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Traditional Ethiopia Expedition--15 days 14 nights minimum
$999.00
Click here to see what the tour fee includes:
Day 1: Tour of Gondar known as the Camelot of Africa in morning. After lunch we begin our trek to Lalibela.
This tour is included on our "Special Tours" page, as it is like no other. You'll trek through the mountains, and over rivers in the scenic countryside between Gondar and Lalibela. On this tour you'll get the experience of living like a rural Ethiopian, with your expedition ending at the mysteriously carved rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. This experience takes 15-19 days depending on your schedule and is completely customizable from late September to the beginning of June. A cook, guide, and scout travel with you, village to village. We trek during the day and camp at night using local scouts to guide the way and make introductions in all the villages. You have a main guide who stays with the group for the entire trip while local scouts change day to day. You'll love the experience of local Ethiopia off the beaten path, and in nature. We cook and eat with local families; camp on their land with permission and give back in the form of the paid work our stay creates. Mules are available to pack our provisions. Expect to meet children who have never seen a foreigner, adults living simple fulfilled lives, sons and daughters of the villages with big dreams or even a remote Peace Corps volunteer.
Day 15: Explore the world famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela before continuing your journey.
*Many villages in rural Ethiopia are not found on maps. All guests are welcome to help us document village locations using OpenStreetMap.
The Best of Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas--9 days 8 nights
$1,550.00
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*All prices are per person based on double-occupancy
Day 1 (December 31st): Arrive in Addis Ababa(ADD) where you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver to check into your 4-star hotel. Enjoy an optional city tour.
Day 2(January 1st): Drive from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar (B-D) Making short stops in Dejen, Chancho and Goha Tsion.
Day 3(January 2nd): Cruise on Lake Tana then drive to Blue Nile Falls and back to Bahir Dar (B-L-D)
After breakfast we take a boat across Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th century island monasteries. After lunch, we drive 35 km to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls.
Day 4(January 3rd): Drive Bahir Dar to Gondar (B-D) After breakfast, we drive to Gondar and visit the Royal Enclosure, the pool of King Fasiledas, and Debre Berhan Selassie Church.
Day 5(January 4th): Excursion to Simien Mountains National Park (B-D) After an early breakfast, we drive to the Simien Mountains National Park making a stop in the “Felasha” or Ethiopian Jewish village. The rest of the day will be spent trekking in the park and taking photos of wildlife endemic to Ethiopia only.
Day 6(January 5th): Drive from Gondar to Lalibela with stops in Awramba(B-D)
Day 7(January 6th): Drive to the site of some of the 11 rock-hewn churches of Lalibela(B-D) As this is Christmas Eve we attend a special ceremony till after midnight along with Orthodox pilgrims to be held at Bete Mariam church.
Day 8(January 7th): Ethiopian Christmas also called Genna(B-D) This special day will be spent at Bete Mariam where the biggest celebration of Christmas will be held outside the church on the cliff . We will also visit the following rock-hewn churches: Bete Gebriel, Bete Merkorios Bete Amanuel, Bethlehem and Bete Aba Libanos. At the end of the tour, there will be a special traditional coffee ceremony for the group prepared at a local house.
Day 9(January 8th): Fly Lalibela to Addis Ababa(B-D) After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure time there will be an optional city tour of Addis Ababa or leisure time. In the evening, Travel Africa Tours invites all remaining guests to a complimentary farewell dinner party with a traditional Ethiopian buffet and local drinks. Transfer to Addis Ababa airport for your flight home.
B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner