Finot Tour Ethiopia

4.9/5 – 10 Reviews

$1,084 pp (USD)

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*This tour does not accept children under 4.
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Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • You'll be collected from the airport.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Fly to Gondar

Fly to Gondar

After having an early breakfast, you will transfer to Bole International Airport for a domestic flight. Then, you will continue driving to Gondar. Gondar used to be the seat of many Emperors who ruled Ethiopia in the 17th and 18th centuries. The town is the gateway to the Simien Mountains and lies at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level. You will visit the famous castles of the town, where former rulers built numerous palaces for themselves and their families. Afterwards, you will go to the bath of King Fasilidas, where Timkat Fest is annually hosted. Timkat is one of the famous festivals in Ethiopia and is held annually to celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ. You will finish the day with a visit to the church of Debre Berhan Selassie, which is famous for its beautiful ceiling paintings. The motif of the angelic face became a symbol of Ethiopian art. You will stay overnight in Gondar.

Main Destination:
Gondar (City)
Accommodation:
Goha Hotel
  • Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 2

Drive to Simiene Mountains National Park

Drive to Simiene Mountains National Park

You will have a morning drive to Simien Mountains National Park. The Simien Mountains have been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1969. They described it as “one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes on the Ethiopian plateau.” The park is full of breathtaking landscapes and abundant flora and fauna. Over 10,000 of the rare and endemic Gelada baboons live in the park and can be observed at a close distance. The park is also the home to the Walia Ibex, which is also called Ethiopian Wolf. You'll have an easy hike (approximately 4 – 5 h) from the headquarters until Sankaber (3,260 m). You'll pass picturesque scenery, as well as Ethiopia’s highest waterfall Jinbar, also called the “gateway to hell.” You'll trek for 2.5 hours to the 500m high Jinbar waterfall. Along the way, you will observe the splendid landscape and different kinds of flowers and trees. There is also a possibility to see a Klipspringer and mini bushbuck.

Main Destination:
Simien Mountains National Park
Best Time To Visit September to December (Beautiful scenery)
High Season October to April (Lodges are busy)
Best Weather October to April

Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP

Accommodation:
Tsehay Zeleke Hotel
  • Budget hotel located just outside Simien Mountains NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 3

Visit Simien Mountain National Park

Visit Simien Mountain National Park

From Gich Camp, you will pass to Imet-Gogo (3926m). Your time spent at Imet-Gogo is rewarded by superb views over the mountain valleys below and the strikingly shaped domes in the distance. You will then descend into the Jinbar River Valley the contrasting view of Imet-Gogo. After lunch, you'll descend for about two hours along a steep trail to reach Chennek. You will arrive at Chennek camp in plenty of time to appreciate the spectacular views in all directions, and to spot Walia ibex grazing close to the edge of the escarpment and sometimes skirting the edges of the campsite. The day concludes with a well-deserved dinner served in gratifyingly generous proportions! Of course, the delightful gelada baboons are always around. You will visit Waliya Ibex endemic to Ethiopia and Semien Mountain National Park in Geech (3,600 m).

Main Destination:
Simien Mountains National Park
Accommodation:
Tsehay Zeleke Hotel
  • Budget hotel located just outside Simien Mountains NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 4

Drive and Visit to Bahir Dar

Drive and Visit to Bahir Dar

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will depart Debarqi to Bahirdar. On the way, you will visit the black Jewish. The small village of Wolleka, just north of Gondar, is a little reminder of the Falasha (Ethiopian Jews) community whose origin is not known but believed to be connected to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. After checking into your hotel/lodge, you will go to Lake Tana. Bahir Dar is situated on the shore of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country with 37 islands, most of which contain monasteries from the 14th – 19th century. You will take a boat across Lake Tana to the Zeghie peninsula. On the peninsula, you will do a short walk and visit two monasteries from the 14th century, Azwa Mariam and Ura Kidane Mehret. The architectural style of both monasteries is a typical example of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, with its round shape, mud walls, and conical straw roofs. In Zeghie, you will also find diverse bird species and Colobus baboons in the forest.

Main Destination:
Bahir Dar (City)
Accommodation:
Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar
  • Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 5

Drive to Lalibela

Drive to Lalibela

In the morning, you will proceed to Lalibela via Woreta, passing through Amhara state. Before driving, you will take a scenic drive of 32km to the little town of Tiss-Abay and walk for about twenty minutes to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. The falls are locally known as Tiss-Isat meaning, “water that smokes.” Those who may wish to descend to the base of the falls must climb back to the other side and cross the Blue Nile in a boat in order to back to the point of departure. You can take your lunch at Baibhr Dar before you start driving to Lalibela. You will have stunning views of the Guna Mountains as you travel through this dramatic landscape. On the way, you will drive to the Awra Amba community through Hamusit City. Awra Amaba is an Ethiopian community of about 400 people, located 73 kilometres east of Bahirdar in the Fogera woreda of Debub Gondar Zone. You will arrive in Lalibela for an overnight stay.

Main Destination:
Lalibela (Town)
Accommodation:
Mezena Resort & Spa
  • Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 6

Visit Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches

Visit Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches

After having breakfast, you will start visiting the churches of Lalibela. It is registered by the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the morning you will visit the first /South Western/ cluster churches. You will be able to discover the churches of Bet Medhanealem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael and Bet Golgotha which are connected through underground tunnels.

In the afternoon, after having your delicious lunch at one of the best restaurants you'll continue your visit to the second northeastern cluster. The churches are Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bethlehem, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos and St. George. It is the most famous symbol of the Zagwe dynasty and the city of Lalibela. St. George is the most famous and very picturesque of all the churches. Bet Giyorgis (St. George), was constructed in honor of the patron Saint George. Finally, you will have a traditional meal in one of the traditional restaurants with a traditional music performance.

Main Destination:
Lalibela (Town)
Accommodation:
Mezena Resort & Spa
  • Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 7

Fly to Addis Ababa and Departure

Fly to Addis Ababa and Departure

After an early breakfast, you'll leave Lalibela en route and visit the monastery of Nakutolab- a cave church. This is the easiest of all the outlying churches to reach in the monastery of Nakutolab, which is named after its constructor, the nephew and successor of King Lalibela. The monastery accredited to Nakuotolab consists of a relatively simple church built around a shallow cave in which several holy pools are fed by natural springs. After visiting you will get a domestic flight that takes you back to Addis Ababa. In the evening, you will go to a farewell party dinner invitation by Finot Tour Ethiopia with a cultural dinner and traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks. Here you will enjoy and experience several tribal dances. After the farewell dinner party, we will transfer you to Bole International Airport for international departure.

Main Destination:
Addis Ababa (City)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You'll be dropped off at the airport.

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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Finot Tour Ethiopia, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Finot Tour Ethiopia.