Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Addis
You will be met at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, and transferred to the Hotel from where the expedition will start in the morning. If your flight arrives in Addis Ababa during the morning or afternoon, there may be time to take in some of the city sights before dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel

Day 2

Fly to Bahirdar with ET 122 0710AM – 0810AM
Morning flight Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar (50min). Bahir Dar is a pleasant city located at 1,800 meters above sea level on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. Today, we visit the Blue Nile Falls, known locally as the Tisisat Falls: 100 meters wide, the water plunges 45 meters, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. In the afternoon, there are 37 islands on Lake Tana and 30 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. We will visit the monastery churches of Ura Kidane Mihiret and Azoa Mariam. Ura Kidhane Mihret is the most famous monastery and has an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries. Ura Kidane Mihret is known for its paintings and small museum. The inner walls are decorated from floor to ceiling with incredibly vivid images from Christian traditions. Tana hotel

Day 3

Drive to Gondar, the drive to Gondar is 180km on well constructed asphalt road and takes 2 ½ hrs
While you drive you pass along side many Amhara people villages surrounded by farm lands; this gives you a chance to see peoples' activities on their farm like ploughing with pair of oxen, winnowing and trashing what they harvested in a very old manner.
Gondar was the former capital city of the Ethiopian Empire, and was founded in 1635 by King Fasilidas. It remained influential for nearly 250 years until the seat of power moved further south. Several castles – seemingly more European than African – were built during this period. Gonder as an old town has other treasures too.
After checking in our hotel we will visit Gondar's most famous site, the Fasil Ghebbi or Royal Enclosure. This royal estate is characterised by its massive stone ramparts and a fascinating, dynastic series of castles, built one after the other by Ethiopian Kings. Our guide will help us understand the history of the Fasil Ghebbi before giving us the chance to wander through the site in our own time.
Have lunch in one of the restaurant in the town. After lunch we spend some time walking in the town and visiting the open air market before head to the church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity), which is located at the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls. The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos. Hotel

Day 4

Excursion to Semien Mountain
We head off today for a full day in the Simien Mountains (Simien National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The road passes over mountainous areas of wild beauty, drawing close to the Simien Massif (in Amharic, Simien means north). In the park, many of the mountain peaks exceed 4,000 m (13123 ft); the highest is Ras Dejen, at 4,543 m (1905 ft) above sea level. These mountains consist of volcanic masses that have been eroded away by centuries of rain. Today they have amethyst-colored peaks and deep gullies, which have been further deepened by rivers. The crevices play host to the Walya, the ibex of the Simien Mountains. We go straight for lunch and delicious European cuisine will warm us against the cold temperature. After lunch we start the two-hour hike on the flat edge of the escarpment. While walking; some where in between we closely see the troops of the endemic Gelada Baboon that counts in hundreds. Before dinner the guide will give a lecture on the Gelada baboon with a slide. Then retrace the same way back to Gonder arriving at late afternoon. Hotel

Day 5

On arrival in Axum we go check in our hotel then start exploring Axum. Today we explore Axum - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The legends narrated in the Kebre Nagast (Book of Kings) recount how the city of Axum as early as the 10th century B.C was already the city in which the Queen of Sheba resided. It is recounted that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant to Axum and it remains there to this day, preserved in a sanctuary. Famous long before the time of Christ, Axum was the capital of the long Axumite reign, one of the oldest African empires and represented a crucial connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. We visit the stelae: granite monoliths dating from pre-Christian times and decorated with symbolic engravings. The stelae are elaborately carved and the erection of these massive pillars remains a mystery. The largest of these stelae (33m) collapsed centuries ago but great national pride is invested in the ‘seventh' stele which was plundered by Mussolini during the Italian occupation; it has recently been returned to Axum on the proses of re-erection on its very place. Hotel

Day 6

Fly to Lalibela, the Northern Churches with ET 123 arrives 1140am
A short flight takes us from Axum to Lalibela. The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century and are carved out of the pink granite rock; they have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each church (Bet) has a unique architectural style; all are superbly carved and most of them are decorated with well-preserved paintings. The entire city may be described as a sculpture dedicated to the glory of God. The day is dedicated to visiting the first group of churches, known as the Northern Group of Churches. Bet Medihanialem is the largest, supported by 72 pillars and houses the 7kg (15 lbs) gold Lalibela Cross. We go through a tunnel from Bet Medihanialem to Bet Mariam, in which there is a pillar that it is said that Jesus Christ leaned against when he appeared in a vision to King Lalibela. Bet Mariam also contains fabulous carvings of various birds and animals. We also visit Bet Danaghel; a chapel built in honor of martyred nuns. Bet Golgotha and Bet Mikael are twin churches and many believe that a visit to Bet Golgotha alone can guarantee your place in heaven! The twin churches also contain many important religious items and some of the best examples of early religious art in the country. The last church we visit today is Bet Giyorgis, one of the more recent churches and best preserved. We return to our hotel and should time allow, we will have a walk around the city center. Hotel

Day 7

Lalibela, the Eastern Churches
In the morning we visit The Eastern Rock Churches, Bet Amanuel is one of the most beautifully carved churches in Ethiopia in the Aksumite style. Bet Merkorios has a wonderful painting of The Three Wise Men, which dates back to the 15th century A.D. We also stop to see Bet Abba Libonose and Bet Gebrieal-Reafael, which might have once been the home of the royal family before becoming a church. This afternoon, we visit the Nakutelab Rock Hewn Church, built under a natural cave. Tonight, we have a special treat, participating in The Coffee Ceremony, a ceremony of hospitality in Ethiopia. Hotel

Day 8

Fly back to Addis with ET 123 1230 – 1430
We will catch a morning flight back to Addis Ababa, arriving in time for lunch. Lunch will be in a restaurant before the check in. The afternoon is free for leisure. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner of Ethiopian cuisine with traditional music and dance show. Hotel

Day 9

Sight seeing in Addis before the evening departure
WE spend the day exploring Addis Ababa beginning with a visit to the National Museum, one of the most important sub- Saharan museums in all of Africa. The museum is home to the fossilized humanoid Lucy, as well as an amazing collection of artifacts, royal items and art. We then visit the Ethnological Museum, which was the former palace of Haile Selassie.
Lunch will be at Top View restaurant which is located on the top of Hill and allows a view over the city.
After lunch, we take time to visit Mercato, the largest open air market in Africa. The remaining time is for optional last minute shopping before the departure. Day use room in Hotel

Extra Information

Inclusions -

1.All accommodations as described in the itinerary

Exclusions -

5.And any personal item expenses that are not specified in the above price included list