Classic tour – Lalibela,Axum, Gondar,Bahir dar
Travel to Ethiopia, a land of legends and one the world’s most fascinating destinations. Our adventure begins in Addis Ababa and traverses the northern historic route visiting Lake Tana, Gondar, Lalibela and Axum, featuring several UNESCO world heritage sites. In this fabled land where legend and history are deeply entwined, hike among the villages to sacred island monasteries of Lake Tana. Explore the Castles of Gondar where you enjoy a private coffee ceremony. Based from an Eco lodge in the Simien Mountains, hike on the roof of Africa in the continent’s highest range and deepest gorges where you will encounter wildlife found nowhere else in the world. At dawn, wander through the ethereal subterranean churches of Lalibela glowing in the early morning light. Experience the towering stelae of Axum, coming as close to the legendary arc of the covenant as possible.
On your arrival, you will be welcomed by our staff then transfer to your hotel. The name of the capital city of Ethiopia in Amharic (the national language of Ethiopia) means “New flower”. Addis, which was founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is located at 2,500 meters above sea level in one of the highest parts of Entoto mountain chain (3,000 meters above sea level). It enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25ºC. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with side avenues of jacaranda Trees, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the “Merkato”. It also has a good number of restaurants, hotels and discotheques.
Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner
Overnight Hotel
In the morning, transfer to Airport to leave for Lalibela which used to be called Roha until the end of 12th century. Lalibela is located at an altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level. Today the little town of Lalibela embraced the remarkably excavated 12th century eleven rock hewn churches that are registered as one of the world wonders. Once you checked into your hotel with a short time rest and you start visiting the first group (consisting of 6 churches) of the incredibly hewn out churches that symbolizes the New Jerusalem and the city itself.
Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner
Overnight Hotel
Early morning you will have the option to attain the every day mass that would takes place from 06:00 to 7:00 in every church. Then go to the hotel for breakfast before you take the airport transfer to fly to Axum. While in Axum, you visit the Archeological museum, the Zion Cathedral where the original Arc of the covenant is still found, the stele park where the magnificent single block of stones erected since the 3rd century, the ruin palace and Bath of Queen Sheba who was the mother of king Menelik I of the 950 BC and tombs of the early century Kings.
Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner
Overnight Hotel
Gondar was the first capital city of the Ethiopian empire, which began in 1632 with the reign of Fasilidas. In the city, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. In the afternoon, we visit the palaces, residences and baths of Fasilidas; afterwards, we visit the church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity), which is located at the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls. The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos.
Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner
Overnight Hotel
After breakfast depart for a three hour drive to Bahir Dar- the beautiful lake side city. You will pass rural villages, cross mountain passes with stunning vistas and get your first glimpse of the impressive city of Bahir Dar. In the afternoon, drive to the waterfalls of the Blue Nile: 100m wide, the water plunges for 45 meters, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. Those who wish may descend to the base of the falls, climb back up the other side and cross the Nile in a papyrus boat (traditionally known as a “Tankwas”)
Meal: breakfast /lunch /Dinner
Overnight Hotel
In the morning, head out on Lake Tana to the Zege Peninsula and its famous monasteries. There are 37 islands on the lake and 30 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. The morning set for a boat trip on the lake to explore some of the islands and a walk is organized on one of them like that of Ura Kidanemihret, Kibran Gebriel, and Azewa Mariam to see mural paintings, crowns, crosses etc. On the way back to Bahir Dar see place where the Blue Nile River and Lake Tana join. In the afternoon visit the Market and the palace of former Emperor Haile Selassie.
Late afternoon, transfer out to the airport and fly to Addis Ababa. Depend on your arrival; you will have a short time shopping in a Grand Market called Merkato. After a fare well dinner party in a traditional restaurant & folklore house, you will be transferred to the Airport.
End of the tour!!
Price:
The above flight rate will only apply if arrival into Ethiopia was done with the Ethiopian Airlines.
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Essential information
Getting around Ethiopia: -Because of the state of the roads, the distances involved and the quality of the alternative (flying) most short term visitors use internal flights in Ethiopia. There are reliable daily flights between most of the stops on the Northern Circuit (Addis, Gondar, Lalibella, Axum, Bahir Dar).
