A three-day, two-centre tour of Amharic Ethiopia - exploring historic castles and an ancient church in Gondar before transferring to lakeside Bahir Dar for painted monasteries and picturesque waterfalls.
(NB An optional extra day before leaving Gondar can visit the dramatic Simien Mountains)
(NB also - this tour can be in the reverse order to what follows - Gondar to Bahir OR Bahir Dar to Gondar)
After checking into a comfortable hotel, day one begins with a walk into the centre of Gondar, the capital city of Ethiopia in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the Castle Compound are eleven very different buildings, each added by a succeeding monarch. An expert local guide will be employed to give all the detailed facts and amusing anecdotes.
After lunch and a little downtime, a slightly longer walk to the edge of the city will lead to a hidden gem of Ethiopian history, the famous church of Debre Birhan Selassie, every interior surface covered with characterful and colourful paintings of bible stories and Ethiopian saints.
There will then be free time to explore the city, relax and purchase souvenirs if wished before dinner and a quiet night if that is your wish. Local bars can also provide for your needs if you are not quite ready for sleep!
*Optional extra day
If choosing the four-day option to visit the dramatic Simien Mountains near Gondar, you will be driven through the countryside to this mountain area to see amazing scenery and unique wildlife. The endemic gelada baboons, living in large extended family groups, are easily seen and you can experience close encounters! A return to Gondar offers an extra night and fine dinner.
The next day, a well-maintained private vehicle will take you on a four-hour drive to Bahir Dar and beautiful Lake Tana, passing through mountain vistas before dropping down to rice fields and farmland. Coffee stops whenever you wish.
Your modern Bahir Dar hotel is especially comfortable but, after a prompt lunch, you'll be transferring to your private boat for the 75-minute trip on Lake Tana to the wooded promontory of Zege. Here you'll walk through ancient coffee plantations to a truly secluded and extraordinary painted monastery. Another expert local guide will show you round before your return to the pleasant and friendly town for the night.
The following day will again be in your private vehicle, driving to an unspoilt country village called Tis Abay. Here a local guide will to lead you on an hour's hike to the Blue Nile Falls where the Nile drops over the escarpment and starts its journey to the Mediterranean Sea. If you'd prefer to avoid the hills, you can be taken on a different route that is almost entirely flat and somewhat shorter but which arrives at the same point. Coffee, relaxation, spectacular scenes and friendly local people will welcome you.
The end of your tour will be back in Bahir Dar where you say goodbye to your friendly guide. Any further help and advice you need will be willingly given.
