Addis Ababa, the capital of modern Ethiopia and gateway for most tourists, is...
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The only African country that has never
been colonised, Ethiopia is also unusual
for its rich Orthodox Christian heritage,
which was maintained even when all
its neighbours embraced Islam in the
seventh century. This journey travels
through this enthralling and beautiful
country, little explored by tourists, and
discovers the layers of history that have
shaped the land.
Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) to Addis Ababa. (N)
Day 2: Addis AbabaArrive in the third highest capital in the world. Afternoon city tour, including the Ethnographic Museum and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Overnight at the Golden Tulip Hotel (or similar). Pre-dinner welcome drink. (L, D)
Day 3: Fly to Mekelle • HawzienMorning flight to Mekelle. Short tour of Mekelle, including Bete Yohannes. Drive to Hawzien. En route, visit the rock-hewn churches of Wukro Cherkos and Abraha Atsbeha. Stay overnight at the Gheralta Lodge (or similar). (B, L, D)
Days 4-5: AxumMorning drive to Axum. Stay 2 nights at Sabean Hotel (or similar). The next day visit the tombs of King Kaleb and Gebra Meskel, the Queen of Sheba’s swimming pool and palace, King Ezana’s Stone and the magnificent stele (obelisks). Afternoon visit to the Cathedral of St Mary of Zion and the Chapel of the Tablet, said to contain the Ark of the Covenant, as well as the Axum Museum. (B, L, D)
Days 6-7: Fly to Lalibela via GondarFly to the world heritage site of Lalibela, via Gondar. The site features 11 rock-hewn churches. Afternoon visit to the north-west cluster of churches, including the Church of St George. Stay 2 nights at the Mezena Lodge (or similar). Morning walk the following day up to Asheton Maryam (weather permitting). Alternatively, visit the cave church Nakutelab, accessible by car. Afternoon visit to the southeast cluster of churches. (B, L, D)
Days 8-9: Fly to Gondar • Simien mountainsFly to Gondar, located at the foot of the Simien mountains. Visit the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie to see its murals. Drive to the Simien Mountain Lodge (or similar) and stay for 2 nights. Evening talk on gelada monkeys, endemic to this area. Morning drive the following day to Chennek, home to the endemic walia ibex. Stop to view gelada monkeys and walk to a waterfall. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L, D)
Day 10: GondarDrive to Gondar and stay 1 night at the Mayleko Lodge (or similar). Afternoon tour of the castles of Emperor Fasiladas and the Palace of the Queen Mentuab. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Gorgora • Zege peninsula • BahirDarDrive to Gorgora and visit the monastery of Debre Sina Mariam. Cross Lake Tana by boat and visit Narga Selassie. Continue to URA Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam on the Zege peninsula. Stay 2 nights at the Kuriftu Resort & Spa (or similar). (B, L, D)
Day 12: Blue Nile Falls • Bahir DarVisit the Blue Nile Falls at Tissisat. Afternoon visit to the Bezawit Palace and the market in Bahir Dar. Optional spa treatments available. (B, L, D)
Days 13-14: Fly to London via Addis AbabaMorning flight to Addis Ababa. Day room at the Golden Tulip Hotel. Short visit to the Mercato. Dinner at a cultural restaurant and transfer to the airport. Fly to London. Arrive the next day. (B, L, D) (N)
Meal basis:As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
Important informationDue to the possibility of flight schedule variations in response to ever changing travel demands, alterations may be required to the order, content and/or duration of individual departures.
Discovery tour:This tour is best suited to the hardier traveller as it includes some rougher road journeys and some basic accommodation. Hotels, while sometimes not reaching western standards, are clean and comfortable and the country’s cultural wonders more than make up for occasional deficiencies (please note that some churches are not open to female travellers). Ethiopia is mountainous and altitude may be a problem for some visitors.
Group tour manager:This tour is fully escorted throughout by a local tour manager from arrival in Addis Ababa.
Festivals of EthiopiaSome of the departures have been scheduled to coincide with Ethiopia’s most celebrated festivals listed below.
Timkat : Taking place in Bahir Dar in January, Timkat is the Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Epiphany. The Timkat festival departure has an extra night duration of 15 days & 12 nights.
Meskel: Celebrated in Addis Ababa in September, Meskel commemorates the finding of the true cross by Queen Helena.
Hidar Tsion: Celebrated in Axum in November, Hidar Tsion is associated with the presence of the Ark of the Covenant and is a joyous annual pilgrimage.
