Sightseeing of Addis Ababa<\/strong> Addis Ababa Debre Libanos<\/strong> Lake Tana monasteries and Blue Nile Fallhidden<\/strong> Sightseeing of the former capital, Gondar<\/strong> Gondar-Simien\u00a0Mountains National Park<\/strong><\/p> Early in the morning, depart for the stunning\u00a0Simien\u00a0Mountains National Park.\u00a0 jagged mountains and deep valleys lend spectacular views to these mountains, home to many of the endemic animal species of Ethiopia including the gelada baboon (guaranteed to be seen) as well as the rare Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf. The afternoon will be available for hikes in the area surrounding the lodge. Overnight in mountains-Axum Debark<\/p>\n Simien\u00a0<\/strong> Today is a full day visiting the sites in Axum.<\/strong><\/p> Sites to visit include the famous obelisks (one that was just erected after being returned\u00a0 Italy), the Queen of Sheba\u2019s Bath (which well supplies water to Axum year-round), King Bazen\u2019s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba\u2019s Palace. You\u00a0 also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept, according to local Ethiopian tradition.\u00a0 Only men are allowed to enter the old church. Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter\u00a0 chapel where the Ark is kept. Overnight in Axum Damo-Gheralta<\/p>\n Axum-Yeha-Debre\u00a0<\/strong> Gheralta \u2013 Tigray rock-hewn\u00a0<\/strong> Mekelle-Lalibela<\/strong> Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela<\/strong> Asheten Mariam-Yimrehane Kirstos Day<\/strong> Lalibela-Kombelcha<\/strong> Kombelcha-Addis Ababa-departure<\/strong> Farewell Party<\/p> In the evening, farewell party with cultural dinner and traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia\u2019s cultural meals and drinks. After farewell party, transfer to airport for international departure. End of tour.<\/p>\n Contact us to book <\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Experience the history of Ethiopia on a 14 day tour. Amazing historical sites including the Tekeze Valley to Axum, home the ancient Axumite Empire, the Queen of Sheba, and the Ark of the Covenant. Overnight inAxum Axum Explore some of the less-visited rock-hewn churches of Ethiopia as well as some of the most popular rock- […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1009,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1046","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"amp_enabled":true,"builder_content":"Experience the history of Ethiopia on a 14 day tour. Amazing historical sites including the Tekeze Valley to Axum, home the ancient Axumite Empire, the Queen of Sheba, and the Ark of the Covenant. Overnight inAxum Axum Explore some of the less-visited rock-hewn churches of Ethiopia as well as some of the most popular rock- hewn churches including: Abuna Yemata Guh, and those in the Gheralta cluster. Take a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore some of the monasteries on the shores and islands of Lake Tana. Take in the Blue Nile Falls on the Blue Nile river in Ethiopia.\n
Arrival at Bole International Airport. Reception by SET guide and driver, transfer to hotel for check-in. City tour of Addis Ababa including the panoramic view point Entoto Mountain, Merkato, said to be Africa\u2019s largest market of its kind, and the National Museum (home of Lucy, hominid skeleton dating back 3.2 million years) and the ethnographic museums. Overnight in Addis Ababa.<\/p>\n Day Two <\/h3>
after breakfast, departure north to Bahir Dar via Debre Markos. On the way visit the Debre Libanos Monastery and the Portuguese Bridge, which was the first bridge in Ethiopia. After lunch in Debre Markos, you will pass through the scenic Blue Nile Gorge. Overnight in Bahir Dar<\/p>\n Day Three <\/h3>
In the morning embark on a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore some of the monasteries\u00a0 on the shores and islands of Lake Tana. In the afternoon, depart outLake of town to the Blue Nile Falls for an easy hike in the area. End the day with a sunset over\u00a0 Tana from the top of Bezawit Hill, next to the former palace of Haile Selassie. Overnight in Bahir Dar<\/p>\n Day Four <\/h3>
After breakfast, a wonderful drive north to Gondar. The drive will take you through rural villages, offering\u00a0 insight into the Amhara culture and the traditional agricultural afternoon methods still in use today. After arrival in Gondar and brief check-in to hotel, we will explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas\u2019s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia. Overnight hotel in Gondar<\/p>\n Day Five <\/h3>
Day Six <\/h3>
After breakfast, continue to Axum, enjoying the final views of the\u00a0Simien\u00a0Mountains. Afterof stopping for lunch in Adarky, proceed driving through the Tekeze Valley to Axum, home\u00a0 the ancient Axumite Empire, the Queen of Sheba, and the Ark of the Covenant. Overnight inAxum Axum<\/p>\n Day Seven <\/h3>
Day Eight <\/h3>
After breakfast, drive to visit the ruins of Yeha, dating from the 8th to 5th centuries BC, and thought to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum. Afterwards, visit the Debre Damo monastery, where the men (sorry, no women allowed) must climb up a 15-m rope to enter. Overnight in Hawsein atchurches-Mekelle Gheralta Lodge.<\/p>\n Day Nine <\/h3>
Continue through the state of Tigray to explore some of the less-visited rock-hewn churches of Ethiopia. Some of the most popular churches are Abuna Yemata Guh, and those in the Gheralta cluster. Continue to Mekele for overnight in Mekele<\/p>\n Day Ten <\/h3>
drive from Mekele to Lalibela, passing through the dramatic landscapes of the Ethiopian Highlands. The highlight of the day will be the ascent from Woldia to the stunning ascent to Mount Abuna Yosef. Overnight in Lalibela<\/p>\n Day Eleven <\/h3>
Full day visiting the 11 rock-hewn churches of the remarkable King Lalibela. In the morning, visit the Northwestern Cluster of churches \u2013 Betnot Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry\u00a0 permitted for women). After lunch, continue with the Southeastern Cluster of churches \u2013 Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, visit the most famous of all the churches \u2013 Bet Giyorgis, patron a huge monolith in the shape of a cross, and constructed in honor of St. George, the\u00a0 saint of Ethiopia. Overnight in Lalibela (tourist standard hotel).<\/p>\n Day Twelve <\/h3>
In the morning, take a hike up the mountain overlooking the town of Lalibela to the Asheton Maryam monastery. Hiking may be done on foot, or with mule, if desired. After lunch, take an afternoon trip to visit the church of Yimrehanne Kristos. The most popular of the churches outside of Lalibela, this church is built in the late-Axumite style, with layers of wood and granite, set in the entrance to a large cavern. Overnight into Lalibela<\/p>\n Day Thirteen <\/h3>
Depart from Lalibela\u00a0 Kombolcha via Woldia, stopping for a visit in the town of Hayk, to visit the lake and the local monastery. Overnight in Kombolcha<\/p>\n Day Fourteen <\/h3>
Return driving to Addis via Debre Birhan. On the way you pass the Mezezo Escarpment, with a good chance to see the endemic gelada baboons. Also, if this day is a Monday, there will be a short detour in the morning to stop in Bati for one of the largest markets in the country, including the interesting camel market.<\/p>\n Farewell Party and End of Tour <\/h3>