Welcome to Addis Ababa. On your arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, after clearing immigration and customs welcome by Gemsbok Safaris staff and get transferred to your hotel. Addis Ababa is the largest city of Ethiopia and its capital city at the same time. Addis Ababa, which in Amharic means "a new flower”, is located in the center of the country, 2100- 2300m above the sea. It is one of the highest-located capital cities in the world. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, “Mercato”. Addis Ababa is Africa’s diplomatic capital with headquarters for the Organization of African Unity and the United Nation Economic Commissions for Africa.

Based on your flight time the sightseeing of Addis can be arranged which you will commence with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum; ranks among the most important museums in sub-Sahara Africa. It housed the 3.5-million-year-old bones of Lucy. Lucy is believed to be the ancestor of all Human kind. It has lots of ancient exhibits that reflect the importance of Ethiopia as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’. Its historic room features finery worn in the wars, such as crowns, weapons, and pictures of wartime heroes and kings. Continue your sightseeing to Ethnographic Museum, with its two main sections covering local crafts and on regions and people, this museum is an ideal place to start learning about Ethiopia's rich ethnic diversity. The museum has an impressive array of religious crosses, triptychs and murals, as well as Haile Selassie’s (Ethiopia’s last Emperor) bedroom and bathroom.

And continue to visit St. George’s Cathedral (Giorgis Cathedral) which lies at the north end of Churchill Rd. Designed in the traditional octagonal shape, this cathedral was built in 1896 to commemorate Ethiopia's victory over the Italians at the Battle of Adwa. The Cathedral houses the work of Afewerk Tekle, the renowned Ethiopian artist responsible for the stained-glass windows of the Africa Hall and also houses a small museum in the compound. Once you complete return back to your hotel.

This morning, you will be transferred from the hotel to the airport to catch your flight from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar. Bahir Dar is one of the best well-planned cities in Ethiopia, which means “by the side of the sea”. Bahir Dar is the third largest and arguably the most beautiful city in Ethiopia. As the capital for the regional state of Amhara, the city is home for historic monasteries, charming lodges, exotic fish markets, beautiful lakes and of course the famous Blue Nile Falls. There are dozens of islands found on Lake Tana, and many are home to 14th Century monasteries complete with ancient ornaments, frescoes, and fascinating wall paintings. Once arrived, and checked into your hotel, your first destination will be Lake Tana. Nor is it only the largest lake in Ethiopia with a size of 3,600 km2 / 2,282 m2, it is also the source of the Blue Nile. There are also 37 islands dotted around the lake, of which 20 shelter monasteries believed to have existed since the 14th century. These islands also hold vast Ancient Ethiopian history, as well as artifacts of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and are also burial sites for certain former Emperors of the Ethiopian Empire.

The island you will visit holds the coveted monastery “Ura Kidane Mehert”, if time allows you will also be able to visit the monastery “Azwa Mariam” both known for their ancient manuscripts, paintings, crosses and artifacts. Later on in the afternoon, after having lunch, you will be driven to the waterfalls of “Tis Isat” also known as the Blue Nile falls (please keep in mind that due to construction of the new dam being built within the vicinity, the water levels could be very minimal). If time is still left, the tour of the city will follow, along with the “Bezawit Palace” including its view point. Drive back to the hotel.

After breakfast, the drive to Gondar will follow 185kms/3hrs. The city that once was the royal capital of the Ethiopian Empire. Founded in 1636 by the Emperor Fassiledes. From castles to churches the medieval city is adorned by medieval styled infrastructure that was constructed by the Emperor along with his descendants. Visits will also include, the Fassiledes Castle along with the Fassiledes Bath. Once thought to be the grand swimming pool of the Emperor, now known as Fassiledes Bath, is used as a baptism site. It symbolizes the holy waters of the river Jordan, Israel where Jesus Christ was baptized, where each year on the 19th of January during Timket (Epiphany), hundreds bath in these waters to get christened. Regrettably, you will not be able to attend this spectacle as the day you will visit will not fall on this particular holiday. After lunch, you will visit of the “Debre Birhan Selassie Church” a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built in the late 18th century by Iyasu I, the grandson of the Emperor Fassiledes, where its walls and ceilings are adorned with rows among rows of winged cherubs that represent the omnipresence of God. After you have concluded with your tour, the drive to the lodge will continue after dinner, you will witness the traditional dance, “Eskesta”, which Gondar is known for.

