Discover Ethiopia
fromOur Discover Ethiopia itinerary explores the north of the country, taking in Ethiopia’s fascinating historical and religious sites. We start with the monasteries of Lake Tana and the spectacular Blue Nile Falls, before heading to the UNESCO recognised palaces and castles of Gondar. We travel onward throughthe breath-takinglandscapes in the Simien Mountain with the chance to spot some of the country’s endemic wildlife, such as the Gelada Baboon and the Walia Ibex.
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Activity Level Challenging
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Next we visit the ancient city of Axum and legendarily home of the Queen of Sheba and final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant
Finally, we visit the unique12th century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, arguably the highlight of the trip and something not to be missed. Feast your eyes on the incredible views over the surrounding valleys and hills as you watch the sunset from the magical Ben Abeba restaurant.
Highlights
• 12th century Rock hewn churches of Lalibela
• Ancient castles& Palaces of Gondar
• Dramatic Simien Mountains
• Spectacular Blue Nile Falls
Airport transfer
Arrival and departure transfers are included, whether you book flights yourself, or we book them for you.
Accommodation
Accommodation as listed in the itinerary. Should we need to change hotels, but we will endeavour to keep the same standard. However hotel standards may not be the same as you’re used to elsewhere.
Guides
You will be escorted throughout by an English speaking guide. You will also have local English speaking guides.
Meals
As listed within the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner).
Entrance Fees
All entrance fees
Water
A bottle of mineral water every day
Visa’s
Guests are responsible for arranging their own visa. We would recommend that you obtain your visa in advance of your trip using the evisa service.
International flights
We don’t include international flights in the cost of our tours
Insurance
It is important that you have insurance in place prior to arriving in country.
Tips
Guide and porterage tips, also local payments for photography
- Day 1 - Addis Ababa L/D On arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After lunch a city tour will take you to the National Archaeological Museum, to view the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy”, discovered in 1974, Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Drive to the top of Mount Entoto, which rises to an altitude of 10,500 feet for a panoramic view of the metropolis before making your way back to your hotel. Overnight at Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel or similar.
- Day 2 - Bahir Dar B/L/D After breakfast transfer to the airport for your early flight to Bahir Dar. On arrival continue to TissAbay to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls. After lunch board a boat for a cruise across Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake, and source of the Blue Nile, to visit two of the most accessible monasteries Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam. Keep an eye open for white pelicans. Visit the market in Bahir Dar, where you can see colourful woven clothing, basketry, cereals, spices and other local goods. Climb up to Bezawit, the palace of Haile Selassie which lies on a hill 5km outside of Bahir Dar. The panoramic views of the Blue Nile River, Lake Tana and the town are beautiful. Check into your hotel on the shores of the lake. Overnight at Blue Nile Avanti or similar.
- Day 3 - Gondar B/L/D After breakfast board a cruise vessel on Lake Tana to visit the ancient monasteries. Visit three monasteries on Lake Tana. Both men and women can visit the first monastery, Ura Kidane Mihret. Near Ura Kidane Mihret is a traditional house museum that we will visit, along with two island monasteries, Kibran Gabriel and EntosEyesus. Kibran Gabriel can only be visited by men, so while the men are visiting that one, the women will visit the neighboring EntosEyesus. Enjoy a scenic drive to the ancient Imperial city, traveling through a fertile landscape of wide-open fields; a perfect African tableau punctuated by undulating hillsides and valleys. Overnight Hotel Goha or similar
- Day 4 - Gondar B/L/D Gondar is the former imperial capital, founded in the 17th century by Emperor Fassiledes. Fassiledes and the five emperors after him each built their own respective palaces and churches, giving rise to Gondar’s nickname; “Camelot of Africa”. Visit the royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels and raised walkways. Proceed to the fascinating Debre Berhan Selassie Church, whose walls and ceiling are decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history. Overnight Goha Hotel or similar.
