Long time sometimes seems to be inaccessible to us in our hyper-connected societies. The relationship to nature is minimized there in favor of performance, which takes an ever more prominent place in our lives. This is surely one of the reasons that push so many of our contemporaries towards adventure travel and its authenticity. The trek in particular combines the wonder of a change of scenery with the requirement of involved tourism. Here, walking, discovery and awareness come together to develop a new way of traveling.
Ethiopia, both for its thousand-year-old history and its raw and uncompromising landscapes is a destination sought after by all immersion enthusiasts. Cultural or natural, diving into the Ethiopian world is a constant adventure where traditions and nature come together to form the canvas of an exceptional trip. Return on 5 unforgettable treks in the heart of the origins.
Ethiopia's volcanoes
Admire the volcanoes of Ethiopia
Admire the volcanoes of Ethiopia, it is to get as close as possible to the forges of the Earth. The North-East of the country is particularly rich in natural sites shaped by the separation of the Arabian and African plates. The Dallol site is full of geological peculiarities worthy of a science fiction film. Here, nature is yellow, acidic and mineral. Columns of salt, hot springs, mountains of sulfur and gas geysers dot a landscape of infernal beauty.
A little further south but still in the Great Rift Valley, the Erta Ale volcano extends over 30 kilometers in diameter. A vast caldera is home to two working craters that irregularly secrete their molten basalt lava. Observe these outpourings at night is a grandiose spectacle that turns the senses and the mind upside down. The Afars do not approach it under any circumstances, considering that it is the residence of evil spirits.
Salt caravans
The ancient road of the salt caravans
The northeast of the country also offers the opportunity to learn about a secular aspect of the region's economy, salt transport. Transported on the back of camels, the precious cargo follows an ancient road that crosses areas inhospitable to man. In the direction of highlands of Tigray, the convoys cross the Danakil desert, formerly conducive to attacks by brigands.
Arriving at lac salin karoum on foot and at nightfall, the vision is striking. Especially for those who will have the chance to observe a row of camels crossing its flat wave, water at mid-ankle. The fluid and slow movement of men leading their beasts of burden seems to bend the course of time. We believe we are touching the principle of eternity with our fingertips.
How to organize your trek in Ethiopia?
The different ethnicities and social groups of the country are renowned for their hospitality and the warm welcome they extend to travelers. Both guarantors of a secular tradition and inhabitants of a country with sometimes harsh conditions, everyone knows the importance of helping others. Paradoxically, it is the authentic and unvarnished aspects of Ethiopian geography that attract travelers as much as they sometimes put them in danger.
Be aware that preparing long treks in isolated regions requires time, energy and real know-how. Organizing a trek in Ethiopia with Tamera - or with any other specialized agency with networks and knowledge - will greatly facilitate your trip.
Moreover, if the intermediary of an agency is not always essential, it is often preferable to enlist the services of an experienced guide able to react promptly in the event of unforeseen circumstances in nature. Certain regions, such as the Afars, also present a not very exuberant but chronic political instability (and we invite you to consult the government site France Diplomatie before leaving), reinforcing the interest of an organized trip in this country.
Balé National Park
Antelope of Balé National Park
The landscapes of southern Ethiopia contrast sharply with the raw and desert areas of the North. Balé National Park in particular is home to some of the highest peaks in the country, including and Mont Batu which culminates at 4600 meters. A humid climate has allowed an abundant biodiversity to develop and maintain itself in Harenna forest where it is possible to see pigs, monkeys and several endemic species such as the Abyssinian wolf, the rarest canine in the world.
The different trek routes usually include authentic urban crossing points like Dinsho and its famous market. The meadows of Garsay are an excellent hunting ground for photographers in search of endemic antelopes such as nyala, meneliks or bushbacks. Rafu pass meanwhile offers a breathtaking view of the forest. A must for those who love breathtaking shots.
Simien National Park
Geladas Baboons of Simien National Park
Ethiopia's first national park listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Simien park is located in the region ofAmhara, in the north of the country. Former area of strong volcanic activity, the region has suffered the onslaught of time and erosion, releasing impressive drops. The trekking routes are however accessible to all those who can justify a first walking experience on condition of obtaining the assistance of an experienced guide.
We then enjoy grandiose landscapes, carved out of deep gorges and unattainable peaks. This very special environment has endemic fauna where the famous Geladas baboons live in all innocence the meeting of men. A true jewel of unspoiled nature with discreet but comfortable tourist facilities.
A cultural trek in the cradle of humanity
Church hewn in the rock in Labilela
If Ethiopia benefits from exceptional landscapes, it can just as much boast of a thousand-year-old culture. Home to our origins, exceptional historical and archaeological sites abound there, especially in the North. Since the Gheralta massif where the mysterious troglodyte churches nestle, it is possible to reach Axoum, city of the famous Queen of Sheba.
The cultural journey then leads to Labilela, nicknamed the Black Jerusalem. The holy city of the Orthodox Christians of Ethiopia is filled with a religious fervor bordering on ecstasy. Legends and religious monuments abound there and could reveal in everyone a forgotten and unexpected spiritual potential.
Cradle of Mankind … spiritual crossroads
The word Ethiopia provokes in each of us feelings as strong as they are diverse. Cradle of humanity, it was also the dream land for the repatriation of deported black slaves. Today she has become a dynamic country with strong growth. For others, it calls more simply to the memory of flavors and smells by productions of character such as its coffee or its salt.
His music is also known around the world thanks to talented artists who have adapted their original culture to changes in the world. Spiritual crossroads, Ethiopia is a unique country which sublimates its contradictions and moves forward without ever departing from its mystery so attractive to travelers ...
