Discover Ethiopia’s growing tourism scene with Big Five Tours & Expeditions’ new Historic Routes of Ethiopia itinerary. This 10-day journey introduces travelers to Addis Ababa, the country’s bustling capital. Highlights of the city tour include the Ethnographic Museum, showcasing traditional crafts and cultural exhibits, and the National Museum, home to the famous prehistoric skeleton known as Lucy.
The itinerary continues with a scenic cruise on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and a visit to the Zeghi Peninsula to see its distinctive round, 14th-century, grass‑roofed churches adorned with vibrant murals. The route also leads to Axum, where visitors tour the cathedral of St. Mary Zion, a site venerated by many and associated with the Ark of the Covenant.
In Lalibela—often called “New Jerusalem”—travelers encounter remarkable rock-cut churches dating from the 7th to the 13th centuries, carved directly into the bedrock and preserved as significant religious and architectural treasures. For wildlife enthusiasts, the trip includes a stop in Simien Mountains National Park, a rugged highland environment that supports species such as black-headed siskins, thick-billed ravens, gelada baboons, rock hyraxes and the rare Ethiopian wolf.
Pricing for the Historic Routes of Ethiopia tour starts at $750 per person per day, based on double occupancy. The package covers hotel accommodations and meals as outlined in the itinerary, hotel taxes and fees, park entrance fees, English-speaking guides, all ground transfers in air-conditioned vehicles, and Big Five’s 24 Hour White Glove Service guest assistance. Departures, with a minimum of two travelers, are available through Dec. 15, 2018. Each participant also receives a one-year membership to the non-profit One More Generation, which includes symbolic adoption of an endangered species.
This itinerary blends cultural landmarks, historic churches and natural landscapes, offering a comprehensive introduction to Ethiopia’s heritage and biodiversity while providing the comforts and support of guided travel.