| Tour Code | : | ETE103 |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | : | 14nights (15 days) |
| Transportation | : | Land and Air |
| Tour starts / ends | : | Addis Ababa |
This cultural tour focuses on the ancient history and culture of the North and East with its people and its impressive nature. Among other things, on this tour, you will visit Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
As you travel by road on the classic Historic Route of Ethiopia, you will be able to explore more of the country’s less-visited sites, beautiful nature, culture, and history as all these unfold in front of you each and every mile.
Highlights
- Visit Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Visit the breathtaking Simien Mountains National Park, “the Roof of Africa”.
- Be amazed by a visit to the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, one of “the living wonders of the world”.
- Discover the fairytale castles of Gondar.
- Discover the ancient island monasteries of Lake Tana.
- Visit the source of the mighty Blue Nile River and Blue Nile Falls.
- Explore the vibrant city of Addis Ababa.
- Visit different lesser-visited sites and meet with the local people.
- Try varied Ethiopian food.
- Attend an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
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Day 1
Arrive - Addis Ababa
Hotel
First immersion in Ethiopian life in the vibrant city of Addis Ababa, the capital at an altitude of up to 2,450 m. A city of contrasts with modern skyscrapers next to corrugated iron huts, donkey and horse carts next to modern means of transport, colorful traditional markets next to supermarkets. Spend the rest of the day visiting the on a city tour where you will meet your ancestor Lucy at the National Museum. It includes one of Addis Ababa's churches, the Piassa district, the Mercato and the view of the city from Mount Entoto.
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Day 2
Addis Ababa- Bahirdar - Lake Tana
In the morning you will take a flight to the lake side city of Bahir Dar. Upon arrival you will take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th century island monasteries of Lake Tana. The 37 islands of Lake Tana shelter 20 monasteries — surviving remnants of an old, contemplative tradition. Enjoy the sunset on the lake while heading back to Bahir Dar and if you are lucky you will spot some Hipos
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Day 3
Blue Nile Blue Nile Falls
Hotel
You will visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls. It is a very enjoyable drive as the daily life unfolds to you all along the way. You have plenty time to stop and contact the local community and learn about their activities. Enjoy the walk to visit Tissisat to marvel at the Blue Nile Falls - or “Smoke of Fire”. The Falls are 400 metres wide when in flood and fall over a sheer chasm more than 45m high
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Day 4
Bahirdar - Gonder
Hotel
After breakfast, the drive to Gondar will take you through the beautiful countryside scenery of Fogera where you will arrive around lunch time. Founded by Emperor Fasiledas around 1635, Gondar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its many medieval castles, often called "Camelot" of Ethiopia. Visit to the Gemp, the old imperial palace district, the baths of King Fasilidas and the many small palaces. Debre Berhan Selassie Church represents a masterpiece of the unique Ethiopian school of traditional art. look up at the beautiful, frescoed ceiling with dozens of angelic eyes looking down at you.
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Day 5
Gonder - Simien Mountains
Simien Lodge
After an early breakfast, we will drive from Gondar up to Simien Mountains National Park along pretty country site with carefully tended field, open pasture with grazing horses, stands of trees and distant rocky peaks to the Simien Mountains National Park. We will have a stop at Debark a small market town at an altitude of 2700 meters above sea level close to the boundary of the Simien Mountains National Park. Corrugated – iron – roofed buildings surround its colourful and busy market area. Before entering the park, we must register at the park headquarters just outside town. Then we drive to Sankober in the National Park for the best view. Upon arrival you will trek for about 2 hours among troops of endemic Gelada Baboons to explore the surrounding area with spectacular views across the weirdly eroded foothills of the Simien Mountain range of Sankaber. Stay at the highest lodge of Afrika.
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Day 6
Simien Mt. - Gonder- Lalibela
Hotel
We drive to Gondar and continue flying to Lalibela, the “Jerusalem of Ethiopia”, not unjustly declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Nowhere else can one find the form of rock churches so typical of Ethiopia in this concentration and quality. A wonderful play of light and shadow, colours, and shapes.
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Day 7
Lalibela
Hotel
Visit the site of some of Ethiopia’s most famous rock-hewn churches, often referred to by many as one of “the living wonders of the world”. These churches are, and they have been for at least 800 years, an active Christian shrine — the spiritual centre of the country’s religious life. The monolithic churches were carved out of a 2,600-square-meter natural rock terrace in the 12th century AD by King Lalibela. The maze of underground churches, fascinating and incredible architecture and history will amaze you!
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Day 8
Lalibela - Asheten Mariam - Lalibela
Hotel
In the morning, take a mule ride /or drive or walk to the top of the Lasta mountains to the Asheten Mariam Monastery. This is very famous for its 12th-century monastery church and its beautiful view at 3200 meters above sea level over the mountains and valleys around Lalibela After having lunch and resting at the hotel, you will visit one of the local school or the colorful market. (depending the day) You will be having the chance to enjoy a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony prepared in a local home.
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Day 9
Lalibela - Addis Ababa - Dire Dawa/Harar
Hotel
You still have the opportunity to visit a school before you fly to Addis Ababa and on to Dire Dawa, in the Muslim East. Continuation through interesting semi-desert on the eastern tributary of the great volcanic rift valley to the old walled city of Harar. One of the most special customs in Harar is feeding hyenas in the evening
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Day 10
Harar
Hotel
The ancient walled city of Harar in eastern Ethiopia is a place not easily forgotten: the maze of narrow streets, the colourfully plastered and interlaced houses or the scents of the markets
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Day 11
Harar – Awash NP
Doho Lodge
Drive to Awash N.P. past coffee plantations and sorgum fields, is one of the most scenic routes in Ethiopia to Awash National Parke to Doho Hotsprings a paradise!
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Day 12
Awash NP
Doho Lodge
Relax and swim in the hot springs. Make a walking tour from the lodge for bird watching or a game drive in Awash National Park where various species of antelope, baboons, vervet monkeys, jackals, warthogs and numerous bird species can be seen if lucky.
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Day 13
Awash NP – Goba
Hotel
A varied journey through different climate zones to Bale National Park along ; The imposing Bale Mountains in the southern highlands, the second highest mountain region in Ethiopia - many worlds in a small space offer a great variety of varied nature. Many endemic animal and plant species live in the park.
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Day 14
Goba – Bale Mountain NP
Hotel
Excursion to the Seneti plateau at 4000m above sea level with special alpine fauna and flora. With a bit of luck you will hopefully spot the Ethiopian wolf Due to the altitude, one of the notable plant species, however, is the giant lobelia, which can be found from 3,100 to 4,377 m and reaches a maximum height of 12 m. On the plateau stands Tulu Dimtu at 4,377 m. This is the second highest mountain in Ethiopia and the highest in Bale. Continue to the Herenna Forest with. Hike through the fairytale forest with lichens, mosses and a special flora and fauna that fascinates.
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Day 15
Goba – Addis Abeba
As a highlight, at Dinsho from N.P. Head office a wildlife viewing hike where you are guaranteed to spot the endemic Mountain Nyala, Bushbuck, Warthog and other wildlife along with a variety of bird species. Flight back to Addis Ababa. Last shopping of souvenirs or visiting of a project, picture gallery or as your wish. Enjoy a Ethiopian food in a traditional restaurant with folk entertainment before the tranfer to the airport for departure.