Classical Tour in the Northern Part of Ethiopia
Description:
DST 001 - 13 nights and 14 days
Discover with us the Abyssinian treasury in the northern part of Ethiopia, which takes you through the rich historical, archaeological, religious and natural attractions of Ethiopia. It focuses on the historically important regions of Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum, Mekele and Lalibela.
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 explored. After visiting the ancient city of Axum and its archaeological sites, you precede to Hausien, to visit the wonderful Tigray rock-hewn churches of Geralta. Finally, you drive to Lalibela to see the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, often referred to as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.
DST 001 - 13 nights and 14 days
Discover with us the Abyssinian treasury in the northern part of Ethiopia, which takes you through the rich historical, archaeological, religious and natural attractions of Ethiopia. It focuses on the historically important regions of Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum, Mekele and Lalibela.
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 explored. After visiting the ancient city of Axum and its archaeological sites, you precede to Hausien, to visit the wonderful Tigray rock-hewn churches of Geralta. Finally, you drive to Lalibela to see the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, often referred to as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.
- Program: CLASSICAL TOUR
- Tour Code: DST001
- Duration: 13 nights (14 days)
- Transport: Surface (4WD) and Air
- Tour Start: Addis Ababa
- Tour End: Addis Ababa
- Escorted by a professional English speaking guide
- Best season to travel from September to June
- Temperature: 20 - 30 degrees in most of the places
- Tour Type: Cultural, historical and nature
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights:
- Immerse yourself in Christianity in its most raw and powerful form in the mind-blowing rock-hewn churches in Lalibela.
- Search for hidden treasure in the dank gloom of ancient Aksumite tombs and ponder the mysteries of the stelae of Axum.
- Trek through the sublime Simien mountains, home to magnificent wildlife and unparalleled panoramas of endless Abyssinsan abysses.
Day 1: ADDIS ABABA Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, meet our representatives and transfer to the given Hotel. During the day, visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where we will view the 3.2 million year old remains of "Lucy", whose skeletal remains when discovered in 1974. You will also visit the Holy Trinity Cathedrals and Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3,200 meters and offers the panoramic view of the metropolis.
Overnight at a hotel
Day 2: FLY BAHIR DAR 
Fly to Bahir Dar. Morning admire the Blue Nile falls. Lunch back to Bahir Dar. Afternoon, visit the city's colorful market and the Bezawit Hill,
the summit of which hosts the former Palace of Haile Selassie and offers panoramic views over the Blue Nile river.
Overnight at a hotel
Day 3: BAHIR DAR - GONDAR (180 km) In the morning boat on Lake Tana for monasteries over its islands, as Azwa Mariam and Ura Kidane Mehret. Lunch. In the afternoon drive to Gonder.
Overnight at a hotel
Day 4: GONDAR 
The whole day visit the Castle's compound and king Fasiladas bath, Empress Mentwab palace and the Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Light on Trinity)
with wonderful murals.
Overnight at a hotel
Day 5: GONDAR - SIMIEN NATIONAL PARK (137 km) In the morning departure for Debark town (100 kms from Gondar), where the head quarter of Simien Mountains national park is found, continue driving to Sankaber. Trek for about 3 hours.
Overnight in camping in Senkaber, 3,200 m above sea level
Day 6: EXCURSIONS SIMIEN NATIONAL PARK 
The whole day explore the Simien National Park. Admire the beauty of this highland region, the extraordinary scenery,
enjoying the endemic Gelada Baboons and the bone breaker giant bird Lammergeyer roaring around.
Trek for about 5 hours.
Overnight in camping in Senkaber, 3,200 m above sea level
Day 7: SIMIEN NATIONAL PARK - AXUM (300 km) Drive long but enjoying very beautiful and spectacular landscape along the Simien Mountains and Tekeze gorge. The road descends from 3,100 meters through hairpin bends down the mountain side to 1,400 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 at a hotel
Day 8: AXUM 
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.
Visit St. Mary of Zion Church (the sanctuary that houses the Ark of the Covenant), the bath and the palace of Queen of Sheba, tombs of kings, more archeological sites, and more.
Overnight at the same hotel
Day 9: AXUM - HAUSIEN (230 km) Drive through the historical town of Adwa, the major African battlefield. Visit the temple of Yeha, a large pre-Christian temple consisting of a single oblong chamber and the oldest standing building in the country. Visit Debre Damo, the oldest monastery in Ethiopia. Drive to Hausien.
Overnight at a hotel
Day 10: HAUSIEN (Tigray rock-hewen churches) 
Climb for about 2 hours to visit Mariam Korkor and Daniel Korkor. Picknique. In the afternoon, visit Abouna Yemata Guh church.
These are the most spectacularly situated rock-hewn churches anywhere in Ethiopia.
Overnight at a hotel
Day 11: HAUSIEN - MEKELE (90 km) (Tigray rock-hewen churches) In the morning visit Yohannis Maikudi, one of the most interesting rock-hewn churches of the region. Visit also Abreha we Atsbeha and Wekro Cherkos rock-hewn churches. Drive to Mekele, the capital city of Tigray region.
Overnight in Mekele at a hotel
Day 12: MEKELE - LALIBELA (370 km) 
Drive to Lalibela through the rough nature of road but nice to experience along with the magnificent scenery (gigantic, ups and downs landscape).
Visit Lake Ashenge.
Overnight at a hotel
Day 13: LALIBELA 
Full day sightseeing tour of Lalibela which is famous for its rock-hewn churches, dating back to 800 years. These brilliant feats of engineering and
architecture are often referred to as the "Eighth wonder of the World" The day is spent exploring the atmospheric subterranean complex of passages and
the 11 remarkable rock-hewn churches.
Overnight at a hotel
Day 14: FLY ADDIS ABABA - INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT Fly to Addis Ababa. The rest of the day visit historical sites in Addis Ababa and Merkato, the biggest open air market in Africa. In the evening, we have a fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian restaurants for cultural dinner and folkloristic dances.
Departure
View more pictures of Top Destinations Price inclusive of:- Accommodation on the basis of sharing twin bed room
- Meal - full board
- All transfer in and out services
- All ground transportation
- Professional guide accompanying throughout
- All entrance fees
- Portage fees
- Boat and mule hire, where applicable
- Scout fees, where applicable
- Domestic airfare, where applicable. It is subject to change
- Government tax
-
Price exclusive of:
- International airfare
- Lunch and dinner in Addis Ababa
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- All other expenses not listed in the inclusive part above
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