Culture & history stay in northern and eastern Ethiopia

Visit of the capital Addis Ababa. The Ethnological Museum provides a very good overview of the cultural reality of contemporary Ethiopia. You can eat at his restaurant Lucy's, delicious. An escapade to Entoto Hill allows you to discover one of Menelik II's first palaces and have a panoramic view of the Ethiopian capital.

Early in the morning we take an Addis-Lalibela plane. Arrival at the hotel and departure for the visit of the Estifanos monastery on the shores of Lake Hayq, or some churches around the city. The bravest can go to the Yemrehanna Kristos church near Bilbila, one of the most surprising in terms of its decoration.

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.

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.

Visit of some churches in Tigray, some of which are accessible and others, more spectacular, isolated on their rocky spurs. We recommend those of Dabra Tsion and Abouna Yemata, if you are a minimum athlete and not subject to vertigo. Night in Wikro or Hausian

Drive to Aksum, with an excursion on the way to Debre Damo Monastery, one of the most impressive in the country (but forbidden to women), and to the Temple of Jeha, the oldest building in Ethiopia. The journey through mountainous tracks with visits takes a full day. Arrival in Aksum, discovery of the lively city in tuk-tuk

Visit of Aksum, the northernmost city of the country on the border of Somalia. Its majestic stelas are of pagan times, which we know little about today. We visit the royal tombs, the ruins of the palace of the Queen of Saba and the churches, as everywhere. Plane for Gondar late in the day, night on site.

Gondar: visit the fortified complex of the city's six castles, capital of Ethiopian rulers from the 17th to the 19th century, and the unmissable Debre Birhan Selassie church. A stroll through the city, quite developed and dynamic. Rest in preparation for the trek in the Simien the next morning very early

Drive towards Bahar Dar, take half a day in 4 x 4. On the way, admire the beautiful landscapes around Lake Tana. Afternoon: walk in the pleasant city of pleasure on the edge of the lake, shopping shopping of the region, well deserved rest and dinner in a good restaurant in the center.

Take a day to carry out excursions on the monasteries of Lake Tana and visit the beautiful churches that are built there, some of which have the finest frescoes of the country. Take an airplane to Say Dawa, in correspondence in Addis Ababa, because direct flights do not exist. 

Visit the city of Harar, considered as the 4th holy city by the Islamic world and which has more than 100 mosques! Visit the Muslim market, the house of Rimbaud, the palace of Ras Makonnen and the city walls. In the evening, attend the feeding of hyenas, a centuries-old tradition at the gates of the city

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.

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.

Take advantage of being in the capital to visit the lively and popular market districts in the hypercentre, and go shopping. Traditional fabrics, silver jewellery, crafts... You will find all kinds of gifts to bring back. Go out in the evening to an ethiojazz or traditional Ethiopian music and dance club to discover the traditions of each region

Enjoy a last half day to visit the places of the capital that you haven't had the opportunity to discover. Return to Paris by plane from Bollé airport.