Itinerary
Our tour has been designed to showcase the history of Ethiopia from its early beginnings to modern day. A history, that stretches back to the time of prehistoric man and the 3,000 year old history of Axum. We cross the stunning scenery of the Simien Mountains before departing for Jordan, a land that is home to some of mankind's earliest settlements and relics of many of the world's great civilisations which can still be seen today.
Day 1
Arrive - Addis Ababa
On arrival and after clearing airport formalities you are met and transferred to your hotel. After an informal welcome and briefing by our local escort the remainder of the day is at leisure. LD
Day 2
Addis Ababa
This morning enjoy a half-day tour of Addis. Your tour includes the National Museum where we will see the 3.6 million year old 'Lucy', whose skeletal remains when discovered in 1974, were those of the oldest proto-human ever found. We continue to Trinity Cathedral, a beautiful baroque style church unique in both Ethiopia and Africa as it is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. There are magnificent Greek sculptures, and stained glass windows depicting both the old and new testaments. It is also the resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie I, founder of the church. We then continue to Entoto Mountain, the highest peak in Addis Ababa and site of the first palace of Emperor Menelik II. After our tour we return to our hotel for lunch. The remainder of the day is at leisure. BLD
Day 3
Addis Ababa - Axum
After early breakfast transfer to the airport to join your flight to Axum. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel. We then embark on a fascinating tour of the magnificent historical and archaeological sites of Axum. This extraordinary city marks the heart of ancient Ethiopia when the kingdom was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. We continue to the Archaeological museum and the magnificent monolithic steles (obelisks), the tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskel, together with the ancient palace and bath of the legendary Queen of Sheba. We then drive to the 16th century cathedral of St Mary of Zion, the holiest church in Ethiopia and it is said, that within its sanctuary rests the original Ark of the Covenant. Both the churches and monasteries of Axum house richly endowed icons and crowns of ancient emperors. After our tour we return to our hotel. BLD
Day 4
Axum - Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela - home of the UNESCO World Heritage listed monolithic rock-hewn churches. Located in the Lasta Mountains, Lalibela is dedicated to pilgrimage and devotion among Ethiopian Christians, with its history dating back to the 12th century. King Lalibela (1181-1221) of the Zagwe Dynasty is attributed with the creation of the rock-hewn churches. Some of the churches are carved from a mass of red volcanic scoria underlaid by dark grey basalt and interconnected by a maze of tunnels and passages leading to hermit caves and catacombs.
Each different in style and design, a number are decorated with wall paintings and carved figures. The church of Bet Medhane Alem, the largest and built in the style of a Greek Temple has stone floors so highly polished by countless visitors that it reflects shafts of light from apertures in the walls high above. There are three graves located here, symbolically dug for the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. After your visit we return to our hotel. BLD
Day 5
Lalibela
Today drive to Nakuto Le'Abe Monastery, named after the king of the same name who abdicated in 1270 to lead a hermit's life in a nearby cave. The cave, now a monastery, houses one of the most interesting collections of ancient crosses, illuminated manuscripts and icons. Some of these are attributed to its founder Nakuto Le'Abe. After lunch continue to the church considered the most elegant of all Lalibela's churches, the Bet Bet Giyorgis. You reach this via a tunnel and after your visit continue to Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Abba Libanos and Bet Gabriel-Rufa'el. The elaborate exterior of Bet Emanuel is much praised by art historians. You return to your hotel and this evening we visit a local family and take part in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. BLD
Day 6
Lalibela - Gondar
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Gondar, the city founded in 1636 by the great Emperor Fassiladas and once the Royal Capital. You will visit castles and churches built by the Emperor and his descendants then continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed, Debre Birhan Selassie Church whose walls and ceilings are decorated with scenes of biblical lore and medieval history. We then drive to the village of Falasha, home to the remaining Ethiopian Jews who chose to remain here and not be airlifted to Israel during the 1984 'operation Moses'. We return to Gondar with time for shopping and independent sightseeing. BLD
Day 7
Gondar - Debark - Simien Mountains National Park
Today drive to Debark, where you meet your National Park guide who will accompany you to your lodge. After lunch explore the park and experience the majestic and extraordinary scenery of the Simien Mountains National Park, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll see and be entertained by the endemic Gelada Baboons and the bone breaker giant Lammergeyer bird. The Simien Mountains National Park is one of the last unspoilt wildlife parks in Africa. Its stunning scenery rises and falls between 1,800 and 3,000m with its highest peak Ras Dashen reaching 4,620m. The dramatic landscape of the Simien Mountains is the result of massive seismic activity in the area about 40 million years ago. The mountains are home to three of Ethiopia's larger endemic mammals: the Salia ibex, the more common Gelada baboons and the rarely seen Ethiopian wolves. Return to the lodge later this afternoon.BLD
Day 8
Simien Mountains National Park - Gondar - Bahir Dar
You return to Gondar for lunch, before driving to Bahir Dar, where you'll experience typical Ethiopian scenery of wide grazing land and hilly mountains. Bahir Dar is a small town on the southern shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile and the largest lake in Ethiopia. There are thirty-seven islands on the lake; thirty have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. BLD
Day 9
Bahir Dar, Blue Nile Falls
An exhilarating day to visit the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire'. You reach the falls via the small town of Tiss Abay, where you leave your vehicles and walk for approximately 20-30 minutes to reach the best viewing point of the falls. This afternoon enjoy a relaxing boat trip on Lake Tana and visit two ancient monasteries: Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam at Zege Peninsula. After your boat trip return to your hotel. BLD
Day 10
Bahir Dar - Addis Ababa
An extraordinary day lies ahead. You fly back to Addis then drive to the Merkato - the largest open-air market in Africa, where you will see a confusing, but fascinating glimpse of the vast range of goods and artefacts available from all parts of the country. After your visit we continue to the Ethnological Museum on the campus of the Addis Ababa University. We then continue to our hotel, check-in and after lunch the remainder of the day is at leisure. BLD
Day 11
Addis Ababa - Depart
The tour concludes after breakfast this morning. B
