Adventure Tour Operat...
"Historical route of Ethiopia"
Arrive in Addis Ababa You are met on arrival in Addis Ababa and transferred to our hotel. The name of the city, in Amharic, means "new flower". Founded in 1886 by Menelik II, it is located at 2,500 m (8202 ft) above sea level in one of the highest parts of the Entoto Mountain chain (3,000 m/9842 ft above sea level). Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacaranda trees, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the "Mercato". We meet this evening for dinner and orientation. Overnight in the Ghion Hotel
Addis Ababa Sightseeing, we spend the day exploring Addis Ababa beginning with a visit to the National Museum, one of the most important sub- Saharan museums in all of Africa. The museum is home to the fossilized humanoid Lucy, as well as an amazing collection of artifacts, royal items and art. We then visit the Ethnological Museum, which was the former palace of Haile Selassie. The business center of Addis Ababa. After lunch, we take time in St. George Cathedral, built in 1896 by Emperor Menelik and then continue on to Holy Trinity Cathedral. Holy Trinity Cathedral is the largest Orthodox Church in Ethiopia and has survived through many historical periods, as its interesting architecture can attest to. The Cathedral contains the thrones and the tombs of the emperor and some of the royal family. Overnight in Ghion Hotel
To Bahir Dar -The Blue Nile, we take a short flight this morning north to Bahir Dar. Bahir Dar is a pleasant city located on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. After checking into our hotel, we drive to the Blue Nile Falls, which is known locally as Tissisat (smoking water) Falls: 100 m (328 ft) wide, the water plunges for 45 m (148 ft), giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. We climb down to the base of the falls for an up-close look and then ascend the other side. We cross the Blue Nile by boat to return to the point of departure. After lunch we explore the city of Bahir Dar, including the market and the Bezawit Palace (formerly the Palace of Haile Selassie). A short drive from our hotel, we visit a Woyito Village, where we will see the production of the papyrus boats known as tankwas. Dinner and overnight in Tana Hotel.
Lake Tana Today we spend the day exploring Lake Tana and its islands by boat. There are 37 islands on Lake Tana and 30 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. We visit the monastery churches of Ura Kidane Mihiret, Azoa Mariam, Narga Silasie and Daga Stifanos. Ura Kidanemihiret is the best known of the monasteries and has an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries A.D. Azoa Mariam is known for its paintings and we also have time to visit the small museum. Daga Stifanos is the most sacred of the monasteries and unfortunately, only open to men. It holds the tombs of some of the former emperors of Ethiopia, as well as a 16th century A.D. painting of The Virgin Mary. Upon arrival into Gorgora village, we visit Debere Sina Church before continuing by road to Gondar. Overnight and dinner in Goha Hotel.
Gondar City Sightseeing, Gondar was the first capital city of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632 with the reign of Fasilidas. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more European than African and also has Islamic influences. In the afternoon, we visit Fasilidas' Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one! We continue on to Quskuam Church and the Church Of Debre Berham Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior of Debre Berham Selassie is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings. Debre Berham Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant. Overnight in Goha Hotel.
Simien Mountains, We head off today for a full day in the Simien Mountains (Simien National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The road passes over mountainous areas of wild beauty, drawing close to the Simien Massif (in Amharic, Simien means north). In the park, many of the mountain peaks exceed 4,000 m (13123 ft); the highest is Ras Dejen, at 4,543 m (1905 ft) above sea level. These mountains consist of volcanic masses that have been eroded away by centuries of rain. Today they have amethyst-colored peaks and deep gullies, which have been further deepened by rivers. The crevices play host to the Walya, the ibex of the Simien Mountains. We have a two-hour hike and a picnic lunch before returning to Gondar. On the return trip, we visit the village of the Felasha (African Jews), famous for their ceramics. We arrive back in Gondar early evening. Overnight and dinner in Goha hotel.
