North Ethiopia Historical Tour -13 days
Day 1. Arrival and city tour in Addis
Up on arrival in Bole airport our representative will welcome you and transfer to your hotel . After you check in your hotel continue to Etnoto park to see the panoramic view of the city . On the way back stop at the National Museum to see the 3 million year old skeleton “Lucy”.
After lunch , drive to the next stop Trinity church built by Haile Silassie in 1942 and it’s the second important church for Ethiopian Orthodox believers . Finally , a head to Merkato -africa’s biggest open market. O/n Addis
Day 2. Addis –Bahirdar
In the morning, fly to Bahirdar and after you check in your hotel take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit some of the monasteries hidden on the islands and shores of this sacred lake. Visit the Zege Penninsula and the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret and the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River. In the afternoon, drive to see the Blue Nile Falls for a short hike in the area. Finish the day with the sunset over the lake. O/n Bahirdar hotel
Day 3- Bahirdar to Gonder
After breakfast, drive south of Bahirdar city to see the blue Nile water falls locals called it ‘Tis Abay Fafate ‘ a great smoke due to the way the water from the falls splashes down . After lunch , drive 180 km the four-hour drive through rural villages, offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture. O/n Gondar
Day4. Gondar City Tour
To day you will explore the ancient sites of Gondar built in the 17 th c A.D, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Ras Gimb Palace Museum and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia. O/n Gondar
Day 5. Gonder – Simien Mountain
Early morning departure to Sankaber in the Simien Mountains. From here you will go for an easy hike to the Geech Abyss, where you will see a large waterfall where the Jinbar River plunges into the abyss. This area is also a great place for viewing the endemic gelada baboon, also known as the ‘bleeding heart baboon’ due to the red patch of skin on its chest. O/n Simien Mountains (lodge)
Day 6. Simien mountain –Aksum
After breakfast, depart north for Axum, enjoying spectacular views of the Simien Mountains. After stopping for lunch in Adi Arkay or Shire , proceed driving through the dramatic Tekeze Valley, offering some of the best landscapes in the country. Proceed to Axum, home of the ancient Axumite Empire, the Queen of Sheba, and the Ark of the Covenant. O/n Axum Sabean hotel
Day 7. Aksum city tour
Today will be a full day visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s enscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. You can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. Men only are allowed to enter the old church. Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. O/n Axum
Day 8. Aksum –Gherealta
After breakfast, drive to visit the ruins of Yeha, dating from the 8th to 5th centuries BC, and thought to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum. Afterwards, visit the Debre Damo monastery, where the men (sorry! No women allowed.) must climb up a 15-m rope to enter. Proceed through the state of Tigray, stopping en-route for a visit to the rock-hewn church of Medhane Alem Adi Kesho. O/n Hawzien
Day 9. Visit Gherealta churches
In the morning, visit the beautiful church of Abune Yemata Guh. It takes walk around 30 minutes from the parking area. It’s hidden church but most incredible as well it has amazing paintings and clergy men, believes the paintings are from 6thc A.D. Stop for lunch in Hawzen town then continues in the afternoon to see the oldest church in the world , Holy savour church /medhanialem Adikoshu/. O/n Hawzien
Day 10. Gherealta – Mekelle
After breakfast , drive 12 km west of hawzien to see Mariam Korkor and Daniel Korkor they are located each other in the same mountain .Minimum takes an hour and 30 minuites to reach on top .On the way back visit Abreha and Atsibeha church, stop in wukro for lunch then drive to Mekelle .
O/n Mekelle
Day 11. Mekelle – Lalibela
Early in the morning, embark on a full day of driving to Lalibela. Here you will pass through several small villages, with typical sandstone homes of the Tigray people. Proceed through this rural area for the stunning approach to the home of Ethiopia’s most prized destination – Lalibela.
O/n Lalibela
Day 12 .Visit Lalibela churches
In the morning, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the North western Cluster of churches – Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for women). After lunch, continue with the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bete Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George. O/n Lalibela
Day 13 Fly to Addis
Fly to Addis Ababa in the afternoon and do souvenir shopping, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure to home .
