EXPLORING ETHIOPIA 8 - 21 FEBRUARY 2020 Tour Leader: Andy Bunten UNVEIL AN ANCIENT LAND OF MYSTERY AND LEGEND Ethiopia is a fascinating and complex country, unlike any other place in the world. This journey through northern Ethiopia unveils an ancient land steeped in mystery and legend. It is a land full of extraordinary religious relics and highland scenery of unsurpassed grandeur. From Addis Ababa, the capital, we fly to Axum, seat of one of the foremost empires of the ancient world. Here we glimpse the ‘dawn’ of Ethiopian civilisation (400BC) and visit the ruins of Yeha. High in the Lasta Mountains, we visit Lalibela, the ‘New Jerusalem’, with its extraordinary ‘sunken’ churches carved from solid rock. In Gondar, we explore the country’s imperial heritage and architecture before driving north into the majestic Simien Mountains. Experience this soaring mountain range with its rocky crags and pinnacles, plunging chasms, lush river valleys and endemic wildlife. Our remarkable journey ends at Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile and the setting for numerous monastic island settlements. Debre Berhan Selassie Fasilides Castle 14-DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 8 FEBRUARY 2020 8 February London / Addis Ababa 10 February Addis Ababa / Axum outside of the building before visiting the treasury. Following this the Suggested flights (not included in the Transfer to Addis Ababa airport for women of the group visit the modern cost of the tour) Ethiopian Airlines an early flight to the ancient city church built by Haile Selassie, whilst ET 711 departing London Heathrow of Axum. On arrival transfer to the the gentlemen visit the 17th Century at 10.20 hrs arriving Addis Ababa centrally located, comfortable Sabean church built by Emperor Fasilidas. at 20.55 hrs. On arrival transfer to Hotel where two nights are spent. Dinner at the hotel. the Radisson Blu Hotel, where two nights are spent. The hotel is centrally Lunch at the hotel. Axum is thought to located 6 km from the airport and a have been founded in the 1st century short distance from the city’s main BC and reached its zenith between points of interest. Dinner under the 3rd and 5th centuries AD when own arrangements. the giant obelisks were built. The afternoon city tour includes the Stelae 9 February Addis Ababa Park, which has the largest single pieces of erected stone in the world Full day city tour of Addis Ababa and the ruins of King Kaleb’s Palace. starting with a drive up Mount Entoto, Visit the ‘Pool of the Queen of Sheba’, Ancient obelisks the previous capital of Ethiopia, which and the ruins of a 1st-century villa has panoramic views over the city that is known locally as the ‘Palace of and surrounding countryside. See the the Queen of Sheba’, which indicates Mariam Church with its traditionally- 12 February Axum / Lalibela how impressive the palace must have painted interior. Visit the colourful Transfer to Axum airport for a late once been. Dinner at the hotel. Shero Meda Market. morning flight to Lalibela, high in the Lasta Mountains. On arrival Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue 11 February Axum transfer to the Maribela Hotel where the tour of the city by coach and Travel through beautiful country to two nights are spent. The hotel has explore Addis Ababa’s wide tree- visit the 2,700-year-old ruined city of spacious and modern rooms, all with lined streets, fine architecture Yeha with its rock-hewn tombs and breathtaking views of the Ethiopian and vibrant atmosphere. Visit St. remarkable, well-preserved 12-metre highlands and appealing design George’s Cathedral noted for its high stone temple. features, inspired by the famous distinctive octagonal form. Visit rock churches of Lalibela. the Archaeological Museum which Following lunch in a local restaurant, contains artefacts dating from the visit the compound of the Tsion Lunch at the hotel. This afternoon, South Arabian period of the so-called Maryam (St. Mary of Zion) Church tour the city of Lalibela which is pre-Axumite civilisation of Tigray. thought by the Ethiopians to house a strikingly singular site with its Dinner at the hotel. the true Ark of the Covenant. See the incredible and majestic churches 020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK Walia Ibex Addis Ababa Lake Tana built into the mountain rock which is a comfortable lodge a 15-minute 16 February Gondar / still offer an insight into Ethiopia’s drive from the city centre, where two Simien Mountains rich Christian heritage. It was built nights are spent. ‘with the help of angels’ by its most Drive to Buyit Ras in the Simien famous King, Lalibela, as the ‘New Late lunch at the hotel. Afternoon Mountains, considered by many Jerusalem’ in the 12th century. Today introductory city tour of Gondar, the to be the most beautiful mountain it is a World Heritage Site comprising first settled imperial capital