Ethiopia Itineraries – Option 2

Day 01: Arrive in Addis

Be met upon arrival and transferred to the Jupiter International Hotel for overnight or similar.

Day 02: Fly Addis – Bahir Dar

Be transferred to the airport for flight (55 minutes) to Bahir Dar. Be met and transferred to your hotel. Later, you will take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 14th century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret which is the most famous of the Zege peninsula monasteries with a very beautiful painted maqdas and priceless collection of crosses as well as crowns. Afternoon, you will drive to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile falls (please be informed that due to the newly constructed electric dam in the vicinity the water level of the falls could be very minimal). Overnight at Abay Minch Hotel or similar.

Day 03: Drive Bahir Dar – Gondar

Be transferred to the airport for flight to Gondar. Visit the castles and churches built by Emperor Fassiladas, who founded the town in 1636 in a landscape of incomparable beauty, and his descendants. Later proceed to the most spectacularly painted churches in Ethiopia, Debre Birhan Selassie Church (termed by UNESCO as one of the World’s heritages.) Overnight at the Taye Belay Hotel or similar.

Day 04: Excursion Sanqaber

Drive to Sanqaber a segment of the Semen Mountain. This is a sight, which is termed as the most wild and spectacular of all Ethiopian landscapes- ‘the roof of Africa.’ Observe the magnificent scenery and picnic lunch by a beautiful site. Drive back to Gondar and overnight stay at the Taye Belay Hotel or similar.

Day 05: Fly Gondar – Axum

Be transferred to the airport for flight to Axum, Ethiopia’s most ancient city. City tour of Axum that includes the stelae park, St. Mary’s Church, the sanctuary chapel which is the repository of the ‘Arc of covenant’, the coronation yard and Axum museum, Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins and King Kaleb’s tomb. Overnight at the Consular Hotel or similar.

Day 06: Fly Axum – Lalibela

Visit famous churches and the scene of so many major religious ceremonies. Also known, as ‘Africa Petra,’ Lalibela and its rock hewn churches are arguably Ethiopian’s top most attraction. Visit the rock hewn churches include Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskal, Bete Denaghel, Bete Golgotha, Bete Mikael, and Bete Giorgis. In the afternoon, you will visit of the rest of the rock hewn churches of Lalibela i.e. Bete Amanuel, Bete Markorios, Bete Aba Libanos, and Bete Gebriel-Rufael. Overnight at Cliff Edge Hotel or similar.

Day 07: Fly Lalibela – Addis

Be transferred to the airport for flight to Addis. Be met upon arrival and transferred to the Jupiter International Hotel.

Day 08: Fly Addis – Dire Dawa – Harar

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Dire Dawa. Later you drive through the rich and green farmland and the colorful Chat market of Awedai. For an overnight at Harar recognized as the fourth Muslim sacred place in the world hosting pilgrims after Mecca Medina and Jerusalem. Visit the 16th century wall is built by Adere people to protect them from aggression of externals force. At night we will attain the hyena-man show. Overnight at the Heritage Plaza hotel or similar.

Day 09: Harar – Dire Dawa – Addis

On sightseeing of Harar you will visit the markets, the French poet- Rimbaud house, the harari museum and the tomb of the Emir who built the Harar walls known Jugol. Drive back to Dire Dawa and be transferred to the airport for flight back to Addis. Be met up on arrival in Addis and transfer to the Jupiter Hotel for Day use room. Later, based on you flight schedule you will be transferred to the Bole international airport for your departure.

Price includes

Hotel accommodation on a twin/double occupancy bed & breakfast basis, English-speaking regional guide, boat trip on Lake Tana, transfer and ground transport as per the above itinerary, All entrance and 15% VAT.

Price excludes

Pre night booking, airfare, lunch and dinner, photography (video) fees, gratitude, alcoholic drinks and other related expenses of personal nature.

Information

The current airfare for the sector Addis- Bahir Dar// Gondar –Axum – Lalibela – Addis – Dire Dawa – Addis is 330.00 USD per person. This price should be added on the above price. However, please note that this airfare is subject to change with or without notice by the Ethiopian Airlines and seat availability when the reservation is made. Fares and seats are only guaranteed once the tickets have been issued -the airline reserves the right to cancel fares and seats if the tickets are not issued. Airlines reserve the right to change their flight schedules at anytime without prior warning. Full first names and surnames as per the passengers passports is required to make reservations – no name changes allowed once the tickets issued. Once the flights are confirmed the tickets need to be issued prior to the time limit given by the Airline. The baggage allowance on Ethiopian Airline flights are 20 kg in total per person.

Looking forward to hear from you.