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ETHIOPIAN EPIPHANY
Historical & Cultural Safari |
| LOCATION:
Ethiopia |
| DAYS:
9 Days |
| FITNESS
LEVEL: Easy |
| SAFARI
HIGHLIGHTS: Limited Group Size * Addis Ababa * All
Accomodations in Africa * Bahir Dar * Gondar * Lalibela
* Axum * Complete Pre-Tour Documentation * Site of the
Arc of the Covenant * "Lucy" Site * Tour Bag
& Tags * All Meals Included * Transfers to & from
Airport Included * Internal Ethiopia Air * All Entrance
Fees Included * Professional English Speaking Guides * |
| "Rich
in history, the cradle of human civilization, Ethiopia
offers a land of many contrasts and extremes. Transport
yourself back in time in the rich ethnic history of the
people, the land and the spiritual sides that make Ethiopia
one of the most culturaly magnificient destinations in
the world." |
|
Package
Price
| Contact Born Free
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ETHIOPIA
January
16, 2008 - Overnight Nairobi
Overnight in the capital city of Kenya.
Nairobi Intercontinental
January
17 - Arrive in Addis Ababa
The name of the capital city of Ethiopia in Amharic (the national language of Ethiopia) means “New flower”. Addis which was founded in 1886 by Menelik II is located at 2,500 meters above sea level in one of the highest parts of Entoto mountain chain (3,000 meters above sea level). It enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25ºC. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with side avenues of jacaranda Trees, interesting museums and one of the largest open air markets in Africa, known as the “Merkato”. It also has a good number of restaurants, hotels and discotheques. On your arrival you will be welcomed by our staff then transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Hilton Hotel
(BLD)
January
18 - Addis Ababa – Gondar
Gondar was the first capital city 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. The city seems more European than African and also has Islamic
influences. In the afternoon, we visit the palaces, residences and
baths of Fasilidas; afterwards, we visit the church of Debre Berhan
Selassie (Light of the Trinity), which is located at the summit
of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls. The interior is decorated
with beautiful frescos. Dinner and overnight stay are in the Goha
Hotel with a splendid panoramic garden.
Goha Hotel
(BLD)
January
19 - Gondar
Among the many sites and events, the most colorful event of the
year is when churches parade their Tabots to a nearby body of water,
which we will witness this day. This is the commemoration of Christ's
baptism, which falls on the 19th of January. The Tabot is taken
out in the afternoon on the eve of epiphany and stays overnight
with the priests and faithful congregation. The following morning
the water is blessed and splashed over everyone in a ceremony where
the faithful renew their vows to the church.
Goha Hotel
(BLD)
January
20 - Gondar - Axum
Early morning you will have the option to attend the every day mass
that would takes place from 06:00 to 7:00 in every church. Then
go to the hotel for breakfast before you transfer to the airport
for your flight to Axum. While in Axum, you will visit the Archeological
museum, the Zion Cathedral where the original Arc of the Covenant
is still found, the stele park where the magnificent single block
of stones erected since the 3rd century, the ruin palace and Bath
of Queen Sheba who was the mother of king Menelik I of the 950 BC
and tombs of the early century Kings.
Yeha Hotel
(BLD)
January 21 - Axum - Lalibela
In the morning, you'll transfer to the airport for Lalibela which
used to be called Roha until the end of 12th century. Today the
little town of Lalibela embraced the remarkably excavated 12th century
eleven rock hewn churches that are registered as one of the world
wonders. Once you checked into your hotel with a short time rest
and you start visiting the first group (consisting of 6 churches)
of the incredibly hewn out churches that symbolizes the New Jerusalem.
In the evening you will be attending the colorful ceremony of Christmas
at the Church NB. While entering each church, you are kindly requested
to take off your shoes and dress modestly. This behavior should
be applied to all the churches in Ethiopia.
Roha Hotel
(BLD)
January
22 - Lalibela
Lalibela is located at an altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level.
The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the
twelfth century and carved out of the pink granite rock; each church
has a unique architectural style: all are superbly carved and most
of then are decorated with well-preserved paintings. The entire
city may be described as a sculpture dedicated to the glory of God.
The day is dedicated to visiting the second group of churches and
the city itself. In the evening you may attend a show featuring
traditional dance.
Roha Hotel
(BLD)
January
23 - Lalibela – Bahir Dar
In the morning we will transfer to the airport for a short flight
to Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara National Regional State.
Bahir Dar is a pleasant city located at 1,800 meters above sea level
on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. The lake
is endowed with 37 islands out of which 20 of them have got monasteries
(some of which, females are not allowed to enter). Therefore, this
afternoon, you only visit the Zege peninsula for its famous 14th
century monasteries of Ura Kidanemihret, Azewa Mariam and the island
monastery of Kibran Gebriel (where only men are allowed) for their
wonderful 16th century mural paintings, crowns, crosses and many
old church treasures. On the way back to Bahir Dar you visit the
mouth of Blue Nile River where it begins its long journey.
Tana Hotel
(BLD)
January
24 - Addis Ababa / Departure
After relaxing this morning, take a car for your transfer to Bahir
Dar Airport and flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your time of
arrival; you will have a short time for a city tour of Addis Ababa
that will include the National Museum where the human ancestor,
Lucy is displayed. After a fare well dinner party in a traditional
restaurant & folklore house, you will be transferred to airport
for return home or your next African destination!
(BLD)
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