17 Days Wonders of Ethiopia Tour

17 Days Wonders of Ethiopia tour itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa city tour

Morning drive to discover the city of Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II and situated at an elevation of around 2438m making it the 3^rd highest capital city in the world. It enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25°C. Our city tour takes us to visit the National museum housing some of the country’s historic treasures like the 3.5 million year old remains of ‘Lucy’, the oldest hominid ever found. We proceed to the Ethnographic Museum and the church of the Holy Trinity, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor, Haile Selassie. Dinner and overnight at Monarch Hotel or similar in Addis Ababa (www.monarchaddis.com)

Day 2: Bahir Dar

After breakfast, we drive for a total of 565 Kms to Bahir Dar via Debre Markos with a visit enroute to the 13^th C monastery of Debre Libanos which was founded by Tekle Haymanot. On the way, you will enjoy the fabulous Blue Nile Gorge which spans altitudes of around 2,500 to 1,200 m. After lunch in Debre Markos, we proceed through the beautiful scenery and Amehara peoples’ villages. Dinner and overnight at Kuriftu Lodge (www.kurifturesortspa.com) or Jacaranda Hotel (www.jacarandahotelbahirdar.com) or similar

Day 3: Bahir Dar to visit The Blue Nile & Lake Tana

Full day in Bahar Dar, capital of the Amhara region situated on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country. Bahir Dar is one of the best well-planned cities in Ethiopia. This morning we take a boat trip on the Lake Tana to learn the secrets held by the monasteries and churches on the islands. We will visit Ura Kidane Mihret church on Zeghie peninsula. Under the thatched roof are some distinctive colourful paintings of religious scenes, and an impressive display of illuminated bibles written in Ge’ez, the religious language from which Amharic is derived. In the afternoon we will visit Tississat Falls, Amharic for ‘water that smokes’ located about 32km south of Bahar Dar. Due to a nearby hydro electrical power scheme, the waterfalls can no longer be guaranteed to be in full force. Dinner and overnight at Kuriftu Lodge (www.kurifturesortspa.com) or Jacaranda Hotel (www.jacarandahotelbahirdar.com) or similar

Day 4: Gondar (UNESCO – World heritage Site)

After breakfast, we drive for some 185 kms (3.5 hrs) north to Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia. Gondar has now become one of Ethiopia’s largest and most impressive cities, with its walled Royal Enclosure. Gondar’s most famous monuments are its exceptionally well preserved 17th century castles. The largest and best is that of King Fasilidas. It is a stone-built construction with round turrets and wooden balconies. The king also built a remarkable bath a mile or so outside of town known as the ‘Pavilion of Delight’. The Bathhouse of Fasil at which thousands of Ethiopians celebrate Timkat festival every January. This whole complex of buildings is unique in Ethiopia and unlike anything found elsewhere in Africa. This afternoon we’ll also make a visit to the Debre Birhan Selassie church (Light of Trinity) with its sensational angelic ceiling and mural. Dinner and overnight at Goha Hotel or Fasil Lodge (www.lodgefasil.weebly.com) or Gondar Hills Resort or Taye Belay Hotel or similar

Day 5: Simien Mountains (UNESCO – World Heritage Site)

After breakfast, we drive to Debark on the edge of the Simien Mountains and proceed into the mountains for some spectacular views of this unique ecosystem. We take an optional 1.5hr walk to see the endemic Gelada baboons, Klipspringers, Lammergeyer vultures, and bushbuck. The scenery is truly breathtaking and there will be time for a walk around the Sankaber region of the National Park. The maximum altitude we reach is 3250M. Dinner and overnight at Simien Lodge or Limalimo Lodge or Walia Lodge in Debark or Simien Lodge (www.simiens.com) or similar

Day 6: Axum

After breakfast, we drive for full day on the rugged road to the ancient city of Axum via the lowlands of the Simien Mountains and Tekeze River gorge. The drive offers some excellent photo opportunities of this dramatic landscape. Dinner and overnight at Sabean Hotel (www.sabeanhotel.com) or Atranos Fantasy Hotel or Yared Zema International Hotel (www.yaredzemainternationalhotelaxum.com) or simila

