10days/9nights
Tour code:WET03
A cultural journey through the history and traditions of Coptic Ethiopia, ideal for experienced travelers interested in cultural insights, nature and ancient cultures.
Highlights:
- Tigray: an immersion in a spectacular mountain landscape, where time seems to stand still. We will visit rock-hewn churches hidden among the rocks, evidence of an ancient and profound faith.
- Axum: the ancient capital, guardian of thousand-year-old vestiges and seat of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. We will admire its megalithic steles, symbols of a glorious past.
- Lalibela: a magical place, where human ingenuity has carved monolithic churches of extraordinary beauty into the rock, a true jewel of religious architecture.
- Gondar: the ancient “Camelot of Africa”, a city rich in history and charm, with its castles that tell of a past of splendor and power.
- Simien Mountains National Park: a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ethiopia, renowned for its spectacular landscapes, imposing peaks, endemic fauna and Afro-Alpine flora.
- Bahir Dar: a lively city, overlooking Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. From here, we will explore the islands of the lake, treasure chests of richly decorated monasteries.
Day by day itinerary:
1. Addis Ababa
• Arrival and city tour: National Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Entoto Hill.
2. Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar (flight)
• Morning: Boat trip on Lake Tana (Azwa Mariam and Ura Kidane Mėhret churches).
• Afternoon: Blue Nile Falls.
3. Bahir Dar – Gondar
• Visit Gondar: Imperial Complex, Debre Berhan Sillassie Church, Fasilidas Baths, Kusquam Monastery.
4. Gondar – Simien Mountains
• Excursion to the Simien Mountains National Park: views, Jimbar Waterfall.
5. Simien Mountains – Axum
• Panoramic transfer to Axum.
6. Axum – Gheralta
• Visit Axum: stelae, royal necropolis, museum, Queen of Sheba Bath.
• Transfer to Gheralta, visit to Yeha Temple.
7. Gheralta – Mekele
• Visit to a rock church in the Gheralta area (Mariam Papaseyti or others).
• Transfer to Mekele, visit to Abreha and Atsbeha Church.
8. Mekele – Lalibela
• Transfer to Lalibela.
9. Lalibela
• Visit to the rock churches of Lalibela (northern and southern group, Beta Ghiorghis).
10. Lalibela – Addis Ababa (flight)
• Transfer to the airport, visit to the monastery of Nakutolab.
• Flight to Addis Ababa. Shopping.
Notes:
• Altitude: 1850-3200 meters.