OUR DESTINATIONS
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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
Alternatively, check out some of our holiday offers below.
- Destinations
- Africa
- Ethiopia
- Addis Ababa
- Gondar
Gondar
Gondar is a city like no other, scattered with ancient castles,
churches and endowed with magnificent mountain scenery and a
pleasantly cool climate. Situated 460 miles (748km) north of Addis,
this is the next clockwise step after Bahar Dar on the official
Historic Route through Ethiopia.
Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia for 200 hundred years, which
accounts for the abundant imperial architecture, most densely
concentrated in the Royal Enclosure which contains five castles.
The oldest, and most architecturally interesting, is the Castle of
Fasilades which has Axumite, Portuguese and Indian elements. Near
the edge of Gondar is the Church of Debre Birhan Selassie which
dates from 1682 and contains the country's most celebrated ceiling
murals.
Gondar is also a natural base for treks into the Simien
Mountains and many companies tout their services. Choose carefully
and get the opinion of recently returned trekkers before committing
to a particular guide.
Information & Facts
Language
Amharic is the official language, although over 80 local
languages are also spoken. English and Arabic are widely spoken as
well as some French and Italian.
Money
The official currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB), which is
divided into 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks
and authorised hotels. Credit cards have limited usage outside of
Addis Ababa, and even in the capital they are only accepted by
major establishments. Visitors should carry a supply of travellers
cheques or hard currency with them, preferably in US dollars. ATMs
are sparse, but banks are usually open every day except Sundays
from 8am to 11am and 1pm till 4pm.
Time