Genna Festival In Ethiopia

On arrival meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day will be your leisure time to spend at your hotel; optionally, you can have a visit to Holy Trinity church and Ethnological museum.Founded in 1886 by Emp. Menelik II, Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and the seat of the African Union (AU). Addis Ababa is the third highest capital in the world and one of the largest cities in Africa with a population well over 5 million. It is located at 2500 m above sea level at the foot step of the highest peak of Entoto Mountain chain (3200m above sea level), and enjoys an excellent climate all year round; with an average temperature of 160C. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of Jacarandas, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as Merkato.Ethnological Museum: It is found in the main campus of the Addis Ababa University by the Institute of Ethiopian Studies with the aim to preserve the country's historical and cultural heritages. It has complete collections that describe almost all the tribal groups in Ethiopia. Here you will have an overview about the history, culture and traditions of the people of Ethiopia. The collections include the nomadic tribal groups that are now living just as man's forefather lived thousands of years back.Trinity Cathedral: a beautiful church with a baroque style of European architecture which is unique to both Ethiopia and Africa and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Here you will find scripts of the imperial families, statues done by a Greek sculpture, Stained glass window paintings from the Old and New Testament in the Bible and coffins of Emperor Haile Silassie-I; the founder of the church, and his wife.Overnight: Caravan Hotel or Similar Hotel [http://www.caravanaddis.com/]. Included meals: Dinner.

After breakfast, drive to the airport and catch your flight to Bahir Dar. Later, visit Lake Tana Monastery and Blue Nile Falls (drive time approximately 1hr30).Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia, measuring approximately 84km long and 66km wide, and is also the source of the Blue Nile. The lake contains 37 islands; however, their visibility varies according to seasonal water fluctuations, which are regulated to measure inflow to the Blue Nile Falls. The islands accommodate 20 monasteries, which are used to store religious artefacts due to their remote location. The Blue Nile Falls, also known as Tis Abay, mean 'smoking water' in Amharic. They start as a gentle river flowing 5,223km north of the Mediterranean Sea before joining the impressive falls. The waterfall itself is around 150ft high and half a mile wide, which is just spectacular to witness. Surrounded by immense natural beauty, the falls attract parrots, bee-eaters, white-throated seedeaters and vervet monkeys, just to name a few.Overnight: Jacaranda Hotel or Similar Hotel. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today you drive to Sankaber, the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park. Despite it only being 280km, the drive will take approximately 6hrs. It is stunning: you pass through rural villages and crossing mountain passes with stunning vistas, but be prepared to experience the "African massage" at times along the road. The Simien Mountains National Park occupies a surface area of 180 km sq. The park, situated between 4,430 and 1,900 meters (6,200 - 4,500 feet), boasts varied flora with three marked botanical areas. The highest parts have meadows with little vegetation, characteristic of afro-alpine zones. Here we can find the endemic lobelia rhynchopetalum, small groups of perpetual flowers, helichrysum, and the striking kniphofia foliosa. Late in the afternoon, walk near your lodge to spot the endemic gelada baboon and appreciate the breathtaking scenery.Overnight: Simien Lodge or Similar Hotel. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.