HISTORIC ROUTE TOUR AND TREKKING – NORTHEN ETHIOPIA

This journey takes you through the Ethiopian highlands and the major sites on the historical route of the country. The earliest kingdom, Axum’s thousands of years old gigantic stone monuments,(WHS) fairy tale-like castles of the city of Gondar (WHS), the wonderful rock-hewn churches of Lalibela(WHS) and the Tis esat falls literally ”smoking water” of the Blue Nile river is among to be visited places. Boat trip on Lake Tana (Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve), the largest water contributor to River Blue Nile and the largest lake in Ethiopia will take us to its Islands. The islands are homes to the many attractively old monasteries among which Ura-Kidanmhiret and Kibran Gabriel are the nearest and easily accessible to the everyday visitor. The visit to the Ethiopian Historic Tourist Route based on this tour program will culminate in a trekking of two days in the Semien Mountains National Park (WHS), admired for its spectacular landscape and the endemic mammals Gelada Baboon and Walia Ibex.

Day 01: Arrival and City tour of Addis Ababa

Arrival at the Addis Ababa Bole International airport after settling and resting a while, you will go on city tour of Addis Ababa and outskirts, that includes National Museum, Ethnological Museum, Mount Entoto, Merkato a traditional open market and a Flower farm. Overnight, hotel., Addis Ababa

City tour includes:

• Visit to National Museum: This comprises of many archaeological and historical findings, including the famous complete hominid fossil remains of “Lucy” locally known as Dinknesh meaning “wonderful”. 
  Visit to Ethnological Museum: It is found in the main campus of Addis Ababa University by the Institute of Ethiopian Studies with the aim to preserve the country’s historical and cultural heritages. It has a very good collection that describes a number of tribal groups in Ethiopia. Here you will have an overview of history, culture and tradition of Ethiopian people.  

• Visit to Saint George Cathedral Museum and Church: This octagonal church, which was built by Emperor Menilik II in 1896 in commemoration of Ethiopian victory over the Italian invaders at the Battle of Adwa. Here you will visit paintings by the Maitre Artist Afework Tekle, which decorated the interior wall, and glass window of the church and other ecclesiastical royal and cultural heritage of the past are displayed in cathedral’s small museum within the compound.  

• Visit to Mount Entoto: It is the highest peak in Addis Ababa with an altitude of 3200 meter, forested terrain and is the site for the first Imperial palace of Emperor Menilik II who formed the first modern government structure for Ethiopia. Here one can see a small but fully displayed museum that shows articles of historical significance, denoted by members of royal family, foreign diplomats and notable individuals. Here you will also find Saint Mary Church where Emperor Menilik II crowned as Emperor (Kings of Kings) of Ethiopia. Here you will also have the chance to admire the panoramic view of the city.   

• Visit to Merkato: It is the largest open-air market in Africa, here you will be able to understand and learn about local products and very vast range of goods and artifacts available from all parts of the country and you will enjoy the Ethiopian trade exchange tradition in the open-air. 

Day 02

Drive Addis Ababa - Bahirdar,

In the morning after breakfast drive to Bahir Dar on the way you will visit the famous 13th century, medieval monastery of Debre Libanos and the magnificent Blue Nile Gorge which resembles America’s Grand Canyon. Bahir Dar is a town located on the southern shore of Lake Tana, close to the Blue Nile outlet of the lake. Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of Blue Nile River. Overnight hotel, Bahir Dar

Day 03:

Full Day Bahir Dar 

In this morning, you will take a scenic drive of 35 km to the little town of Tiss Abay and walk for about twenty minutes to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. The falls plunges 40 meters below and 400 meters wide, giving rise to misty clouds, that fills like smoke, which is locally named as Tiss Isat meaning, “Water that smokes”. 

In the afternoon, you will drive through the lined indigenous plants and flowers on the streets of Bahir Dar to Bezawit Hill, to the then provincial palace built by Emperor Haile Silassie I in 1967.He ruled Ethiopia for nearly half century until he was overthrown by a Military Junta in 1974. The hill provides an excellent peak point over the town of Bahir Dar, to see the Blue Nile River as it leaves Lake Tana. Drive back to Bahir Dar. Overnight hotel Bahir Dar

Day 04:

Full DAY visit to the Zegie Monastry on Lake Tana 

This morning you will make a full day excursion trip to the beautiful Islands on Lake Tana on boat ride to get there. You will be visiting the monasteries of Ura Kidanmhiret and Azwa Mariam. In the monasteries, there are distinctive colorful frescoes of religious scenes an impressive display of illuminated bibles written in “Geez” the ancient religious language from which Amharic is derived. Then meet the bus on the northern side of Lake Tana, and then drive to Gonder. Overnight Hotel, Gonder 

Day 05: 

