Package ID: 1019
Duration: 16 Days
Season: January- December
Activities: Archeology/History & Church Tours
Customize: This package can be customized
Accommodation: Hotel
The trip starts and ends in Addis Ababa. This cultural and
historical adventure takes you through the rich historical,
archaeological, religious and natural attractions of Ethiopia. It
focuses on the historically important regions of Bahir Dar, Gondar,
Askum, Mekele, Lalibela and Harer. A boat cruise over Lake Tana is
arranged to visit old monasteries on the islands. With some distance
drive from Bahir Dar, Blue Nile Falls will be visited. In Gondar the
castle of Faselades, which is known as the Camelot of Africa, will
be visited. On the way to Axum the magnificent mountain scenery of
the Simien Mountains will be seen. After visiting the ancient city
of Axum and its archaeological sites, you precede to Lalibela see
the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, often referred to as the
'Eighth wonder of the World'. Finally the trip ends by visiting the
walled city of Harar.
Day 1: On arrival in Addis Ababa our representatives will meet you
at Bole International Airport and transfers to Hotel. An overview of
the program and itineraries will be given. The rest of the day visit
historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Museum, where
we will view the 3.5 million year old remains of “Lucy”, whose
skeletal remains when discovered in 1974. You will also visit the
Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, Holy Trinity
Cathedrals and Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200
meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis.
Overnight Hotel
Day 2:
After breakfast drive to Debre Markos via Dejen which is the famous
Teff growing region in the country. Teff is staple food of
Ethiopians. After 103 kms drive, visit the 13th C monastery of Debre
Libanos and the 17th C Portuguese Bridge. En route have stop over to
visit the Oromo tribal village. Further down, you will enjoy the
fabulous Blue Nile Gorge.
Overnight Debre Markos
Day 3: Drive about 250kms to Bahar Dar, a town by the edge of Lake
Tana, through the beautiful scenery and visiting the Amhara people
and their villages. Have a lunch at Bahar Dar, the capital of the
Amhara National Regional State. Afternoon, we make city tour of
Bahir Dar that includes: Colorful market where someone could find
the pottery, traditional hand-made woven clothes, etc. Visit Woito
Basket market and Mount Bezawit where the palace of Emperor Haile
Selassie is gracefully situated. This hilltop is the best viewing
point for the town, the lake and the river.
Overnight Bahir Dar
Day 4: After breakfast drive to the small town of Tiss Abay to visit
to the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or
'Smoke of Fire'. The falls throws up a continuous spray of water
droplets which drench onlookers up to a kilometre away. Much of the
water is diverted to for Hidro electric Generation but it is worth
visiting for the walk around and see the country side. The area
around the river is extremely fertile and the Amhara people who live
here farm wheat, sorghum and Teff (from which injera, the national
bread, is made. After the Falls, return to Bahir Dar for lunch the
rest of the afternoon we take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit
ancient monasteries. We will visit two of the most accessible and
representative of the monasteries, still serving their original
function, Ura Kidane Mehret, and Azwa Maryam.
Overnight Bahir Dar
Day 5: We experience typically in an Ethiopian African landscape as
we drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar- 180 kms over wide grazing land,
hilly mountains with numerous farmlands. The rest of the day visit
attractions in Gondar. The attractions that you visit in Gondar
includes: Castles of Gondar- are included in the World Heritage
List, the royal Fasiledes Bath and the Church of Debre Berhan
Selassie with its unique murals.
Overnight Gondar
Day 6: Excursion to Semien Mountain National park, after breakfast
departure for Debark town (100 Kms from Gondar), where the head
quarter of Semien Mountains National Park is found. Here we pay the
entrance fees and a scout and a local guide will accompany us. Then
we continue driving to the gravel road to Buyit Ras, the first
campsite of the National Park and your lodge for the night. On this
drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of
this highland region, the extraordinary scenery, enjoying the
endemic Gelada Baboons and the bone breaker giant bird Lammergeyer
roaring around.
