Day 1: On arrival Addis Ababa Kasina Tours representative will meet you at Bole international Airport and you will visit the diplomatic capital of Africa, headquarters of the Africa union starting from Holy Trinity Cathedral (The church is constructed in 1955 for the 25 years anniversary of Emperor Haileselassie and painted richly with remarkable biblical and other saint’s story), National museum (home of Lucy hominid skeleton dating back to 3.2 million years) .In the afternoon after lunch you will visit Ethnological museum, which was the former palace of Haile Selassie then proceed to Mountain Entoto for panoramic view of Addis Ababa. Overnight hotel
Day 2: Through turbulent landscapes and a succession of high plateaux, long journey towards the north of the country to reach the city of Bahar Dar. On the way, visit of the Orthodox monastery of DebreLibanos, one of the most prestigious of Ethiopia, founded in the thirteenth century. Then pass by the impressive gorges of the Blue Nile. In the late afternoon, arrive at Bahar Dar, a pleasant town on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, in the north-west of the country. Overnight hotel
Day 3: Morning after breakfast make a boat excursion on Lake Tana to visit the monasteries over its islands, as UraKidaneMehret and Asua Mariam. In late afternoon drive to Blue Nile Falls, some 30-km from the town. A 20-minute walk brings us to the falls themselves, which are at their most spectacular during and after the rainy season (from about June to January). Here the Blue Nile, which contributes 85% of the main Nile flow, starts its long journey to the Mediterranean. Overnight hotel
Day 4: After breakfast and departure to Gondar by asphalt road (170 KM 3 hours’ drive) and visit to the city classified as a World Heritage site. Gondar was the capital of the kingdom of Abyssinia under the reign of Emperor Fasil (Fasiledes) who built castles, churches and medieval style bathrooms in the 17th c. For 200 years it was the imperial residence and met both the relative greatness of the early emperors as the decline of their past. In the mid-nineteenth century the emperor Teodoros burned the city in retaliation for its people could not forgive that did not have royal blood. You will never again be the capital. Visit the Church of DebreBerhan Selassie, Ethiopia’s most famous and painted ceiling with cherubs. We continue with the castles of the imperial city (FassilGhebbi), Fasil baths (Fasiledes) and Kuskuam complex. Overnight hotel
Day 5: After breakfast departure early to join the Simien National Park, one of the most spectacular mountain massifs of Africa, beautiful walk between Sankaber (3250 m) and the great waterfall of Jinbar. The path progresses along the immense escarpment, first in a slight climb before starting a descent down to the waterfall. Along the way, a magnificent view of the valley below and the surrounding peaks. Among the animal species endemic to these high plateaus, we can easily observe some colonies of geladas baboons … After a last journey by the track, late afternoon in the drive back to Debark. Overnight hotel
Day 6: Take a scenic drive to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire, today modest town yet with great history and memory. On the road you would enjoy one of the most beautiful scenes in the country. Frequent stops to appreciate viewpoints of Limalimo ,Tekeze river Gorge. Arrive in Axum late in the afternoon. Overnight hotel
Day 7: Morning after breakfast start visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’senscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. You can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. Men only are allowed to enter the old church. Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. Overnight hotel
Day 8: After breakfast drive through the historical town of Adwa, this is the major African battlefield. Drive to the very small town of Yeha to visit the 5th century B.C imposing ruins of Yeha’s temple. It was a large pre-Christian temple consisting of a single oblong chamber. The temple is believed to be the oldest standing building in the country. You will also visit the 6th century A.D church of Aba Afse –the church, sharing the same compound with the temple, is rectangular in shape. Continue driving to Mekele-the capital of Tegray region en route visit Rock church of WekroCherkos. Overnight hotel
Day 9: Early morning, embark on a full day of driving to Lalibela. Here you will pass through several small villages, with typical sandstone homes of the Tigray people. En route you will visit YimrhaneKirstos, Precede through this rural area for the stunning approach to the home of Ethiopia’s most prized destination, Lalibela.In the evening you will attend the special celebration of Emanuel with chanting and dancing by the priests and deacons. Overnight hotel
Day 10: Full day to discover the treasures of Lalibela; Your first visit will be to the eleven Rock-hewn Monolithic (carved from a single rock) Churches of Lalibela, The first group of Lalibela Churches includes: , Bete Mariam, BeteMeskel, BeteDenagl and Bete Golgotha Michal, the second group of Lalibela Churches that includes: Bete Gebral, Bete Merquros, Bete Emanule, Betelehiam, Bete Aba Libanos. In the evening, you will attend the Ethiopian Christmas Eve Ceremony with the pilgrims. The dancing by the deacons and the priests continue throughout the night and around while the pilgrims clap and ululate to the drum beat. At mid night, there will be a candle light ceremony to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Overnight hotel
Day 11: In the morning final ceremony of Ethiopian Christmas at Bete Mariam on this day, the priest will be lined up with their drums on the cliff edge of Bete Mariam, called MameGaria and some more on the bottom representing the shepherds and the angels announcing the birth of Jesus. In the afternoon visit the spectacular cross-shaped St. George Church. Overnight hotel
Day 12: After breakfast drive through the Ethiopian dramatic landscape. Enroute visit the 13th century of Hayk to visit the 13th century Monastery of HaykIstifanos, if it is a market day you will have a good experience for Bati Color full market where you are going to find the Oromo,Amhara and Afar people after that continue to Kombolcha. Overnight hotel
Day 13: Morning drive back to Addis Ababa via DebreBirhan, on the way you pass the Mezezo escarpment, with a good chance to see the endemic gelada baboons. If today is a Sunday, you can stop in the town of Senbete to visit the lively market including the interesting camel market. If time permits enjoy shopping in Addis, in the evening transfer to the airport fly back home.
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