Full day in Gonder 

Full day tour of Gonder known as the “Camelot” of Africa, nestled in the northwestern part of the country was the 17th and 18th century capital city of Ethiopia. It was founded by Emperor Fasiladas (1632 – 1667) and was home to a number of emperors and kings who built those castles and palaces. They are very impressive Gonderine structure, the castle compound including the two storied palace of emperor Fasilades, built of roughly hewn brown basalt stone held together with mortar, the fantastically decorated Debre Birhan Silassie Church (light of Trinity), the bath which is still used for baptism place during Ethiopian epiphany, every January 19.are the highlights of your tour in Gondar Overnight Hotel, Gonder

 Day 06:

Gondar Semien Mountains National Park

Early in the morning drive to the majestic Semien Mountains National Park via Debark the gateway to the park to reach Chenek. Chenek is one of the most spectacular spot, where you can view the stunning valley with the unique wildlife the endemic Gilada Baboon (the bleeding heart baboon) and Walia Ibex. Trek up to Bwahit Ras the second highest peak in the park at 4300 meter, to visit the park’s extraordinary natural beauty.  The park constitutes one of the major mountain massifs in Africa. The region includes many summits above 4000 meters and culminates in the highest point of Ethiopia, Ras Dejen/Dashen at 4620 meters ASL, and it is the fourth highest mountain in Africa. Overnight Lodge/camping   

 Day 07: Semien Mountains National Park - Axum

Early in the morning leave Semien Mountains National Park and drive to Axum, via one of the most scenic roads of Ethiopia and the Tekeze river gorge. Tekeze River is one of the major tributaries of Blue Nile and generating significant amount of hydroelectric power for the country. Overnight hotel, Axum

Day 8: Full day tour of Axum 

 Axum is a unique place in Ethiopian History. It has amazing historical relics that take back a visitor to thousands of years. It was the first capital of Ethiopia until the 9th century A.D. On this day you will visit the famous stele park, where the magnificent single block of stones erected since 3rd century, the Saint Mary of Zion Cathedral, where the original Ark of the Covenant is said to be sheltered and the small but rich archaeological museum. Continuing your visit which includes the subterranean tomb of king Kaleb and his son king Gebremeskel, 6th Century AD, the trilingual stone inscription of king Ezana and finally visit the ruin palace and bath of Queen of Sheba who history has it as the Queen of Ethiopian Empire and the mother of king Menilik I of the 950 B.C. Overnight hotel, Axum

Day 9: Drive to Mekelle,

On the way you will be visiting the ruins of Temple of Yeha (also known as Temple of the moon) Yeha Temple is famous for its huge, remarkable and well preserved 12-meter high imposing temple that is there for more than 2,500 years.  
Mekelle is established in the 13th century. In the 19th century emperor Yohannes IV, made it his capital. It is a plateau land expanse, located between the Afar Depression in the east and the Semien mountains in the southwest and this will allows you to enjoy the prominent geographical features.  Overnight Hotel, Mekelle

Day 10:  Mekelle - Lalibela 

In the morning drive via the town of Weldia to the town of Lalibela famous for its 11 rock-hewn churches with some 800 years of hisory. The spectacular nature of architectural and carving workmanship is beyond ones imagination. It is the icon of the northern historic route tour and is must see attraction of Ethiopia. Overnight Hotel, Lalibela 

Day 11: Full day tour of Lalibela

Full day at Lalibela (World Heritage Site) visiting the brilliant feat of engineering and architecture, are often referred by many as the “8th wonder of the world” which is exceptional to find churches of such master craftsmanship in one place elsewhere in the world. 

In this morning among the eleven remarkable rock hewn churches built by king Lalibela in the late 12th century A.D, you will visit the first cluster of churches that represents the earthly Jerusalem. In the afternoon you will visit the second cluster of churches, which represents the heavenly Jerusalem, finally visit the most beautiful and monolithic cruciform church of Saint George, which is one of the most amazing work of sculpture in a large pit with amazing accesses to the priests and visitors alike. Overnight Hotel, Lalibela

Day 12: Lalibela - Kombolcha 
Morning we will leave Lalibela and drive to Kombolcha via Woldia, on the way you will visit the monastery of Hayk Estiphanos. Overnight Hotel, Kombolcha

Day 13: Kombolcha – Bati/SENBETE MARKET – Addis Ababa 
Morning drive back to Addis Ababa, on the way you will visit the colorful Bati or Senbete Markets (it depends on the day I.e. Monday and Sunday), when the Amhara, the Afar and the Oromo ethnic groups are viewed in their unique costumes and articles of trade. Continue driving back to Addis.

End of Tour

In the evening farewell dinner party in one of the Traditional Ethiopian Restaurants with traditional music and dances from different ethnic groups, then transfer to Bole International Airport for flying back home.

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