LLT013 - Historic Route(Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Gonder and Lalibela)
Duration: 6 Night/ 7 Days
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 1:
Arrival to Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa, this is the world’s third highest capital city. Meet our local tour guide at the airport. After checking in at the hotel, set out a sightseeing tour of the city of 4 million people, taking in the Trinity Cathedral and excellent National Museum, with its archaeological discoveries including the famous hominid “Lucy”. Drive up Mt Entoto, the highest part of the capital, for the panoramic view, and then explore the Mercato, the largest open-air market in East Africa, Back to hotel. Stay 1 night: The Hotel, Addis Ababa; dinner not included.
Day 2:
Early morning transfer back to the Airport, to depart on the Ethiopian Airlines ET126 depart at 07:20 arrive at Bahir Dar 08:20. Bahir Dar on the shores of the country's largest lake, Lake Tana. On arrival, travel by coach to the village of Tisissat about 35 km away, to see the “Smoke of the Nile”, the famous Falls of the Blue Nile which flows out of Lake Tana. “The gentle river pours over the side of a sheer chasm and explodes into a mélange of mists and rainbows before continuing on its tumultuous path to Khartoum where it finally gets to kiss the White Nile” (LP); Back in town, lunch, then Boat from Bahir Dar to Lake Tana that in 1636 and for two and a half centuries crystallized the essence of the political, religious and artistic events in the country.
Lake Tana is one of the Biggest Highland Lake in Ethiopia, powered by dozens of small streams, board a boat for a cruise on Lake Tana to visit some of the ancient churches and monasteries built around the lake and on some of its 30+ islands in the 17th century or earlier; they are adorned with Biblical murals and portraits of Ethiopian Saints. Visit 3 or 4 churches in different islands and peninsula. Then ride back to Bahir Dar city for Overnight. Hotel.
Day 3:
Morning drive to Gonder by bus which is 180KM form Bahir Dar, on the way enjoy the very colorful landscape of the plane land between Bahir Dar and Gonder. After lunch start your tour in Gonder (World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979), population 210,000, at 2210m. start the exploration of the 17th century city which was the country's capital dating from the Reign of Fasiledes from 1632; at that time Gonder had become the second largest city in Africa after Cairo. Impressive medieval castles and palaces were built by various emperors over the course of 236 years and have given Gonder the title of the “Camelot of Africa”.
Visit the palaces, residences and baths of Fasiledes which became UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1979. Then visit the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity), which is located at the summit of a hill; “this is one of the most stunning churches in the nation” (LP). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos. A high stone wall with 12 round towers, representing the 12 Apostles, surrounds the church compound. Stay 2 nights: Gonder Hotel .
Day 4:
A day excursion to Semien Mountains National Park. (World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1978) Travel 136 km out of Gonder to undertake a short trek in the mountains at about 3250 m a.s.l to various viewpoints and with the hope of seeing some of Ethiopia's endemic birds. Lunch will be served in lunch boxes on top of the main view point. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 5:
To the amazing sights of Lalibela. (World Heritage site by UNESCO 1978) Morning drive to airport for Ethiopian airlines flight ET122 departs at 08:35 from Gonder arrive at Lalibela at 09:05AM, take flight to the small town of Lalibela to see its remarkable 12th century churches which King Lalibela had excavated out of solid bedrock – 11 of them, and now officially registered as world wonders. “Truly, the wonder of Africa” (LP). After checking into the hotel and having lunch, visit the first group (consisting of 6 rock-hewn churches to the north); as the churches are still in use, shoes have to be removed, and dress modest. Stay 2 nights: hotel.
Day 6:
In the Lalibela District. This morning there is excursion tour to a rock hewn monastery of Asheten Mariam, set at over 3150m, atop a mountain rising directly above Lalibela. “The Church is unusual because it is mostly built rather than excavated” and “it is thought that it may predate Lalibela’s churches by about 80 years”. “The carving and decoration are exceptional, especially the cruciform windows and the elaborate nave ceiling” (LP).
In the afternoon, make a visit to the second group of Labila’s churches (consisting of 4), and the third group consisting of only one, but the most beautiful (“Lalibela’s masterpiece”) - the monolithic cruciform church of Bet Giyorgis (St. George); “It is a 15m-high three-tiered plinth in the shape of a Greek cross”.
Day 7:
Morning drive to airport to Fly back to Addis, Drive to your Hotel for day use, afternoon make some shoping around Addis evening fareweldinner in one of the cuiltural resturant then drive to the airport for your departure.