Day 7: Axum (UNESCO – World Heritage Site)

Today we have full day in Axum, which is the seat of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Axum. It was once one of the most powerful in the ancient world. Located at the centre of the trading routes between the Mediterranean and India, and the great port of Adulis on the Red Sea, it was economically, politically and technically advanced and at times had control over both sides of the Red Sea. Axum is also the origin of Christianity in Ethiopia and believed to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The old church of St Mary of Zion was the first church to be built in Sub-Saharan Africa around 330AD.Its ruins can be seen in the precinct of the church compound. We visit the famous monolithic stelae of Axum, the tallest one still standing reaches over 21 metres and the greatest one of them all, once 34 metres high now lies toppled on the ground. However, it is still the largest monolith ever erected by man. The subterranean tombs, stone inscriptions of ancient Axumite kings and the small archaeological museum are also living witness of the ancient Axumite history. We will also visit the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba who is said to have given birth to Menelik the 1^st, fathered by King Solomon, the founder of Ethiopia’s ruling family until the late Emperor Haile Selassie. Dinner and overnight at Sabean Hotel (www.sabeanhotel.com) or Atranos Fantasy Hotel or Yared Zema International Hotel (www.yaredzemainternationalhotelaxum.com) or similar

Day 8: Yeha / Adwa / Gheralta

After breakfast, we drive east to Yeha, the Ethiopia’s oldest settlement dating back almost 3,000 years. A large temple, dedicated to the moon god Ilmuqah, is related to other pagan temples to the same god in Yemen, indicating connections across the Red Sea from the earliest times. The temple was later converted into a church in the 6th century, but still has wonderful friezes of ibex carved into the façade. We shall also make a visit to the important town of Adwa, set amidst rugged mountains. It was at Adwa that the Ethiopians became the first African nation to repel a colonial power, when they defeated the Italian army in 1896. We shall proceed to the town of Adigrat. Dinner and Overnight at Gheralta Lodge (www.gheraltalodgetigrai.com) or Korkor Lodge or similar in Hawzen

Day 9: Tigray / Mekele

After breakfast, we drive to Tigray to visit the Rock-cut Churches in this region. These architectural gems were created prior to the 16th century and unknown to the outside world until the 1960s. About 150 are now known to be in existence with all but a handful still in active use by the orthodox Christian community. We look to explore two clusters including Abreha We Atsbeha and Degum Selassie at Gheralta and the sandstone church of Chirkos at Wukro with its cruciform pillars and barrel vaulted ceiling. In the afternoon enjoy the wonderful serenity of the Tigray landscapes and proceed to the town of Mekel. Dinner and overnight at Axum Hotel (www.axum-hotels.com) or Planet Hotel or similar

Day 10: Lalibela

After breakfast, we drive the whole day through stunning countryside between the mountains to the west and the start landscape of the Danakil Depression to the east to arrive at the remarkable archaeological site of Laliblea. Dinner and overnight at Panoramic View Hotel (www.panoramicviewhotel.com) or Mountain View Hotel (www.mountainview-hotel.com) or Maribela Hotel or Top 12 Hotel (www.toptwelvehotel.com) or similar

Day 11: Lalibela (UNESCO – World heritage Site)

After breakfast, we visit the 1^st cluster of Lalibela’s rock hewn churches. Lalibela, the ‘New Jerusalem’, thought to have been constructed some 800 years ago by King Lalibela. Although churches carved in rock are found in other parts of the world, those found in Ethiopia are particularly interesting. Generally, they were excavated on all sides of a rectangle, leaving a large block of granite isolated in the centre. They have been classified as one of the wonders of the world. Each church has a unique architectural style and all are superbly carved. There are 11 rock-cut churches of which the most impressive is Bet Giorgis. It is carved in the form of a Greek cross and it is exceptionally well preserved. Dinner and overnight at Panoramic View Hotel (www.panoramicviewhotel.com) or Mountain View Hotel (www.mountainview-hotel.com) or Maribela Hotel or Top 12 Hotel (www.toptwelvehotel.com) or similar

Day 12: Lalibela.

