Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa and Half day city tour of Addis Ababa:
Arrive Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and Transfer to Hotel and take rest, Addis Ababa in Amharic, means "new flower" it is located at 2,500 m. above sea level in one of the highest parts of the Entoto Mountain 3,000 m. above sea level. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues and Jacaranda trees, interesting museums and one of the largest open air markets in Africa, "Merkato”, half day city tour of Addis Ababa includes in the morning National Museum, Entoto mountain and the colorful market of Addis Ababa-“Merkato”. Overnight Addis Ababa.
Day 2: Fly Addis Ababa – Bahar Dar.
Transfer to the airport and departure for Bahir Dar up on Arrival- check in to the hotel. In the afternoon drive to Blue Nile Falls, which rises from Lake Tana. It plunges over 45m-high rock face to form one of Africa’s most spectacular waterfalls, 400m wide above the waterfall: in the gorge below, on the way back to Bahir dar if time permits visit the Agew village for their interesting coffee ceremony and in the afternoon boat ride on Lake Tana for the monasteries founded in medieval times and served as one of many temporary capitals of the period. Take boat to ride towards your first stop. Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia, with a surface area of 3673km2, and it is also the source of the Blue Nile, a fact that may explain many of Ethiopia’s links with the ancient world.
Visit the island’s most ornately decorated monastery, Ura Kidane Mihret. Built in the 18th century for princess Mentwab (regent for emperor Iyassu II) the stonewall surrounding the compound, with their doomed turrets, are typically Gonderian. Proceed for Zege peninsula. Ura Kidane Mihiret is certainly the most impressive of this peninsula and most beautiful anywhere in the Tana region. Set within bleak stonewalls, the monastery was founded in the 14th century, and the current church was built in 16th century. And visit the closer Asua Mariam which hosts several worthwhile old paintings as well. Overnight Bahir dar.
Day 3: Castles of Gondar and Trinity Church.
Transfer to the airport and departure for Gondar or drive from Bahar Dar to Gondar, Castles of Gondar built in the mid 17th century together with the surrounding centuries -old churches depict yet another sophisticated architectural wonders. The castles are found in the city of Gondar, which has been the seat of government following Axum and Lalibela and after check in to the Hotel city tour of Gondar that includes 17th century castles and palaces with several other points of interest, most notably the fantastically decorated church of Debre Birhan Selassie church (Trinity Church), founded by King Iyasu I in the 1690s, was the most important church in 18th-century Gondar, when it was the site of several royal burials.
The church is not without architectural merit; it is of great interest for the prolific paintings inside. The ceiling decorated with paintings of 80 cherubic faces. Is the most single example of ecclesiastical art in Ethiopia. Fasiledes’ pool and surrounds, 2,800m2 sunken bathing pool generally attributed to Fasiledes. Enclosed by a tall stonewall with six turrets, the pool is overlooked a two-story building widely said to have been Fasiledes’ second residence. The main attraction of the town is the royal enclosure, surrounded by a high stonewalls, the enclosure covers an area of 70,000 m2 and contains six castles, a complex of connecting tunnels and raised walkways, and several smaller buildings. The castles are made of stone and show a unique combination of Portuguese, Axumite and even Indian influences. Overnight Gondar.
Day 4: Simien Mountains Excursion.
Early in the morning drive to the Simien mountains National park on the way visit the Felasha Village-African Jews, Simien mountains: Heading north we travel to Debark, on the edge of the Simien Mountains National Park. This area is characterized by enormous chasms and gorges, and offers some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa. After admiring this fascinating mountains and drive back to Gondar for overnight Stay.
Day 5: Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Transfer to the Airport and departure for Lalibela where the 11th century remarkable Rock –hewn churches of Lalibela is placed the UNESCO has named the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela as the 8th wonders of the world. Lalibela presents the site of a chain of rock carved out 11th century churches with astonishing architectural designs and interior decorations. A historical myth narrates king Lalibela; on his own (with the help of angels) completed the construction of the churches.
After his death the king has been designated as an Ethiopian saint. After check –in to Hotel, visit the first group Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela comprises seven churches: Bette Medehanialem, Bette Mriam, Bette Meskel, Bette Denagel, Bette Debre Sina, Bette Golgota and the Silassie chapel. These groups of churches are mostly excavated from below the ground, and are surrounded by courtyards and trenches, so that they mimic normal buildings. Several of these churches are monoliths or three-quartet monoliths – free from the surrounding rock on three or four sides a style of excavation that is unique in Ethiopia. Overnight Lalibela.
Day 6: Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Early in the morning hiking to one of the surrounding churches of Lalibela "Asheton Mariam" (Church of Marry) with good view of the Village or drive to visit one of the sounding churches of Lalibela, Nakutelabe Church and After Lunch in the afternoon Visit the second group of churches in Lalibela. Consists of five churches: Bette Emanuel, Bette Merkorios, Bette Abba Libanos, Bette Lehem and Bette Gebrial-Rufael. A thirteenth church, Bette Giorgis stands discrete from the two main clusters. These churches were excavated from a vertical rock face by exploiting existing caves or cracks in the rock. The most interesting story of the Lalibela cross will be tell at Bette Medihanialem, on March 10 1997, the 800 years-old Lalibela cross was discovered to have gone missing from the church of Medehanialem. This cross, which is made of solid gold and reportedly wings in at around 7kg, is said to have been the personal property of king Lalibela, and it is also the most treasured artifact of the Ethiopian churches, more holy than anything in Jerusalem or Rome. Overnight Yemereha Hotel.
Day 7: Archaeological Sites and Axum Zion Church.
Transfer to the airport and departure for Axum up on arrival visit the Obelisk of Axum- preserves an ancient history of the era of the Axumite powerful empire having trade links as far as India and China. Visitors will enjoy the sites of these monolithic obelisks and many more wonders surrounding their history, notably the Bath of the Legendary Queen of Sheba and archaeological findings that depict the way of life of the Axumite period that reigned from pre Christ times up until the 11th century AD. The Sightseeing tour includes, the stelae, the church of st. marry of Zion, the museum, Tombs (King Kalab and Gebre Meskel) and Queen of Sheba’s bath. Overnight Axum.
Day 8: Fly back to Addis Ababa and final departure to home.
Fly back to Addis Ababa, farewell dinner invitation in one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis Ababa with live Traditional music and Transfer to the Bole international airport for final departure to Home.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Expert English speaking Guide throughout the Tour,
- All Entrance fees as per the program,
- Hotel Accommodation with breakfast in Addis Ababa,
- Land Transfers up on arrival and departure in Addis Ababa,
- Hotel Accommodation in double-Occupancy, with all meals or Bed and Breakfast, Non-Alcoholic Beverages with meals as per the program,
- Surface Transport expense with four wheel drive Land cruiser including fuel expense and driver allowance,
- Boat trip on Lake Tana as per the program,
- A short trip to Blue Nile Falls as per the program,
- Sightseeing in the Historic Cities like Bahar Dar, Gondar Lalibela and Axum and Government Taxes-VAT.
Price Excludes:
- Alcoholic Beverages,
- Porter fees in the Air port and Hotels,
- Video filming and photography fees,
- Air port Departure tax,
- Customary Tips to guide and driver,
- Personal expenses.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Ethiopia
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
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