1st to 13th November  2009

 2.300 Km.

This etapa takes in some of the most wild and inhospitable places on earth, but combines it with some of the most ancient culture. From the pulsating heat of the Danakil Depression to the Nubian Pyramids this is a journey of discovery through an ancient land.

Ethiopia is gradually overcoming years of political turmoil and recurrent famine to establish itself as one of the most intriguing destinations in Africa. Your journey begins in Addis Abbeba, a charming city filled with impressive buildings and a constant mix of people and languages, there are over 80 languages in Ethiopia and in Addis Abbeba you will hear most of them especially at the lively Merkato Market and the Jan Meda Racecouse. The Ethiopian National Museum is well worth visiting, it contains the fossilised skeleton of €œLucy€ one of the earliest examples of early man found in the Danakil Depression.

 Much of Ethiopia´s history derives from the powerful Aksumite Empire based from the northern city of Aksum where The Queen of Sheba is believed to have come from.  Along the way you must not miss Lalibela where eleven stone churches have been carved, by hand, from the sheer faces of hard red rock. Some legends say the churches were built by Crusaders returning from the Holy Land, while Ethiopians believe they were created with the help of angels by King Lalibela over 1000 years ago. The most impressive of the churches is €œBet Giorgis€ The House of St George. All of the 11 churches are still used regularly and each has a resident priest who presides over the ancient treasures that they hold, including beautifully carved crosses and engraved bibles. The celebration of Epiphany is a particularly colourful festival with processions through the town and on the plateau above is the Asheton Maryam Monastery, which holds a fascinating collection of paintings and relics.

There is much more to see within Ethiopia, including the Simien Mountains National Park where you might catch a glimpse of the Ethiopian Wolf. In the north lies the infamous Danakil Depression, home to the fearsome Afar Nomads and in the west is the €œCamelot of Africa€, a 17th century castle with dazzling murals in Gonder.

From Gonder you can cross into Eastern Sudan home to the source of the River Nile and the Nubian Desert. Close to Kabushiya are the ancient Nubian Pyramids, they date from before their cousins in Egypt and recall the ancient civilisation of the Meroe. The whole area is completely unspoilt and delightful to explore during the early mornings or at sunset, free from busloads of tourists and touts.

Khartoum itself is the capital for a strict Islamic government, so be particularly careful when you are here to abide by the dress code and be sensitive to the cultural differences. Alcohol is forbidden but you will be able to enjoy plenty of the local sweet black tea, or the delicious Hibiscus tea as well as the famous Sudanese coffee. The Omdurman area of the city, founded by Mahdi contains a spectacular Souq and the camel market, Souq Moowaileh is an added treat. 

Sudan is currently affected by civil war in the Western region of Darfur and you are strongly advised not to go anywhere near this region.