Meskel Festival
fromOur Meskel Festival itinerary starts in the capital, Addis Ababa, the world’s fourth highest capital. On Meskel Eve we witness the singing and dancing in Meskell Square around the festival’s showpiece, a massive burning pyre. From Addis we journey to Bahir Dar, and Lake Tana, to visit its monasteries and the spectacular Blue Nile Falls
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Activity Level Challenging
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We travel north to Gondar to explore its UNESCO ancient castles and palaces and then tothe ancient city of Axum, legendarily home of the Queen of Sheba and final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
Finally, we visit Lalibela and its unique 12th century rock-hewn churches. We feast our eyes on the incredible views over the surrounding valleys and hills as we watch the sunset from the magical Ben Abeba restaurant.
Highlights
• Ancient castles& Palaces of Gondar
• Spectacular Blue Nile Falls
• Meskel Festivities
• 12th century Rock hewn churches of Lalibela
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 - Addis Ababa B/L/D Today we visit the National Archaeological Museum, where we will view the 3.6-million-year-old remains of “Lucy”, whose skeleton was discovered in 1974, and the Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University.
- Day 3 - Bahir Dar B/L/D After breakfast transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Bahir Dar. Check in to your hotel on the shore of Lake Tana then drive to Tiss Abay to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls. After lunch board a boat for a cruise across Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. 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 neighbouring Entos Eyesus.. Keep an eye open for white pelicans. Overnight at Blue Nile Avanti or similar.
- Day 4 - Gondar B/L/D Scenic drive to Gondar, the so-called Camelot of Africa. Visit the royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels and raised walkways. Proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church with its walls and ceiling decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history. Overnight Goha Hotel or similar
- Day 5 - Axum B/L/D Fly to 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. We explore the monolithic steles or obelisks of Axum, the tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskal, the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of her ancient palace. We 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 Atranos FantasyHotel or similar.
- Day 6 - Lalibela B/L/D Transfer to the airport for our flight to Lalibela, famous for its rock hewn churches dating back 800 years, and transferred to the Hotel. There are 11 rock -hewn churches in the Town of Lalibela which 3 of them are Monolithic (free standing completely detached from the ground), 7 of them are semi-monolithic and 1 church is cave church. The brilliant feats of engineering and architecture of rock hewn churches of Lalibela are referred to as the
- Day 7 - Lalibela B/L/D In the morning half-day excursion by mule to Asheton Mariam to visit the Church that lie on the top of the mountain. The Church itself is similar in style to other rock churches, but the panoramic view of the surroundings is spectacular from the mountaintop. Return to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon spent visiting more of the rock churches in Lalibela town.Overnight Maribela hotel
- Day 8 - Addis Ababa B/L/D Fly this morning to Addis Ababa. After lunch explore the Merkato Outdoor Market; one the largest on the African continent. Early this evening proceed to a local restaurant for a farewell dinner which offers the traditional coffee ceremony. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to home.