Arrival Bole International Airport
Extraordinary Ethiopia Tours will meet all clients arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, you may begin your tour the following day.
Day 01: Addis Ababa
Visit the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Tour the Mercato, one of Africa’s largest outdoor markets, and Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.
Overnight Getfam hotel, Addis ababa
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 02: Kombolcha
Drive to Kombolcha. If it Sunday admire on route the very colorful Afar & Oromo people market at Senbete village.
Overnight Sunny side hotel, Kombolcha
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 03: Woldiya
Drive to admire the other very colorful Afar & Oromo people market at Bati village. Proceed then to Woldya.
Overnight Lal Hotel, Woldiya
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 04. Lalibela
Drive to Lalibela. On the way visit the cave church of Naktuleab. Afternoon visit the first group of the 11 rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, defined as the 8th wonder.
Overnight Zagwe hotel, Lalibela
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 05.Lalibela
Morning excursion to one church out of town. We propose Genete Mariam (by car) or Asheten Mariam church (to reach by foot or mules). Back for lunch at your hotel. Afternoon visit the second group of churches in Lalibela town. And then take part of the coffee ceremony in the hotel or a traditional house (the coffee ceremony in an important part of Ethiopian culture).
Overnight Zagwe hotel, Lalibela
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 06. Mekele
Morning drive to visit the very nice Yemerehenna Kristos church. Then precede your drive to Mekele, admiring spectacular views through Sekota.
Overnight Axum hotel, Mekele
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 07. Hawzein
Visit the Tigray rock churches, as Degum Selassie, Abreha We Atsbeha & Wikro Cherkos (or Medhanealem Adikesho, Michael MahalZenghie & Petros Paulos).
Overnight Ghiralata lodge, Hawzein
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 08. Axum
Drive to Axum, with visit of DebreDamo monastery & Yeha temple. Afternoon visit of Axum: the steles, St Mary of Tsion church (where legend says is deposited the Ark of Covenant), the bath and the palace of Queen of Sheba.
Overnight Yared Zema hotel, Axum
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 09. Debark
Drive to Debark, crossing very nice views over the Semien Mountains.
Overnight Simien park hotel, Debark
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 10. Simien Mountains
A full day for walks and admiring spectacular views over the Semien mountains. Walk to the Ginbar falls and to Geech (or to Buhawit) to a particular flora and fauna, and with the chance to spot the endemic Walya Ibex, the Gelada baboons and the Lammergeyer.
Overnight Simien lodge, Simien Mountain
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 11.
Drive to Gondar and visit the castle’s compound & King Fasiladas bath, the Debre Birhan Sellasie church (light of Trinity) with wonderful murals and Empress Mentewab palace.
Overnight Goha hotel, Gondar
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 12. Bahir Dar
Drive to Gorgora. Meet your boat and cross lake Tana. Admire on the way the very colorful monasteries over the lake’s island, as Narga Selassie on Dek island, Ura Kidane Mehret and Azua Mariam. Reach late afternoon Bahirdar.
Overnight Abay Minch lodge, Bahar Dar
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 13. Debre Markos
Morning drive to admire the Blue Nile falls. Then drive to DebreMarkos.
Overnight Tilik hotel, Debre Markos
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 14.Addis Ababa
Cross the Blue Nile gorge and proceed to DebreLibanos monastery. Visit the monastery and very nice views around Jema river gorge. Spot the endemic Gelada baboons. And the Old Portuguese bridge. Then proceed back to Addis Ababa.
Overnight Friendship hotel, Addis Ababa
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 15: departure
Remaining visits in Addis Ababa as the Ethnographic museum, the Trinity church and the Mercato, biggest open air market in Africa. Dinner traditional restaurant with folkloristic dances. Evening departure.
Meals (B.L.D)
…. END OF TOUR
