Simiens, Lalibela, Gheralta & Harar

Set in the centre of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa is the fifth highest capital city in the world, a typically hectic African metropolis, with a reasonable range of hotels and a few modest places of interest. The majority of travellers end up having to overnight here at one or both ends of their trip.

The Simiens are Africa’s fifth highest mountain range, with occasionally snow-capped peaks reaching over 4500m/14800'. The scenery here is extraordinary, with wildlife highlights include gelada 'baboons', endemic walia ibex and Ethiopian wolves. A cool area for hiking and trekking.

Set in the north of Ethiopia, Lalibela is a small mountain town which is home to a collection of eleven world-famous rock-cut Ethiopian Orthodox Christian churches, which date from 600-1300 AD. Generally considered to be an essential stop on cultural explorations of the country.

Located in the extreme north of Ethiopia, Gheralta is a scenic area of dramatic mountains, concealed amongst which is a collection of around 140 remote and dramatic churches, hewn from the mountains centuries ago and still in use to this day.

Set in the southeast of Ethiopia, Harar is an historic mediaeval walled city, said to be the fourth most holy place in the Islamic world. The old town is very well preserved and interesting, but is perhaps best known for being the birthplace of coffee and for the tradition of feeding the local hyenas.