OVERVIEW OF THE TRIP
The specific objective of this package is to show Ethiopia’s magnificent natural landscape and introducing cultural history. Spending the night in Addis Ababa before flying to Bahir Dar, the base for exploring the monasteries of Lake Tana and visiting the Blue Nile Falls. Procede driving to Gondar enjoying winds through a dramatic volcanic landscape en route to the traditional heartland of the Amhara people, where imposing castles once welcomed ambassadors of the Moghul and Ottoman Empires. Visit Gondar’s church to inspect the stunning painted angels that illustrate the ceiling. Lalibela for two nights; this city’s rock-hewn churches are some of Christianity’s most beautiful places of worship. This package also includes the fourth century solomonic dynasty capital city of axum and its magnificent erected obelisk.
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHT
Day 1. Arrival Addis Ababa. Depending on arrival time there might be City tour.
Day 2. Full day city tour to Addis Ababa visiting Museums and Open Markets
Day 3. Fly to Bahir Dar. In Bahir Dar visit Tana Monastery and the Blue Nile Fall
Day 4. Drive to Gondar; on the way visit Amahara Village and the Seventeen Century Capital and its Castles
Day 5. Fly to Axum and Visiting the famous Axum obelisks
Day 6. Fly to Lalibela and visit the first part of the Rock-hewn churches
Day 7. Full day in Lalibela visit Ashtonmariam and Yimrahana Kirstos Monastery
Day 8. Fly back to Addis. In the afternoon Short City tour and after Traditional diner. Departure
ITINERARY MAP
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrive Addis Ababa
It is the day of your arrival in Addis Ababa. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is free to explore the city’s many wide tree-lined streets. Throughout the city there are shops that sell typical artisan wares, materials and antiques. Addis Ababa is one of Africa’s fastest growing cities and the fifth highest capital in the world; the altitude may fatigue you easily… so take it easy today. Another point to note is that, being relatively close to the equator, there are almost twelve hours of constant daylight no matter what time of year you visit. Overnight hotel.
Day 2 – Addis Ababa, City tour
After breakfast we have a full-day city tour, which departs at 9:00am from the hotel. We take time to explore the city and lunch out is included. We will visit the National Museum (home of the remains of the famous hominid fossil, “Lucy”) and the Ethnological Museum at the Addis Ababa University (housed in the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie). We will also witness the bustle of the “Mercato” (market). This colorful market has an array of fascinating goods and curios, providing a great place for exploration and people watching. Overnight in hotel.
Day 3 – Fly to Bahir Dar
On this morning, we will depart around 7:00am on the first flight of the day from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar with Ethiopian Airlines (schedules subject to change). On arrival we take a boat trip on Lake Tana – Ethiopia’s largest lake, covering 3673 square kms and the source of the famous Blue Nile River. Many of the small islands scattered across this lake shelter monastic churches, some founded as early as the 14th Century. The walls of several of these churches are ornately decorated with stunning mural paintings. We will visit the most beautiful of these, the monastery of Ura Kidane Mehret on the Zeghie peninsula. In the afternoon, we will visit the Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tissisat (“Water That Smokes”). One of Africa’s most spectacular waterfalls, the river plunges over a sheer chasm more than 45 meters in height and is 400 metres wide when in flood. (Please note, the sequence of events today may be reversed, depending on availability of the boat.) Overnight hotel.
Day 4 – Drive to Gondar
Early in the morning start for the 185 km drives (approx 3 hours) to Gondar, the capital of Ethiopia in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Gondar is still one of Ethiopia’s most impressive cities, with its walled Royal Palace Enclosure (listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage monument). This enclosure lies at Gondar’s center and contains several well preserved castles and other buildings. We take time this afternoon to tour these castles and churches, including the Royal Palace Enclosure,
Emperor Fasilidas’ Bath and the beautiful church of Debre Birhan Selassie, immersing ourselves in the history of this old capital. Overnight hotel.
Day 5 – Fly to Axum
Early in the morning fly to Axum.The legends narrated in the Kebre Negest “Book of Kings” recount how the city of Axum as early as the 10th Century B.C was the city in which the Queen of Sheba resided. It is recounted that the song of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon brought the Ark of The Covenant to Axum and it remains there to this day, preserved in a sanctuary. Famous long before the time of Christ, Axum was the capital of the Axumite reign, one of the oldest African empires, and represented a crucial connecting -point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. A visit is organized to the Steale’s – granite monoliths dating from per-Christian times and decorated with symbolic engravings. There is also a visit to the Church of Saint Mariam of Zion, which contains the crowns of Ethiopian kings and other treasures. Overnight hotel.
Day 6 – Fly to Lalibela
Early in the morning we take a flight of about 1 hr from Addis Ababa over the Ethiopian plateau to Lalibela, located at an altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level. The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century and are carved out of the local pink granite rock; they have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Each church has a unique architectural style and all are superbly carved. Most of them are decorated with fascinating and well-preserved paintings. On arrival in Lalibela we will have some time to relax. During the afternoon opening session we will spend time admiring and exploring the rock-hewn churches. Overnight hotel. (Please note: flight schedule is subject to change and availability)
Day 7 – Lalibela
Today is dedicated to visiting a hill-top monastery and the city itself. Lalibela is situated amongst a series of flat-topped mountains; there is a difference in altitude of 1500m between the lower lying airport and the city. This morning there is an excursion to the Church of Asheton Maryam, about 7km outside the city. After driving a short distance, the monastery itself (3150m) is reached on foot by means of a 3-hour return walk (some steep sections) or by riding on a mule (done at own risk and own expense). In the afternoon we will visit the market place, where a colorful mix of people from the surrounding region gather. In the evening, an optional visit to a traditional music house can be arranged (own expense). Overnight hotel
Day 8 – Fly to Addis Ababa
This morning we board our flight from Lalibela to Addis Ababa where the trip concludes on arrival. (Please note: flight schedule is subject to change and availability) Extra nights in Lalibela or Addis Ababa can be arranged at additional cost. Early evening, we will have a coffee ceremony and farewell dinner at one of the traditional restaurant with folklore music and dances then depart to home.
AVAILABLE DATES:
February 3 – 10, March 10 – 17
April 12 – 19, August 8 – 15
August 22 – 29, September 4 – 11
October 2 – 9, October 16 -23
November 3 -10, November 21 – 28
December 15 – 22, January 3 – 10
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http://www.vacationethiopia.com/ethiopia-tour-package-with-price-fixed-departure
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