After breakfast, you will drive to the Simien Mountains for a day trip Road/ Surface transfer 210kms/2hrs. The Simien Mts. dramatic topography resulted from the volcanic activity, ascribed it as the world natural heritage site, graced by exceptional botanical phenomena and a zoo of wild life Walia Ibex, Red fox, and Chelada/ bleeding heart Baboons are few to site. The excursion’s first destination will be “Kosoye” view point, where you will be able to enjoy the landscape. Following will be “Debarq” the pin point or headquarters of the park, where you will be assigned a scout. Once the scout has been designated, you will be driven to “Buyit Ras” view point. A picnic lunch usually takes place at “Jimbar Falls”, Visit Sankaber the first camp sight of the Simien Mts. Here you will find one of the most spectacular mountain sceneries in Ethiopia. Stop to watch Chelada Baboons and observe their foraging habits, and take a short walk to a waterfall (the ground here is uneven). These Mountains are known as “The Roof of Africa” due to their elevation, set at an altitude of 3260 m. /1072 ft. (Please make sure to wear thick and warm clothing as temperatures in these mountains can get quite low). Once the tour is done you will head back to Gondar and overnight.

Following your breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. Drive to the city which takes ~40 minute from the airport, check-in to your hotel and you will start to explore Lalibela. The small town of Lalibela, which is home to one of the world's most astounding sacred sites, comprising eleven medieval rock- hewn churches, each carved entirely out of a single piece of stone. Lalibela, the’’New Jerusalem”, was built by King Lalibela with the help of angels” in the 12th century, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its eleven rock-hewn churches. The rock-hewn churches are large and several are more than ten metres high. Because they are carved below ground level, they are ringed by trenches and courtyards, the sides of which are cut into with stone graves and hermit cells, and connected to each other by a tangled maze of tunnels and passages. The eleven rock churches, thought to be at least 200 years old, are divided into two groups and are visited by foot. The steps are uneven and walking around can require a little agility. You will visit the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, which are called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” These churches were hand-hewn out of solid rock between 800 - 1200 AD and are still active worship places. After lunch leave to visit the north-west cluster of churches consists of Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Debre Sina, and Bet Golgotha. Also included in this tour is the isolated monolith of Bet Giyorgis (the Church of St George). Bet Medhane Alem is the largest monolithic rock- hewn church Take a part in a traditional coffee ceremony. Ethiopia's coffee ceremony is an integral part of the social and cultural life. It is an important cultural ritual that's been passed from generation to generation. An invitation to attend a coffee ceremony is considered as a mark of friendship or respect and is an example of Ethiopian hospitality.

Today visit the cave church of Yimrehane Kirstos, 40kms from the city, built by the king of the same name before the reign of King Lalibela. The church is constructed inside a cave, in Axumite style, similar to the church at Debre Damo, with alternating levels of wood and stone. If the day meets, attend the yearly celebration of King & Saint Yimrehane Kirstos which is attended by tens thousands of pilgrims from all over Ethiopia, making it one of the most joyous annual pilgrimages in Lalibela. It is celebrated with greater devotion, the congregation wrapped in white shawls sing with joy along with the priests’ one after the other and among the swaying choir the priests chanting, dancing, and singing around the church letting out a deep boom of the drums and female’s voice respond in a piercing chorus of ululations. Then return back to the town.

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Addis. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for a day use room. Have a farewell dinner in a cultural restaurant serving the unique Ethiopian cuisine accompanied by traditional music and dancing and later transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Many thanks & have a safe flight. End of Services