Ethiopia Tour - R19.310 Including Activities but Excluding Airfares EthiopiaAbout Ethiopia Tour - R19.310 Including Activities but Excluding Airfares Ethiopia  Note: All information is subject to change without prior notice. Travel times and accommodations can change depending on road or weather conditions, etc. These are used as a guideline only. Day 1 Addis Ababa Today you arrive in Addis Ababa and will be transferred to your hotel, where we will overnight. This evening, your tour representative will meet you at the hotel for a briefing.
Addis Ababa Addis Ababa, meaining “new flower” in Amharic, is the capital city of Ethiopia. It is the largest city in Ethiopia, with a population of more than 3.5 million. As a chartered city Addis Ababa has the status of both a city and a state. It is where the African Union and its predecessor the OAU are based. Addis Ababa is therefore often referred to as "the political capital of Africa" due to its historical, diplomatic and political significance for the continent. The city is populated by people from different regions of Ethiopia – the country has as many as 80 nationalities speaking 80 languages and belonging to a wide variety of religious communities. The city lies at the foot of Mount Entoto. From its lowest point, around Bole International Airport, at 2 326 m above sea level in the southern periphery, the city rises to over 3 000 metres in the Entoto Mountains to the north. Day 2 Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar This morning we will fly from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar and upon arrival, we will visit the Blue Nile Falls. This afternoon, we enjoy a boat trip on Ethiopia’s largest water body – Lake Tana. During the boat trip, we will visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam.
Day 3 Bahir Dar – Gonder In the morning we drive from Bahir Dar to Gonder, the 17th century capital of Ethiopia. In the afternoon, we will visit the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the “Bath of Emperor Fasilades”, the church of Quskuam Mariam, the residence of Empress Mintwab and the church of Debre Birhan Sillassie, the latter which is famous for its wall and ceiling paintings.
Gonder Gonder was once the capital city of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632 with the reign of Fasilidas. There are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more European than African and also has Islamic influences. In the afternoon, we visit Fasilidas' castle, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one! Constructed in 1640, it was restored in the mid-20th century. Fasilidas castle is made of stone and shows a unique combination of Portuguese, Axumite and even Indian influences. The walls are decorated with a symbol similar to the Star of David, which became the emblem of the Ethiopian royal family after the Solomonic dynasty reclaimed the Throne in the 13th century. Day 4 Gondar - Axum Today we will take a morning flight to Axum, the most ancient capital of Ethiopia. Upon arrival in Axum, we will enjoy a sightseeing tour, which includes a visit to the archaeological museum of Axum, the famous stele park, the church of St. Mary of Zion (which is3believed to be the last resting place of the original Ark of the Covenant), the palace and tomb of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel and finally the ruin palace of the Queen of Sheba.
Axum The legends in the Kebre Nagast (‘Book of Kings’) recount how the city of Axum was the city in which the Queen of Sheba resided as early as the 10th century B.C. It is written that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant to Axum and it remains there to this day, preserved in a sanctuary. Famous long before the time of Christ, Axum was the capital of the long Axumite reign, one of the oldest African empires, and represented a crucial connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. A visit is organised to the stelae: granite monoliths dating from pre-Christian times and decorated with symbolic engravings. Day 5 Axum – Lalibela In the morning, we will take a flight from Axum to Lalibela. This strange city in the mountains of Lasts is located at 2,600 m above sea level. It contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century and are carved out of the pink granite rock. We will visit the first group of churches of King Lalibela in the afternoon.
Lalibela This unique city in the mountains of Lasts is located at 2 600 m above sea level. It was known as Roha from the 10th century to the mid 13th century, and was the capital of the Zagwe dynasty. Its modern name comes from the most famous of the Zagwe rulers, the 12th century King Lalibela. The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century and are carved out of the pink granite rock. They have been classified as one of the wonders of the world. Each church has a unique architectural style; all are superbly carved and most of them are decorated with well-preserved paintings. The entire city may be described as a work of art dedicated to the glory of God. Legend has it that King Lalibela was instructed by angels to build a replica of the rock city he saw in a vision. Other legends have it he was in exile in Jerusalem and was inspired to create the ‘new’ Jerusalem in Roha. Day 6 Lalibela Our morning will be spent on the back of a mule, as we ride up the hill top to the semi monolithic church of Asheton Mariam. Getting to the top of the hill rewards us with great and unforgettable scenery of the area. In the afternoon, we will visit the remaining second and third group of churches of Lalibela.
Today we will fly back to Addis Ababa and participate in a city tour of Addis, which includes visiting the National Archaeological Museum and Merkato – the largest open-air market in Africa. We will also visit Mt Entoto to enjoy a breathtaking, panoramic view of the capital. In the evening, you will be invited for an optional farewell dinner at one of the traditional restaurants in Addis Ababa to see the folkloric dances of the Ethiopian people and to taste the variety of meals of the Ethiopian people.
Included Accommodation, registered guides and transport as per itinerary. Excluded All items of a personal nature, alcohol, snacks, souvenirs, tips and optional activities Deal Ends Video of Ethiopia Tour - R19.310 Including Activities but Excluding Airfares Ethiopia Terms & Conditions for Ethiopia Tour - R19.310 Including Activities but Excluding Airfares Ethiopia All Prices and details are subject to change without notice until a booking and final payment has been made. Provisional bookings are valid for 24 hours only. Terms and conditions apply. For any enquiries please complete the form on the right or email us. |
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