ANICENT ETHIOPIA TOUR

These journeys pass through the scenic Ethiopian highlands and to the historical sites of this ancient kingdom. The trip covers Axum, the ancient city of Ethiopia known for the famous obelisks standing in the center of the town and where the ark of the covenant is believed to be kept, Lalibella, which is the second Jerusalem of Ethiopia and renowned for its the rock hewn churches, Gondar, known for the ancient castles and churches and finally Bahir Dar, where one finds Lake Tana with more than three dozen island monasteries.

DAY 1 -DEPARTURE FROM YOUR HOME COOUNTRY.                        

DAY 2- ARRIVAL AND CITY TOUR OF ADDIS ABABA

Begin exploring Addis Ababa. Situated at over 7,000 feet where the Great Rift Valley crosses Ethiopia’s mountain range, Addis Ababa is a large sprawling city of over five million people. Visit Entoto Mountain, the site from which Addis Ababa’s founder, Menelik, descended down to the plains. Visit the two churches he built and his palace, which displays 19th-century royal attire, weaponry, furniture, and intricately designed crosses made with precious metals. Also enjoy expansive views of the city and the Entoto Mountain Range.

After lunch take a city tour of the rest of Addis visiting the National Museum. It is home to the skeleton of Selam, who like Lucy, is an Australopithecus afarensis. Often nicknamed Lucy’s baby, Selam actually lived nearly 150,000 years before Lucy. Continue on to the Ethnographic Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, located in a palace of former Emperor Haile Selassie. See precious pieces of Ethiopian Christian art. Also, have a brief tour of craft shops along Churchill Road before returning to the hotel. At evening enjoy traditional dinner at a traditional restaurant while enjoying traditional music.

Overnight Jupiter International Hotel or similar.

DAY 3- FLY AXUM

Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in1980, Axum is a testament to the rich and glorious past of the mighty Kingdom of Axum (1ST C BC-700 A.D.). This morning the visit will start with the famous stelae field with its Axumite stelae in various sizes and shapes. The archaeological museum is nearby and it offers an opportunity to bring context to relics on view today. In the afternoon you visit the Kaleb and Gebremeskel tombs, dating to the 6th century A.D and on the way to town, the Ezana inscription (Ethiopia’s Rosetta stone) is worth visiting.  Tradition has it that the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia in the 10th century BC by Menelik I and later Ethiopian kings and emperors would proclaim their legitimacy to rule by their lineage to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.  Through the day we will discuss the development of Christianity in Ethiopia and its relation to the Ark, and the story of Queen of Sheba too.

Overnight Sabean Hotel or similar

DAY 4- EXPLORE AXUM

After an relaxed breakfast, a visit of the 17th century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion, home of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. The church was built on the foundations of a 4th century temple where the Ark of the Covenant is reputed to have bene stored. See the modern St. Mary’s of Zion cathedral, built by Emperor Haile Selassie in the 1960s, and explore the museum under the church, which houses some priceless Ethiopian relics. In the afternoon, 

Afternoon, visit the tomb of king Kaleb dated back to the 6th century with a sophisticated Axumite architecture and building techniques. En route, stop to see the ETHIOPIAN ROSETA, EZANA INSCRIPTION. This 4th century stone is inscribed in Sabean, Greek and Ge’ez language. 

Later in time, you will have a lecture at your hotel or at the Axum University Hall about the history of Axumite Archaeology and its findings.  An archaeologist from Axum University will present the lecture which will be supported by slides and so on. 

Overnight Sabean Hotel or similar

DAY 5- FLY LALIBELA

Lalibela is a striking town set at over 2500 metres in wild, craggy mountains with two-storey stone houses that are quite different to those in the rest of Ethiopia. We are here to visit the huge 12th and 13th century rock churches carved below ground level and connected by a maze of subterranean passages. Each church is unique and intricately carved and collectively earned designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. They are in continual use today. Visit some of these unique churches cradled among the rocks – Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Mokael, Bet Danaghel, and Bet Golgotha.

Afternoon explore the most elegant of Lalibela’s churches, Bet Giyorgis, located in an isolated part of the village on a sloping rock terrace. This is said to be one of the most finely executed and best preserved churches. Then at night you will have the chance to get to traditional house of Lalibela where you will test the national drink called Teji(honey wine) with live music of the local Agew  music and dance.

Overnight Mountain View Hotel or similar. 

DAY 6- FLY TO GONDAR

Fly Gondar, capital of Ethiopia for two hundred years. Gondar was a center of great commerce which traded with wealthy lands south of the Blue Nile, west to the Sudan, and north-east to the port of Massawa along the Red Sea. The city is known for its medieval castles and finely adorned churches. Upon arrival in Gondar, visit the Royal Enclosure, the Bath of King Fasilides, and the Debre Birhan Selassie Church, with its extensive murals of angels’ faces.

Overnigh Goha Hotel or similar

DAY 7- DRIVE BAHIR DAR- LAKE TANA MONASTERIES + THE BLUE NILE FALLSA

Drive Bahir Dar on Lake Tana. Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile and is famous for its many monasteries, including the Ura Kidane Meret monastery with its renowned painted maqdas. Take a boat across the lake to visit several of the lake’s 33 island monasteries. Do to regulations governing monastery access, women will visit Entos and the men will visit Kibran

Gebreael. 

Later afternoon, drive to the small town of Tiss Abay to visit to the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire'. The falls throws up a continuous spray of water droplets which drench onlookers up to a kilometre away. The surrounding area is extremely fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghum and teff, which injera, the national bread, is made from.

Overnight Abay Minch Lodge or similar

DAY 8- FLY BACK TO ADDIS ABABA          

The flight goes to Addis and then you will be picked up by your driver in the airport and transfer to your hotel. After checked and relax for some time you can drive to the city and spent some time shopping or just relax and have the real test of coffee in Tomoca coffee.

Then prepare yourself for the final farewell dinner where you are going to enjoy the traditional food as well as traditional dance of the whole Ethiopian tribes in one place.

Transfer to the airport for your departure and end of service.