itinerary

Addis Ababa city tour in a unique way

• Boat trip on Lake Tana with its unique island monasteries and its nature (bird and animal observation)

• Gondar, the former imperial city (UNESCO World Heritage)

• Lalibela, the "unofficial" eighth wonder of the world (UNESCO World Heritage).

• Imperial City Axum with numerous relics of a millennial civilization (UNESCO World Heritage)

Day 1 : Arrival in Addis Ababa and city tour Morning

You will be picked up by me at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa and taken to the hotel. Rest in the hotel. Afternoon

After a break we explore Addis Ababa. We have various attractions depending on the weather and preferences:

- Mount Entoto with the best view of the capital to choose from- Institute for Ethiopia Research, where cultural and artifacts from all regions can be visited

- National Museum, where among others Replica of the 3.5 million year old bones exhibited by "Lucy"

- the Cathedral of Saint George, adorned with paintings by the well-known Ethiopian artist Afework Tekele and other ecclesiastical and cultural treasures

- Trinity Cathedral (well photographed in the evening light): the last Resting cities for members of the Kaiser family and heroes of the country; it is the most impressive cathedral of its kind in the country, adorned with carvings, mosaics and colored windows.

- Visit the Merkato, the largest market in Africa is definitely an impressive experience! Here you will find anything imaginable andfrom living animals to computers and souvenirs unthinkable,!

Accommodation: Monarch Hotel or equivalent 3 star hotel, Addis Ababa

Day 2: Addis Ababa - Bahirdar ( Flight 7:30am-8:30am ET186)

After breakfast transfer to the airport with the hotel shuttle for your flight to Bahirdar, your first Destination on the historic north route.Today we explore the Zeghie peninsula and discover the hidden churches of the 14th century Azoa Mariam and Ura Kidane Mihret in the mangrove forests with their fabulous church paintings. The round, grass-covered roofs are typical of the architecture of the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox churches. Ura is particularly known for its impressive frescoes and the rich collection of ancient manuscripts, cultural objects such as the crowns of several emperors from the 14th century, golden and silver processional crosses and sumptuous imperial costumes. We also hope to encounter monkeys and interesting native species of birds on our walk through the densely wooded area. The Tana Lake is the source of the Blue Nile, where, among other things, hippos can be observed. Accommodation: Jacaranda hotel

Day 3 : Bahirdar - Gondar (170 km).

Morning:

After breakfast we drive towards Gondar (about 3 hours) , we use an excellent Toyota minivan with a comfortable seat and excellent condition. Gondar lies at the foot of the Simien mountain ranges at 2,200 meters altitude. One of the main attractions of the 17th century royal city is its combination of imperial castles and the spectacularly painted Debre

Birhan Selassie church. The city was the capital and trade center of Ethiopia from the 17th to the mid-19th century. It was founded in 1636 by Emperor Fasilades as a residence for himself and his successors. Gondar was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

Afternoon:

After lunch we will visit the imperial apartments of Fassil Ghibe and all the castles of the Gondar emperors. Let's have a look at the impressive Debre Berhan Selassie Church. The walls and ceiling are completely covered with unique paintings. The angel faces on the wooden ceiling have become a landmark and popular motif of Ethiopian art.

Accommodation: Mayleko Lodge

Day 4: Gondar - Lalibela (flight 10:00am-10:30am ET122)

Home of the world famous church carved in a monolithic rock, built by King Lalibela, the last king of the Zagwe dynasty in the 12th century.

Lalibela has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. The rock churches seem to have been created in terms of architecture, size, execution and concept of superhuman craftsmanship, which is why numerous legends about their mysterious origins circulate. All churches are sculptures of volcanic rock. Some are interconnected by long tunnels and underground spaces. We will visit the first group of six churches in a row in succession: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikeal, Bet Mariam, Bet Maskel, Bet Dangal and Bet Medhanealem. Bet Medhanealem is the largest stone church in the world and resembles a Greek temple.

We will visit these first group churches until 17:00 in the late afternoon and then drive to the hotel

Accommodation: Panoramic View hotel

[2/27, 7:11 PM] Anwar: Day 5: Full day Lalibela

Morning:

Today we visit the second group of churches where the Bet Giyorgis is housed, probably the most elegant church in Lalibela.

Bet Giyorgis is a bit isolated at the southwestern end of the village on a hillside terrace and can only be reached via a tunnel. The group of four churches south of the Jordan River includes Bet