October 7, 2015

Ethiopian Christmas with Historic Route Tour @ 2,872.00USD

Written By Admin

Day 1:On arrival you will be met by one of our team at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa and transferred to your Hotel.

Overnight Hotel

Day 2: After breakfast you will visit

National Archaeological Museum, where you can see the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy ”, whose skeletal remains were discovered in 1974.

Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University,

The Holy Trinity Cathedrals

Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis.

Overnight Hotel

Day 3: After breakfast transferred to Airport for your depart “Addis Ababa at 8.30am and arrive Lalibela at 9.40am” Check into hotel. You will spend 2 full days sightseeing in Lalibela,

Famous for its rock hewn churches dating back 800 years. There are no less than 1000 churches in the Lasta Region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves, but it’s exceptional to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one location. These brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often referred to as the “Eighth wonder of the world”. We have plenty of time to explore the atmospheric subterranean complex of passages of the 11 remarkable rock-hewn churches within the Lalibela Township. (If date fixed on January 7^th its Ethiopia Christmas)

Day 4: On the second day we can explore some more of the local churches or do some short hikes to experience the local markets and scenery.

Overnight Hotel

Day 5: Depart Lalibela by plane at 9.30 am and arrive in Bahar Dar at 10.30am. Check into Hotel. Sightseeing tours are flexible depending upon the group wishes. Some of the local sightseeing opportunities include a drive to the small town of Tiss Abay to visit the Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or ‘Smoke of Fire’. Much of the water is diverted for hydro electric generation but it is worth visiting for a walk around to see the country side. The area around the river is extremely fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghum and teff (from which injera, the national bread, is made.)

Overnight Hotel

Day 6: Early morning, we take a 3 hour boat trip on Lake Tana to visit some of the ancient monasteries located on peninsulas and islands of the lake. We will visit two of the most accessible and representative of the monasteries, still serving their original function, Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam. In the evening we can enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Overnight Hotel

Day 7: Dapart Bahir Dar driving around the lake to Gondar arriving for lunch at our hotel. After lunch we will visit Debra Birhan Selassie Church which contains the most vibrant ecclesiastical artwork in the nation. Flash photography is forbidden inside the church. After that we explore the Royal Enclosure that houses Fasilada’s Palace which dates from the 17th century. A short distance away is also Fasilada’s Bath, a shady beautiful and historical spot worth visiting.

Overnight Hotel

Day 8: In the morning we depart Gondar for a 3 hour drive to the park entrance of the Simien Mountains. Here we pay the park entrance fees and pickup up our park guide. After a short journey we settle into the Simien Lodge. The Simien Lodge is located at 3200 m altitude.

Overnight Hotel

Day 9: We explore the stunning features of the park. It is quite likely that you will encounter large troops of Gelada Baboons around the lodge. Depending upon the wishes of the group, we can visit many of the lookouts, spend time observing the endemic wildlife, or going on short hikes along the impressive escarpment.

Overnight Hotel

Day 10: After breakfast we drive to Axum. This is the longest day we spend driving on this tour. It is said that if you are going to do one long drive in Ethiopia, it should be this one. It takes us through the dramatic landscape of the Simien Mountain range and drops 1500 m to Adi -Arkay gorge before ascending to Axum. The road twists and turns through the valleys and gorges and allows for some excellent photographic opportunities. The road built by Italians is a feat of engineering which clings to the steep cliffs and is one to be admired. We arrive in Axum and check into Hotel.

Overnight Hotel

Day 11: After breakfast we visit Queen Sheba’s Baths and the Stelae Fields which are impressive carved granite tombstones dating from the Aksumite Kingdom, 200 AD. Axum was once the capital of the Aksumite Kingdom of the ancient world. About 90% of the archaeological history of Axum is still buried beneath the dusty town.

Overnight Hotel

Day 11: Early morning we leave Axum and head into the heart of Tigray country on the way to the Gheralta Ranges. 58km north of Axum we visit the Yeha ruins which are considered the birthplace of Ethiopia’s earliest civilization nearly 3 millennium ago. Next to the ruins is the Church of Abuna Aftse built in the 6th century. Inside there is an outstanding collection of beautifully incised ancient Sabaean inscriptions as well as manuscripts. Further along the route we pass by Debre Damo which is one of Ethiopia’s most important religious sites. Perched precariously atop a sheer-sided flat -topped mountain, the only way to visit is a clamber up a sheer 15 m cliff. Only men are allowed to visit the site atop the mountain. In the late afternoon we arrive at the Gheralta Lodge which is built in a local traditional way. Here we relax for 3 days (Day 12 & 13) whilst we explore the many rock hewn churches, many of which are situated on hill tops. The Gheralta Ranges also provides many different walks and hikes depending upon personal preferences.

Day 14: We depart the Gheralta Lodge in the morning to drive to Mekele, the largest city in Northern Ethiopia and the capital of Tigray Province. On the way we have the chance to visit some of the many ancient Churches and Monasteries that we pass. When we reach Mekele, we visit the local market where we may have a chance to see the Camel Caravans that bring in salt blocks from the Danakil Depression region. After lunch we head to the airport to catch the 4.20pm flight to Addis Ababa. Overnight Hotel

Day 15: In the morning we drive about 3 hours south of the capital to Lake Langano, one of the Great Rift Valley Lakes of East Africa. Here we stay at a Resort for 2 nights. This is our chance to relax at this peaceful resort, take a swim in the lake and enjoy looking through the wonderful photos we have taken. There is also an abundance of endemic birdlife around the lake to distract you from your relaxation.

Overnight Hotel

Day 16: Our return schedule to Addis Ababa on the final day depends upon your flight schedule. And farewell dinner in a Cultural Restaurant to experience local food and observe the traditional dancing of various ethnic groups.

 

Included

(Where Applicable)

• All accommodation on twin room sharing
• Meals on full board
• All entrance fees
• All Ground transfers and transportation with a very good condition vehicles including fuel.
• Professional English speaking regional guides
• Boat trip on Lake Tana to visit two of the accessible monasteries
• 15% Government tax  and service  charge

Not Included 

• International  flights and Domestic Flight
• Photographing/Filming fees
• Any kind of drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.
• Laundry
• Incidental meals, snacks and drinks
• Tips and items of personal nature
• Travel insurance

Price

2 PAX — Per Person – 3,650.00

4 PAX — Per Person – 3,022.00

6 PAX — Per Person – 2,872.00

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