Tour Details

• When
  In 2017:
  Tour1. February 11 to February 24
  Tour2. April 8 to April 21
  Tour3. October 7 to October 20
  Tour4. December 3 to December 16
  
  
• Inclusions
  Entrance fees, guides, ground transportation, meals and all hotels. Domestic flights are not included.
  
• Meeting Place
  We will pick you up upon your arrival at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
• Transportation
  Van, coaster bus and domestic flights
• Meals
  Ethiopian cuisine and western foods
• Accomodation
  Hotels range from comfort to premier class
• Group Size
  8 to 16 people
• Price
  $2,699.00. International and domestic flights are not included.

Tour Itinerary

1

Addis Ababa

Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, our representatives will meet you at Bole International Airport and transfer you to the Harmony Hotel. Enjoy the morning of leisure and enjoy lunch at the hotel. This afternoon visit historical sites including the National Archaeological Museum, to view the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy”, whose skeleton was discovered in 1974. Continue to the Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University; a great insight into the many different peoples of Ethiopia and their respective cultures. After visiting Holy Trinity Cathedral, we will end the day with a drive to the top of Mount Entoto, which rises to an altitude of 10,500 feet and offers a panoramic view of the metropolis.
Harmony Hotel (L,D)

2

Bahir Dar

Board your early morning flight to Bahir Dar and drive to the small town of Tiss Abay to visit the Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire'.Even though much of the water has been diverted to power local hydroelectric generators, the Falls is still an intriguing sight. The surrounding area is extremely fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghum and teff, the prime ingredient for making injera, the national bread and increasingly popular, gluten-free super-food you may have heard of back in the United States. Visit the market in Bahir Dar, where you can see colourful woven clothing, basketry, cereals, spices and other local goods. Opt to climb up to Bezawit, the palace of Haile Selassie which lies on a hill 5km outside of Bahir Dar. The panoramic views of the Blue Nile River, Lake Tana and the town are beautiful.
Kuriftu Resort (B, L,D)

3

Gondar UNESCO site

After breakfast board a cruise vessel on Lake Tana to visit the ancient monasteries. Visit three monasteries on Lake Tana. Both men and women can visit the first monastery, Ura Kidane Mihret. Near Ura Kidane Mihret is a traditional house museum that we will visit, along with two island monasteries, Kibran Gabriel and Entos Eyesus. Kibran Gabriel can only be visited by men, so while the men are visiting that one, the women will visit the neighboring Entos Eyesus. Enjoy a scenic drive (110 miles) to the ancient Imperial city, traveling through a fertile landscape of wide open fields; a perfect African tableau punctuated by undulating hillsides and valleys.
Goha Hotel (B,L,D)

4

Gondar

Gondar is the former imperial capital, founded in the 17th century by Emperor Fassiledes. Fassiledes and the five emperors after him each built their own respective palaces and churches, giving rise to Gondar’s nickname; “Camelot of Africa”. Visit the royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels and raised walkways. Proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church, whose walls and ceiling are decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history.
Goha Hotel (B,L,D)

5

Simien Mountatins UNESCO site

Travel 60 miles to the principal mountain massifs of Africa, the Simien Mountains. On arrival at the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park, meet our trekking scout and guide and transfer to the Simien Lodge. This afternoon enjoy a three to four hour relaxing trek to explore the beauty of this mountain range, which includes several plateaus separated by broad river valleys and a number of peaks that rise above 13,000 feet. The sights are impressive and an excellent chance to see herds of Ethiopian Baboons.
Simien Lodge (B,L,D)

6

Simien Mountatins

Enjoy a full day visit of the Simien Mountains National Park. In the morning we hike from Sankaber campsite to the Jinbar waterfalls before driving as far as Chenek campsite for a picnic lunch and short excursions in search of Walia Ibex and the Ethiopian wolf. Return to Simien Lodge for the evening.
Simien Lodge (B,L,D)

7

Axum UNESCO site

Drive 175 miles through the mountain range offering extraordinary scenery of the Simiens as we descend towards the Tekeze Gorge. This scenic drive takes us from a height of 10,200 feet down to 4,600 feet. Drive through small villages dotted between the mountain massifs, where people somehow eke out an existence in this unforgiving countryside. Drive through the Tekeze valley into Axum.
Consular Hotel (B,L,D)

8

Axum

This is the heart of ancient Ethiopia, the capital of the Kingdom of Axum which was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The archaeological and historical attractions in Axum include monolithic steles or obelisks, the tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskal, the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of her ancient palace. Also visit the new and the old Cathedral of St Mary of Tsion (Zion) and the sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the Covenant. The older of the two cathedrals, built in the 16th century, is believed to be built on the ruins of an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest site in Ethiopia.
Consular Hotel (B,L,D)

9

Gheralta Range

Visit the historical town of Adwa in which a decisive 1896 battle the Ethiopian army commanded by Emperor Menelik II defeated the Italians, dashing any hope they had to colonize Ethiopia. Continue to Yeha, a small village to view ancient ruins ( 5th century B.C.) of a large pre-Christian temple, believed to be the oldest standing building in Ethiopia. Also on the temple grounds is the 6th century A.D church of Aba Aftse, dedicated to one of the nine saints who migrated from Syria and introduced Christianity to this area.
Gheralta Lodge. (B,L,D)

10

Mekelle

The Gheralta Range is home to a treasure trove of rock churches, which are carved into the sandstone buttes. This morning trek for 45 minutes to the top of an escarpment to visit the church of Debretsion; its domes and the wall panels are abundantly decorated with fine paintings of saints and apostles. After lunch, we will visit the rock church of Abraha Atsbeha, dedicated to the twin kings of the Axumite dynasty, who converted to Christianity in the 4th century. Continue to Mekelle, visiting the town of Werkro to view the rock church of Wekro Cherkos.
Mekelle Axum Hotel (B,L,D)

11

Lalibela UNESCO site

Enjoy a relaxing scenic drive through the Tigray landscape and appreciate the abundant evidence of why Ethiopia is the most mountainous country in Africa. Visit Lake Ashenge a magnificent area to view the indigenous bird life of Ethiopia. Visit the exquisite church of Yemrehane Kristos Arrive into historic Lalibela.
Mountain View Hotel (B,L,D)

12

Lalibela

Lalibela’s churches are collectively referred to as ‘The Eighth Wonder of the World’. Legend has it that Emperor Lalibela had been instructed, in a vision from God, to build the new Jerusalem after returning from Jerusalem which was sacked by the Muslims. Visit the 11 majestic, rock churches that are still used as places of worship by Lalibelans. Since its relatively remote location, Lalibela has yet gained the worldwide exposure and has been compared as the “Petra of Africa”.
Mountain View Hotel (B,L,D)

13

Lalibela

Enjoy a morning excursion aboard a mule to Asheton Mariam, a mountaintop church with a panoramic view of the Lasta Region. This afternoon, we will finish the expedition to the remaining of the 11 rock churches.
Mountain View Hotel (B,L,D)

14

Return to Addis Ababa and departure

Board your flight to Ethiopia's capital city. Visit the ‘Merkato’, the largest open-air market in East Africa. Late this afternoon enjoy a “farewell dinner” and coffee ceremony at a famous traditional Ethiopian restaurant. After sampling the various national dishes and enjoy an Ethiopian Folkloric transfer to the airport.
(B,L,D)