Camel Caravan in the Danakil
(photo by Awaze client, Carol Armstrong)
(photo by Awaze client, Carol Armstrong)
14 Days / 13 Nights |
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Arrival Bole International Airport
Awaze Tours meets all guests 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.
Awaze Tours meets all guests 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.
Itinerary DH13
Trinity Cathedral
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Day 01 Addis Ababa Visit Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Tour the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Make a short drive to Entoto Hills for a view of the city and visit Maryam Church. En-route, stop at Sheromeda traditional cloth market. Visit the Mercato or the Sholla Market, two of Addis Ababa's main markets. Overnight Hotel (L, D) |
Salt lake bed in the Danakil Depression.
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Day 02 Addis Ababa - Semera Fly to Semera on Ethiopian Airlines. Meet support vehicles and drive to Dodom. Trek about 30 minutes to Erta Alle Volcano lake overview, 613 meters above sea level. Arrive about midnight to witness the spectacular volcanic eruptions. Set up camp and rest. Overnight Camping (B, L, D) |
Danakil Depression Landscape.
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Day 3 Excursions to Lake Asale and Dalol Early morning return to Dodom with an excursion to Afdera Hot Springs. Visit Lake Asale and watch the salt workers as they cut bricks of salt from the lake bed. Proceed to Dalol and view the dramatic and colorful geological formations caused by the hot springs rich in sulfur, potash, and salt. Late afternoon, drive to Mekele. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) |
Visiting Tigray's rock churches
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Day 04 Mekele - Hawzein Make a short drive to Hawzein, visiting some of Tigray's remote and ancient rock-hewn churches: Abraha Atsbeha, dating from the 10th century; the beautiful Wukro Chirkos; and Medhane Alem Kesho. Optional visit to Abuna Yemata, a cliff top church. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) |
Numerous rock churches are throughout Tigray
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Day 05 Hawzein - Axum Visit Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos, two of the Tigray region's oldest and finest rock churches. Continue to Axum passing the Adwa battlefield, site of Emperor Menelik II's 1895 victory over the invading Italians. Visit the 2,500 year old ruins of Yeha, an ancient moon temple. Overnight Lodge (B, L, D) |
The north stelae field in Axum
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Day 06 Axum Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Note the tallest standing (24 meters) obelisk which is supported by cables. During the invasion by Benito Mussolini this stone was cut into sections and shipped to Rome were it was reassembled in the city center. Italy returned this national treasure to Axum in 2005. Next to the stelae fields, visit the impressive Archeological Museum. See St. Mary Tsion Church, which houses the Ark of the Covenant according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (no one is allowed to see the Ark.) Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) |
View from the Simien Mountains
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Day 07 Axum - Bahar Dar Fly to Bahar Dar via Addis Ababa. Relax at a resort on the shores of Lake Tana. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) |
Papyrus "tanka" on Lake Tana
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Day 08 Bahar Dar Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula. We will visit two of the following monasteries: Ura Kidane Mehiret, Azwa Maryam, Mehal Zege Giorgis, and Bete Maryam. End the day with a sunset visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile River. Overnight Lodge (B, L, D) |
Medhane Alem Church
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Day 09 Drive to Gondar Morning drive to see the Blue Nile Falls. Return to Bahar Dar for lunch at a lakeshore lodge. In the afternoon drive to Gondar, north of Lake Tana stopping at the village of Awra Amba. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) |
Royal Enclosure in Gondar, Ethiopia.
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Day 10 Gondar Visit the remote ruins of Kuskuam, built for Empress Mentewab in the 18th century. After lunch, tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African Empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) |
The endemic Gelada found in the Simien Mountains
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Day 11 Gondar - Simien Mountains National Park Drive to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park has some of the highest peaks in Africa (Ras Dashen - 4,550m - is the fourth highest on the continent). Enjoy lunch at the highest lodge in Africa. Hike in the park at your own pace accompanied by a National Park guide and scout. While taking in the spectacular scenery look for wildlife such as the Gelada, a primate endemic to Ethiopia with bright red markings on the chest. Return to Gondar for late evening arrival. Overnight Lodge (B, L, D) |
A priest at Yemrehanna Christos
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Day 12 Fly Gondar to Lalibela Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. In the late afternoon, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and learn the process for baking injera (a staple food for much of Ethiopia.) Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) |
Camel caravan in the Danakil
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Day 13 Lalibela For the morning the group has two choices: Take a morning hike with mules to Mount Asheton, with its 13th century rock-hewn monastery and great views of the town; - OR - Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Continue with tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) |
Delicious Ethiopian dishes served on a plate of injera
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Day 14 Lalibela - Addis Ababa Fly to Addis Ababa. Visit the National Museum, home of the 3 million year old skeleton “Lucy.” Optional souvenir shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure if needed. (B, L, D) |
End of Tour
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.)
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.)
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Inclusions
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Exclusions
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For Information and Pricing: DH13
