All Northern Historical Package – Our fourteen day historic tour includes all the major historical sites of the north, including the rock-hewn churches of Tigray. All transport is surface except for a flight from Lalibela to Addis Ababa at the end of the tour.
Day1
Addis Ababa – Arrival at Bole International Airpor and Transfer to hotel for check-in. City tour of Addis Ababa including the Merkato, said to be Africa’s largest market , and the National Museum of Ethiopia and the ethnographic museum. Overnight Hotel – Addis Ababa
Day2
Addis Ababa to Bahirdar – Drive to Bahar Dar via the Blue Nile Gorge, the “Grand Canyon” of East Africa. Stop at the historically important Monastery of Debre Libanos, rebuilt since it was razed by the Italians during the 1930’s. Overnight Hotel – Bahar Dar
Day3
Bahirdar – In the morning, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore the monasteries of Lake Tana. In the afternoon you will have an excursion to the Blue Nile falls which is also called (TIS ABAY or TIS ESAT) which means the smoking water. Overnight Hotel – Bahar Dar
Day4
Bahirdar to Gondar – Morning drive to Gondar, north of Lake Tana, stopping at the village of Awra Amba.Overnight Hotel – Gondar
Day5
Gondar – Explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia and Kuskuam Mariyam. Overnight in Gondar Overnight Hotel – Gondar
Day6
Gondar to Semien Mountains – Drive to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Simien Park, The Semien Mountains National Park has many summits above 4,000 meters. Ras Dashen is the highest point in Ethiopia and the fourth highest in Africa at 4,620 meters. UNESCO registers it as a World Heritage Site. Enjoy some light hiking with dramatic land scope and wild life! Overnight Hotel – Lodge/
camping
Day7
Semien Mountains to Axum – Take a scenic drive to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Frequent stops at viewpoints along the way. Arrive in Axum late afternoon. Overnight Hotel – Axum
Day8
Axum – Once you arrive in Axum you will see the obelisk of Axum. Axum is an ancient kingdom, which existed several years before the birth of the Christ. Axum is the cradle of Ethiopian culture and Christianity. The city is also the site of Ethiopia’s first church, dedicated to Tsion Maryam, and is the spiritual home of the Ethiopian Orthodox church. Overnight Hotel – Axum
Day9
Axum to Gherealta Lodge – Drive to the Ghiralta Lodge passing the Adwa battlefield, site of Emperor Menelik II’s 1895 victory over the invading Italians. Visit the 2,500 year old ruins of Yeha, an ancient moon temple. Continue past Adigrat and visit Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos, two of the Tigray region’s oldest and finest rock churches.
On this day, we will pass the 6th century monastery of Debre Damos which is perched atop a remote plateau. The monastery is only accessible using a rope and the monks will help pull visitors up the 20 – 25 meter cliff. However, we only recommend this for physically fit individuals. Women are not allowed on the grounds of the monastery, and therefore, it is not part of our regular tour itinerary. However, we can stop here for those on a custom or private tour. Overnight Hotel – Ghiralta Lodge
Day10
Gherealta to Mekelle – Visit more of Tigray’s remote and ancient rock-hewn churches: Abraha Atsbeha, dating from the 10th century; the beautiful Wukro Chirkos; and Medhane Alem Kesho. Drive to Mekele. Overnight Hotel – Mekele
Day11
Mekelle to Lalibela – Drive on a scenic road to Lalibela. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the beauty full sunset Overnight Hotel – Lalibela
Day12
Lalibela – in the morning visit the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site.These groups of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. After lunch, begin to explore the 11 rock-hewn churches of the remarkable king Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches – Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha. An the afternoon drive to Nakuto Le’Abe. This cave church, 7 km from Lalibela, is a simple but attractive little church, built on the site of a much older shrine.This monastery houses one of the most interesting collections of ancient crosses, illuminated manuscripts and other icons some of which are attributed to its founder Nakuto Le’Abe. Overnight Hotel in Lalibela
Day13
Lalibela – In the morning drive to Yimerhan Kristos (42 km from Lalibela) to visit the church of Yimrehanne Kristos. The most popular of the churches outside of Lalibela, this church is built in the late-Axumite style, with layers of wood and granite, set in the entrance to a large cave.In the afternoon, visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, a huge monolith in the shape of a cross, and constructed in honor of St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia. Overnight Hotel – Lalibela
Day14
Fly to Addis Ababa – Fly back to Addis Ababa and have farewell party with cultural dinner and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks.