Ethiopia
❍ January 20th - February 2nd 2027 ❍ culture + history + nature
Our tour gives you a concentrated dose of the best of Ethiopia. You’ll see culture, history, nature, architecture: from the lowland jungles to the stone churches of the north, from the Simian mountains with friendly baboons, to the medieval walled city of Harar where you’ll high-five more children than any other time in your life, you’ll see only the most amazing places.
The second half of January is generally one of the best times to visit Ethiopia, with mostly sunny days, low humidity, and relatively little rainfall.
We’ll start in Addis Ababa, the political and cultural heart of Ethiopia and indeed of Africa itself. At an elevation of about 2,300–2,500 meters (7,500–8,200 feet), it's one of the highest capital cities in the world, which gives it a surprisingly mild climate year-round. The 3.2 million-year-old Lucy lives in this city.
Other highlights of the trip include:
Lalibela, aka "New Jerusalem," which is famous for its 11 medieval churches carved directly into solid rock. The churches remain active places of worship and are among the most remarkable architectural achievements in the world.
Gondar, known as the "Camelot of Africa," this UNESCO-listed fortress complex contains castles and palaces built by Ethiopian emperors in the 17th century.
The Simian Mountains are one of Africa's most stunning mountain regions, featuring dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and high-altitude trekking. Wildlife includes the endemic Gelada and Walia ibex.
The Omo Valley, home to numerous ethnic groups with distinct languages, clothing, ceremonies, and traditions. Visitors can learn about communities such as the Hamar, Mursi, and Karo.
Harar, considered by many Muslims to be one of the holiest cities in Islam. Historically, it linked the Ethiopian highlands with the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa. Its historic old town, Harar Jugol, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved traditional cities in Africa. There may be no other city in the world as good to get lost in.
Arba Minch is quite different from Ethiopia's historic northern cities. It's best known as a gateway to lakes, wildlife, and the cultures of southern Ethiopia. Lake Abaya often appears reddish-brown, while Lake Chamo is typically darker blue. One of the best viewpoints in all of Ethiopia is the narrow ridge separating the two lakes, known as God’s Bridge. Nearby animals include Zebras, Gazelles, Baboons, Crocodiles, Hippos, and Numerous bird species.
For those who are fans of Lord of the Rings, Ethiopia has a few surprising claims to Middle Earth fame. The place names are a good place to start. We have Gondor/Gondar, Rohan/Roha, Barad-dûr/Bahir Dar, and Harad/Harar. There is even a city in Ethiopia called Shire. And the stelae of Axum are highly suggestive of 'Isengard'.
Ethiopia also happens to be one of the most vegan-friendly countries in the world.
Many followers of the Orthodox Church observe numerous fasting days throughout the year, during which they avoid meat, dairy, and eggs, and almost every Ethiopian meal revolves around Injera, a vegan flatbread made from teff that serves as both plate and utensil. The flavor is mildly sour and takes some people a meal or two to get used to, but many travelers end up loving it.
Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and traditional coffee ceremonies involving roasting, grinding, and brewing beans with smoking frankincense can take an hour and is accompanied by conversation, incense, and snacks such as roasted barley or popcorn. Visitors can also try local beverages such as honey wine (tej) or, fresh avocado juice.
[Optional] Danekil Depression January 17th-20th
The Danakil Depression in northeastern Ethiopia is one of the most extreme environments on Earth, formed where tectonic plates are pulling apart and creating a vast lowland that in places sits more than 100 meters below sea level.
It is known for intense heat, volcanic activity, salt flats, and a landscape that often looks alien. Within it lies Dallol, a geothermal area where underground magma interacts with thick salt deposits to produce vivid neon-colored hot springs. Despite its harsh conditions, the surrounding region is home to the Afar people, who have historically worked salt mining routes across the desert. The Danakil is often described as looking like another planet and is studied by scientists to understand the limits of life on Earth and how similar environments might exist on other worlds.
