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Escorted Small Group Tours, Ethiopia (Guided): Simien Mnts + Lalibela + Addis Ababa

Ethiopia Tour : Lake Tana + Simien Mountains + Lalibela
YYA6A

6 NIGHTS

FROM $3,944

Per person sharing

Flights quoted separately

Escorted Small Group Tours Ethiopia Guided Simien Lalibela Addis Ababa

Our escorted small group tours in Ethiopia are fully guided and will introduce you to the historic treasues of this ancient country. Visit the Lake Tana monasteries, the Simien Mountains which are home to the Gelada baboon, Walia ibex, Ethiopian wolf & other endemic wildlife, sacred Lalibela with its astonishing rock-hewn churches & Addis Ababa. Departs once a month (min 2 / max 7).

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• Group Tours: Ethiopia (Guided)	• Addis Ababa	• Bahir Dar	• Lake Tana Monasteries
• Gondar Palaces	• Simien Mountains	• Lalibela	• Rock Hewn Churches
• Group Tours Ethiopia, Guided	• Escorted Small Group Tours

▲

• Group Tours: Ethiopia (Guided)	• Addis Ababa	• Bahir Dar
• Lake Tana Monasteries	• Gondar Palaces	• Simien Mountains
• Lalibela	• Rock Hewn Churches	• Group Tours Ethiopia, Guided
• Escorted Small Group Tours

Day 1

You will be met at Addis Ababa Airport and transferred to your hotel in Ethiopia's capital city.

This beautiful high-altitude country was once ruled by the Queen of Sheba, with a fascinating and ancient history. With over 80 different languages and many different religions, its strong tribal traditions and festivals are world famous.

As Ethiopia is the birth place of coffee, do try to experience a typical Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony at some stage during your stay.

Note: On escorted group tours please note that for operational reasons it is sometimes necessary to substitute one hotel with another of similar quality.

Day 2

Transfer to Addis Ababa Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Bahir Dar Airport and transferred to this palm-tree lined resort town, decorated with colourful flowers and situated on shores of beautiful Lake Tana - the largest lake in Ethiopia.

Here we drive to the small town of Tiss Isat to visit the Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tiss Abay (meaning 'Smoky Waters'). Until the construction of a hydroelectric power plant upstream, these were the second largest falls in Africa. They vary from a single stream in the dry season to four streams of turbulent brown water that are more than 1,300 ft (400 m) wide during the August & September rainy season, dropping down over 150 ft (45 m) into a sheer chasm below, giving rise to steam clouds and a spray of water that drenches onlookers. Walk 20-minutes to a great viewing point or, if you are more energetic, walk down to the base of the falls. At the local market you can buy hand-woven capes and scarves made of good local cotton and at Weyto village you can see the production of traditional tankwa papyrus boats.

We drive back to Bahir Dar and in the afternoon take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the 14th century monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam, situated on a large peninsula. These monasteries are known for their colourful religious frescoes and an impressive display of illustrated bibles written in Ge’ez, Ethiopia’s oldest language.

Day 3

Today we drive 4-hours to the historic city of Gondar, the 17th century capital of Ethiopia under Emperor Fasilides and also of the ancient Abyssinian Empire. Its rulers built many castles here, giving the region a very European feel - hence the name 'African Camelot'. The whole city is today a World Heritage Site.

On arrival we visit the Imperial Castle Compound with its six castles, including the oldest and most magnificent Fasilides Castle, with its Royal Enclosure and Emperor Fasilides’ Pool. This is where the colourful Timket festival (Epiphany) is celebrated every January, when pilgrims still take a plunge.

We also visit the church of Quskuam Mariam, the residence of the Empress Mentewab and the church of Debre Berhan Selassie (meaning 'Light of the Trinity'), located on the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls. This church was not destroyed, even during the dervishes, and on its painted 18th century ceiling over 100 winged cherubs look down on you, with slightly different but equally quizzical expressions. Full of all the colour, life, wit and humanity of Ethiopian art at its best, the walls provide a compendium of Ethiopian saints, martyrs and folklore.

Day 4

This morning we leave Gondar and drive 3-hours to Debark, continuing to our Simien Mountains National Park lodge in the Ethiopian northern Highlands - a dramatically beautiful World Heritage Site.

We drive through the spectacular landscapes of one of Africa's largest mountain ranges, with many deep valleys and jagged peaks. Here you will find Ras Dashen, the highest mountain in the country and the fourth highest in Africa soaring over 15,000 ft (4,630 m).

Simien Mountains National Park covers an area of over 70 square miles (190 km²). This high altitude park is situated between 4,500 and 6,200 ft (1,900 to 4,430 m) and has a variety of afro-alpine flora, including 57 different tree species and many herbaceous plants, spread across three distinct botanical zones. Over 180 bird species have been recorded here and this park is home to 35 different mammals, including the endemic Gelada baboon.

Note: Be aware that your lodge in the Simien Mountains is at high altitude at 10,500 ft (3,200 m).

Day 5

This morning we drive 3-hours from the Simien Mountains, travelling through the magnificent landscapes of the Ethiopian Highlands to Gondar Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Lalibela Airport and transferred into this spiritual town - the 'African Jerusalem'.

Perched high on an isolated mountain over 8,500 ft (2,600 m) above sea level, Lalibela is home to 11 spectacular rock-hewn churches built by King Lalibela (1181 - 1221) after whom the town is named. Each church is carved entirely out of a single block of granite, with its roof at ground level, and each is built in a different architectural style. The entire town seems frozen in biblical times and is today a major pilgrimage site for Christians.

After lunch we visit the First Group of extraordinary rock-hewn churches and their subterranean complex of passages, found by a stream called the River Jordan. Bete Medhanialem (Saviour Church), Bete Miriam, Bete Denagel, Bete Meskal, Debra Sina and Bete Golgotha are all part of the amazing UNESCO World Heritage site found at Lalibela.

Note: When entering churches, men should wear long trousers. Women should wear jeans or long skirts (avoid short skirts and shorts) & must wear a head scarf. Please be aware there is a lot of walking and climbing up and down steps when visiting these churches.

Day 6

This morning we take a mule ride to the top of a hill to view the semi-monolithic church of Asheton Mariam (13th century). Here you will be rewarded with unforgettable views of the surrounding area.

In the afternoon we visit the Second and Third Group of Lalibela's famous churches. These include Bete Gabriel & Raphael, Bete Merquorios, Bete Emmanuel and Bete Abba Libanos.

Finally we visit the famous Bete Giorgis - Church of St George - carved in the shape of a cross from solid red volcanic rock. It is the most beautiful rock-hewn church in the world and symbolises Noah's Ark.

Day 7

Transfer to Lalibela Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa.

On arrival in Addis Ababa enjoy a half day tour of the city, viewing landmark building such as the Headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, as well as Meskel Square - the main meeting place of the city.

We visit Trinity Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in the city, the National Archaeological Museum and drive through the Mercato, the largest open air market in Africa. Our tour ends with a drive up Mount Entoto (3,200 m) where you can enjoy panoramic views over the city.

In the evening enjoy an included dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with local music, folk dancing and a variety of local food. Afterwards transfer to Addis Ababa Airport for your flight home.

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