Syder Travel

Ethiopia Tour (ETM) Dossier Click to download itinerary (pdf format)

This classic northern circuit itinerary covers all the main heritage sites plus includes some of the most beautiful regions of northern Ethiopia. The remarkable 12th century churches at Lalibela are a tour highlight and two days are spent to marvel at this Eighth Wonder of the World. Ethiopia’s rich history stretches back nearly 3000 years in Axum, where the legends of the Queen of Sheba and the lost Arc of the Covenant are famous. The Ethiopian Orthodox church with its many ancient traditions and festivals has had a significant influence on the country’s way of life for centuries. This comprehensive tour is timed to coincide with a colourful celebration in Addis Ababa marking the finding of the True Cross, known as Meskel. The Meskel celebration includes the burning of a large bonfire, or Demera, which we will be able to witness close-up.The 17th century castles and palaces of Gonder, Africa’s Camelot, are also included in the tour as is the Simien Mountain National Park; one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m. The park is home to some extremely rare animals such as the Gelada baboon, the Simien fox and the Walia ibex. The picturesque setting of Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile, adds to the country’s mystery and is home to medieval monasteries with incredibly preserved religious mural paintings.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Fly to Addis Ababa
Morning flight from Heathrow Terminal 3 with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul to Addis Ababa arriving at midnight. Transfer to the Kaleb hotel or similar for three nights.

Day 2 In Addis Ababa
Morning at leisure. This afternoon we visit the National Museum that houses the famous remains of ‘Lucy’ and the magnificent Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Haile Selassie. Welcome dinner in a smart Addis Ababa restaurant overlooking the city (B,L,D)

Day 3 In Addis. Witness Meskel Festival
Morning visit to the excellent Ethnological Museum located at Addis Ababa university before attending the colourful festivities at Meskel square where a ceremonial bonfire is lit and the square is filled with throngs of Orthodox Christian pilgrims dancing and singing with processions of colourfully robed priests carrying processional crosses. Dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant (B,L,D)

Day 4 Fly to Bahir Dar. Lake Tana boat trip
This morning we fly to Bahar Dar and enjoy the afternoon on a relaxing boat trip on Lake Tana with a stop on Zeghe peninsula to visit two 17th century monasteries, beautifully painted with colourful frescoes of biblical scenes. Overnight at the Lake Tana hotel or similar (B,L,D)

Day 5 Drive to Gondar. Visit City of Castles
We visit the 17th century imperial capital of Gondar known as the ‘Africa’s Camelot’ and picturesquely located beneath the Simien Mountains. We explore the Royal Enclosure with its complex of impressive castles and palaces and the superb church of Debre Birhan Selassie, whose ceilings are covered with paintings of winged angels.Two nights at the Goha hotel or similar (B,L,D)

Day 6 Visit Simien Mountain National Park
We journey into Ethiopia’s most scenic highland range with spectacular plateaux and deep gorges; the Simien Mountains. The parks’ stunning scenery and pastoral lifestyle has remained unchanged for centuries and is home to the indigenous Gelada baboon and rare Simien fox. We have a walk to fully appreciate the beauty and scale of the park with stunning views in every direction, and recently listed a UNESCO World Heritage site (B,L,D)

Day 7 Fly to Axum
We fly to Axum this morning, Ethiopia’s spiritual centre and possibly home to one of the world’s most elusive relics; the Arc of the Covenant!Later we visit the modern church of Mary Zion and the famous giant obelisks, which have puzzled archaeologists for centuries. We will also wander through the towns’ fascinating local market and through the restored palace ruins reputed to be those of the Queen of Sheba. Overnight at the Sabian hotel or similar with dinner (B,L,D)

Day 8 Visit Yeha Temple. Drive to Mekele
Driving north we visit Yeha temple, the oldest of Ethiopia’s antiquities beautifully set in scenic surroundings, dating back to the 4th century BC. We continue our journey into the eastern Tigray, a fascinating region containing many rock-hewn churches dating from the 8th century. Our destination is the city of Mekele where we spend two nights at the Axum hotel with dinner (B,L,D)

Day 9 Visit rock cut churches of Tigray
The rock-cut churches of the region are seen as one of Ethiopia’s greatest heritages yet they are still relatively unvisited. Today we will visit some of the more accessible churches with beautifully frescoed interiors (B,L,D)

Day 10 Drive to Lalibela
A long but scenic drive south to Woldia before heading west along a winding road that follows the spectacular canyon of the river Tekeze, one of the main rivers of Ethiopia, to Lalibela. The highlight of our visit is to the remarkable complex of 12th century rock-cut churches. Three nights at the Jerusalem hotel or similar (B,L,D)

Day 11 In Lalibela
This morning we visit the Eastern cluster of six with many of their interiors adorned with beautiful, well-preserved frescoes. Later we will visit a traditional tukul hut and enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony with a local family (B,L,D)

Day 12 In Lalibela
We visit the western complex of Lalibela churches with their elaborate exteriors this morning and also see the Church of Saint George, arguably the finest of all the rock churches carved in the shape of a cross. After lunch we drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful Axumite style, stone built church set in a large cave (B,L,D)

Day 13 Fly to Addis Ababa
We return to Addis and have time at leisure perhaps to visit some of the Churchill Road souvenir shops and an historic coffee house. A farewell Ethiopian dinner with a traditional cultural show has been arranged before a late evening transfer to the airport for the Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul. Day rooms at the Kaleb hotel or similar (B,L,D)

Day 14 Fly to London
Early morning arrival at Istanbul and connecting flight to Heathrow Terminal 3 arriving in mid-morning

OPTIONAL Four night extension to the Ancient Islamic centre of Harar is available, please email us for further details

(Included meals denoted by B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner)

Land Tour Cost £2095.00 per person in a twin room (Single supplement £225.00)

Whats Included

• Tour escorted from London by Patrick Syder FRGS
• Ethiopian guide for the duration of the tour
• All transportation – private a/c minibus
• Three Ethiopian Airlines domestic flights
• Best available hotel accomodation outside Addis Ababa on full board basis
• Traditional Addis Ababa restaurant dinners
• Full sightseeing program including entrance fees
• Airport transfers
• Bottled water daily
• Porter, hotel and restaurant staff gratuities
• Group size strictly from 7 to 15 passengers

PLEASE NOTE – personal travel insurance, visa fees, alcoholic drinks, guide and driver gratuities, Turkish Airlines international flights are not included in the land tour cost

(visa on arrival fee is $20.00, Turkish Airlines international flights start from £425.00 through Flight Centre UK)