Overnight Simien Loge
Day 7: On this day, you drive long (280kms) but enjoying very
beautiful and spectacular landscape along the Semien Mountains and
Tekeze Gorge. The road descends from 3100 meters through hairpin
bends down the mountain side to 1400 meters in just 40kms! The drive
down and back up to Adi Arkay showcases not only the immensely
beautiful Simien Mountain massifs but also the people who eke out an
existence in this unforgiving countryside. The drive continues
through the Tekeze valley, crossing the Tekeze River, and onto Axum
in the far north.
Overnight Axum
Day 8: The ancient city of Axum is found close to Ethiopia's
northern border. It marks the location of the heart of ancient
Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Axum was the most powerful state
between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The archaeological and
historical attractions in Axum include: the archaeological museum,
monolithic steles or obelisks, the tombs of King Kaleb and King
Gebre Meskal, and the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the
ruins of ancient palace of Queen Sheba. You also visit the new and
the old Cathedral of St Mary of Zion and the sanctuary that houses
the original Arc of the covenant. The 16th Century Cathedral of St
Mary of Zion was probably built on an earlier 4th century church,
and is the holiest church in Ethiopia. In its sanctuary is said to
rest the original Ark of the Covenant.
Overnight Axum
Day 9: After breakfast drive through the historical town of Adwa,
this is the major African battlefield. Drive to the very small town
of Yeha to visit the 5th century B.C imposing ruins of Yeha’s
temple. It was a large pre-Christian temple consisting of a single
oblong chamber. The temple is believed to be the oldest standing
building in the country. You will also visit the 6th century A.D
church of Aba Afse –the church, sharing the same compound with the
temple, is rectangular in shape. Continue driving to Mekele-the
capital of Tegray region en route visit Rock church of Wekro Cherkos.
Overnight Mekele
Day 10: Morning drive to Lalibela through Maychew town where you
pass by the chain of Ambalage Mountain where the Italians fought
with Menilik the 2nd for the first time. On this day, you will have
the longest drive through the rough nature of road but nice to
experience along with the magnificent scenery (gigantic, ups and
downs landscape). You will have a chance to visit Lake Ashenge and
good for birding. Proceed to Lalibela for dinner.
Overnight Lalibela
Day 11: Full day sightseeing tour of Lalibela: Lalibela, famous for
its rock hewn churches dating back 800 years. There are no less than
1000 churches in the Lasta Region of Lalibela, some hidden in
enormous caves, but it's exceptional to find 11 churches of such
master craftsmanship in one locale. These brilliant feats of
engineering and architecture are often referred to as the "Eighth
wonder of the world". The afternoon is also spent exploring the
atmospheric subterranean complex of passages and the 11 remarkable
rock-hewn churches.
Overnight Lalibela
Day 12: After breakfast drive through the highland area of Delb
where you can see the dramatic Ethiopian Landscape. Stop over at
Hayk to visit the 13th C monastery of Hike Istifanos on the island
of Lake Hike. If it is a market day you will have a good experience
for Bati color full market where you are going to find the Oromo,
Amhara, and the Afar people. Proceed to Kombolcha for dinner.
Overnight Kombolcha
Day 13: Drive to Awash and visit the magnificent Awash water falls.
Over night Genet Hotel
Day 14: After breakfast drive from Awash Sebat Killo to Harar. You
will be driving through the Hararghe Mountains and we will see
plenty of coffee and ‘chat’ fields. The region is well known in
growing one of the best qualities of coffee in the country. Finally
we will arrive in Harar early in the afternoon.
Overnight Harar
Day 15: The same day you visit the colorful Muslim and Christian
markets (known for basketry), the museum, and the traditional
Hararie houses situated within the famous walled city. In the
evening visit the hyena man while he feeds the hungry hyenas.
Overnight Harar
Day 16: After breakfast we drive to Addis Ababa. Evening we will
have a fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian restaurants for
cultural dinner and dances from the different ethnic groups. Then
after transfer to the airport for flight back home.
Overnight Addis Ababa