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Spiekermann
Tour Itinerarys...
Ethiopia…Land of Mystery
Historic Route and Timket Festival
Itinerary
January 13 & 14 USA to ETHIOPIA
Depart the US on Ethiopian Airlines for Addis Ababa at 9:30AM arriving the
next morning (January 14) at 8:30AM. Transfer to the Jupiter International
Hotel or similar. After a brief rest and lunch, head out to visit the National
Archeological museum to see “Lucy” and to the Entoto Mountains for a panoramic
view of the city. Have dinner at the Makush Art Gallery before returning to
the hotel for your overnight. (L,D)
January 15 ADDIS ABABA
Visit the Ethnographic museum, also known as ‘the Institute of Ethiopian
Studies’ at the University of Addis Ababa. Continue to the former palace of
Emperor Haileselassie. Have lunch at the Lucy restaurant before heading to
Tomoca, one of the best coffee shops in town. End your day with a visit to
Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa. Return to your hotel for
dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
January 16 ADDIS ABABA to LALIBELA
Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela where upon
arrival you will be met and taken to the Roha Hotel or similar for lunch.
Afterwards, visit the first group of rock-hewn churches of Lalibela including
Bete Medhanealem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil and the “double
church” of Debre Sina and Bete Michael. Return to the hotel for dinner and
overnight. (B,L,D)
January 17 LALIBELA
This morning visit the second group of churches including “the double-church”
of Bete Gebrel and Rafael, the tabot-less Bethlehem, Bete Merquorios, Bete
Emanuel with its Axumite architecture on the exterior and interior walls and
Bete Abba Libanos. In the afternoon drive out of town to visit the cave church
of Neakutoleab with its 13th C icons, processional crosses, drums and
manuscripts. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
January 18 LALIBELA to AXUM
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Axum. You will be met upon arrival
and taken to the Yeha Hotel or similar. Enjoy lunch and some time to relax
before heading out to see the beautifully attired priests and deacons from all
of the churches in Axum. They have gathered to bear their Tabot replica of the
Ark to the center of the city to a large deep-water reservoir. Still in use
today, it is said to be the remains of the Bath of the Queen of Sheba. When
the Tabot bearers reach the ceremonial place they will be led into tents where
they will spend the night in prayer, hymns and religious dancing to bless the
water. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight (B,L,D)
January 19 AXUM
Attend an early morning service to witness prayers, chanting, a procession and
priests blessing the congregation with holy water. Afterwards, visit the sites
in Axum such as the Stele field, the tombs of ancient kings, bath and palace
of the Queen of Sheba, the Archeological museum with its Sabean, Greek and
Geez inscriptions. View the church of St. Mary Tsion with the special chapel
where it is believed that the original Ark of the Covenant is kept. Enjoy a
traditional dinner in one of the local restaurants before returning to the
hotel. (B,L,D)
January 20 AXUM to the SIMIEN MOUNTAINS
Depart early for the Simien Mountains National Park. This UNESCO World
Heritage Site was created for the protection of endemic flora and fauna such
as the Abyssinian wild rose, Giant lobelia, Walya Ibex, Gelada Baboons and
Lammergeyer. Along the route, you will cross the Tekeze Valley and pass
through the foothills of the Simien Mountains, often referred to as the “roof
of Africa.” Arrive late afternoon at the headquarters of the National Park in
Debark where you will register before continuing to the highest lodge in
Africa at Buyit Ras. Dinner and overnight at the Simien Lodge or similar.
(B,L,D)
January 21 SIMIEN MOUNTAINS to GONDAR
This morning spend time at the Chilquanit and Sankaber lookouts. After lunch
leave the tranquility of the Simiens and drive to Gondar. It has been dubbed
the “Camelot of Africa” because of its numerous beautiful castles built in the
medieval Spanish and Portuguese tradition. Upon arrival check into the Goha
Hotel or similar for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
January 22 GONDAR to BAHIR DAR
Tour the castle compound and explore the medieval palaces of Emperor Fasiledas
Yohannes Eyasu David Bakaffa and Queen Mentuab. Visit the church of Debre
Berhan Selassie with its famous paintings and the mural of more than 80 winged-
angels that covers the ceiling. After lunch drive to Bahir Dar through the
beautiful landscapes of Tara Gedam and Adis Zemen. Upon arrival check into the
Abayminch Lodge or similar for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
January 23 BAHIR DAR
Head out of Bahir Dar to the spectacular waterfall. Once there, it is a 30
minute walk each way to the lookout of the falls. Drive back to Bahir Dar for
lunch. In the Afternoon take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit Ura Kidane
Mihret one of the most interesting churches in the area. Please note that you
have to walk about 25 minutes each way through the coffee forest to reach the
church and make your way back to the shore of the lake. Return to your
accommodations for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
January 24 BAHIR DAR to ADDIS ABABA
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis. Upon arrival you
will be met and taken to the Jupiter Hotel or similar for check-in and lunch.
This afternoon you will have free time to relax and repack or you may want to
head out to do some last minute shopping. This evening enjoy dinner at one of
the famous local restaurants, where you will have the opportunity to taste the
national dishes and regional beverages. You will also attend a coffee ceremony
and folkloric show where you will see dances performed by the various ethnic
groups. Return to the hotel for your overnight. Sleep well…tomorrow is a long
day! (B,L,D)
Jan 2 January 25 TIVA
Take a picnic lunch and drive south of Addis to the stelae field of Tiya, one
of Ethiopia’s world heritage sites registered by UNESCO. Pass through some
beautiful landscapes and villages of the Oromo and Gurage people along the
way. Return to your hotel in Addis in the afternoon to freshen up before your
farewell dinner. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight back home
arriving early morning on January 26. (B,L,D)
We (STS) reserve the right to change hotels, restaurants or the order of the
activities if/as needed.
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