After breakfast we drive to Debark on the edge of the Simien Mountains. In the late morning we drive up into the mountains for some spectacular views of this unique ecosystem. We take an optional 1.5hr walk, mostly flat or downhill, and hope to see the endemic Gelada baboons, Klipspringers, Lammergeyer vultures, and bushbuck. The scenery is truly breathtaking and there will be time for a walk around the Sankaber region of the National Park. The maximum altitude we reach is 3250m.

After morning breakfast, continue on the rugged road for a full day’s drive to the ancient city of Axum via the lowlands of the Simien Mountains and Tekeze River gorge. Though this is a long drive the spectacular views make time slide away. This full day drive affords some excellent photo opportunities of this dramatic landscape. In the late afternoon after checking into the hotel, there will be time to relax in this town that was once the capital of a large empire.

Today we head east from Axum to Yeha, said to be Ethiopia’s oldest settlement, probably dating back almost 3,000 years. A large temple, dedicated to the moon god Ilmuqah, is related to other pagan temples to the same god in Yemen, indicating connections across the Red Sea from the earliest times. The temple was later converted into a church in the 6th century, but still has wonderful friezes of ibex carved into the façade. We shall also make a visit to the important town of Adwa, set amidst rugged mountains. It was at Adwa that the Ethiopians became the first African nation to repel a colonial power, when they defeated the Italian army in 1896. Since then, Ethiopia has been a symbol of African independence, free from European control. This afternoon we continue to the town of Adigrat.

Today we will explore this rarely visited corner of Ethiopia and discover the remarkable Rock-cut Churches in this region. These architectural gems were created prior to the 16th century and unknown to the outside world until the 1960s. About 150 are now known to be in existence with all but a handful still in active use by the orthodox Christian community. We look to explore two clusters including Abreha We Atsbeha and Degum Selassie at Gheralta and the sandstone church of Chirkos at Wukro with its cruciform pillars and barrel vaulted ceiling. In the afternoon enjoy the wonderful serenity of the Tigray landscapes and proceed to the town of Mekel.

Today you will have quite a long drive to Lalibela. During the journey, you encounter the scenic beauty of the Alamata mountain chain and observe the daily life of the Tigray and Amhara people in the villages that you pass along the way. During the next two nights Lalibela.

After breakfast drive to Kombolicha and on the way we will have a stop to visit the famous Lake Hayik and the ancient church of Hayik Estifanos and keep driving to Kombolicha.

Today we drive to Harar on the way we will visit the town of Aweday famous as the site of the country’s largest chat market and farming place (and stimulating plant). Harar is a walled city. The city walls are pierced by 5 gates topped by 25 towers. The 16th century mosque with its slender minaret and the narrow streets lined with small shops all give the impression of having wandered into a city from the Arabian nights. In the evening, we will go to one of the gates of the Harar wall to see the Hyena Man feeding his hyena friends.

This day, we drive to Lake Langano and enjoy more of the Rift Valley landscape and the stunning views over the Lakes of Abijata and Shala. We have the possibility of visiting the Ostrich farm at Abijata Shala National Park. In the afternoon we will relax on the shore of Lake Langano, side resort for our overnight.

Morning drive 40kms northwest of Arba Minch to Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze and Chencha villages. Once warriors, the Dorze have now turned to farming and weaving to earn a living. They speak an Omotic tongue and the Dorze name is synonymous with the best woven cotton cloth. The “elephant huts” of the Dorze are unique and worth seeing. Also, the Dorze beehive-shaped houses are constructed entirely of organic material and has its own small garden surrounded by beds of spices, cabbage and tobacco.Some of Ethiopia’s best woven cottons come from Chencha, which is located 8 km northwest of Dorze Village. Men weave and women spin. Afternoon a boat trip on clear blue waters of Lake Chamo to see the crocodiles, hippos & aquatic bird species. The northern shores of Lake Chamo are famous for its large crocodiles, which can be seen in great numbers lounging in the heat. The lake is about 32km long and provides a lush wetland habitat for many species of flora and fauna.

After having your early breakfast, you will have an excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people ‘people of the Delta’, who lives on the northern shore of Lake Turkana, and they live on the east and west bank of the Omo River. They are agro-pastoralist and herd cattle and practice flood retreat cultivation on both sides of the river. The Geleb Covering a large territory, the Geleb live along the western banks of the Omo River, having been forced out of the Turkana region by conflict in the 18th century.Originally nomadic pastoralists, the more fertile surroundings of the Omo River has caused them to put down more permanent roots based around fishing and agriculture. The Geleb live in small huts that befit their nomadic origins, as they could be easily and quickly dismantled. Women wear a pleated cowskin skirt with necklaces and bracelets. Men wear a checkered cloth around their waist only. Then drive back to our base Turmi.

This day we will drive to Yabello visiting the Erbore people en route. After lunch stop at Konso, continue to the region of Oromo Borena and visit their village. The drive this day will let you to experience the life of the Oromo Borena People who is well known in cattle rearing. We also visit the Oromo Borena People villages and their ‘singing well’ from which they cater water to their own thousands of cattle by singing.

This morning we will proceed to the crater lake of El Sod,known locally as the House of Salt. El Sod’s deep crater is famous for the black salt that has been extracted from its inky depths for centuries. We will view the lake from the rim and take a short walk along the top. Probably, ubiquitous donkeys can still be seen winding their way up the side of the crater loaded with the valuable mineral. Then, we will drive back to Yabello, famed for its unique position as home for two of Ethiopia’s Endemic birds; the white-tailed swallow and Stresemann’s bush crow.These birds can only be found in the acacia scrubland around Yabello.