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DAY 1: ARRIVE ADDIS ABABA Upon arrival in Addis, you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. After freshening up, enjoy an introductory tour of Ethiopia's capital city. Addis Ababa, whose name means New Flower, is a pleasant, surprisingly cool city located 2,400 meters above sea level. Menelik II founded it in 1887. Visit St George Cathedral, built in 1896 to commemorate Ethiopia's victory over the Italians at the Battle of Adwa. The Cathedral's stained glass windows were made by the renowned Ethiopian artist Afewerk Tekle, who also made the windows at Africa Hall in Addis. The National Museum houses an eclectic array of exhibits, including the famous fossilized skeleton of "Lucy," found in northeast Ethiopia in 1974. In Amharic, she is known as Dinkenesh, meaning "You Are Beautiful." Other exhibits include fertility statues, imperial robes, and hundreds of designs of crosses found throughout Ethiopia. Addis' main market, the Merçato, is one of the largest in Africa, offering an abundance of clothes, perfumes, spices, jewelry and more. DAY 2: ADDIS ABABA - LALIBELA After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. Freshen up and have lunch before setting out to visit the first group of Ethiopia's famous rock-hewn churches. This UNESCO Heritage Site is one of the world's most extraordinary places. For centuries, Lalibela was the heart of the region's religious authority. Built in the 12th century and attributed to King Lalibela, there are no less than 1,000 churches in the Lasta region of Lalibela. The famed cross-shaped Bieta Giorgis is one of a dozen linked by paths and tunnels. At the eastern end of the complex is the Bieta Medhane Alem, the largest rock-hewn church in the world at almost 800 square meters. Bieta Maryam, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is richly adorned with carvings of both the Star of David and the Lalibela Cross. These brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are impressive at any time of year, and particularly at festival time. While Lalibela is a superb setting for any of Ethiopia's colorful festivals, locals consider it best at Genna, the Eastern Orthodox Christmas, on January 7. (B,L,D) DAY 3: LALIBELA Drive to visit Naakutolaab Cave Church, which is built into the side of a cliff, making it very different from other churches in the area. The views from here are superb, and well worth the journey. Enjoy a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony in the home of a local family. Return to your hotel for lunch, and then visit the second group of rock churches in Lalibela. (B,L,D) DAY 4: LALIBELA - GONDAR Transfer to the airport for your flight to the ancient city of Gondar, dramatically situated amid the Simien Mountain foothills. Founded by Emperor Fassilides in the 17th century, Gondar has been called the "Camelot of Africa" because of its castles and fortress-like battlements. Ambassadors of the Indian Moguls and the Ottoman Empire, and the court of France's Louis XVI were once entertained here. Visit the baths of Fassilides and the Debre Birhan Selassie Church, famous for the "winged angels" that adorn its ceiling. You may wish to pay a short visit to the Weleqa Village, which was once a center for a substantial Jewish Felasha population. Almost all of them were airlifted to Israel in the 1980's, but today some individuals still claim descent from the Felasha. (B,L,D) DAY 5: GONDAR - BAHIR DAR Enjoy a scenic drive to Bahir Dar, past dramatic volcanic rock formations. Bahir Dar and the Lake Tana area are the traditional homelands of the Christian Amhara people, whose language was the national dialect of Ethiopia for many years. The lake is known for its many islands, and their monasteries and murals. At the southeast corner of the lake is the source of the Blue Nile. Both culturally and geographically, the Bahir Dar and Lake Tana region is a high point of any visit to Ethiopia. En route, drive across the Fogera Plains, well known for the region's numerous aquatic birdlife. Upon arrival at Bahir Dar, check into your hotel for a two night stay. After settling in and freshening up, visit the open market before having lunch. In the early afternoon, enjoy a boat excursion to the island monastery