Ethiopia today is a peaceful land of majestic landscapes, tremendous bio-diversity and proud, welcoming people of great physical beauty. For more adventurous world travelers, Ethiopia offers one of the richest cultural experiences in all of Africa featuring extraordinary architecture, art, mythology and a diversity of exotic wildlife and birds.

Ethiopia represents one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Visible relics of its heritage abound in ancient cities with long and fascinating histories. Among those you visit are Axum, the mythic capital of the Queen of Sheba's ancient kingdom and purported home to the Ark of the Covenant; Lalibela, an extraordinary assemblage of thirteenth-century monolithic rock-hewn churches widely considered the Eighth Wonder of the World; Gondar, replete with its medieval castles, palaces and churches; and Bahir Dar, where you may visit the source of the Blue Nile and the island monasteries of Lake Tana. Along the way you enjoy breathtaking scenery at every turn, from the sparkling waters of the magnificent Rift Valley lakes to the majestic beauty of Lake Tana and the endemic wildlife of Semien Mountains National Park, home to Ethiopia's magnificent Gelada Baboon, rare Walia Ibex and Simien Fox. An expert on Ethiopian culture will join you throughout your journey as your local specialist guide.

A highlight of the tour is Timkat, one of the largest and most colorful religious pageants in the world, commemorating the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. The festivities begin in the 3rd week of January.

Days 1-2
ADDIS ABABA
Depart the USA for Addis Ababa

Day 3
ADDIS ABABA
After a leisurely morning, visit the Institute of Ethiopian Studies Museum which encompasses an ethnographic museum, an art gallery of ancient icons and crosses and a collection of traditional Ethiopian instruments.

Day 4
ADDIS ABABA
Today visit the National Museum where the remains of "Lucy" rest. Lucy was a female hominoid that lived in what is now called the Awash Valley in Hadar some 3.2 million years ago. When her skeleton was discovered in 1974, Ethiopia then claimed that it was the first dwelling of mankind. Lucy probably did not live more than 20 years, weighed around 60 pounds and stood three and a half feet. Lucy is kept fully preserved at the National Museum.

Day 5
LANGANO
Drive down the beautiful Great Rift Valley, a dramatic representation of the last great movement of the earth. Funneled between two magnificent escarpments, a chain of sparkling lakes was produced that stretches from Ethiopia south into Kenya, Tanzania and beyond. Great bird viewing en route.

Day 6
LANGANO
This morning visit the fig-forest of Bishangari Eco-Reserve to search for black-and-white Colobus Monkeys. Nearby is Abiata-Shala National Park, named for the two lakes within its boundaries. Both lakes attract a variety of water birds such as flamingo, pelican and migrant waders at Lake Abiata. The acacia-woodland at Lake Shala attracts species such as hornbill, buffalo-weaver, and mousebird.

Day 7
BAHIR DAR
Return to Addis Ababa for an afternoon flight to Bahir Dar located on the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake. Lake Tana is also the source of the Blue Nile. Some of the influences connecting the country to ancient Egypt can still be seen, as the papyrus tankwas (reed boats) that sail the lake share a strong resemblance to the Egyptian feluccas (traditional wooden sailing boats).

Day 8
BAHIR DAR
A moderate trek brings you to Tis Abay, "Smoke of the Nile," where the Blue Nile flows over a sheer chasm in a rainbow-producing waterfall. Visit a local village and later explore the islands of Lake Tana by boat.

The islands are home to ancient Ethiopian Orthodox churches and monasteries over seven-hundred years old. The churches are traditionally made up of a round building which is divided into three distinct concentric circles, the inner circle being where the priest gives sermons and keeps the Tabot, a replica of the Arc of the Covenant.

Days 9-10
LALIBELA
Today you fly to Lalibela, famed for its monolithic rock-hewn churches. For the next two days visit the "Eighth Wonder of the World," the churches of Ethiopia's King Lalibela (1181-1211CE). It is believed that these eleven churches required 25,000 people and 24 years to complete. Some Ethiopians still believe the city was built by angels. Visit the spectacular cross-shaped St. George Church, carved from the earth's surface two stories directly down into the stone ground in the shape of a cross. You are able to view many fantastic relics such as ancient icons and gold and silver crosses and manuscripts written in the ancient language of Ge'ez. Also visit a group of five churches that are in a cluster and connect to each other through an underground stone tunnel.

Day 11
GONDAR
This morning fly to Gondar, a city which became the capital of Ethiopia during the reign of Emperor Fasilides in the early 1600s. Tour the city's most significant churches and castles, beginning with Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famed for its stunning ceiling of beautifully painted angels. Continue on to the compound of castles that dominate Gondar including those of Emperor Fasilides and Empress Mentewab.

You also visit Qusquam Church, which houses many old Gondarine manuscripts and the tomb of Empress Mentewab.

Day 12
SIMIEN MOUNTAINS / AXUM
Early this morning drive to Axum via the Semien Mountains National Park, its territory covering the Semien Mountains and includes Ras Dashan, the highest point in Ethiopia and fourth-highest in Africa. The park offers unforgettable views of ancient volcanoes now eroded into hundreds of dramatic pinnacles and buttresses. Within the park live three of Ethiopia's endemic large mammals: the Gelada baboon, the Walia ibex, and the Simien fox. There is a good chance of viewing one of the troops of Geladas which number in the hundreds!

Day 13
AXUM
Axum is the oldest city in Ethiopia and the holiest city of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Here is the Sanctuary Chapel of the Church of St. Mary of Zion.

The original Ark of the Covenant (purportedly holding the stone slabs of the Ten Commandments) is said to reside in this church, where it is guarded by one priest for his entire life. This afternoon experience the Timkat festivities (if you are here during that time). Timkat, or Epiphany, is a majestic and colorful festival, the most important of all Ethiopian Orthodox Church festivals, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.

Day 14
AXUM
If you are an early riser, you can visit Mariamtsion Church to listen to morning prayers and chants. Experience a traditional coffee ceremony and watch the making of the local injera bread. This afternoon visit the Church of St. Mary, what some believe was the Queen of Sheba's Palace, the Axum Museum and the mysterious stellae field on the outskirts of town, featuring stellae (star-shaped figures) larger than any found in Egypt. Before dinner visit the local Tej House for a honey wine tasting.

Day 15
ADDIS ABABA
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. The afternoon is at leisure to explore more of Addis on your own. Depart this evening on your international flight home.

Day 16
ARRIVE HOME

NOTE: This is just one example of many custom itineraries we can do for you in this diverse country.

GENERAL INFORMATION

There are no set departure dates for this trip. Please contact EXPLORE as to the time you would like to travel and we can book this itinerary or another customized itinerary for you.

Tour Includes:
All internal flights and land transfers upon arrival in Ethiopia. All activities, excursions, entrance fees, accommodation (best available with all the newest hotels), all meals per itinerary, non-alcoholic beverages with meals, large bottle of water per day, porterage, local and specialists guides.

Tour Excludes:
U.S. domestic and international airfare; medical immunizations; passport fees; visa fee; airport departure taxes; accident/baggage/cancellation insurance; individual transfers; optional excursions or deviation from the scheduled tour; excess baggage charges; medical expenses; meals not specified in the program itinerary or special meals not on the menu; dishes and beverages not part of included meals; alcoholic beverages; laundry; telephone or fax charges; room service; gratuities and other items of a purely personal nature.

NOTE:
It is highly likely that the itinerary may have to be altered slightly to fit the internal commercial airline schedule which is constantly changing.

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