Depart Washington Dulles International
Day 1
Arrive to Addis Ababa in morning. Check into Hotel de Leopol. Begin your adventure with a drive up to Mount Entoto. The panorama from the peak is breathtaking. Enjoy a visit to Trinity Cathedral, the largest and most revered of all the churches. Visit the Ethnological Museum, an ideal place to start learning about Ethiopia’s rich ethnic diversity. The museum has an impressive array of religious crosses, triptychs and murals, as well as Haile Selassie’s bedroom and bathroom.
Day 2
In morning, fly to Bahir Dar. Bahir Dar is a pleasant city located on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. There are 37 islands on lake Tana and 30 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. Upon arrival in Bahir Dar, check in to hotel. Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 13th century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret which is the most famous of the Zege peninsula monasteries with a very beautiful painted maqdas. Later in the day, embark on a city tour of Bahir Dar, encompassing visits to the market, the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie (view point only- as it is not permitted to enter), Weyto Villages and the deacon school at Trinity.
Day 3
In the morning, fly to Gondar. Upon arrival, check into hotel.Gondar was the first capital 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. Visit the royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels, raised walkways and several smaller buildings. Take a tour of the bathing palace of King Fasilidas. Later, proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church with its walls and ceilings decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history.
Day 4
Fly to Lalibela, described as the 8th wonder of the world, for two days of touring what is considered to be one of the holiest cities in Ethiopia. Start your exploration with the twelve majestic rock-hewn churches. Begin with the breathtaking Bette Giorgis church, carved in the shape of a cross and set apart from the other church groupings. Other churches include Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Mariam, Bete Maskal, Bete Danaghel, Bete Golgotha and Bete Mikael.
Day 5
Today you will visit the church of Yimrhane Kristos. This exquisite church, a masterpiece of Axumit wood and stone construction is renewed for its interior decoration, its beautiful wooden coffer ceiling inlaid with hexagons and medallions with both figurative and geometric motifs. Visit and drive back to Lalibela. In the afternoon, you will visit the remaining rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Day 6
You will be transferred to the airport for flight to Axum. Once the center of a great empire, and the seat of learning for the ancient Ge’ez language and literature, Axum is the prime historical site in the North of Ethiopia. Take a city tour of Axum that includes; the Stelae Park, St. Mary’s Church the Sanctuary Chapel which is the repository of the ‘Ark of the Covenant’, the Coronation Yard, Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins, Axum Museum and the quarry where the stelaes used to me made.
Day 7
Take return flight to Addis Ababa. Enjoy day at your leisure. In evening, enjoy a “farewell dinner” where group will have chance to taste various national dishes, and watch dances of various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. Traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. The group will then be transferred to airport for departure to late-night flight to Rome
Day 8
Upon arrival, you will be met by an Ethiopian Airlines Journeys representative and transferred to hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Enjoy dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 9
After breakfast, you will depart for a half-day of guided sightseeing in the “Eternal City.” Highlights include the Appian Way, the Catacombs, and St. Peter in Chains. You will visit three major basilicas in Rome; St. Mary Major, dedicated to Our Lady; St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome; and St. Paul Outside the Walls, built over the burial place of St. Paul. In the afternoon, you will visit the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes. The tour will end with a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. The remainder of the day is left to your leisure to explore the wonder of Rome on your own. Dinner and overnight in Rome. .
Day 10
After breakfast, you will explore the wonders of ancient Rome beginning with a view of Capitoline Hill. You will then visit the Coliseum, an architectural wonder completed in 80 AD. View the Arch of Constantine and the Circus Maximus where you will visit the archaeological area of the Roman Forum. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure for last-minute sightseeing or shopping. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 11
After breakfast you will enjoy a free day to discover the beauty and inspiration that is Rome. An optional tour to Assisi, the town of beloved St. Francis, is offered as well (at additional cost). In Assisi, you will visit the Basilica of St. Francis, with its wonderful artwork by Giotto, the church of St. Clare, the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Portiuncula Chapel, the birthplace of the Franciscan Order. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 12
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport for return flight.
For more information and to develop a customized itinerary to meet your needs
call 1-800-486-8359, email inquiries to nick@seeyouinethiopia.com
