Ethiopia’s Historic Highlights

Designed for those tight for time, this scheduled departure fly-in tour includes all Ethiopia's most famous historical attractions in an action-packed week.

DURATION

6 Nights

Overview

Ethiopia's Historic Highlights

Isolated monastery churches with vivid frescos
Introduction to the history of Christianity in Africa
Royal palaces and ancient archaeological sites

Designed for those tight for time, this scheduled departure fly-in tour includes all Ethiopia's most famous historical attractions in an action-packed week. The 6 night, 7 day fly-in guided tour visits Lalibela, Gondar and Axum, making use of the Ethiopian Air scheduled flight network.

Accommodation at a glance

Addis Ababa - 1 night
Lake Tana, Bahir Dar- 1 night
Gondar - 1 nights
Axum - 1 night
Lalibela - 2 nights
Addis Ababa - Final Day

Hotels and Lodges

This tour is not generally chosen for the lure of the hotels we use. By comparison with many of the safari destinations we offer at Cedarberg Africa, the accommodation in Ethiopia is plain and simple. We are confident that most travellers would consider all the accommodation we use in the tour as perfectly acceptable and pleasant, bearing in mind that this is Ethiopia and not Dubai!

Ethiopia’s Historic Highlights at a glance

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

PRICE FROM (PPS)

1

On arrival in Addis Ababa, after Customs and Immigration, you will be met at the airport by the driver/guide who will be conducting your tour.

Overnight: Jupiter or similar 4∗ Hotel (Bed & Breakfast).

2

Fly from Addis to Bahir Dar and visit the Blue Nile Falls before lunch.

In the afternoon, have a boat trip on Ethiopia’s largest water body – Lake Tana (3,600 sq km) to visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret (14th Century AD) and Azwa Mariam (14th Century AD).

Overnight at Summerland Hotel or similar (Full Board)

3

Drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar – the 17th century capital of Ethiopia. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ‘Bath of Emperor Fasiladas’, the church of Quskuam Mariam (17th century AD), the residence of Empress Mintwab, and the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, which is famous for its wall and ceiling paintings.

Overnight Goha Hotel or similar (Full Board)

4

Fly to Axum, the most ancient capital of Ethiopia, in the morning.

In the afternoon, take a sightseeing tour of Axum which includes visiting the Archaeological museum of Axum, the famous stele park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the church of St. Mary of Zion which is believed to be the last resting place of the original Ark of the Covenant, the palace and tomb of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel (6th Century AD), and the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba (9th Century BC).

Overnight Yeha Hotel or similar (Full Board)

5

In the morning, fly to Lalibela, the world-famous home of the 12th century AD rock hewn churches of King Lalibela.

In the afternoon, visit the first group of churches of King Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site) including the monolithic church of St George.

Overnight Roha Hotel or similar (Full Board)

6

In the morning, mule back ride to the hill top semi monolithic church of Asheton Mariam (13th century AD). Getting to the top of the hill rewards you with the unforgettable scenery of the area.

In the afternoon, visit the remaining second and the third group of the churches of Lalibela.

Overnight Roha Hotel or similar (Full Board)

7

Fly back to Addis and have a half-day city tour of Addis that includes visiting the National Archeological Museum of Addis Ababa, the Merkato – the largest open-air market in Africa, and driving to Mt. Entoto (3,200 m) to have a panoramic view of the capital.

In the evening, you will be invited a farewell dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis to see the folkloric dances of the Ethiopian people and to taste the variety of meals of the Ethiopian people.