Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Welcome to Addis Ababa A visit of the National Archaeological Museum; ranks among the most important museums in subSahara Africa. It housed the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy. Lucy is believed to be the ancestor of all Human kind. It has lots of ancient exhibits that reflect the importance of Ethiopia as the "Cradle of Mankind‟. Its historic room features finery worn in the wars, such as crowns, weapons, and pictures of wartime heroes and kings. Lunch can be served at the gate of the Museum –famous Lucy gazebo restaurant, have both local and international dishes The Holy Trinity Cathedral, built in 1945, this cathedral is renowned for its stunning stain-glassed windows which depict scenes from the Old and New Testament of the Holy Bible. The Trinity Cathedral also houses the tombs of the late emperor and his family as well as the tomb of English feminist Sylvia Pankhurst. Overnight at Sheraton Addis Ababa Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Sheraton Addis
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar
Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar
In early morning, transfer to Addis Ababa (Bole) int. airport for your flight to Bahir Dar (1hr flight). Bahir Dar is the capital of the Amhara region situated on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country. Bahir Dar is one of the best well-planned cities in Ethiopia. Bahir Dar means “by the side of the sea”. After check-in to your hotel go for the alluring Blue Nile Falls, “Tissisat” (smoking water), a spectacular view of Bezawit hill top, & the open air market of Bahir Dar to meet up with locals. To the people of Ethiopia, Injera is thestaple food, eaten with every meal of the day. Injera is a pancake (tasted a bit sour) shaped product mostly made from teff, although other grain products, like maize are sometimes also used. Injera is eaten with hands, by picking up meat or vegetables first and then dipping and soaking itin sauce of gravy.
- Main Destination:
- Bahir Dar (City)
- Accommodation:
- Kuriftu Resort & Spa Bahir Dar
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Drive from Bahir Dar to Simien Mts Via Gondar
Drive from Bahir Dar to Simien Mts Via Gondar
In early morning leave your hotel and head to the magnificent Simien Mts. National Park via Gondar. Road/ Surface transfer 295kms/5hrs The Simien Mts. dramatic topography resulted from the volcanic activity, Ascribed it as the world natural heritage site, graced by exceptional botanical phenomena and a zoo of wild life Walia Ibex, Red fox, and Chilada/ bleeding heart Baboons are few to site. Visit Sankaber the first camp sight of the Simien Mts. Here you will find one of the most
spectacular mountain scenery in Ethiopia. Stop to watch Ghelada Baboons and observe their
foraging habits, and take a short walk to a waterfall (the ground here is uneven).
- Main Destination:
- Simien Mountains National Park
- Accommodation:
- Gondar Hills Resort
Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Drive from Simien Mts to Gondar
Drive from Simien Mts to Gondar
Today you will return back to Gondar by drive 110kms/2hrs. Enjoy the scenic view & real country side feeing on your way Gondar “the Camelot of Africa,” is the medieval royal city, distinguished by its castles and imperial compound and by its churches, particularly Debre Berhan Selassie, the walls and ceiling of which are completely covered in murals - the angels‟ faces on the ceiling have become a common motif in Ethiopian design On your way to Gondar visit Project Ploughshare Women‟s Crafts Training Centre - Located 5km from Gondar, this centre is focussed on helping disadvantaged women rekindle local pottery traditions, along with Amhara weaving and basketry. Founded in 1993, the aim of the project is to help single mothers who have lost their husbands as a result of HIV/Aids, war, natural disasters or divorce. With an average of 4 to 5 children to support, the proceeds of the products which are sold to the local community and tourists are a vital source of income.
- Main Destination:
- Gondar (City)
- Accommodation:
- Gondar Hills Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Drive Gondar to Lalibela
Drive Gondar to Lalibela
Total driving distance 340kms/6-7hrs After breakfast you will drive to the small town of Lalibela, which is home to one of the world's most astounding sacred sites, comprising eleven medieval rock-hewn churches, each carved entirely out of a single piece of stone. Lalibela the New Jerusalem‟, was built by King Lalibela „with the help of angels‟ in the 12th century, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its eleven rock-hewn churches. Perched among wild craggy mountains and vast rocky escarpments, there is a stark cathedral-like grandeur to Lalibela. The houses of Lalibela are of a design unlike anywhere else in Ethiopia, two-storey circular stone constructs that huddle in an amorphous mass over the steep slopes on which the town is built The rock-hewn churches are large and several are more than ten metres high.
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Sora Lodge Lalibela
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Lalibela
Lalibela
Today visit the cave church of Yimrehane Kirstos, 40kms from the city, built by the king of the same name before the reign of King Lalibela. The church is constructed inside a cave, in Axumite style, similar to the church at Debre Damo, with alternating levels of wood and stone. If the day meets, attend the yearly celebration of King & Saint Yimrehane Kirstos which is attended by tens thousands of pilgrims from all over Ethiopia, making it one of the most joyous annual pilgrimagesin Lalibela. It is celebrated with greater devotion, the congregation wrapped in white shawls sing with joy along with the priests‟ one after the other and among the swaying choir the priests chanting, dancing, and singing around the church letting out a deep boom of the drums and female‟s voice respond in a piercing chorus of ululations. Then return back to the town. Visit the second group of the rock churches. The south-east cluster of churches is more irregular in design than the north-western cluster.
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Sora Lodge Lalibela
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Flight from Lalibela to Addis Ababa
Flight from Lalibela to Addis Ababa
Today, transfer to Lalibela airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Spend the rest of the day at
leisure or go for shopping or more sightseeing in Addis. On the way up the roadside stalls offers fresh Ethiopian coffee. Also, if you have an interest in Ethiopian traditional clothes stop by at Shero Meda Market. There is a wide variety of beautiful
fabrics, shawls, scarves, dresses, tops and jewellery with lots of choice and really good for gift ideas. Tonight you will have a wonderful cultural evening at one of Addis Ababa Restaurant; Ethiopia is a mosaic of people with more than 80 languages, different lifestyles, costumes and cultural dances. Take a chance to experience some of these cultural dances and traditional meals with a drink of Tej, a type of wine made from Honey.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Sheraton Addis
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Homebound
Homebound
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Many thanks & have a safe flight.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