If you have more time, or delight in the joys of overland travel, we can provide you vehicles (4WD, minibus and coaster bus )
Climate: Ethiopia is generally pleasant and warm, but varies with altitude. The long rains usually arrive mid- June to early September and the short rains between mid-February and April although this pattern has been completely erratic in recent times. After the rains, the highlands of northern Ethiopia are usually green and thus particularly scenic. The temperature all year round rarely falls below 18°C. Night-time temperatures in the mountains can be cold.
When to go —All year round
Activity level:
You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips. : This tour is not strenuous. Activities such as the mule ride to Asheton Maryan can be tough on the body, but visiting the church complexes, temples and sites is always done at a very easy and relaxed pace.
Accommodation details : All accommodation throughout this tour is 3-4 star (comfortable hotels with en-suite facilities)) All accommodation is based on twin sharing.
6 nights hotels en suite
Visas: – All nationalities require a visa for Ethiopia which can be obtained before departure or on arrival (at a cost of USD50).
Upon request we arrange visas for our travellers, or if an invitation letter is necessary then we will arrange this for you.
Vaccination: –There are no mandatory vaccination requirement for this trip.
Transport: We will be using a Coaster buses , mini buses or 4WD Toyota land cruiser depending on the condition of the road and the size of the group. The distance covered are fairly large.
Holiday style :-This is a busy trip and requires a certain level of fitness and agility, especially due to the heat and altitude. There are several walks that are not difficult – Tississat Falls and in the Simien Mountains. The harder walk and mule ride in Lalibela is optional. When visiting the rock hewn churches in Lalibela clients have to walk on uneven ground and climb steps that can be slippery.
What tourism exists is quite well organized and in places you may be surprised at the standard of services and personnel. The maximum altitude reached on this trip is 3250m.
Foods :All breakfasts
Hotel meals are generally good and full of variety. Local dishes tend to be very good if you like hot, spicy food although milder versions can be requested. Local food is traditionally eaten with the hands. The sour bread known as injera is used as a scoop for the casserole dishes known as wat.
Private groups: The adventures featured in our itinerary are just a starting point for many of our private group travellers. Working closely with our Groups Department we can organize custom designed itineraries for groups of friends, clubs, charity’s, schools or even work colleagues. Our team will assist you with all aspects of your private group adventure from itinerary design to group flights. For group traveller pledge considerable discount.
Customized tours: On request, this tour can be customized for small groups.
Proceeding / additional days: It’s no problem to add days before or after the expedition and we’ll book these for you. If you bring more time, you could do day trips from Addis or take an extension tour
Group booking discount: If at least 5 people together book this trip, 6% discount is given.
Please remember that all Zagwe Ethiopia tour prices mean NO hidden extras, NO local payments.
Budgeting: –
You will need some extra money to cover meals and drinks not included in the tour price, any optional sightseeing, souvenirs and items of a personal nature such as laundry.
Food :The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.
Lunch $: 8
Dinner $: 9
Drink: –The prices for drinks can vary greatly depending upon location and the prices detailed below are an average guide. In general you would expect that drinks purchased in a supermarket or local bar to be less expensive, whilst drinks in an upmarket bar or restaurant may be more expensive.
Bottle of Beer $: 1.50
Water $: 1.00
Tipping – Local Crew : Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in Ethiopia . Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your Guide may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.–Accordingly, you should allow US$50 for tipping of local drivers, guides, boat crew and for any miscellaneous tipping of hotel staff.
Essential equipment and Clothing
Clothing: Daytime temperatures are mainly warm and comfortable but evenings in the highlands can be cold. We recommend a thick jumper or warm fleece and lightweight wind/waterproof clothing. Take a sun hat.
Footwear: Comfortable, good walking shoes with ankle support are strongly recommended as well as comfortable sandals.
Luggage: On Tour One main piece of baggage and a daypack. Please note that there is a weight restriction of 7kg for hand luggage/daypack for international and internal flights.
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