After breakfast, we visit the church of Yimrhane Kristos. This exquisite church, a masterpiece of Axumit wood and stone construction is renowned for its interior decoration, it’s beautiful wooden coffer ceiling inlaid with hexagons and medallions with both figurative and geometric motifs. Drive back to Lalibela. In the afternoon, we will visit the remaining rock-hewn churches of Lalibela that include the churches of Bete Gabriel and Rafael, Merkorous, Emanuel and Abba Libanos. Bete Emanuel is the best in this group and exceptionally carved with unique Axumite building features, such as the indentations on the walls, symbols of the multi-storey building taken from the stelae of Axum, monkey heads and false windows. Dinner and overnight at Panoramic View Hotel (www.panoramicviewhotel.com) or Mountain View Hotel (www.mountainview-hotel.com) or Maribela Hotel or Top 12 Hotel (www.toptwelvehotel.com) or similar

Day 13: Kombolcha

After breakfast, drive to Kombolcha with a stop to visit the famous Lake Hayik and the ancient church of Hayik Estifanos and keep driving to Kombolcha.

Dinner and overnight at Ethio Green hotel or Yom hotel or similar

Day 14: Awash National Park

After breakfast, we drive to the Awash National Park through the small town of Mila. In the afternoon, we arrive in the park located in the dry acacia savanna of the Rift Valley. The skyline of the park is dominated by the jagged edges of Mount Fantelle, a dormant volcano whose crater towers above the surrounding bush. This aftenoon we will have an opportunity to visit its splendid waterfall spilling into a 150M gorge. We may see some wildlife and large mammals like the Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s gazelle and the Slat’s dik-dik. Dinner and overnight at Awash Falls Lodge (www.awashfallslodge.net) or similar in Awash National park 

Day 15: Harar

After breakfast, we drive to Harar with a visit enroute to the town of Awe day famous as the site of the country’s largest chat market and farming place. Harar is a walled city. The city walls are pierced by 5 gates topped by 25 towers. The 16th century mosque with its slender minaret and the narrow streets lined with small shops all give the impression of having wandered into a city from the Arabian nights. In the evening, we will go to one of the gates of the Harar wall to see the Hyena Man feeding his hyena friends. Dinner and overnight at Ras Hotel or Wonderland Hotel or Heritage Plaza Hotel or Rewda Guesthouse or similar

Day 16: Harar / Dire Dawa

After breakfast, we visit Harar, the cradle of Islam in Ethiopia and by the middle Ages. Harar is the 4^th most sacred city in the Islamic world. The City Wall, the Gates and the narrow streets lined with traditional Harari Gegar houses, the colorful Muslim and Christian markets (known for basketry). After lunch visit the Hareri museum, Rimbaud House, a fine traditional house dating from the period when the French poet Rimbaud lived in Harer. Finally visit the traditional Hararie house within the famous walled city. In the late afternoon, drive back to Dire Dawa for the overnight. Dinner and overnight at La Duchesse Hotel or similar in Dire Dawa.

Day 17: Addis Ababa.

After breakfast, we explore the ancient town of Dire Dawa and then drive back to Addis Ababa.

Group Size per vehicle (adults) –2 Pax ,3 Pax ,4 Pax ,5 Pax ,6 Pax

What is Included on the safari price:-

• 16-night accommodation & meals as per the program
• All tours as per the itinerary
• Transport as per program
• English speaking guide
• Entrance fees to all sites as per the itinerary
• Bottled water during the tours
• All service charges and taxes

What is Excluded on the safari price:-

• Flights and taxes
• Entry visa to Ethiopia
• Airport transfers
• Any expense of personal nature
• Any optional activity not mentioned as included above
• Gratuities and tips
• Personal insurance cover
• Deviation from above program