Take a look at Justin's photos from this trip. More… (click photos to enlarge)

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The walk is simply spectacular with magnificent views over the escarpment every step of the way. We saw no other tourists at all, but the highlight for me was the opportunity to meet and spend time with local priests, farmers (I tried ploughing a field with oxen), friendly, happy and polite local children, weavers (again we had a go!) and farmers. The people are really lovely and very welcoming and we found it an extraordinary privilege to meet them and learn about their lives. Our local guides spoke very good English and looked after us well – there’s nothing better than having drink and some pancakes sat on the cliffs watching the sunset, the indigenous Gelada baboon and some stunning birds.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Book it, it will be the experience of a lifetime and the perfect addition to a visit to the rock churches in Lalibela. Plan to do some walking at home before you leave. It’s pretty much flat all the way –along the top of an escarpment - but plan to wall for about 7 hours per day (you can take a horse for part or all of this if you prefer). As about visiting weavers and local people’s homes – the guides are from the villages you trek through and know exactly where to take you (and how to do it in a respectful way). If you have the chance visit towards the end of October – just as the harvest is coming in.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

The communities that we visited never had any savings before tourism. Tourism has provided this income, and enabled them to prepare in case the rains fail. They’ve also used it to make micro loans to other members of their communities so that they tool can develop small grain trading businesses. It’s a remarkable demonstration of what a difference tourism can make. We listened to a number of speeches from village elders and priest who explained how they could no longer rely on their crops, and that tourism income what a vital additional income.