Daily Schedule

Please be aware that most days involve around 8/9hrs on-the-go including sights/visits and activities, comfort and lunch breaks, photo stops and drive-time, however on one or two days this will extend out to 10+hrs.

Days will generally start between 7:30 – 8:30 and reach or return to our hotel between 16:00 – 17:00. However, the passing scene is always riveting, with varied scenery and sites, and lots of animals and people going about their daily lives.

Transport

We will use a private bus charter for the northern loop Addis to Lalibela , a domestic flight as stated in the itinerary and 4WD Land Cruisers for the offroads. Roads can be tar sealed or shingle (dusty), sometimes bumpy and slow due to road works and/or rain damage, although most of the time a reasonable pace can be maintained. Both 4WDs and the bus will be air-conditioned.

Luggage

A medium sized wheelie bag (no more than 65/70ltrs capacity, measuring 130/132 linear cm) works well, but for ease of handling please keep baggage as light as possible (12 -14kg).

Accommodation

Hotels/Lodges – Twin/double rooms the norm. Hotels / Lodges anticipated are essentially Star**/***/****/(*****in Addis)/. In some remote places hotels is basic and simplistic.

Meals

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.

Weather

Anticipate sunshine most days, generally all day, with comfortably warm temperatures in the north, but in the South it can get rather hot (30s+), especially for the 2 to 3 days when we are in the south. Nights can be cool in the north, even cold in a couple of places, so a jacket and set of thermals should be taken.

The Danakil Depression is one of the hottest places on Earth so please come prepared. Our trips to the Danakil run from Oct – Feb as this is the cooler time of year but this can still mean daytime temperatures up to and around 40C. Night time temperatures in the Danakil are in the 20s (C) and rainfall is very rare. Harar and Mekele will be cooler, but the vast majority of this trip is likely to be very hot.

Daytime temperatures are mainly warm and comfortable but early morning and evenings in the highlands can be cold. We recommend layers and a thick jumper or fleece, plus a lightweight wind/waterproof jacket. A hat is essential. Take swimwear if you plan to use the hotel’s pools. Comfortable, good walking shoes with ankle support are strongly recommended as well as comfortable sandals.

Clothing

Visitors should take light, summer clothes for the day time and something warm for the evenings, like a sweater or jacket. The temperature drops quite rapidly towards sunset. Simian or Bale Mountains trekkers should bring warm clothes and water proofs for unexpected seasonal rains.

Dress is conservative – Women should not show bare knees or shoulders, so no singlets/sleeveless tops or pants/skirts shorter than mid-calf. Men, no bare chests and as wearing shorts is considered odd, stick to longs and ¾ pants or long shorts at the very least. Generally light weight pants/skirts and t-shirts are the order of the day, with a set of warm layer-up clothing and jacket for the cooler mountain locations.

Walks and Hikes

While most walks are not difficult, a couple are only suitable for those who enjoy scrambling and have a good head for heights. When there are longer more technical walks we try offer an alternative activity as well.

Foreign Exchange

Local currency – Ethiopian Birr ETB

Credit Card Acceptance

Accepted in most of the hotels in major towns. Limited in the banks

ATM Availability

Available in most of the major towns. In the remote areas it is very Limited. Ask your tour guide the availability

Where To Exchange

Your Tour guide will advise you. All banks give exchange service

Recommended Currency For Exchange

It is advisable to take your spending money in Sterling, Euros or US Dollars cash (high denomination notes usually get better exchange rates). Please note that any pre- 1999 or torn US Dollar bills will not be accepted in Ethiopia. Please keep any receipts as you may be able to change back any unused local currency.

Equipment

A hat and sun cream are essential throughout the trip. A torch can be useful in the case of power outages.

For the walking in the Simien Mountains and Lalibela, a pair of good walking shoes/boots are essential and walking pole(s) if you use these regularly.

A filter water bottle is very useful on this trip to ensure you have access to clean drinking water at all times.

Food

The Ethiopian national dish consists of Enjera, a flat, circular pancake of fermented made from an endemic grain seed called teff, served with different kinds of cooked meats, vegetables and different sauce, The sauces are generally spiced with berbere, a blend of herbs and spices (including hot peppers) that gives Ethiopian food its characteristic taste. Vegetarians should try “fasting food” (for devout Ethiopian Orthodox Christians fast days make up more than half the year), a colorful spread of salads and vegetables devoid of all meat and animal products.

Usually One eats national dishes with the right hand (water for washing is usually brought to the table before the food is served).

Addis Ababa now boasts of a wide variety of restaurants traditional, Italian, Far East and western, and at hotels in tourist sites European style foods are always available. If you are travelling to remote areas and camping, such as the Omo Valley and parts of southern Ethiopia, our company provide professional cook with first class cooking materials it is also advisable to inform your interest of food during booking.