Three Days Tour-Gondar

Days

Trip Description

01 –

Flight Addis Ababa toGondar

Gondar “the Camelot of Africa” is famous for its medieval castles and churches.

Gondar was founded by Emperor Fasiladas in 1636 as the royal capital of Ethiopia.  For several centuries Ethiopia had been ruled from a succession of temporary capitals and Fasiladas recognized that a permanent capital might help provide greater internal stability.

By the time of Fasiladas’ death in 1667 Gondar was the largest and most important city in the empire.  It retained its position as the capital of Ethiopia for 250 years, though this status was largely nominal from the late 18th century onwards.

Visit the Royal Enclosure or Fasil Gibbi, encompasses the castles of various Gondarene emperors. The Fasiladas Palace; the Quskuam Church (believed to be the home of famous explorer James Bruce during the 1770’s).  After 2-km drive from the town centre visit the bath of King Fasilides. The pool is now the central stage on which the Timkat or Epiphany festival is celebrated in Gondar. 

Debre Berhane Selassie church with its remarkable walls and ceiling completely covered with murals – the angels’ faces on the ceiling have become a common motif in Ethiopian design.

The bustling Saturday Market is also one of the best features of Gondar city

Tonight enjoy the traditional Ethiopian Music at Four sisters resturant- Gondar is famous for the Azmari bet, and enjoy the Ethiopian indigenous traditional songs mainly praising and singing with lots of Funs. Young couples, a man playing Masinko (one string instrument) and a woman performs the singing in the mean while if you like you will have the chance to try the dances.

02-

A day trip to Simien Mts.

Road journey to the “Roof of Africa“ – The Simien Mts. 110kms/2hrs away from Gondar city

The magnificent worth seeing Simien Mountain National Park is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since the late 1960s.

The Simien Mountains National Park presents perhaps the most dramatic scenery in Africa great volcanic plugs, formed some 40 million years ago.

In the Semeins visitors can see the endemic Gelada or bleeding heart baboon, the Walia Ibex, the Semein Wolf (the rarest canid in the world) and rock hyrax, and endemic birds such as the Thick billed Raven, Black headed Siskin, White Collared Pigeon, Wattled Ibis, White billed Starling, Spot breasted Plover and White backed Black Tit.  Cruising Lammergeyers are often seen.  The park is also famous for its Afro-Alpine flora, meadows and grasslands punctuated by Giant Lobelia and flowering Red Hot Pokers.

En route visit the former Felasha (Ethiopian Jews) village at Wolleka, 5kms. Most of the Felasha or Bete Israel as they prefer to be called was taken to Israel in the 1980s. 

Visit Project Ploughshare Women’s Crafts Training Center, is helping disadvantaged women rekindle this craft, along with traditional Amhara weaving and basketry. You can watch the women working Monday to Saturday and buy the high-quality pottery every day.

Also you will have a stopover at Kossoye viewpoint, about 40km from Gonder on the way to the Simien Mountains National park.  At a height of about 2,300m, this beautiful spot provides magnificent views of the Simien Mountain range and as well as views of the lower ridges and valleys. Queen Elizabeth II once stopped here while traveling to Axum.

Travel to Sankaber the first camp sight of the SMNP. Enjoy the beautiful landscape and the Gelada /bleeding heart Baboon or lion monkey.

Day 04 –

Flight back to Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa & Departure

Transfer to Bahir Dar airport for your flight to Addis Ababa.

Last minute shopping in Addis Ababa or relaxing at your hotel and transfer to your hotel for the day use.

Visit to Entoto Hills – best introduction place to Addis Ababa. Mt. Entoto is the highest peak in Addis Ababa reaching 3,200 meters above sea level, giving the opportunity to catch stunning views over the city and the surrounding area from the summit.

It is the first settlement in Addis Ababa where Emperor Menelik II resided and built his palace in 1887. It is a historical place which offers a unique glimpse into the history of Ethiopia’s distinct culture. The compound at the peak hosts the Entoto Mariam church, an Ethiopian artefact muse-um as well as Menelik II palace.

In addition to its historical significance as one drive up the hill there is an appreciable drop in temperature and the air is filled with the scent of the Eucalyptus trees which line the road.

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.

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.

DEPARTURE      Hope you enjoyed your stay with us, Many thanks for coming & Have the safest flight.