Private & tailor-made travel:This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. Please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.
The Simien Mountain Lodge is the highest hotel in Africa at 3260 m. This is an eco-friendly lodge built at Buyit Ras with wonderful views across the mountain range. The accommodation has traditional tukul-style exteriors and the interiors are very comfortable with tasteful decor. The main lodge building has a friendly bar with an open fire that is a great place to gather in the evening before dinner. The food is well above the usual standard found in Ethiopian hotels and the staff are friendly and hospitable. The lodge supports a local school and is able to organise visits, subject to timing. The altitude of this lodge means that it is often cold. The lodge provides hot water bottles and thick duvets, but can be chilly, especially in the evenings and when guests arrive from lower altitudes. A fleece or jumper is highly recommended.
The Sabean International Hotel is the best of a limited selection of hotels in Axum. Located on the main road in the city, the hotel is a convenient base from which to explore the archaeological sites in the area. The rooms are decorated in a modern Ethiopian style, while the restaurant serves both international and Ethiopian cuisine.Features: 44 rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant. <br>Room amenities: Satellite television, en suite shower, suites are larger, with a balcony and work desk.
Mezena is situated to the east of Lalibela, amid luxuriant trees and savannah grasses with panoramic views over the valleys. It is ideally located to visit the historic sites of the rock hewn churches which were declared heritage sites back in 1970. This is the newest architecturally designed lodge that combines eco-friendly designs with classic Ethiopian building styles. Large stone and thatch bungalows offer either twin or double four poster beds with private bathrooms. There is an all-day dining restaurant and a bar along with a spacious swimming pool to cool off in the heat of the day. A modern day spa offers a sauna and steam room and massages are available. All the staff are from the local community.Features: All day dining, lounge, bar, souvenir shop, panoramic views, historical church sites, spa and gym. <br>Room amenities: 30 bungalows, private veranda's, internet access, 4 poster beds, private bathrooms.
Situated just a couple of minutes' drive from Theodros Airport, and only 15 km from the ancient castle of Fasiledes, Mayleko Lodge is surrounded by nature. The lodge has 20 bungalows that are situated against the backdrop of the Dilha mountain. They are spacious, comfortable and tastefully decorated with traditional furniture. The restaurant has a beautiful terrace overlooking the mountains and there is a cosy bar. The property has a swimming pool and a driving range.
Situated on the shores of Lake Tana, the Kuriftu Resort & Spa comprises 28 stone bungalows set in gardens by the lake. Each room is decorated in a traditional Ethiopian style with en suite facilities, a four-poster bed, lounge and flat-screen television. The resort also boasts its own restaurant, spa and swimming pool.
The Golden Tulip Addis Ababa is conveniently located just 1km away from the international airport and within easy reach of Addis' main attractions. All of the property's 90 rooms are spacious and offer a modern design. The hotel's restaurant serves a variety of international dishes and there is also a coffee shop and a bar for evening drinks.Features: 90 rooms, Wi-Fi, fitness centre, restaurant, bar, lounge. <br>Room amenities: Air conditioning, refrigerator, minibar, television, tea & coffee facilities.
Located near to Hawzien, in the northern region of Ethiopia, Gheralta Lodge offers bungalow style accommodation and a small restaurant. With its unique chain of mountains, the Gheralta area is the home of the rock churches famous for their architecture, ancient paintings and manuscripts.
ETH2021
| Status | Tour Code | Tour Name | Departure-Return date | Original Price | Special Offer(£) | Single Supplement | depdate | returndate | Click to Book | cpntav | MaxGrpSize | IsSuperOffer | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available | ETH2021 | Ethiopian Odyssey | 10 Oct 2021 - 23 Oct 2021 | £3,425 | £0 | £665 | 10/10/2021 12:00:00 AM | 10/23/2021 12:00:00 AM | Reserve | Available | 0 | Available | |
| Available | ETH2021 | Ethiopian Odyssey | 26 Nov 2021 - 9 Dec 2021 | £3,625 | £0 | £665 | 11/26/2021 12:00:00 AM | 12/9/2021 12:00:00 AM | Reserve | Available | 0 | Available |
Flexible Prices & Itineraries
For a quote based on alternative accommodation standards or flight options, or to tailor this
itinerary, please call 020 7873 5000
or
send an email enquiry
Please call 020 7873 5000 for more information or to make a booking.
Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication, may be subject to change, particularly as a result of variable flight costs. You will be informed of any such changes prior to booking.
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© Cox & Kings 2021
