Splendours of Ethiopia Accompanied by tour manager Caroline Gleeson Saturday 10 Friday 23 February 2018 Warm and friendly, Ethiopia is a country with a unique cultural heritage and some truly awe-inspiring scenery. It was one of the greatest kingdoms in the world and the cradle of mankind. Deeply traditional and breathtakingly beautiful, Ethiopia is unlike any other country in Africa. This tour will introduce you to 3,000 years of Ethiopian history the bustling and colourful capital of Addis Ababa, the monuments, the steles of Axum, the temple of Yeha, the Palace of the Queen of Sheba, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the last resting place of the Ark of the Covenant and the castles of Gondar, the island monasteries of Lake Tana (source of the Blue Nile), the Great Blue Nile Falls and the Simien Mountains and, most of all, the charming Ethiopians who will welcome you with a cup of their famous coffee! Highlights Addis Ababa city tour National Museum home to Lucy, 3.2 million old skeleton and one of humanity s oldest ancestors Lake Tana boat cruise Bahirdar Blue Nile Falls Gondar Church & Castles tour Simien Mountains National Park Axum birthplace of Ethiopian civilisation Lalibela the rock hewn churches What is included Return flights Dublin/Addis Ababa Internal flights Addis Ababa/Bahirdar-Axum/Lalibela/Addis Ababa Airport taxes 12 nights accommodation, twin sharing on a bed and breakfast basis 5 nights Addis Ababa; 1 night Bahirdar; 1 night Buit Ras; 1 night Gondar; 2 nights Axum; 2 nights Lalibela 7 lunches, 7 dinners and 1 Farewell Dinner and Cultural Dance Show Coaching and transfers as per programme Accompanied by tour manager Caroline Gleeson English-speaking local guides at each destination Half day boat cruise on Lake Tana Entrance fees as per programme What is not included Single room supplement 45.00 per night Travel insurance 48.00 per person (+ 66 years double premium) Tips and gratuities for drivers and guide Entry visa for Ethiopia Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.
ITINERARY DETAILS Day 1 Dublin, Addis Ababa Depart Dublin at 19.30 hrs on direct flight to Addis Ababa (8 hours flying time). Day 2 Addis Ababa On arrival at 06.20 hrs meet and greet and transfer to hotel. Breakfast and sleep until noon. Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 is situated over 8,000 ft above sea level and is the third highest capital in the world. It has an excellent climate all year round and is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacarandas and interesting museums. In the afternoon drive to Entoto for a panoramic view of Addis Ababa. Tour the city visiting Selassie Cathedral, Ba ta Mariam church, Holy Trinity Cathedral housing the remains of Emperor Haile Selassie and the National Museum - home to the famous three million year old skeleton known as Lucy. Overnight Addis Ababa. Day 3 Debre Libanos, Blue Nile Gorge Morning drive to the spectacular scenery of the Blue Nile Gorge, Ethiopia s own Grand Canyon, 213 km north of Addis. On the way back visit the Debre Libanos Monastery, an important centre of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and the Jemma River Gorge from where we can see a wide variety of native birds and the Gelada, a native Ethiopian species of baboon. Late afternoon return to Addis. Overnight Addis Ababa. Day 4 Addis Ababa, Bahirdar Morning flight to Bahir Dar (1 hour). Meet and greet on arrival and transfer to hotel before commencing our cruise to the ancient 14 th century island monasteries of Lake Tana. The 37 islands are home to 20 monasteries famous for their typical Ethiopian religious paintings, illuminated manuscripts and ancient church treasures. After lunch visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Africa meeting local people in the small villages en route. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight in Bahirdar. Day 5 Bahirdar, Gondar Drive through the beautiful countryside to Gondar and check in to hotel. After lunch depart for tour of Gondar. This ancient city is famous for its many medieval castles. Visit the Royal Enclosure with its 6 different castles and the famous Deberberhan Sillassie church with its beautiful frescoes. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight in Gondar. Day 6 Gondar, Simien Mountains Today drive to the Falasha the black Jewish village. The Falashas settled here during the reign of King Menelik 1, a son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. After lunch continue on to the Simien Mountains National Park to view the spectacular scenery and landscapes. The park is home to the extremely rare Gelada baboon and the Walia ibex a goat found nowhere else in the world! Dinner and overnight Gondar. Day 7 Simien Mountains National Park, Axum Depart by coach to Axum through the Simien Mountains, Limalimo and the Tekeze River Gorge. Picnic lunch en route. Dinner and overnight Axum Day 8 Axum Today we explore Axum, the birthplace of Ethiopian civilisation and reputed to be the second Jerusalem. Visits include Tsion Mariam Church which, according to local tradition, houses the Ark of the Covenant, the Stele Square, Kaleba Tombs, the Queen of Sheba s Palace and the Archaeological Museum. After lunch visit the pre-christian temple of Yeha. Dinner and overnight Axum Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.