Lalibela - The Northern Churches a short flight takes us from Gondar to Lalibela. The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century and are carved out of the pink granite rock; they have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each church (Bet) has a unique architectural style; all are superbly carved and most of them are decorated with well-preserved paintings. The entire city may be described as a sculpture dedicated to the glory of God. The day is dedicated to visiting the first group of churches, known as the Northern Group of Churches. Bet Medihanialem is the largest, supported by 72 pillars and houses the 7kg (15 lbs) gold Lalibela Cross. We go through a tunnel from Bet Medihanialem to Bet Mariam, in which there is a pillar that it is said that Jesus Christ leaned against when he appeared in a vision to King Lalibela. Bet Mariam also contains fabulous carvings of various birds and animals. We also visit Bet Danaghel; a chapel built in honor of martyred nuns. Bet Golgotha and Bet Mikael are twin churches and many believe that a visit to Bet Golgotha alone can guarantee your place in heaven! The twin churches also contain many important religious items and some of the best examples of early religious art in the country. The last church we visit today is Bet Giyorgis, one of the more recent churches and best preserved. We return to our hotel and should time allow, we will have a walk around the city center. Dinner and overnight in Roha.
Lalibela - The Eastern Churches In the morning we go on foot for an approximately 3-hour hike (those who prefer can ride mules) to visit The Eastern Rock Churches. Bet Amanuel is one of the most beautifully carved churches in Ethiopia in the Aksumite style. Bet Merkorios has a wonderful painting of The Three Wise Men, which dates back to the 15th century A.D. We also stop to see Bet Abba Libonose and Bet Gebrieal-Reafael, which might have once been the home of the royal family before becoming a church. This afternoon, we visit the Nakutelab Rock Hewn Church, built under a natural cave. Tonight, we have a special treat, participating in The Coffee Ceremony, a ceremony of hospitality in Ethiopia. Overnight in Roha Hotel.
Axum Sights we fly today to Axum - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The legends narrated in the Kebre Nagast (Book of Kings) recount how the city of Axum as early as the 10th century B.C was already the city in which the Queen of Sheba resided. It is recounted that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant to Axum and it remains there to this day, preserved in a sanctuary. Famous long before the time of Christ, Axum was the capital of the long Axumite reign, one of the oldest African empires and represented a crucial connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. We visit the stelae: granite monoliths dating from pre-Christian times and decorated with symbolic engravings. In ancient times, there were seven stelae, now one of them is in Rome - Mussolini took it there during Italy's invasion of Ethiopia. There is also a visit to the church of Saint Mary of Zion. A chapel in the church is believed by many to contain The Ark of the Covenant. "The Guardian" who is the only person who is allowed into the chapel and the only person who may set eyes on it guards it. There is also a small museum here, which contains the crowns of Ethiopian kings and other treasures. Overnight in Yeha.
Axum to Addis Ababa we fly back to Addis Ababa this morning. After lunch, we enjoy a free afternoon; you may want to visit one of the many museums or the interesting Mercato. Evening departure.
To contact this tour operator please use the contact form next to the map on the right.
Price/Person: 3,500 DOL
Number of participants 4-16
Duration: 10 Days
Area: Ethiopia
Accomodation is included in this tour: Yes
The Guide is able to understand this language also
german
english
french
italian
spanish
Special Hints: Addis Ababa, Blue nile falls, The lake Tana islands, Gondar, lalibela, Axum and the historicl route of Ethiopia
edited at 21.08.06 | 5:25 PM
last update 21.08.06 | 5:25 PM
Guide details
Web: To contact this tour operator please use the contact form above.
Phone Number: ---
Vita
Kibran Tour Operators p.l.c.
Tel. 00251 11 6626214, 011 6626215
Fax. 00251 11 6626216
E-mail.
websiet. To contact this tour operator please use the contact form above.
Kibran Tours is specializing in historical, cultural and adventure journeys. We design tours that emphasize the local culture and folkloric characteristics of our country. Our tours includes in depth sightseeing and many local experiences such as visits to villages, meeting the local people, visiting markets, experiencing events and staying in unique hotels and eating in the interesting places. And learn about the history of the country.
Kibran Tours operates throughout the territory of Ethiopia and offer extension or combination tours to the neighboring countries of Djibouti, Sudan, Kenya and Yemen. The owners and staff of Kibran Tours are Ethiopians; they share an extensive knowledge of the culture and land of Ethiopia and the surrounding countries, as well as many years experience in tourism. Our guides, who speak fluent English, Italian, German, French and Spanish, are highly appreciated for their professionalism and warm nature, as well as for their skills in helping visitors to enter into the traditional and cultural atmosphere of their fascinating country.
Our aim is to provide a service of the highest quality. Each tour is carefully planned down to smallest of details, at the same time, any occasion that spontaneously arises for further exploration or contact is welcomed by our staff as an opportunity to make each trip a unique experience.
edited at 21.08.06 | 5:11 PM
last update 01.01.07 | 3:25 PM
