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Small Group Ethiopia Historical Tour

From £2,580 per person
Ethiopia Ethiopia

This small group tour takes you to see the very best of Ethiopia with an expert guide. Immerse yourself into the culture and history as you visit Bahir Dar, Gondar, the Simyen Mountains National Park, Lalibela, Ashetun Mariam, Uxum and Yeha. There's also time for shopping at Merkato, Africa's biggest market, in Addis Ababa. The tour departs on the first Sunday of every month from Addis; participants from the UK take the Saturday overnight flight from Heathrow. The tour will depart with a minimum of two and maximim of seven people.

Itinerary

On this trip you will visit:
  • Addis Ababa
  • Axum
  • Bahir Dar & Lake Tana
  • Gondar
  • Lalibela
  • Simyen Mountains
Day 1
Saturday: London - Addis Ababa
Depart on the overnight flight from London Heathrow to Addis Ababa.
Day 2
Sunday: Addis Ababa
On arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Jupiter International Hotel for a 1 night stay, breakfast and afternoon city tour included.
Day 3
Monday: Bahir Dar
Fly to Bahir Dar, at the deep blue Lake Tana, famed for its island monasteries and round, grass-roofed churches with resplendent wall murals.

Stay overnight at the Abayminch Hotel with breakfast included.
Day 4
Tuesday: Gondar
Travel onwards with your guide to Gondar on a scenic route (+/- 3½ hour drive) arriving in time for lunch and city tour.

Stay overnight at the hill-top Goha Hotel where all meals are included.
Day 5
Wednesday: Simien
Take an early drive (about 4 hours) to Simien Mountains National Park arriving mid morning, to see the Gelada baboons at scenic Sankaber.

After lunch, drive up to Chennek for critically endangered Wahlia ibex and then return to Simien Lodge to stay overnight where all meals are included.
Day 6
Thursday: Simien
Morning visit of Simien National Park, a World Heritage Site. Afterwards, return to Gondar for a nights stay at Goha Hotel where all meals are included.
Day 7
Friday: Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela, another of Ethiopia’s World Heritage Sites, to see the rock-hewn churches, regarded as one of the wonders of the world.

Stay 2 nights at Jerusalem Guest House where all meals are included. Tour of the first group of Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches.
Day 8
Saturday: Ashetun Mariam
Visit the outlying church of Ashetun Mariam by mule or on foot, taking in wonderful views of the surrounding countryside from its mountain-top location. Alternatively, visit the cave church of Neakuto Leab or make the 40 km journey to see the beautiful Yemrehane Kristos perhaps the finest all the churches.
Day 9
Sunday: Axum
Fly to Axum, which from around 200 BC to 700 AD was the seat of the Axumite Empire. The Empire extended to Arabia, and traded with India and China. It had its own alphabet, and was one of the four great powers of the Ancient World. See the remarkable obelisks, the Axum Museum and Mariamtsion Church within which a chapel is believed by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians to house the Ark of the Covenant, the original tablets of Moses.

Stay 2 nights at the simple Yeha Hotel with all meals included.
Day 10
Monday: Yeha
Travel 55km through scenic, dry countryside to Yeha, Ethiopia's first city, which dates back more than 2,800 years. Visit the remains of the temple dedicated to Ilmuqeh, the Moon God. Next to the temple is the church of Abune Aftse, one of the 'Nine Saints' who did much to spread Christianity in Ethiopia.
Day 11
Tuesday: Addis Ababa
Fly back to Addis Ababa and spend the afternoon shopping at the Merkato, Africa's biggest market. You can buy marvellous Ethiopian jewellery, exquisite locally-made clothing and fabrics, local music and much more. At the farewell dinner, enjoy an authentic performance of traditional music and dance from the different regions of Ethiopia.

The final night will be spent at the Jupiter Hotel where breakfast is included.
Day 12
Wednesday: London
Transfer to the airport for return flight to London Heathrow.

Price guides 2013/2014

From £2,580 per person, sharing with 6 persons travelling
From £2,840 per person, sharing with 4 persons travelling
From £3,295 per person, sharing with 2 persons travelling

Single supplement from £280

Inclusive of international Ethiopian Airlines flights (economy class from London Heathrow), internal travel including domestic flights, transfers, tours, excursions, boat trip, a minibus for 2-7pax, accommodation at the hotels specified on a twin room/full board basis except in Addis Ababa, local guide fees, all entrance fees, scouts fee, airport facilitation, meeting and greetings and farewell cultural dinner.

Excludes: Ethiopian visa (issued on arrival), gratuties, additional sightseeing and transfers not mentioned, lunch and dinner in Addis Ababa and items of a personal nature (tips, phone calls, drinks, laundry, travel insurance) are not included.

Subject to flight availability at time of booking.
Private departures for individual groups available on other days. Ask us for details.

Speak with a specialist
Rainbow specialists provide a high-quality, personal service and respected, impartial advice so you can make informed decisions about your individual holiday. To talk through your holiday ideas and plans, ring us on 020 7666 1250, or make an enquiry by email.

Accommodation

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Abayminch Lodge
Abayminch Lodge
Bahir Dar & Lake Tana, Ethiopia
Abayminch Lodge is one of the most popular places to stay in Bahir Dar. It's near the Abay Bridge and is set in a large, former coffee plantation where you can stroll among the avocado, pawpaw, coffee and mango trees. There...
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Goha Hotel
Goha Hotel
Gondar, Ethiopia
Goha Hotel in Gondar is recently privatised and superbly located on a hilltop with lovely views over the town. From the terrace, where guests can enjoy sundowners, various raptor species are regularly seen flying low overhead....
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Jupiter International Hotel
Jupiter International Hotel
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Jupiter International Hotel is one of two Jupiter hotels in Addis Ababa. The first is in the heart of the city with a second near Bole airport. The 142 rooms and suites are clean and comfortable and the service friendly and...
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