Itinerary

Day 1 Addis Ababa

With a growing population of 2 million people, Addis Ababa is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. Located at the geographic center of the nation the city is the political and cultural center. Founded in 1896 by Emperor Menelik II, Addis Ababa is the last in a succession of capitals of the great Abyssinian empire dating back to the pre-Christian Axum. The city has interesting museums and churches - but most notable is the continent's largest open air market. The Addis Merkato, located in the Addis Ketema district of western Addis Ababa, is the primary retail, wholesale and distribution point for the city and the central highlands.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Jupiter International Hotel is a brand new aspiring four star hotel with two superb locations in Addis Ababa to serve you better. Our largest property located in the cazanchise area is a walking distance from the UNECA building on Marshal Tito Road. Our second property in Bole is situated moments away from the airport and located near by major shopping centers.A guest room at Jupiter international hotel is among the capital's largest and designed to ensure your utmost comfort safety and convenience. At Jupiter International Hotel, We are dedicated to provide exceptional accommodations with a hospitable service at affordable price. It is our mission to be the best and preferred hotel by consistently striving for daily improvements in all areas of our business.

Overnight at Jupiter International Hotel.

Day 2 Addis Ababa

Includes a tour of the Ethnological Museum, which holds many archaeological and historical findings including the famous complete hominid fossil remain of 'Lucy' locally known as 'Dinknesh' meaning wonderful. Trinity Cathedral is a beautiful church with a baroque style of European architecture unique to Ethiopia. Merkato is the largest open-air market in Africa, a confusing but fascinating glimpse of the vast range of goods and artifacts available from all parts of the country. Admire the stupendous views of the city with its surrounding plains and volcanic cones from Mount Entoto, at 3200m the highest peak in Addis.

Overnight at Jupiter International Hotel.

Day 3 Bahir Dar

Bahir Dar is situated on the southern shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile and the largest lake in Ethiopia. Remains of ancient Ethiopian emperors and treasures of the Ethiopian Church are kept in the isolated island monasteries. The interior walls of the monasteries are famous for their religous paintings of bible stories. Visitors are welcomed by boat - although some monasteries do not allow women visitors. The Blue Nile Falls (Tis Abay) are located about 30 km to the south of the city.

Take your flight from Bole International Airport to Bahir Dar today. The flight duration is approximately 1hour.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

Depart your hotel this morning and take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the 14th century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret which is the most famous of the Zege peninsula monasteries with a very beautiful painted maqdas and priceless collection of crosses as well as crowns. In the afternoon you will drive to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile Falls (Please be informed that  due to the newly constructed electric dam in the vicinity, the water level of the falls could be very minimal).  

Bahar Dar is a small town set on the south-eastern shore of Lake Tana. It is just 30 km from the spectacular Tisisat Falls. Here the Blue Nile creates an awe-inspiring sight as it plunges into the gorge below. From Bahar Dar you can explore some of the ancient monasteries that have been built around Lake Tana, or on its many Islands. These include Dek Stephanos with its priceless collections of icons, the remains of several medieval emperors, Kebran Gabriel and Ura Kidane Mehret with its famous frescoes. The colourful local market at Bahar Dar is renowned for its weavers and wood workers. The Tana Hotel, a modern 64-bedroom hotel has rooms with private bath & shower, restaurant with seating capacity of 137 (dining style), well-equipped kitchen, coffee bar and pool side terrace, spacious veranda, telephone, fax, televisions with Satellite reception capabilities, well-equipped laundry, stand-by power generator.

Overnight at Tana Hotel.

Day 4 Gondar

Gondar (Gonder) was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder province, and is north of Lake Tana. During the seventeenth century, the city's population is estimated to have exceeded 60,000 and was the second largest city in the world. In 1678, the visiting Armenian bishop Hovannes remarked that the city was "twice as big as Istanbul".The most famous buildings in the city lie in the Royal Enclosure, which include Fasilides castle, Iyasu's Palace, Dawit's Hall, a banqueting hall, stables, Mentewab's Castle, a chancellery, library and three churches. Near the city lie Fasiladas' Bath, the Qusquam complex, built by Empress Mentewab; the eighteenth century Ras Mikael Sehul's Palace and the Debre Berhan Selassie Church.

The distance from Bahir Dar to Gondar is 170 kilometers and it is a flat road. Instead of waiting for 2 hours for check-in and 25 minutes for the flight, it is recommendable to drive.  Experience the Ethiopian countryside and see the country by private car.

Gondar, founded by Emperor Fasilidas around 1635, is famous for its many medieval castles and the design and decoration of its churches. In particular, Debra Berhan Selassie, a representative masterpiece of the Gondarene school of art.

