ETHIOPIA – LAND OF ORGINIS

Tour - Imperial Ethiopia

Duration – 7 Nights and 9 Days

Transportation - Drive & Flight

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

 Trip Highlights

This adventure begins in the Northern Tier of the country, starting in the ancient city of Gondar, often described as the Camelot of African. From there our journey takes us to the Simien Mountains to enjoy the majestic scenery and hike amoung the gelada baboons and other wildlife of this World Heritage Site. We descend onto Axum and its archeological treasures. and its famous rock churches – the fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site of this expedition. 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: DEPART FROM YOUR HOME COUNTRY

 Depart on our international flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Dinner and breakfast are served.

 DAY 2: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Early morning arrival into the capital city. Included transfer to the your Hotel. The city is the continent’s diplomatic capital, headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. This afternoon enjoy a tour to visit Trinity Cathedral, the largest and most revered of all the churches. Continue to the Ethnological Museum, an ideal place to start learning about Ethiopia’s rich ethnic diversity. View an impressive array of religious cross, triptychs and murals, as well as Emperor Haile Selassie’s bedroom and bathroom. This evening enjoy a traditional Ethiopian meal, dance performance and coffee ceremony.

Overnight Capital Hotel and Spa (www.capitalhotelandspa) or Similar

 

 DAY 3: TO GONDAR (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE)

This morning a short flight takes you to Gondar, once the old imperial capital founded in the 17th century by Emperor Fasilides who built a palace and seven churches. The subsequent five Emperors built their own respective palaces and Gondar became known as the 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 with its walls and ceiling decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history.

Overnight Florida International Hotel (www.floridainternationalhotel.com)  or similar

 DAY4: TO SIMIEN NATIONAL PARK (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST)

 Morning motor coach takes you to one of the principal mountain massifs of Africa, the Simien Mountains, made up of several plateaus, separated by broad river valleys. A number of peaks rise above 13,000 feet. While at Sankaber, there is a great chance to see troops of Gelada Monkey while enjoying a relaxing trek in the most remarkable of sceneries. Check in at either a lodge in the National Park or in the nearby village of Debark.

Overnight Simien Lodge (www.simiens.com) or Similar

 

DAY 5: TO AXUM (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE)

Enjoy great early morning photo opportunities with the backdrop of the Simien Mountains. Depart late morning driving north to Axum which was the center of a great empire, and the seat of learning for the ancient Ge’ez language and literature.

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

 

DAY 6: AXUM (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE)

Tour Stealae Park, St. Mary Zion Church and the Sanctuary Chapel, the reputed resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Tour the coronation yard, Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins, the Axum museum and the tomb of King Kalab. Return back to the Hotel Yeha with dinner at the hotel

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

 

 DAY 7: TO LALIBELA (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE)

 A short flight takes you to one of the best kept secrets of rock churches, nicknamed the “Petra of Africa”. Ethiopia’s Emperor Lalibela, who had visited Jerusalem, attempted to build a New Jerusalem in response to the capture of Jerusalem by Muslims in 1187.  Only its relatively remote locations and international obscurity keeps Lalibela from seeing the same levels of visitors to Petra. Visit the eleven majestic rock hewn churches, which are still used as places of worship.

Overnight Mountain View Hotel (www.mountainview-hotel.com)  or similar

 

 DAY 8: LALIBELA

 Visit Nakuto Le’ Abe Monastery, a church built-rather than excavated within a cave. King Nakuto Le’Abe abdicated his throne in 1270 and went to a cave to lead a hermit life. The cave has since become a monastery and has a dramatic setting. It houses one of the most interesting collections of ancient crosses, illuminated manuscripts and other icons attributed to its founder Nakuto Le’Abe.

Overnight Mountain View Hotel or similar

 

 DAY 9: TO ADDIS ABABA

 Return flight to the capital city of Addis Ababa. After lunch visit the National Museum, whose most important exhibit is a replica of the skull of Lucy, a woman who had lived in Eastern Ethiopia about 3.5 million years ago. Continue to Mt. Entoto for a breathtaking view of the city and continue to the Merkato Outdoor Market. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant. Proceed to the airport for your overnight flight back home. 

 DAY10: ARRIVE IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY.

 

What’s Included:

• Meet and greet at airport
• All accommodation based on DBL/Twin room occupancy
• Three meals a day with soft drinks and bottled purified water
• All entrance fees in all sight according to the program.
• All transfers and visits in Addis Ababa according to the itinerary.
• Ground transportation with 4WD Toyota land cruiser from Gondar to      Simien Mountains and Axum and mini-Bus for transfers and city Tour with  AC, including fuel.
• Local Guide and scout fees in each region
• Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional Ethiopian food & Music; Transfer & guide
• A traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at a convenient time in the program
• Government sales tax

  Extras you pay for:

• Lunch in Addis in the first day
• International and domestic flights
• Alcoholic drinks & spirits
• Video filming and photography fees
• Incidental meals, snacks and drinks
• Tips and items of personal nature