Day 9 Axum, Lalibela Morning flight to Lalibela (40 minutes). On arrival transfer to hotel. After check-in drive to the site of Ethiopia s most famous rock-hewn churches referred to by many as the living wonders of the world. Visits will include Bete Medhani Alem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil, Bete Golgotha Michael and Bete Giorgis. Return to hotel. In the evening visit a local house for a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Coffee originated in the Kaffa region of Ethiopia (hence its name) and a coffee ceremony is a traditional way of welcoming a guest. Dinner and overnight Lalibela. Day 10 Asheten Mariam Morning mule ride and walk to the top of Asheten Mariam Monastery, famous for its 12-century monastery church 10,298 feet above sea level. After lunch visit the rock-hewn churches of Bete Gebriel, Bete Mercorios, Bete Amanuel, Bethlehem and Bete Aba Libanos. Walk through the underground tunnels to the monastery were the monks and nuns live. Dinner and overnight Lalibela. Day 11 Addis Ababa Morning flight to Addis Ababa (1 hour). Transfer and check in to hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight Addis Ababa. Day 12 Addis Ababa Full day city tour to include St. George Church where the Emperors were crowned, Makush Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum. Return to hotel. Overnight Addis Ababa. Day 13 Addis Ababa, Dublin Day at leisure for last minute shopping and sightseeing. Farewell Dinner and Cultural Dance Show before transferring to the airport for return flight direct to Dublin, arriving following morning at 05.00 hrs. Day 14 Dublin Arrive in Dublin in the early morning. ACCOMMODATION Jupiter Hotel, Addis Ababa 4* The hotel is conveniently located close to the airport. It has its own restaurant, bar/lounge and coffee shop. All its 40 rooms are en suite with free WiFi, TV, minibar, tea and coffe making facilities, hair dryer and safety deposit box. Avanti Resort, Bahir Dar 5* Avanti Blue Nile Hotel is located close to Bahir Dar airport and overlooking Lake Tana. It has 3 restaurants, bar and massage treatment rooms. All its 135 en suite rooms have free WiFi, TV, minibar, air-conditioning and safe. Goha Hotel, Gondar 3* Located on the hills overlooking Gondar, and a 10 minute drive from the Royal Enclosure. It has 2 restaurants, an outdoor pool, souvenir shop, bar with campfire and coffee shop. All its 82 ensuite rooms include free WiFi, 24-hour room service and TV. Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.
Simien Lodge, Simien Mountains Located just inside the Simien Mountains park entrance, it is the only permanent accommodation available anywhere inside the park boundary. It has its own bar and restaurant. The rooms are en suite and of traditional Tukul design. Sabean Hotel, Axum Centrally located in Axum. The hotel has its own restaurant. 44 en suite rooms include a flat-screen TV, mini-bar and safe. free WiFi. Tukul Village Hotel, Lalibela Located in Lalibela, within walking distance of many of the ancient churches. It has its own restaurant and café bar. All rooms are en suite and are built in the style of traditional round thatched cottages or Tukuls. Free WiFi. PROPOSED FLIGHTS Carrier From / To Departure Time Arrival Time Ethiopian Airlines Dublin/Addis Ababa 19.30 hrs. 06.20 hrs. * Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa/Bahirdar 08.10 hrs. 09.10 hrs. Ethiopian Airlines Axum/Lalibela 11.15 hrs. 11.55 hrs. Ethiopian Airlines Lalibela/Addis Ababa 10.40 hrs. 11.40 hrs. Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa/Dublin 23.55 hrs. 05.05 hrs. * *Next day arrival DATES AND PRICES Start Date End Date Price PPS Sat 10 Feb 2018 Fri 23 Feb 2018 2,995.00 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Passport which must be valid for 6 months beyond your return date Visa a tourist entry visa is required please contact the Ethiopian Embassy Vaccinations are required. Please consult your local GP or one of the tropical medicine advice centres - the Travel Health Clinic or the Tropical Medical Bureau - and seek their advice. You need to tell them that you are travelling to Addis Abba, Bahirdar, Lalibela, Axum and Gondar Hotel standards in Ethiopia range from reasonably comfortable to more basic and may not necessarily be compatible with or comparable to those here in Europe How to reserve a place(s): a completed booking form with deposit of 250.00 per person (payment by cash/cheque/debit or credit card) should be sent directly to. The balance will be due 10 weeks prior to departure payment by cash/cheque or debit card. A 2% surcharge applies only to balances paid by credit card. Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.
Registered in Ireland No. 270794 Incorporated as Ltd.