 19th centuries, and theDebre Birhan Selassie church, a must-see. Stroll around the town, which is quite developed and dynamic. Rest in preparation for the Simien trek early next morning.
On the way to Bahar Dar
Steps: Lac Tana
Drive to Bahar Dar, allow half a day by 4x4. On the way, enjoy the beautiful scenery around Lake Tana. Afternoon: stroll through the pleasant lakeside town, shop for local handicrafts, enjoy a well-deserved rest and dine in a good local restaurant.
Bahar Dar and the monasteries of Lake Tana
Steps: Diré Dawa
Take a day trip to the monastery-islands of Lake Tana and visit the magnificent churches built there, some of which boast some of the finest frescoes in the country. Fly to Dire Dawa, connecting to Addis Ababa, as there are no direct flights.
Visit to Harar, the Islamic capital
Steps: Harar
VisitHarar, considered the4th holiest city in the Islamic world, and home to over 100 mosques! Visit the Muslim market, Rimbaud's house, Ras Makonnen's palace and the city walls. In the evening, witness the feeding of hyenas, a centuries-old tradition at the city gates.
On the khat road
Steps: Koremi
The surroundings of Harar are worth a look, its coffee and khat cultures are unique in the world. Visit Koremi, Babillé, and the Valley of Wonders. At the end of the day, stop in Awadey, the world capital of khat, from where several hundred kilos of this plant leave every evening for Somalia, Djibouti and Yemen.
Saying Dawa at the gates of Djibouti
Steps: Diré Dawa
Visit to Say Dawa, the great city of the region, with its market teeming with colour and spicy scents, its colonial streets and above all its former station, ancient heart flying from this charming city at the gates of Djibouti. Fly to Addis Ababa by plane.
Addis Ababa, crafts, music and dance
Take advantage of your stay in the capital to visit the lively and popular market districts in the city center, and do some shopping. Traditional fabrics, silver jewelry, handicrafts... You'll find all kinds of gifts to bring home. In the evening, head out to an ethiojazz or traditional Ethiopian music and dance club to discover the traditions of each region.
