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DAY 8 • Lalibela • Rock-hewn churches • Home- Hosted Dinner
This morning , we ’ ll visit the second grouping of churches , which differ greatly in architecture and style — and feature more intricate exteriors along with interconnecting trenches and tunnels . Later , we ’ ll meet with a local Ethiopian family for a cooking lesson and a Home-Hosted Dinner .
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DAY 15 • Bahir Dar • Khat farm • Bahir Dar market
Transfer to Bahir Dar , a tropical town nestled on the shores of Lake Tana . Along the way , stop at a local khat farm . Later , visit Bahir Dar ’ s openair market .
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Gelada monkeys , Simien Mountains National Park
Azwa Mariam Monastery , Lake Tana , Bahir Dar
DAY 4 • Addis Ababa • Signum Vitae center Visit Signum Vitae , a training and rehabilitation center for disabled persons in Addis Ababa . After lunch , visit the Ethnological Museum , which covers the full sweep of Ethiopia ’ s cultural and social history . Tonight , enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant .
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Meals : B , L , D | Radisson Blu Hotel or similar
DAY 5 • Sabahar fabric workshop • “ Lucy ” fossils at National Museum • Coffee shop visit
After a visit to a fabric workshop , spend time at the National Museum , home to “ Lucy ,” the 3.25-millionyear-old hominid skeleton discovered in Ethiopia in 1974 . Following lunch and a stop at a coffee shop , join your Trip Experience Leader for an Amharic lesson , Ethiopia ’ s official language .
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Meals : B , L | Radisson Blu Hotel or similar |
Meals : B , L , D | Hotel Maribela or similar
DAY 9 • A Day in the Life of Asheton Village • Church of Saint George
Experience A Day in the Life of Asheton Village , featuring a mule trek and an opportunity to help out with chores like tending to crops and livestock . Later , visit the Church of Saint George — instantly recognizable due to its perfect cross shape .
Meals : B , L , D | Hotel Maribela or similar
DAY 10 • Conversation with a female ex-military officer • Fly to Gondar
Visit the home of a woman who fought against the communists during the Ethiopian Civil War . Then , fly to Gondar .
Meals : B , L , D | Gondar Hills Resort or similar
DAY 11 • GCF visit : Azezo Primary School • Gondar Castle
Visit a local primary school ( when in session ), supported in part by Grand Circle Foundation . Then , explore Gondar Castle , the main structure in the Royal Enclosure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
Meals : B , L , D | Gondar Hills Resort or similar
DAY 12 • Simien Mountains National Park • Nature hike
Transfer to Simien Mountains National Park , home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site . This afternoon , set off on a guided nature hike .
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Meals : B , L , D | Kuriftu Resort & Spa or similar |
DAY 16 • Lake Tana boat ride • Island monastery
Visit one of Lake Tana ’ s island monasteries followed by a boat cruise to watch for wildlife . Later , enjoy a Farewell Dinner .
Meals : B , L , D | Kuriftu Resort & Spa or similar
DAY 17 • Return to U . S . Fly to Addis Ababa , where you ’ ll have the services of a day room before your return flights home , or to begin your The Spice Island of Zanzibar post-trip extension .
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Meals : B , L
For departure dates & prices , visit www . oattravel . com / eth2024pricing
PERSONALIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Kenya ’ s Masai Mara National Reserve
PRE-TRIP : 7 nights from $ 3,495
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AFRICA |
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DAY 6 • Fly to Lalibela Fly to Lalibela , a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to eleven Ethiopian Orthodox churches carved out of a single volcanic rock some 900 years ago . We ’ ll visit the first church grouping this afternoon . |
Meals : B , L , D | Hotel Maribela or similar
DAY 7 • Lalibela • Yemrehana Krestos • Controversial Topic : The armed conflict in Ethiopia ’ s Tigray region
This morning , visit Yemrehana Krestos , an ancient cave church that predates the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela by almost a century . Then , learn about the Controversial Topic of Ethiopia ’ s recent armed conflict in the northern Tigray region .
Meals : B , L , D | Hotel Maribela or similar
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Meals : B , L , D | Limalimo Lodge or similar
DAY 13 • Simien Mountains National Park • Wildlife trek
Set off on a full-day wildlife trek with a picnic lunch in Simien Mountains National Park , home to rare animals and large troops of geladas , a gregarious species of Old World monkey found only in the Ethiopian Highlands .
Meals : B , L , D | Limalimo Lodge or similar
DAY 14 • Overland to Gondar • Honey wine making demonstration • Debre Birhan Selassie Church
Return to Gondar and enjoy lunch at a restaurant owned by four sisters who will show us how to make tej , a local honey wine . Later , visit Debre Birhan Selassie , whose interior features ornate murals .
Meals : B , L , D | Gondar Hills Resort or similar
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The Spice Island of Zanzibar
POST-TRIP : 7 nights from $ 2,495
ARRIVE EARLY We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth before your trip . Prices shown include accommodations and private airport transfer .
• Arrive early in Nairobi before your Masai Mara pre-trip extension from $ 170 per room , per night
• Arrive early in Addis Ababa before your main adventure from $ 280 per room , per night
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