from range in Africa (a drive of about eleven remarkable rock-hewn the 17th to mid-19th century and three hours). Two nights are spent churches. Explore the first group of notable for its castles and churches. at Limalino Lodge, perched on the these, the North Western Cluster, Visit the ruined Palace of Empress edge of the Simien Escarpment. The each architecturally unique and the Mentewab at Kuskuam and the bar and restaurant have views along network of narrow passageways beautiful church of Debre Berhan the dramatic escarpment and onto and tunnels linking them. Dinner Selassie, with its unique murals the lowlands below. The rooms are at the hotel. and ‘Ceiling of Angels’. scattered around the site among Dinner at the hotel. the trees with views over 13 February Lalibela wooded hillsides. Visit the second group, the South 15 February Gondar After lunch at the lodge spend Eastern Cluster, of these unique rock- Continue exploring Gondar by the afternoon exploring the hewn sanctuaries, followed by the visiting the well-preserved imperial extraordinary natural beauty of the more isolated, majestic church compound of Emperor Fasilidas and Simien Mountains, with their high of St. George. his descendants with its castles plateaux, deep gorges and plunging and the ‘Bath of King Fasilidas’, a waterfalls, and their rugged pinnacles Lunch at a local restaurant. See the pilgrimage site filled by diverting and peaks swirling in cloud. The Nakuta La’ab Monastery a relatively a river nearby. These dramatic mountains are home to remote simple church built around a shallow fortresses are unlike any other in villages and a variety of indigenous cave in which several holy pools are Africa and combine architectural wildlife including over 50 bird species. fed by natural springs. Visit the traditions from the Axumite period Dinner at the lodge. local market and experience a with outside influences, providing a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. unique insight into the prosperity of Dinner at the hotel. Ethiopia during the 17th and 17 February Simien Mountains 18th centuries. This morning, leave the lodge by 14 February Lalibela / Gondar coach for Chenek, in the eastern part Transfer to Lalibela airport for a Lunch at a local restaurant followed of the park. Spend today exploring lunchtime flight to Gondar. On arrival, by an afternoon at leisure. Dinner the Simien Mountains on foot with transfer to the Mayelko Lodge, which at the hotel. your local guide. From Chenek there 020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK TOUR PRICES PER PERSON Tour Price £4,840 Single Supplement £780 PRICE INCLUDES • Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary Gelada Baboon • Breakfast daily; 12 lunches; 12 dinners • Domestic flights with Ethiopian Airlines (subject to conditions below) • All entrance fees, visits, excursions and transportation as per the itinerary • Gratuities in restaurants for included meals • Porterage • Gratuities to driver/s • Gratuities to guide/s • Local English-speaking guide/s • The services of your tour leader throughout Emperor Fasilides’ Bath PRICE EXCLUDES • International flights • Travel insurance are superb views of this spectacular (smoking water), from where the Blue • Items of personal expenditure (e.g. landscape and hopefully the Nile plunges down a sheer rock face telephone calls / laundry etc.) opportunity to see Walia ibex and begins its long journey to and Gelada baboon. the Mediterranean. • Government levies or taxes introduced after costing and After a picnic lunch continue to explore Following lunch at the hotel take a publication of this programme on the surrounding area on foot before boat trip on Lake Tana, some 4900km² 15/04/19 returning to the lodge for dinner. in size and dotted with islands, many with churches and monasteries. Reach the Zeghie Peninsula and visit 18 February Gondar / Buyit Ras / Please note we have not included the the monastic complex of Ura Kidane Gondar cost of the international flights in the Mehret with its 14th century round tour price. Please contact us for prices This morning return south to Gondar, grass-roofed churches and exquisite should you wish to book them through us. arriving in time for lunch at a murals. Dinner at the hotel. local restaurant. Please note if you choose to book the international flights with a carrier other This afternoon continue to Bahir 20 February Lake Tana / Addis Ababa / London than Ethiopia Airlines there will be a Dar (a journey of about three hours) surcharge for the domestic flights. to the southern edge of Ethiopia’s Transfer to Bahir Dar airport for a Our price includes a rate dependent largest lake, Lake Tana. Stay for two morning flight back to Addis Ababa. on booking the international flights nights at the Kuriftu Resort Hotel, Day rooms have been arranged at the with Ethiopian Airlines. located on the shores of the lake.