Ethiopia, an old country beyond all imaginations, has culture and traditions dating back over 3000 years. With over 80 different Ethnic groups with their own language, culture and traditions. The strong religious setting, celebrations and festivals play an important part in every ones daily life.
The natural beauty of Ethiopia amazes the first-time visitor. Ethiopia is a land of rugged mountains(25 of which are 12,000 feet high) broad savannah, lakes and rivers. The most famous volcano has been in a state of continuous eruption since 1967. Its small southerly crater is the only permanent lave lake on the planet.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Union church, an autonomous Christian Church headed by a patriarch and closely related to the Coptic Church of Egypt, was the state church of Ethiopia until 1974. About 40 percent of the people of Ethiopia are Christians, and Christianity is predominant in the north.
Ethiopia, an old country beyond all imaginations, has culture and traditions dating back over 3000 years. With over 80 different Ethnic groups with their own language, culture and traditions. The strong religious setting, celebrations and festivals play an important part in every ones daily life.
After breakfast 8:00AM drive from Addis to Bahir Dar. On the way Visit
Debre Libanos: One of the Ethiopia’s most holy sites. It was founded in the 13th century by priest credited not only with the spread of Christianity throughout the highlands, but also with the restoration of the Solomonic line of King.
Blue Nile Gorge:
Lunch in Deber Marcos. Over Night in Bahir Dar.
DAY 2 : Baher Dar
After Breakfast 8:00AM Drive 32kms South East of Bahirdar and walk up some distance and then proceed to visit the thundering “Tiss-Issat” fall which means Smoking Water in Amharic. Drive back to your hotel for lunch. Afternoon, four hour boat excursion on Lake Tana to visit
Ura Kidane Mihret and Zega Peninsual the most beautiful church anywhere in the Tana region. Set within bleak stone walls, the monastery was founded in the 14th century by a saint called Betre Maryam.
Kibran Gabriel (allowed for men only) : it is founded in the 13th century by a hermit called Abuna Yohannis.
Dinner at your hotel. After dinner go to Cultural Night Club (Maskinko Bet) and overnight in Baher Dar.
DAY 3 : Baher Dar - Gonder
Morning Drive for Gondar – the 17th century Ethiopian capital. On the way visiting Amhara Land scape. Lunch in Gonder.
Afternoon, sight-seeing of Gondar town including the castles of King Fasilledas, his open-air bath, the monasteries of Qusquom and Debre Berhan Selassie church with its 16th century paintings and Frescoes. Return to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Gondar.Lunch in Gonder. After noon visiting in Gonder Town and castles.
DAY 4 : Gonder - Axum
Drive for Axum, the holy city of Ethiopia, dating back 2000 B.C. and cradle of Ethiopian civilization with the Axumite Kingdom. On the way visiting
Wolleka (Falasha Village)
Overnight in Axum
DAY 5 : Axum
Rest the morning at leisure. Afternoon, visit of Axum which includes the tomb of King Ezana, the pedestals of Maishum (the bath of Queen Sheba), the park of stale the old and new St. Mary Churches of Zion. Legend has it that the table of the Holy Ark of the covenant rests there. Overnight and dinner in Axum.
DAY 6 : Axum - Lalibela
Drive to Lalibela lunch en route. Dinner and overnight in Lalibela.
DAY 7 : Lalibela
In the morning, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for women). After lunch, continue with the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – St.George. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 8 : Lalibela - Kombolcha
Drive to Kombolcha, the capital of Wollo province. Lunch en route. Late in the afternoon, visit the monastery of St. Estifanos on the Island of Haik, which has very long and rich legends. Dinner and overnight in Kombolcha.
DAY 9 : Kombolcha - Addis
Drive to Addis Ababa. The most beautiful and winding scenic drive of all. Lunch en route. Dinner will be in famous Ethiopia Cultural restaurant with cultural live music. Overnight in hotel or Depart to your country.
