Travel History

Tour Type: Historical Route

Group size : 8-12 people

Duration: 10NIGHTS/11DAYS

A comprehensive Travel To Northern Ethiopia

A comprehensive trip of the Historical routes which included all Ethiopian’s oldest capitals (Axum, Lalibela & Gondar) up to the current capital – Addis Ababa.

Start the trip from Addis Ababa, before heading to the astonishing rock hewn churches of Lalibela , tour in Addis which may include one of the most significant sub-Saharan museums in Africa and the recent additions – one of the sheger project( Entoto Park , unity park, river Project). Fly to Axum, a city immersed a city known for its tall, carved obelisks, ruins of the ancient Kingdom of Aksum, the Ark of the Covenant and the Aksumite Kingdom, once one of the most powerful in the ancient world.

Drive through from Axum to Simien Mountains via the most charming Lima limo road. The drive will take a full day with some stops to take pictures. Afterward, head to the castle town of Gondar, end the tour at Bahir Dar, home to one of the largest lakes in the country and source of the Blue Nile.

Highlight

• Visit 11 medieval outstanding churches of Lalibela
• See National museum , unity park
• Axum-sightseeing stelae  field, archeological sites
• Simien Mountains National park
• Castle of Gondar
• Blue Nail Falls and  Monastery churches at Lake Tana

Itinerary

Day 1: Home – Addis Ababa

Meet and greet by Afro Experience team from Bole international airport and  transfer to hotel. Today,  we our guide will assist you  to seeing  in Addis Ababa. Sightseeing Including: National Museum which housed fossilized remains of Lucy- 3.2 million years,  Holy Trinity Cathedral – the highest ranking Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo cathedra. If you have time,  visit unity park which symbolizes the generational legacy of Ethiopia and Ethiopians.

Day 2: 1  Hour Flight Addis Ababa-Lalibela,  3hours round  Drive to Yimrehanna Kirstos Monastery Church.

Addis Ababa to Lalibela, take morning flight to Lalibela airport. The flight time takes about 1 hour. Afro Experience diver and guide , collect you from airport. Check in hotel and relax in the morning.  Afternoon, drive North -west to Yimrehanna Kirstos monastery church. The church, Located 42 Km away from Lalibela town, build before Lalibela  rock hewn churches  holds peaceful atmosphere in the remote area.  Eye catching  paintings, a cave church positioned under water for more than 900 years. Short walk  from the trail to the church, visit the church and back in time to Lalibela town for lunch.

Day 3: Explore Lalibela & Asheton Mariam churches

Today, a tour to Asheton Mariam monastery church. It is located on top of the mountain at an elevation of 4000m. The route takes you through a wonderful rural village with a fantastic view once you get on top of the mountains. To get there, you may walk about 2 hours to walk up & another 2 hours to return, or an excursion by mule. Afternoon, visit the second group of churches of Lalibela. End the day with a sightseeing Saint Giorgi’s, the most photographic churches of all-

Day 4: Fly Lalibela Axum

Morning fly to Axum. Axum, it was one of the oldest capitals of Ethiopia. And a holy city as it is a home to the Ark of the Covenant. Visits included: the stelae park, the tombs, queen sheba palace, St. Mary’s of Zion Cathedral, the archaeological museum.

Day 5: Drive Axum – Simien Mountains National Park.

After breakfast, set off and drive to the Simien Mountain National park via the Lima limo road, the road is the most scenic route in the country. The drive today is 8-9 hour plus stops. You will arrive in the Simien Mountain late in the afternoon. Stay the night at simian Lodge.

Day 6: Explore the Simien mountains National Park

Today, hike into the mountains, & see the dramatic landscape, endemic Gelada baboon that roam the hillside. If you are lucky you probably spot the Walia ibex, as well as the klipspringer, bushbuck and the rare Simien fox.

Stay the night at simian Lodge.

Day 7: Simien Mountains National Park – Gondar

After breakfast, drive to Gondar, Gondar was once the capital city of Ethiopia, in 1636. On your way to Gondar, stop at women’s ploughshare scheme to pick up traditional black pottery and other small handicraft.

Day 8: Tour Gondar

You will have a city tour of Gondar, including: the Fasill Ghebbi or Royal Enclosure, Debre Birhan Sellasie church known for its beautiful samples of Ethiopian church.

Day 9: Gondar – Bahir Dar

Drive close to 3 hours to Bahir Dar town which is located about the edge of Lake Tana. On your way, enjoy the magnificent landscape, see Amhara village. Afternoon, drive to Blue Nile fall which is about 35 km away from Bahir Dar town. The Blue Nile is the most known falls in the country, it is called as Smoking Fire (locally Amharic word -Tis Isat).

Day 10: Another day Bahir Dar- Boat trip to Lake Tana

Lake Tana, the largest lake and source of the Blue Nile falls. Take a private boat to one of the islands named as Zege Peninsula which housed Ura Kidan Mehert and Azewa Mariam.  Take a picnic from Bahir Dar, you may have a lunch break before going back to the land.

Day 11: Take a morning flight to return to Addis Ababa. If you have international flights the same day, you may connect.