Ethiopia (Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Tississat Falls, Gondar, Lalibela, Mule Trek, Axum)
Explore the long history of Ethiopia with this tour through its ancient cities, churches, and picturesque hinterlands. Ethiopia, home of a number of ancient Christian kingdoms, is widely touted for the beautiful architecture of its castles, and their expressive murals and frescos. The centerpiece of this country’s vast historical artifacts are the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, literally carved out the face of a cliff.
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Day 1 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Arrive Addis Ababa; meet assist and transfer to Hotel.
Meal(s) Included: Dinner
Overnight at Ghion Hotelor Similar
Day 2 Addis Ababa
After breakfast go on a City Tour of Addis Ababa; the first stop is the scenic Mount Entoto. At 2500 m, Addis Ababa is the third highest capital in the world and Entoto is several hundred metres higher. Within Entoto’s old Imperial Compound, you will visit the churches of Mariam and the Archangel Raguel. Afterwards, stop at the National Archaeological Museum where exhibits include the 3.5 million-year-old bones of ‘Lucy’. Dinner at the Crown Hotel; enjoy fascinating performances of traditional music and dance from the different regions of Ethiopia.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Ghion Hotel or Similar
Day 3 Addis Ababa/ Bahir Dar
Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Bahir Dar, an attractive town on the Shores of Lake Tana Ethiopia’s largest lake, surrounded by Islands that are sites of of churches and monasteries. After lunch, take a boat ride to the Zeghe Peninsula, known for its 14th century, round, grass-roofed churches with their magnificent wall murals, visit The Betra Mariam and Ura Kidane Mehret Churches. In the evening stroll around Bahir Dar, popular for its markets and restaurant with traditional and modern Ethiopian music.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Kuriftu Resort or Similar
Day 4 Bahir Dar/Tississat Falls
Continue tour of Bahir Dar visit The Blue Nile Falls – known as ‘Tis Abay’ Amharic for “smoking water” They are situated on the upper course of the Tana River and considered as of Ethiopia’s best known tourist attractions.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Kuriftu Resort or Similar
Day 5 Gondar
After breakfast drive to Gondar the former Imperial Capital, visit The Imperial Compound, with the enchanting ‘Fasalidas’ castles still in good condition. There is also the bath of King Fasilides. All The Churches in Gondar were destroyed during The Mahdist Dervishes invasion in the 1800 Century s except The Debre Berhan Selassie Church, legend has it that when the soldiers approached the church, a swarm of bees surrounded the compound of the church and kept them away, the Archangel Michael himself stood before the large wooden gates with a flaming sword. The day ends with a visit to the ruined Palace of Queen Mentowab and the church of Qusquam. In the evening visit The Mini Fogera, enjoy Asmari music and traditional dishes.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Goha or Similar
Day 6 Gondar/Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela. At the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries, King Lalibela of the Zaghwe dynasty built a series of rock hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The churches stand in two main groups on either side of a stream, known locally as ‘The River Jordan’. Upon arrival in Lalibela visit t 11 Rock strewn Churches, the most impressive being the Bet Giorgis. It is carved in the form of a Greek cross and approached through a passage in the rock. Between them, these rock-cut churches are one of the great wonders of the world. Even from the air, the churches, carved into the rugged mountainside.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Roha Hotel or Similar
Day 7 Lalibela/ Mule Trek
Continue Tour of Lalibela visit the Monastery of Ashetun Mariam by mule enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding countryside from its mountaintop location, continue to The Cave Church of Neakuto Leab.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Roha Hotel or Similar
Day 8 Lalibela/Axum
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Axum, the former seat of an empire that extended across the Red Sea to Arabia, traded with India and China, had its own alphabet, constructed great engineering works and, in the 4th century, was one of the four great powers of the ancient world. You can see the remarkable stelae or obelisks, which are the largest single pieces of stone standing anywhere on the world. It is still not understood how they were transported from the quarry and erected. There are also tombs and castles of former monarchs, the Axum Museum and Mariamtsion Church, built on the site of Ethiopia’s first church. A chapel within the church compound is believed by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians to house the Ark of the Covenant, or the original tablets of Moses. Your tour starts with a visit to the museum and the stelae. Then you ascend a hill to see the castle of King Kalab, passing Mai Shum (the bath of the Queen of Sheba) on the way. Coming back into town, you will see the tomb of King Basen, visit the small museum inside the church grounds (the priests may likely put on display crowns of past kings for visitors to see), and end the day with a visit to the site known locally as Queen Sheba’s Palace, although in fact it is of a later date, the villa of an Axumite notable from around the 1st century AD. The Yeha Hotel, is set on a hill overlooking the stelae field and the Mariamtsion Church.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Yeha Hotel or Similar
Day 9 Axum
After breakfast drive to Yeha, Ethiopia’s first city – settlement dates back more than 2800 years. Visit the remains of the temple dedicated to Ilmuqeh, the moon god. Next to the temple is the church of Abune Aftse, one of the ‘Nine Saints’ who did much to spread Christianity in Ethiopia. On the return journey, some 5 km out of Axum, you should have the ideal light for photographs of the “teeth of Adwa”, with its dramatic mountain backdrop.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Yeha Hotel or Similar
Day 10 Axum/Addis Ababa
Fly to Addis Ababa, afternoon at leisure, in the evening a farewell dinner at the Crown Hotel, enjoy performance of traditional music and dance from the different regions of Ethiopia different.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Ghion Hotel or Similar
Day 11 Addis Ababa/ Departure
Day at leisure last minute shopping and packing, transfer to airport for flight back home
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
Ghion Hotel
Ghion Hotel which is popularly known as “The Garden Palace Hotels of East Africa” is situated in the heart of Addis Ababa in spacious verdant compound. The hotel which occupies carefully...
Learn MoreKuriftu Resort
A speck on the map of southeastern Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Kuriftu resort DZ is an escapist fantasy, with fabulous weather all year round, breathtaking crater lake (Lake Kuriftu) and classic...
Learn MoreHotel Goha
Gondar with its mysterious castles was the 17th century capital of king Fasilides. Goha Hotel stands on a hill with an enchanting view of the city. Furnished with the most...
Learn MoreRoha Hotel
Roha has impressive design, built and decorated to depict the historical, cultural and natural environment of Lalibela Town which is the home of the famous thirteen century rock-hewn churches that...
Learn MoreYeha Hotel
You’ll find the perfect balance of comfort and luxury that you need – standard, twin or suite. If you want an extra touch of space, there’s the Executive suite.
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Trip Includes:
- Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure
- Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers
- Hotel accommodation in the listed properties
- Transportation in private vehicle
- Experienced tour guide
- Admission to listed sites
- Meals indicated