You’ll visit the magnificent Blue Nile Falls, take a boat trip on the vast Lake Tana and explore isolated island monasteries, walk in some of the most dramatic mountains you’re ever likely to see, and visit ‘Africa’s Petra’, as well as so much more. You really don’t have any reason not to visit this unique and intriguing destination.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Addis Ababa. Arrival day.
Day 2: Addis Ababa. Today we go on a guided tour around the city, visiting various sites including St George's Cathedral, the site of Emperor Haile Selassie's coronation, as well as the Merkato, East Africa's largest market. (B)
Day 3: Bahir Dar. Morning flight to Bahir Dar, a pleasant town situated on the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake and the source of the Blue Nile. This afternoon we head out to the Blue Nile Falls, the second largest in Africa. (B, D)
Day 4: Lake Tana. A full day visiting the many island monasteries that lie on Lake Tana. We travel by boat to visit some of the more remote monasteries and churches, most of which date back to the thirteenth century, and return to Bahir Dar for the night. (B, D)
Day 5: Gondar. Morning drive to Gondar, the old capital of Ethiopia. Today Gondar is home to the Royal Enclosure, a collection of superbly preserved castles built in the seventeenth century, and we spend time exploring these. Afterwards we head to Debre Berhan Selassie, perhaps Ethiopia's most beautiful church. (B, D)
Day 6: Simien Mountains. Heading north, we travel to Debark, on the edge of the Simien Mountains National Park. This area is characterised by enormous chasms and gorges, and offers some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa. We take a short trek to Sankaber, where we camp for the night. (B, D)
Day 7: Gondar. This morning we trek for a few hours in the hope of seeing some of the fascinating wildlife that lives in these mountains. WeÂ’re almost guaranteed to see Gelada baboons, a species that is found nowhere else on earth, and if we're lucky we may see Walia Ibex. Return to Gondar for the night. (B, D)
Day 8: Lalibela. Fly to Lalibela, home to a spectacular collection of churches hewn out of the surrounding rock, so astounding that many believe they are the creations of angels. We visit the churches within the town today. (BD)
Day 9: Lalibela. Heading out into the surrounding countryside, we travel along dirt tracks visiting some of the churches that lie nearby, all made from the rock and dating back to around the twelfth century. (B, D)
Day 10: Axum. Today we fly to Axum, a once great city that was under the control of the Queen of Sheba. Axum is home to many fascinating tombs and churches and has an unusual collection of stelae dating back to the third and fourth centuries. (B, D)
Day 11: Axum. A full day sightseeing in Axum, including the Church of St Mary of Zion, which is believed to contain the Ark of the Covenant. (B, D)
Day 12: Addis Ababa. Fly back to Addis Ababa. (B)
Day 13: Addis Ababa. After breakfast, take an excursion to Mount Entoto where we see the old palace of Menelik II, the St. Mary's Church and a panoramic view of Addis. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 14: Addis Ababa. Tour ends. (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Local Payment: $330 USD
- Arrival transfer: Airport transfer to hotel day 1
- Staffing & Participation: Fully escorted by Imaginative Traveller tour leader or local tour leader. No participation necessary
- Transport: Private bus, 4wd vehicles, boat
- Flights: Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar, Gondar to Lalibela, Lalibela to Axum, Axum to Addis Ababa
- Activities: Extensive walking at sights, short trek in Simien Mountains, boat ride on Lake Tana
- Accommodation: 12 nights in simple hotels or guesthouses, 1 night camping in Simien Mountains in dome / A-frame tents on twin share basis
- Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
- Entrance Fees: Included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary
- Trip Reference: KTEE
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Ethiopia
Cultural Journey
Ecotourism
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