The Goha Hotel stands at the crest of a hill with a commanding view of the city of Gondar, the city with its enchanting and mysterious castles. The Hotel has 4 suites, 60 twin bed rooms, restaurant, 2 cosy bars, well-equipped laundry, stand-by power generator, garden, telephone, fax & satellite TV.

Overnight at Goha Hotel.

Day 5 Lalibela

Lalibela is a town in northern Ethiopia. Lalibela is one of Ethiopia's holiest cities, second only to Aksum, and is a center of pilgrimage for much of the country. Unlike Aksum, the population of Lalibela is almost completely Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. Lalibela was intended to be a New Jerusalem in response to the capture of Jerusalem by Muslims. Famous around the world for its monolithic churches which set a benchmark for rock-cut architecture. There are 13 churches, assembled in four groups, most are thought to have been built during the 12th and 13th centuries.

Take your flight from Gondar Airport to Lalibela today. The flight duration is approximately half an hour.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

Lalibela is the jewel in the crown of Ethiopia, the most famous churches and the scene of so many major religious ceremonies. Also known as ‘Africa Petra’, Lalibela and its rock hewn churches are arguably Ethiopian’s most famous and remarkable attraction. These churches include Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskal, Bete Denaghel, Bete Golgotha, Bete Mikael, and Bete Giorgis. You will start your tour this morning and continue in the afternoon.

The Roha Hotel in Lalibela, Ethiopia, is the most comfortable and desirable lodging in town. Snuggled into the bosom of this mountain village, the 64 room hotel and its staff guarantee impeccable service. Try the local food, which is typically made with spicy meats and vegetables along with flat bread and salads. Situated a mile outside of town, you will find yourself taking pictures of the intricate artifacts adorning this attractive, simple space. More humble than the crystal chandeliers and gold-plated walls of more arrogant hotels, the Roha boasts something above high ranked holiday hot spots. With a lush countryside and some of history’s most incredible monolithic churches from centuries of yore, there is little need for spas and tennis courts in this region.

Overnight at Roha Hotel.

Day 6 Lalibela

Today you will have an excursion to the Nakuto Le’abe Monastery. Trek on foot, then continue with a mule ride to the 13th century rock hewn monastery of Asheten Mariam (over 3000 meters high). The road is very steep and looks like a twisted rope hugging the cliff edge but the scenery is beautiful. Inside the monastery take in the sight of the beautifully hand crafted processional crosses of King Na'akutola'ab who ruled Ethiopia for 40 years just after King Lalibela. Return to town to view the continuation of yesterdays tour with the labyrinth of incredibly excavated rock hewn churches and their network of tunnels and passages ways. UNESCO registered this breathtaking site as one of the Eight Wonders of the World; it has been a world heritage site since 1978. In the afternoon, you will visit the most beautiful and monolithic cruciform church of St. George.

Overnight at Roha Hotel.
    

Day 7 Axum

Axum, or Aksum, is a city in northern Ethiopia named after the Kingdom of Aksum, a naval and trading power that ruled from the region from 400 BC into the 10th century. It was the centre of the (eventual) Christian marine trading power the Aksumite Kingdom, which predated the earliest mentions in Roman era writings (around the time of the birth of Jesus). The Ethiopian Orthodox Church claims that the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Aksum houses the Biblical Ark of the Covenant in which lies the Tablets of Law upon which the Ten Commandments are inscribed. This same church was the site Ethiopian emperors were crowned for centuries. Axum is considered the holiest city in Ethiopia and is an important destination of pilgrimages.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

Take your flight from Lalibela Airport to Axum today. The flight duration is approximately half an hour.

Once the centre of a great empire, and the seat of learning for the ancient Ge’ez language and literature, Axum is the prime historical site in the north of Ethiopia. Take a city tour that include the Stelae park, St. Mary’s Church, the sanctuary Chapel which is the repository of the ‘Ark of covenant’, the coronation yard, Tomb of Kaleb and his son Gebre Meskel, Ezana’s Inscriptions, Queen of Sheba’s Bath, Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins and Axum Museum.

The Yeha Hotel has 3 suites with private baths, 60 twin bed rooms with private baths, 157 seat restaurant (dining style), 153 seat bar, telephone, fax, satellite TV, well equipped laundry, stand-by generator, garden.

Overnight at Yeha Hotel.

Day 8 Addis Ababa

Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

Take your flight from Axum Airport to Bole International Airport today. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.

In the evening, you will attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served.

Airport transfer with private vehicle and guide.

Depart from Bole international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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