Northern Historic
Trekking & Photo Safari to the Simien Mountains
Clare Nicholls writes:
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The Simien Mountains
were breathtaking and the lodge is a haven. Lalibela lives
up to and supasses expectations.
We were very lucky to see two important festivals taking
part in the churches. Ethiopia is an extraordinary country,
with a deep, rich heritage and Ethiopians are incredibly
civilised, dignified and welcoming.
One of the best trips
of my life.
A brilliant country but the trip was really made by our
agent, Eskinda. I cannot stress how professional and
considerate he was throughout the holiday.
Clare Nicholls
London, England.
Places Visited Nov 03 - Nov 21, 2009:
Addis Ababa, Bahirdar, Gonder, Simien Mountains,
Lalibela, Axum,
Tigray Churches
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16 Days and 15 Nights
This tour takes you to the spectacular Blue Nile gorge, the
Blue Nile falls and Ethiopia's largest lake Lake Tana, with its
remote island monasteries.
You will also see the medieval Gondar castles,
the millennia old Aksum, Tigray and the Lalibela rock
churches.
There is also trekking to the Simien highlands
with summits above 4,000 meters and the highest peak, Ras
Dashen, at 4,543 meters (14,904 feet).
In addition to the spectacular scenery, the
region contains a number of unusual botanical phenomena and
some of the rarest animals in the world.
Day 1 Arrive Addis Ababa:
A welcoming reception by Highway Tours and transfer to your
hotel.
Day 2 Addis Ababa City
Tour:
We take you on a tour of the colorful and vibrant city of Addis
Ababa with its gorgeous climate of seemingly perpetual blue sky
and cool high land air. You can visit its museums the
ethnological, natural history, St. George Cathedral, the
national museum. In late afternoon enjoy the terrific and windy
panoramic view of Addis Ababa below the Entoto Mountains.
Day 3 Drive to Bahirdar:
You will visit one of Ethiopia's most holy sites, the monastery
of Debre Libanos, founded in the 13th century. The site is
beautifully set beneath a cliff on the edge of gorge and is a
peaceful place to wonder.
There is also a good chance to see gelada
baboons and lammergeyer as we make our way to the truly
magnificent Blue Nile gorge where you will admire the expansive
views over terraced slopes.
Day 4 Bahirdar, Lake Tana & Island
Monasteries:
This is one of Ethiopia's most attractive towns with its wide
avenues of palms and flamboyant trees. We take a boat excursion
to Lake Tana islands and medieval monasteries of Kibran
Gabriel, Mitsle Fasiledes & Tana Cherkos. The most famous
is Ura Kidanemihret with its beautifully painted temples.
Day 5 Drive to Gondar:
You will visit the medieval capital Gondar, with its large
royal enclosure containing grand castles, palaces, houses and
outbuildings. There are remains of a bathing pool, a
chancellery and a library of Fasiladas's son Yohannes I
(r.1667-82). Marvel at Debre Birhan Selassie, one of the
country's most famous churches.
Day 6-8 Drive to Simien
Mountains:
Here we begin our trek to experience the beauty of the
mountains, its wildlife, for bird watching and camping. Among
the most beautiful mountain ranges in Africa they will give you
a taste of Ethiopia's remarkable wild life, including the
beautiful walia ibex, gelada baboons and Ethiopian wolves.
Day 9 Drive to Aksum:
Drive to Aksum through the Simien mountain ranges and Tekeze
valley.
Day 10 Visit Aksum:
A full day in Aksum, the center of an ancient civilization
established before the birth of Christ. Aksum's astonishing
Stelae strike you for their huge size, sculpted from single
pieces of famously hard granite worked superbly by skilled
masons.
Day 11 Drive to Mekele:
We take you on a journey to a little visited peaceful and
astonishing spot 'Yeha' which is considered the birth place of
Ethiopia's earliest civilization. Its ruins are impressive,
dating from around the 5th century BC along with the monastery
of Debre Damo, the oldest standing church in the country.
Day 12 Drive to Lalibela:
We travel through the magnificent Ambalage mountains to
Lalibela.
Day 13 Visit Lalibela:
A full day visit to the 12th-13th century rock hewn and cave
churches of Lalibela. Lalibela ranks among the greatest
historical sites in the Christian world. Many are not carved
into the rock, but freed entirely from it.
Day 14 Drive to Dessie:
On route you will experience the rugged mountains and beautiful
scenery.
Day 15 Drive to Addis:
For sight seeing the beautiful landscape and mountain scenery
with a night and farewell dinner by Highway Tours.
Day 16 Departure:
Last minute shopping and transfer to the airport.
Prices start from $130 (USD) per person, per
day, depending on time of year and whether persons are sharing
or non-sharing.
Seasonal and group discounts are also
available, as are tours customized to your exact requirements
using our Tour
Enquiry Form.
Or for more details of this tour or other
available tours download one of our brochures at Choosing a
Tour
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