Experience the ‘Real Ethiopia’. Ethiopia is a varied and diverse country, with at its core an age-old culture of farmers, who have been ploughing their fields with ox-drawn ploughs for a few thousand years. Their life is intrinsically linked to the agricultural seasons and the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox calendar with its saints’ days and festivals punctuating their life.

Local communities near Lalibela invite you to accept their hospitality trek through their age-old lands. Set in the dramatic landscape of the highlands of northern Ethiopia, with basalt cliffs, Gelada Baboon and birds of prey soaring on the thermals, your visit in Meket will be the highlight of your trip to Ethiopia.

You will stay in spartan but comfortable local cottages (tukuls) designed using local materials, set on the edge of the communities’ villages. Food will be prepared to suit western tastes, along with a traditional coffee ceremony. Donkeys will carry your luggage as you trek with a trained local guide from one village to the next along escarpments and through church yards of ancient trees. This is a fantastic opportunity to slow down and become part of this ancient land.

Best time to go: The trekking sites are open from 1 Oct – 15th Jul. Oct – Jan is the best time to visit.

Oct: after the rains have ended the landscape is at its most beautiful, with fields of green crops, flowers, butterflies and birds in their mating plumage.

Nov – Dec: The fields turn golden as crops ripen, and harvest activities begin to start.

Mid Dec – mid Jan: Peak agricultural season. Timkat celebrating the baptism of Jesus by John, is the most important festival in calendar, and it is possible to join local communities in their celebrations.