Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

DAY 1: UK TO ADDIS ABABA Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight. DAY 2: ADDIS ABABA D On arrival, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Embark on a tour of this sprawling capital, with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, before experiencing Merkato Market. Return to your hotel for your welcome dinner. DAY 3: ADDIS ABABA TO BAHIR DAR B/D After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your early flight to Bahir Dar. On arrival, continue on to Lake Tana, where you’ll glide across the lake on a relaxing boat ride. Later, witness the daily life at Pauper’s Village and Market before checking into your hotel. DAY 4: BAHIR DAR B/D Today, visit the Blue Nile waterfalls, one of Bahir Dar’s most spectacular sites, before an afternoon at leisure. DAY 5: BAHIR DAR TO GONDAR B/D This morning, drive to Gondar where its imperial past can be seen in the Royal Enclosure. Explore this ‘Camelot of Africa’ on today’s guided tour, before continuing on to the Gondar Market. DAY 6: GONDAR TO SIMIEN MOUNTAINS B/D Soak in spectacular scenery on this afternoon’s walking tour of Simien Mountain National Park. Enjoy the chance to spot gelda baboons and witness Jan- Bar Falls. After, return to your lodge for dinner. DAY 7: SIMIEN MOUNTAINS TO GONDAR B/D After a second walk around the National Park, travel back to Gondar to visit the arched doors and two- tiered thatched roof of Debrebrihan Selassie Church. DAY 8: GONDAR TO LALIBELA B/D Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. On your arrival, visit the first group of 12th century churches, a collection of monolithic structures skilfully chiselled into rock. After, visit the nearby village and market to experience local life. Continue on to your hotel for dinner. DAY 9: LALIBELA B/D Enjoy another day exploring Lalibela’s famed churches as you cross the Jordan River. Return to the village for the afternoon before returning to your hotel. DAY 10: LALIBELA TO ARBA MINCH B/D After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight into the heart of Great Rift Valley as you travel to the city of Arba Minch, via Addis Ababa. On arrival, check into your hotel and, if time permits, travel to a nearby handicraft workshop and silk farm. Return to your hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure. DAY 11: ARBA MINCH B/D This morning, explore the spectacular Rift Valley lakes. Board a boat for a relaxing cruise along Lake Chamo. Travel onward to Nechisar National Park. Journey through the park on the lookout for the herds of zebra, antelope, buffalo and giraffe that roam. DAY 12: ARBA MINCH TO HAWASSA B/D Travel to Dorze Village this morning. Explore distinctive, tall beehive-shaped huts and learn about the villagers’ nimble-fingered weaving techniques. Drive onward to the city of Hawassa, stopping en route in a village near Wolaita Sodos. Arrive in Hawassa and check into your hotel in time for dinner. DAY 13: HAWASSA TO ADDIS ABABA B/D After breakfast, join Hawassa’s seafood lovers at the local market. A visit to nearby Abijatta Shalla National Park takes you into the heart of this lake region. Drive through the park, watching flamingos perched in the blue waters, pelicans and cormorants swooping down for a catch and fish eagles gliding through the sky. DAY 14/15: ADDIS ABABA TO THE UK B/D This morning, embark on a trip to Debre Libanos Monastery, one of the most remarkable monasteries in Ethiopia. Later today, return to your hotel and relax before a farewell dinner this evening and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner FOR YOU TO KNOW: A visa and travel insurance are required when travelling to Ethiopia and must be obtained before travel. Tips: We recommend you allow approximately £84 pp for the duration of your tour. 100 MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA MEAL PLAN: 12 breakfasts & 13 dinners ACCOMMODATION Addis Ababa 1 night 4 ★ Nexus Hotel Bahir Dar 2 nights 4 ★ Blue Nile Avanti Resort Gondar 1 night 3 ★ Goha Hotel Simien Mountains 1 night Simien Lodge Gondar 1 night 3 ★ Goha Hotel Lalibela 2 nights 3 ★ Mezena Lodge Arba Minch 2 nights 3.5 ★ Paradise Lodge Hawassa 1 night 4 ★ Haile Resort Addis Ababa 1 night 4 ★ Nexus Hotel DEPARTURES & FROM PRICES 2022 DEPARTURES AT 2021 PRICES CONTACT US FOR DATES • Prices based on flights from London Heathrow to Ethiopia with Ethiopian Airlines • A single supplement starts from just £619 Young girl and older tribes woman INCLUDES DIRECT FLIGHTS TO ETHIOPIA 04 Feb 21 £2,619 11 Feb 21 £2,529 04 Mar 21 £2,499 09 Sep 21 £2,619 07 Oct 21 £2,699 11 Nov 21 £2,719 PACE: Journey to the spectacular peaks of Simien Mountain National Park, visit UNESCO-recognised castles and fortresses in ancient Gondar, take in the impressive Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela. ETHIOPIA: A CULTURAL ODYSSEY 15 days from £2,499pp TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ The dramatic Simien Mountain National Park ✔ Witness the Blue Nile Falls ✔ Explore the incredible 12th century Rock-Hewn Churches, chiselled into the rocks of Lalibela ✔ Wander the ancient ‘Camelot of Africa’ ✔ Journey into the Great Rift Valley for a day of wildlife watching around the Rift Valley lakes Gelada Baboon To book or for further information visit your local travel agent or call us FREE on 0800 408 0556