Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Northern Ethiopia Highlights
Immerse yourself in Christianity in its most raw and powerful form in the
mind-blowing rock-hewn churches in Lalibela (
Click here
)
Smell the sulphur, see the lava and stare in disbelief at the thermometer in
the Danakil Depression (
Click here
)
Get far away from urban life and very close to the locals on a community
trek around Lalibela (
Click here
) or Tigray (
Click here
)
Roam the hallowed halls of the royal retreats in Gonder (
Click here
)
Don't lose your balance as you trek along the endless Abyssinian abysses in
the Simien Mountains (
Click here
)
Explore the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Tigray (
Click here
)
See an Ethiopian wolf in pristine habitat at the Menz-Guassa Community
Conservation Area (
Click here
)
Dream of hidden treasure in the dank gloom of ancient Aksumite tombs be-
neath the stelae of Aksum (
Click here
)
Don't look down while climbing up to Debre Damo (
Click here
) monastery
Getting There & Away
Ethiopian Airlines
(
www.flyethiopian.com
)
connects Addis Ababa with Bahir Dar, Gon-
der, Lalibela, Aksum and Mekele.
Most people who enter northern Ethiopia overland are travelling by bus from Addis
Ababa, which sits conveniently at the bottom of the Historical Circuit. It's also possible to
come from the Asaita region in eastern Ethiopia via roads to Woldia and Dessie. A rare
few people access the Addis Ababa-Bahir Dar road from the western town of Nekemte.
The only open border crossing is from Sudan at Metema (
Click here
)
.
Getting Around
Ethiopian Airlines has flights connecting Bahir Dar, Gonder, Lalibela and Aksum.
The 2500km circular drive through the north is now nearly all paved (though still ex-
pect some rough sections) except between Debark and Shire and even that will be mostly
