Daniel Shewalem
North Parts of Ethiopia
Gondar and Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, offer a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Gondar, known as the "Camelot of Africa," boasts a rich imperial heritage with its stunning castles and palaces that transport you to a bygone era. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fasil Ghebbi, marvel at the intricately designed churches, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this historical city.
Bahir Dar, located on the shores of Lake Tana, is a gateway to Ethiopia's natural wonders. Take a boat trip on the lake to discover the ancient monasteries perched on its islands, adorned with exquisite religious art. Witness the power and beauty of the Blue Nile Falls, known as "The Smoking Water," and experience the tranquility of the lake's serene surroundings.
5 Nights and 6 Days
Day 1
Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar
Morning
Boat trip on Lake Tana
In the morning, you will fly together with your guide to Bahir Dar, where you will be picked up by your driver and taken to your hotel. We then undertake a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore the nearby monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret on the Zege peninsula, known for its 14th-century, round, grass-roofed churches and their magnificent wall murals, the Azoa Mariam and Ura Kidane Mihret churches. Its architectural styles with mud-plastered round walls and a conical thatched roof are typical examples of ancient Ethiopian orthodox churches. The monastery is found hidden in the forest of the Zege peninsula. Ura is especially well known for its fine frescoes, manuscripts, and ecclesial objects, such as the crown of various emperors dating from the 14th century, gold and silver processional crosses, silver drums, and royal vestments. On our walk through the densely-forested area, we hope to encounter monkeys and abundant bird life. On the lake, you will also have a chance to see hippos and more wildlife.
Afternoon
Visit the Blue Nile Falls
After lunch, we will visit the magnificent Blue Nile Falls. The water plunges here for 45m (148ft). It is about a 35km/1 hour drive from town. In the later afternoon, we drive back to Bahir Dar and discover the market, where you may purchase handicrafts like jewelry, woven and embroidered garments, ox-horn cups, or grass baskets (Agelgil), for which Bahir Dar is well known, or simply watch the indigenous culture of the local community.
Overnight - Bahir Dar
Day 3
Gondar – Simien Mountains National Park (120 km)
Morning /Afternoon
Early in the morning, we continue our journey to the Simien Mountains National Park auf. We will reach the Simien Lodge, the highest lodge in Africa, around noon. After lunch, we start exploring the Simien Mountains National Park. Due to its unique landscape and its endemic fauna the park has been declared a UNESCO world nature heritage site in 1996. In the park, you may experience the very close interaction with the friendly Gelada Baboons. We drive up to Sankaber (3’220m) and admire the impressive scenery with its deep gorges and valleys and the highest waterfall in Ethiopia. Here a gentle walk would take us about 2 hours. We hope to encounter further endemic animals, such as the Walia Ibex and the Simien fox. In the late afternoon, we return to Debark, where we will spend the night.
Higher Standard: Simien Lodge; Simien Mountains National Park .
Day 5
Early morning we will attend a church service in one of the churches of Lalibela to assure you still the churches are active for 900 years.
After breakfast continue to visit the Southeastern Cluster of Lalibela churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos
Finally, we will drive to Lalibela Airport for your flight to Addis
You will be picked up at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa and taken to your hotel. According to your interests, there are various sightseeing and shopping opportunities.
Evening:
In the evening you will be invited to a memorable farewell dinner in one of Addis Ababa’s traditional restaurants with cultural songs, dances, and traditional food and drinks.
Addis Ababa
Day 2
Bahir Dar – Gondar (170 km)
Morning
After breakfast, we drive to Gondar, a 17th-century royal city of Ethiopia, affluent in the imperial structure of a Castle Compound and the spectacularly painted Debre Birhan Selassie Church.
Afternoon
After lunch, we visit the royal enclosures of Fassil Ghibe and all the castles of the Gonderian emperors as well as the famous Debre Berhan Selassie Church, which is completely covered in murals, with the angels’ faces on the wooden ceiling that has become a trademark of Ethiopian art and design.
Overnight - Gondar
Day 4
Gondar to Lalibela by flight
Fly to Lalibela and take the airport shuttle transfer to the town ( 40 minutes) and visit the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
After lunch, we will drive to sites where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopia's most famous Rock hewn churches, mostly referred to by many as " the living wonders of the world " these churches are they have been here for at least 900 years, an active christen shrine, spiritual center of the country religious life.
Then we will visit Northwestern Clusters of churches this group contains, Bet Medhane Alem,Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Golgotha
Finally, visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, a giant monolithic in the shape of a cross, constructed in honor of St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia
Overnight - Lalibela
Day 6
After breakfast, we will drive back to Bole International Airport for your international flight.
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Daniel Shewalem
Lalibela Tour
P O Box 169, Lalibela, Ethiopia
(+251) 911 054 296