This 14-day tour explores Historic Route, Axum, Gondar, Lake Tana Monasteries, Blue Nile Falls and Simien Mountains. It is designed for travelers interested in historical, cultural, religious, hiking experiences, combining important attractions with well-paced sightseeing and local discovery. The itinerary includes church visit, historical site visit, cultural experience and wildlife watching. Wildlife sightings may include Gelada Baboons and Walia Ibex.
Day 1: Arrival – Sightseeing Addis (The new Flower)
You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. Refresh and begin your sightseeing of Addis with a drive up to mount Entoto for a panoramic view of Addis. Descend down and drive to National museum where you will have a chance to spot the oldest hominids of ‘Lucy’ fossil. Visit and proceed to the Holy Trinity built during the WWII. Then proceed to Ethnographic museum, which use to be the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. To wrap up you drive to merkato, the biggest market in East Africa. Overnight in Addis.
Day 2: Drive Addis – Bahir Dar (560 kms 9 – 10 hrs drive)
After an early breakfast you will drive to Bahir Dar passing through the Blue Nile gorge. Overnight in Bahir Dar.
Day 3: Sightseeing Bahir Dar
After breakfast, you will take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 14th century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret which is the most famous of the Zege peninsula monasteries. Afternoon, you will drive to the village of Tis Issat to see the Blue Nile Falls. (Note that the volume of the water could be minimal because of the construction of the new dam.) Overnight in Bahir Dar.
Day 4: Drive Bahir Dar – Gondar (180 kms 3 – 4 hrs drive) (The Camelot of Africa)
After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Gondar. The Royal Capital of Ethiopia, Gondar was founded in 1636 by Emperor Fasilides. In the afternoon you will visit the city of Gondar with the drive to the Castles and Churches built by Emperor Fasilides and his descendants. Proceed to the fascinating Debre Berhan Selassie (The Enlightening of Trinity) with Wonderful murals art, Qusquam Church. Overnight in Gondar.
Day 5: Drive Gondar – Sanqaber
This day you will have an excursion to Sanqaber a segment of the Semen Mountain. This is a sight, which is termed as the most wild and spectacular of all Ethiopian landscapes- ‘the roof of Africa.’ Observe the magnificent scenery. Overnight at Simien Mountains.
Day 6: Excursion to Cheneck
Today you will have an excursion to Cheneck where you may encounter with the endemic of Gelada Baboons and Walia Ibex. Overnight at Simien Mountains.
Day 7: Drive Sanqaber – Axum
After an early breakfast you will drive to Axum passing through the adventurous road of Lima Limo and Tekeze desert. Overnight in Axum.
Day 8: Sightseeing Axum
A city more than 2500 years of history, once the center of a great empire and ancient civilization, home of the original Ark of covenants, Axum is the prime historical site in the north of Ethiopia. Take a city tour that include the St. Mary’s Church, the sanctuary Chapel which is the repository of the ‘Ark of covenant’, the coronation yard, Stelae Park, Tomb of Kaleb and his son Gebre Meskel, Ezana’s Inscriptions, Queen of Sheba’s Bath, Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins and Axum Museum. Overnight in Axum.
Day 9: Drive Axum – Hawzen
This day you will drive to Hawzen visiting en route the Yeha 5th century Temple displaying incredible skills in stonework and is in fact the oldest building still standing in Ethiopia. Proceed to Hawzen Overnight in Gheralta.
Day 10: Drive Hawzen – Mekele
This day you will drive to Mekele visiting en route Dugum Sellase. Then proceed to Abraha Atsbeha, the first church in Ethiopia. Its interior is painstakingly decorated. Finally you will drive to the famous semi rock-hewn church of Wukro Cherkos. Overnight in Mekele.
Day 11: Drive Mekele – Lalibela
After an early breakfast, start the journey to the town of Lalibela via sokota observing the beautiful landscape. Overnight in Lalibela.
Day 12: Sightseeing Lalibela
Eighth wonder of world Heritage’ Lalibela is famous for its underground rock-hewn cathedrals. In the afternoon you will visit top attractions of Lalibela that will simply stagger you. Overnight in Lalibela.
Day 13: Drive Lalibela – Kombolcha
Today you will drive to Kombolch visiting en route the monastery of Nakuto Leab built by the nephew of Lalibela. Overnight in Kombolcha.
Day 14: Drive Kombolcha – Addis – Departure
After breakfast, you will begin your journey driving back to Addis. In the evening attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.