- Day 5 - Simien Mountains B/L/D Travel 60 miles to the principal mountain massifs of Africa, the Simien Mountains. On arrival at the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park, meet our trekking scout and guide and transfer to the Simien Lodge. This afternoon enjoy a three to four hour relaxing trek to explore the beauty of this mountain range, which includes several plateaus separated by broad river valleys and a number of peaks that rise above 13,000 feet. The sights are impressive and an excellent chance to see herds of Ethiopian Baboons. Overnight Simien Lodge or similar.
- Day 6 - Simien Mountains B/L/D Enjoy a full day visit in the Simien Mountains National Park. In the morning we hike from Sankaber campsite to the Jinbar waterfalls before driving as far as Chenek campsite for a picnic lunch followed by a short excursion in search of the Walia Ibex and Ethiopian wolf. Return to your lodge for the evening. Overnight Simien Lodge or similar.
- Day 7 - Axum B/L/D Drive 175 miles through the mountain range offering extraordinary scenery of the Simiens as we descend towards the Tekeze Gorge. This scenic drive takes us from a height of 10,200 feet to 4,600 feet. Drive through small villages dotted between the mountain massifs, where people somehow eke out an existence in this unforgiving countryside. Drive through the Tekeze valley into Axum. Overnight AtranosFantansy or similar
- Day 8 - Axum B/L/D This is the heart of ancient Ethiopia, the capital of the Kingdom of Axum which was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The archaeological and historical attractions in Axum include monolithic steles or obelisks, the tombs of King Kaleb and King GebreMeskal, the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of her ancient palace. Also visit the new and the old Cathedral of St Mary of Tsion (Zion) and the sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the Covenant. The older of the two cathedrals, built in the 16th century, is believed to be built on the ruins of an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest site in Ethiopia. Overnight AtranosFantansy Hotel or similar.
- Day 9 - Gheralta Range B/L/D Visit the historical town of Adwa in which a decisive 1896 battle the Ethiopian army commanded by Emperor Menelik II defeated the Italians, dashing any hope they had to colonise Ethiopia. Continue to Yeha, a small village to view ancient 5th century B.C. ruins of a large pre-Christian temple, believed to be the oldest standing building in Ethiopia. Also, on the temple grounds is the 6th century A.D church of Aba Aftse, dedicated to one of the nine saints who migrated from Syria and introduced Christianity to this area. Overnight Gheralta Lodge or similar.
- Day10 - Mekelle B/L/D This morning trek for 45 minutes to the top of an escarpment to visit the church of Debretsion; its domes and the wall panels are abundantly decorated with fine paintings of saints and apostles. After lunch, we will visit the rock church of Abraha Atsbeha, dedicated to the twin kings of the Axumite dynasty, who converted to Christianity in the 4th century. Continue to Mekelle, visiting the town of Werkro to view the rock church of WekroCherkos. Overnight Axum Hotel or similar.
- Day 11 - Lalibela B/L/D Enjoy a relaxing scenic drive through the Tigray landscape and appreciate the abundant evidence of why Ethiopia is the most mountainous country in Africa. Visit Lake Ashenge a magnificent area to view the indigenous bird life of Ethiopia. Visit the exquisite church of YemrehaneKristos Arrive into historic Lalibela. Overnight at Cliff Edge Hotel or similar.
- Day 12 - Lalibela B/L/D Lalibela’s churches are collectively referred to as ‘The Eighth Wonder of the World’. Legend has it that Emperor Lalibela had been instructed, in a vision from God, to build the new Jerusalem after returning from Jerusalem which was sacked by the Muslims. Visit the majestic, rock churches that are still used as places of worship by Lalibelans. Overnight at Cliff Edge Hotel or similar.
- Day 13 - Lalibela B/L/D Enjoy a morning excursion by drive or aboard a mule to Asheton Mariam, a mountaintop church with a panoramic view of the Lasta Region. This afternoon, we will finish the expedition to the remaining of the 11 rock churches before heading to Ben Abeba to watch the sunset and unique dining experience. Overnight Cliff Edge Hotel or similar
- Day 14 - Addis Ababa B/L/D Morning flight to Ethiopia’s capital. On arrival visit the ‘Merkato’, cited as the largest open-air market Africa and explore the maze of stalls.