of Ura Kidane Mehret on the Zeghie peninsula of Lake Tana. This monastery is famed for its fine murals - it is also one of the few in the region that women are allowed to visit. Lake Tana is Ethiopia's largest, at 85 km long and 65 km wide. In their funerary texts, the Pharaohs referred to it as "Lake Karou of the Country of the Happy." During the Middle Ages, churches sought refuge on the islands of Lake Tana. Due in part to the difficult access, the churches remain rich in Ethiopian illuminated manuscripts, religious paintings and other treasures. (B,L,D) DAY 6: BAHIR DAR After breakfast, visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls, known as Tis Abay in the Amharic language, which translates as "Smoke of the Nile." The Blue Nile Falls plunge over a sheer 45-meter precipice that is 400 meters wide. Sought in vain by Egyptians, Persians, Greeks and Romans, the first European to discover the source of the Nile was Portuguese Father Paez. Return to your hotel for lunch. This afternoon, continue exploring Bahir Dar. Spectacular sunsets can be viewed from near the palace of the former king of Ethiopia, Emperor Haile Sellassie. (B,L,D) DAY 7: BAHIR DAR - ADDIS - NAZARETH After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis. Upon arrival, you will be taken to lunch. After lunch, drive to the town of Nazareth, 100 kms south of Addis. The journey takes you past some of the northernmost Rift Valley Lakes and some of Africa's most striking scenery. Pass Debre Zeit, surrounded by five crater lakes. There is a tremendous array of birdlife that flourishes on the lakes in the area. Overlooking the town is the extinct volcano of Mount Zaquella, towering above the plain. On top of the mountain is an ancient monastery offering superb views over the lakes. Continue on to Nazareth, a popular resort town and a weekend retreat for Addis residents. (B,L,D) DAY 8: NAZARETH - BALE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK - GOBA Set out early to Bale Mountain National Park, perched on the slopes of the Bale Mountains. This 300-kilometer journey takes about five to six hours. The Park shelters over 200 species of Ethiopia's most famous endemic bird and wildlife species, including the Simien Red Fox, Mountain Nyala, and bearded vultures. Bala's gentle streams and rushing rivers harbor glimmering rainbow and brown trout. Giant lobelia grow five meters tall, and are unique to the park. The park's alpine environs are stunning to explore. Stop at Dinsho, headquarters for the park, and enjoy a hike in the forested area. Drive on to the town of Goba for dinner. (B,L,D) DAY 9: SANETTI PLATEAU DAY EXCURSION Today's outing will take you to the Sanetti Plateau, where mammals typical to such highland areas may be found. The plateau's vegetation is classic afro-alpine moorland, and is prime Simien Wolf habitat. You may be witness to a Simien wolf on the trail of his favorite prey, the giant mole rat. Continue the drive through the park towards the Hiranna Forest, a prime habitat for Ethiopia's diverse varieties of game, bird, and plant species. Drive to the top of Tullu Dimtu, a mountain peak rising to meters located on the plateau in the middle of the park. Enjoy a picnic lunch, and an afternoon's exploration. (B,L,D) DAY 10: GOBA - LANGANO After breakfast drive to Langano, trip of about four to five hours. The drive takes you past soaring craggy peaks, waterfalls, streams, and wildflowers, before leading to gently rolling plains. Upon arrival in Langano, check into your hotel for lunch. There are a number of lakes and parks to visit. Lake Langano is one of the Rift Valley Lakes, and it is surrounded by a volcanic landscape that is home to plenty of birds and animals. The high alkaline content of the water gives it a reddish tinge, but it is perfectly safe to take a dip - in fact, it is the only bilharzia-free lake, so you are encouraged to get in here if you're interested, though the water does have a slightly soapy feeling. (B,L,D) DAY 11: LANGANO - ADDIS Drive back to Addis, having lunch en route. You may wish to stop in Debre Zeit for a traditional meal and cultural performance. Upon arrival in Addis, transfer to your hotel for overnight. (B,L,D) DAY 12: DEPART ADDIS ABABA Transfer to the airport for your flight back home. (B) |