|
|
Axum, Lalibela & Gondar, Bahir Dar & Blue Nile Falls(6 Days/5 Nights)
offered by supplier M16389 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 6
- 12
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 24
people
Destination(s):
Ethiopia
Specialty Categories:
Archeology/History
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 625 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 938 US Dollar (USD)
|
|
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Axum - Yeha Hotel
Early morning flight from Addis Ababa to Axum, you will be met and transported by Yemgeta representative to check in to your hotel. After a quick lunch we will begin our excursion of this ancient city, with its half-buried ruins of palaces, monolithic Stelae, and subterranean tombs, is one of Ethiopia’s most historic sites. Reputedly the capital of the Queen of Sheba, today Axum is the hub of Ethiopian Christianity. Visit the Park of the Obelisks where several colossal monoliths still stand together, marking the tombs of the Axumite royals.
Visit a historically important dedicatory stone dating to about 320 AD with an inscription written in three languages - Sabaean, Ge’ez (earliest written Ethiopian language), and Greek, and explore the tomb of King Basen, who ruled at the time of the birth of Christ. Also explore Gobadura, where Axum’s giant Stelae were quarried, and see the impressive relief drawing of a lion cut into a large boulder. Axum is where the Ark of the Covenant of Biblical fame is reported to be hidden within the compound of the Church of Saint Mary of Zion.
Day 2: Lalibela - Jerusalem Guest House
Mid morning flight from Axum to Lalibela, you will be met and transported by Yemgeta representative to check in to your hotel. Lalibela is a ‘World Heritage Site’ and there is every reason for it to be one. The 12th century rock-hewn churches have been dubbed the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. There are 1000 churches in the Lasta region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves, there are 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one locale in the town of Lalibela. Seeing all of Lalibela’s churches are well worth the effort, particularly during the Ethiopian Christmas (7th January) and Timkat celebrations (19th January). The first group of six churches lie in rock cradles one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mika’el, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel and Bet Medhane Alem.
Day 3: Gondar - Goha Hotel
Early morning trip to explore more of the rock- carved church of Yemrehane Christos, 42km north of the town of Lalibela, a striking church sited within a black basalt rock cave built by King Yemrehane Christos (let Christ show the way) who ruled before King Lalibela in the 10th Century. The cave is situated on hill where we have to hike by foot for 30 minutes on walking trail. The excursion will take us about 3-4 hours. Late morning you will take a flight back to Gondar.
You will check-in to your hotel and venture to explore the city that is known as the Camelot of Africa. Gondar was the 17th and 18th century capital city of Ethiopia and was home to a number of emperors and warlords, courtiers and kings who built several castles and palaces around the area. Nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Simien Mountains in northwest Ethiopia, Gondar became the capital during the reign of Emperor Fasilidas (1632-1667) and emerged over the years as an important administrative, commercial, religious and cultural centre. Its importance declined in the 19th century and in 1880 it was looted by the Sudanese Dervishes.
Day 4: Bahir Dar - Tana Hotel
This morning we will continue to see the rest of the sites in Gondar before heading to the airport to catch or mid-day flight to Bahir Dar. Bahir Dar a city on the edge of Lake Tana. It is the capital city of its region and an important commercial centre. We will spend the rest of the day exploring the city.
Day 5: Blue Nile Falls - Tana Hotel
This morning we will take a boat trip on Lake Tana and visit the island monasteries. There are 37 islands scattered about on the 3000 square km lake which is the source of the Blue Nile. About twenty of these islands house the churches and monasteries that are of immense historical as well as cultural interest. Some are decorated with beautiful paintings and contain innumerable treasures. This afternoon we will visit the splendor of “Abay Tis Isat” in Amharic meaning “The smoke of Blue Nile” which can be seen from about 25 km at its glory in the rainy season June through September.
Day 6: Bahir Dar to Addis - Departure. This morning we depart to Addis Ababa.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price based on double occupancy. Single supplement is $313.00.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Ethiopia
Archeology/History
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
|
|
|
