ADDIS AND LALIBELA

Day 1: Addis Ababa
Welcome to Addis Ababa.
On your arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, after clearing immigration and customs welcome by Absolute Ethiopia Tours staff and get transferred to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time it is possible to arrange sightseeing in Addis Ababa with a national guide and this includes;
A visit of the National Archaeological Museum; ranks among the most important museums in subSahara 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.

The Holy Trinity Cathedral, built in 1945, this cathedral is renowned for its stunning stain-glassed windows which depict scenes from the Old and New Testament of the Holy Bible. The Trinity Cathedral also houses the tombs of the late emperor and his family as well as the tomb of English feminist Sylvia Pankhurst.
And a visit of Merkato; the Largest open Market in Africa; where virtually every possible commodity is on sale, from livestock to computers. It is closed on Sundays & for a visitor good at bargaining, there is a huge selection of Ethiopian arts and crafts.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner is included

Day 2: Flight Addis Ababa to Lalibela
Following an early morning breakfast, transfer to Addis Ababa (Bole) int. airport for your flight to
Lalibela.
In the afternoon 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included

Day 3: Lalibela
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.

Afternoon visit the second group of the rock churches, the south-east cluster of churches is more irregular in design than the north-western cluster. Several of the individual churches in this cluster are thought to have been secular in origin, and some predate the reign of King Lalibela by five centuries. The churches in the south-east cluster include Bet Gebriel-Rafael, Bet Abba Libanos, Bet Lehem, Bet Emanuel, and Bet Mercurios. According to legend, Bet Abba Libanos was built overnight by Lalibela's wife, Meskel Kebre, who was assisted by a group of angels.
You can also visit the Markets in Lalibela or attending a cooking class

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included

Day 4: Flight Lalibela to Addis Ababa
After breakfast transfer to Lalibela Airport for your return flight back to Addis Ababa.
On arrival in Addis Ababa get transferred to your hotel for the day use. You can also go for shopping in Addis Ababa or more sightseeing in Addis Ababa. Visit to Entoto Hills
On the way up the roadside stalls offers fresh Ethiopian coffee. Also, if you have an interest in Ethiopian traditional clothes stop by at Shero Meda Market. There is a wide variety of beautiful fabrics, shawls, scarves, dresses, tops and jewellery with lots of choice and really good for gift ideas. Go for shopping in Addis Ababa or a day use at your hotel.
Tonight you will have a wonderful cultural evening at one of Addis Ababa Restaurant; Ethiopia is a mosaic of people with more than 80 languages, different lifestyles, costumes and cultural dances. Take a chance to experience some of these cultural dances and traditional meals with a drink of Tej, a type of wine made from Honey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are included
Day use at Bonanza Addis Hotel

Departure:
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. We really are happy to have you with us, hope you enjoyed your stay with us. Have a safe flight.

Includes:

• All accommodation as detailed with private facilities.
• Meals as per your preference - including breakfasts, lunches and dinners as specified above with bottled water / soft drinks.
• Airport welcome, assistance with luggage, and transportation by air-conditioned vehicle (comfortable spacious High Roof Minivan), complete with bottled water.
• With English speaking local guides (destination expert).
• (An accompanying guide from Addis Ababa is quoted separately & a multi lingual guides are available on request)
• Cultural activities mentioned in day by day are included
• All entrance fees as per the program are included
• All necessary local Government taxes are included
• Porterage fees at the Airport and Hotels.
• Coffee ceremony, and Honey wine drinks (Tej).
• Traditional farewell Dinner in Addis Ababa

Excludes:

• Visa for Ethiopia
• International & Domestic airfare.
• Domestic flight fare is quoted separately on the flight section.
• Photography & video fees
• Tipping
• Insurance coverage of personal loss, injury, illness or damages incurred during your trip. We strongly recommend travel /cancellation insurance.
• Items of a purely personal nature such as drinks (unless noted), laundry, dry cleaning, internet, fax, or telephone charges and transfers/sightseeing or meals not included in “Your itinerary includes”.
• Excess baggage charge.