06/03/2025
Bespoke- Ethiopia in Style
Overview- Epiphany celebration; in September, we'll witness Meskel with its flickering bonfires and carpets of yellow daisies.
From its Orthodox Christian heritage in the mountain highlands to the animistic tribes in the Great Rift Valley, Ethiopia holds a fascinating mix of cultures. In the highlands, we explore Axum—Ethiopia's holy city—and World Heritage-listed Lalibela, with its 12th century subterranean churches. A different side of Ethiopia thrives in the far south, where we visit the tribal cultures of the remote Omo Valley. Each trip is timed for a festival—January trips attend Timkat, the exuberant Epiphany celebration; in September, we'll witness Meskel, with its flickering bonfires and carpets of yellow daisies.
Days 1-7: Addis Ababa / Tribes of the Omo River Valley
After a tour of Addis, we fly to the Rift Valley's remote Omo region, a scenic wonderland and a tribal kaleidoscope of semi-nomadic tribes, from the Bume and Karo to the Bena and Hamar. Their body adornments, such as scarification, face painting, and lip plates, hold rich cultural symbolism. Our itinerary in the Omo region is flexible and we make daily excursions to visit villages and meet a wide variety of tribal peoples.
Days 8-12: Addis / Ethiopian Highlands / Simien Mountains / Gondar
We fly back to Addis and on to Bahar Dar in the highlands, where we boat out to an island-monastery in Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile. Heading up to the craggy Simien Mountains, we'll look for the park's unique wildlife, including gelada baboon. We'll explore mountain-ringed Gondar, called the Camelot of Africa because of its castles and battlements. It was the home of the Falasha, the “black Jews” of Ethiopia, most of whom left for Israel in 1991.
Days 13-14: Axum / Lalibela
In the highland city of Axum, we visit the Church of St. Mary of Zion, a revered Christian pilgrimage site. We'll spend a memorable day in World Heritage-listed Lalibela to explore extraordinary 12th century churches hand-carved out of the pink volcanic bedrock—and still in good condition a thousand years later. Their architectural styles vary from Grecian pillars to Egyptian-style motifs.
Days 15-16: Addis Ababa / Timkat or Meskel Festival
Flying back to Addis, we experience Timkat, with its processions of Orthodox priests and parishioners in traditional dress (January), or the dancing and celebratory bonfires of Meskel (September). Both festivals offer superb cultural encounters. Depart on Day 16 via Addis Ababa.
