Addis Ababa & Lalibela (4 days)

Included in the travel price

• 2 nights with breakfast in the hotel of your choice in Addis Ababa
• 1 nights with breakfast in the hotel of your choice in Addis Ababa
• Road Transfer in Toyota minibus or 4x4 Landcruiser
• 2 domestic flights with Ethiopian Airlines (discounted tariff if your international flight is with Ethiopian Airlines)
• Professional tour guide (English, German, French, Italian or Spanish-speaking available)
• All local guides
• All entrance fees
• Traditional dinner on the last evening before departure
• 1 liter of mineral water per day

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa and City Tour

Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be transferred to your reserved hotel. Depending on your arrival time, we have various sightseeing options:

• Mount Entotowith the best views over the capital.
• Institute of Ethiopian Studies, where you can see a variety of artifacts from all the different regions reflecting the history and culture of the country
• National Museum which among other exhibits the 3.5-million-year-old bones of Lucy.
• Trinity Cathedral: this is the burial place of members of the imperial family and noted patriots; the cathedral is the most magnificent of its kind in the country, ornamented with carvings, mosaics and other artistic works.
• The Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa

Accommodation: Hotel, Addis Ababa

Day 2: Addis Ababa – Lalibela (flight)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Lalibela. You will be picked up at Lalibela airport and be transferred to your hotel. We will then start our visit of the 11-renowned rock hewn churches of Lalibela, also known as the “8^th wonder of the world”. The Lalibela rock hewn churches are physically carved from the rock on which they stand. These towering edifices seem to be a superhuman creation in scale, workmanship and concept. Some are sculptured out of a solid volcanic rock; others are connected by long underground tunnel and mazes. Some are quarried enlargements of caves. The first group of six churches lies in rock cradles, one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikeal, Bet Mariam, Bet Maskel, Bet Dangal and Bet Medhanealem. Bet Medhanealem, the largest rock hewn church in the world is built like a Greek temple.
After lunch, we will visit to the second group of churches located to the south of the river Jordan. The second group comprises Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches. Bet Giyorgis lies somewhat isolated to the southwestern part of the village on a slopping rock terrace and can only be reached through a tunnel. The group of four churches, south of the river Jordan river, comprises Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Aba Libanos and Bet Gabriel and Rufeal. Bet Emanuel’s elaborated exterior has been much praised by international art historians.

Accommodation: Hotel, Lalibela

Day 3: Lalibela – Addis Ababa (flight)

Morning:
Depending on the flight times, we could visit the Ne’akuto Le’ab Monastery outside the town.
Afternoon:
You will be picked up at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa and taken to your hotel. According to your interests, there are various sightseeing and shopping opportunities. In the evening you are invited to a memorable farewell dinner in one of Addis Ababa’s traditional restaurants with cultural songs, dances and traditional food and drinks. After dinner, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel, Addis Ababa

Day 4: Addis Ababa (Departure)

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your unternational departure.