ETHIOPIA – LAND OF ORIGINS

Tour - Classic Ethiopia

Duration - 7 Nights and 8 Days.

Transportation - Drive, Flight and Boat ride.

Accommodation - 5* Hotel in Addis Ababa and 3* & 4* hotels outside Addis Ababa

Trip Highlights:

This adventure begins in the Northern Tier of the country, starting in Bahir Dar, the source of the Nile, continuing to the ancient city of Gondor, often described as the Camelot of African, and on to Axum and its archeological treasures. Finally we arrive in Lalibela, and its famous rock churches.  Altogether we visit three Unesco World Heritage Sites which are fundamental to our understanding of this ancient civilization. We explore the interplay of religion and civilization, the role of architecture and how kings used it to legitimize their reigns, and the cultural influences of those eras and how they continue to today.

DAY 1: DEPARTURE FROM YOUR COUNTRY.

DAY  2: ARRIVE  AND CITY TOUR OF ADDIS ABABA 

On arrival in Addis Ababa our representatives will meet you at Bole International Airport and transfers to your Hotel. An overview of the program and itineraries will be given. The rest of the day we visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where we will view the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy”, whose skeleton was discovered in 1974. We also visit the Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, Holy Trinity Cathedrals and Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers a panoramic view of the metropolis.

Overnight Capital Hotel and spa(www.capitalhotelandspa.com) or Similar.

DAY  3: ADDIS ABABA-BAHIR DAR

 Early morning flight to Bahir Dar and then a drive to the small town of Tiss Abay to visit to the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire'. The falls throws up a continuous spray of water droplets which drench onlookers up to a kilometre away. Still worth the visit though much of the water has been diverted to power hydroelectric generators, the surrounding area is extremely fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghumand teff, which injera, the national bread, is made from. After lunch back in Bahir Dar, we take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit ancient monasteries. We will visit two of the most accessible and representative of the monasteries, still serving their original function, Ura Kidane Mehret, and Azwa Maryam.

Overnight Kuriftu Resort (www.kurifturesortandspa.com or Similar

DAY 4: GONDAR, THE CAMELOT OF AFRICA

 On our drive (180km) to this ancient Imperial city, we travel through a fertile landscape of wide open fields of a typical African tableau and then undulating farmland. The town was once the capital of Ethiopia, founded in 1635 by Emperor Fasilides, who built a palace and seven churches. The subsequent five emperors built their own respective palaces. Referred to as the Camelot of Africa, we visit the royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels and raised walkways. Nearby is the Debre Birhan Selassie church with its sensational angelic ceiling and the bathhouse of Fasil where thousands of Ethiopians celebrate the Timkat festival every January.

Overnight Goha Hotel (www.gohahotel.com) or Similar. 

DAY 5: LALIBELA

 Morning flight and then a full day of sightseeing in Lalibela, designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1978. King Lalibela commissioned the construction of the 11 rock churches in the center of town to fulfill his dream of a New Jerusalem. There are no less than 1000 churches in the Lasta Region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves, but it is exceptional to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one locale. These brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World".

Overnight Mountain view Hotel (www.mountainviewhotel.com) or Similar.

DAY 6: LALIBELA

Today we will visit the church of Yimrhane Kristos. This exquisite church, a masterpiece of Axumit wood and stone construction is renowned for its interior decoration, it’s beautiful wooden coffer ceiling inlaid with hexagons and medallions with both figurative and geometric motifs. Drive back to Lalibela. In the afternoon, we will visit the remaining rock-hewn churches of Lalibela .

Overnight Mountain view Hotel ( www.mountainviewhotel.com) or Similar.

 DAY 7: AXUM;HISTORICAN AND ARCHEOLOGICAL WONDRES 

Morning flight to Axum.  The city is the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Axum 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, and the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of her ancient palace. We visit the new and the old Cathedral of St Mary of Tsion and the sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the Covenant. The older of the two cathedrals, built in the 16^th century, is believed to be built on an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest church in Ethiopia.

Overnight Yeha Hotel (www.yehahotelaxum.com)or Similar

 DAY 8: FLY BACK TO ADDIS AND DEPARTURE

In the morning transfer to the Airport and fly back to Addis and continue to Mt. Entoto for a breathtaking view of the city and continue to the Merkato Outdoor Market. In the evening, enjoy a “farewell dinner” where we will taste various national dishes, watch dances of various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. A traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. We will then be transferred to the airport for our departure flight.

 What’s Include:

• Meet and greet at airport.
• All accommodation based on Twin room occupancy.
• Three Meals in a day with soft drinks and bottled purified water.
• All entrance fees. 
• All transfers and visits according to the itinerary.
• All ground transportation based on late model vehicle
• Local Guide in each sites and scout fees in parks mandatory.
• English Speaking Guide throughout the trip on request.
• Boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the Monasteries.
• Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional Ethiopian food and Music
• Government taxes- Porterage fees 

 Extras you pay for:

• International and Domestic flights
• Any kind of Alcoholic Drinks.
• Video filming and photography fees.
• Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc