14-DAYS HISTORICAL
14-DAYS HISTORICAL
Tour Code: EAET607
Duration: 13 Nights /14 Days
Day 1: Arrival Addis Ababa and City Tour
On arrival Addis Ababa EAET representative will meet you at Bole international Airport and transfer to the Hotel, start visiting the city from National Museum ,where Ethiopia’s oldest resident ,Lucy is housed, Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, continue with Holy trinity church and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air. Overnight stay on reserved Hotel
Day 2: Full day drive to Bahir Dar
Through turbulent landscapes and a succession of high plateaux, long journey towards the north of the country to reach the city of Bahar Dar. On the way, visit of the Orthodox monastery of DebreLibanos, one of the most prestigious of Ethiopia, founded in the thirteenth century. Then pass by the impressive gorges of the Blue Nile. In the late afternoon, arrive at Bahar Dar, a pleasant town on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, in the north-west of the country. Overnight stay on hotel
Day 3: Bahir Dar
Morning after breakfast take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit a selection of the monasteries hidden on the islands and shores of this sacred lake. Visit the Zege Peninsula and the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret and the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River. In the afternoon drive out to the Blue Nill falls for a short hike in the area. Finish the day with the sunset over the lake. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 4: Drive to Gondar and City Tour
You will be driven to Gondar (185 Km) through country side .Then you will check into a hotel and after a brief break, you will have lunch. Then, you will visit to the Royal Castles & the Bath of Emperor Fasiledes (the bath is filled with water for the important Timkat (epiphany) ceremony once a year. You will continue your visit to Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Trinity at the Mount of Light), the Castle of Empress Mintewab, and Kuskwam Complex which is a royal compound built by the Empress Mentewab. Early in the evening, you will visit ‘Azmari Bet’ at Traditional Music Houses after which you will have dinner at the hotel and stay there for the night Overnight stay on Reserved Hotel.
Day 5: Excursion trip to Simein Mountain
After breakfast departure early to join the Simien National Park, one of the most spectacular mountain massifs of Africa, beautiful walk between Sankaber (3250 m) and the great waterfall of Jinbar. The path progresses along the immense escarpment, first in a slight climb before starting a descent down to the waterfall. Along the way, a magnificent view of the valley below and the surrounding peaks. Among the animal species endemic to these high plateaus, we can easily observe some colonies of geladas baboons … After a last journey by the track, arrived late afternoon in the village of Debark (3000 m), near the Simien. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 6: Axum
Take a scenic drive to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire, today modest town yet with great history and memory. On the road you would enjoy one of the most beautiful scenes in the country. Frequent stops to appreciate view points of Limalimo ,Tekeze river Gorge. Arrive in Axum late in the afternoon .Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 7: City tour in Axum
Morning after breakfast start visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s enscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. You can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. Men only are allowed to enter the old church. Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 8: Axum – Gheralta
Drive from Axum to Gheralta via Adwa and Adigrat. Adwa is a town with tremendous importance to Ethiopians because it is in the hills surrounding that Menelik II defeated the conquering Italian army in March 1896. A visit to Yeha, dated back from the 8th to 5th centuries BC, and used to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum. Afterwards visit Debre Damo monastery where the man (no women allowed). Overnight stay on reserved hot
Day 9: Gheralta
On this day you will visit two churches with climbing and an hour’s walking to reach the most popular churches are Abune Yemata and Mariam Korkor church, one of the largest and most interesting rock hewn churches in Tigary .in the afternoon Dugum Selassie church, Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 10: Gheralta Mountains-Mekele
After breakfast drive to Mekele en route visit more of Tigray Rock hewn church and ancient rock-hewn churches: Abraha Atsbeha, dating from the 10th century, the beautiful Wukro Chirkos after that continue to Mekele. Overnight stay on hotel
Day 11: Mekele-Lalibela
Early morning, embark on a full day of driving to Lalibela. Here you will pass through several small villages, with typical sandstone homes of the Tigray people. Precede through this rural area for the stunning approach to the home of Ethiopia’s most prized destination, Lalibela. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 12: Lalibela
Full day to discover the treasures of Lalibela; Your first visit will be to the eleven Rock-hewn Monolithic (carved from a single rock) Churches of Lalibela, The first group of Lalibela Churches includes: Bete Medhanialem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagl and Bete Golgotha Michal, the second group of Lalibela Churches that includes: Bete Gebral, Bete Merquros, Bete Emanule, Betelehiam, Bete Aba Libanos and the spectacular cross-shaped St. George Church. Overnight stay in reserved Hotel
Day 13: Church Yemerhana Kristos, walk- heights of Lalibela
This morning, a little north of the city, discover the rock church of Yemerhana Kristos, a sanctuary remarkable for its architecture and its interior decoration. This jewel of medieval Ethiopian art was built in the 11th-12th centuries in a cave. After the visit of this beautiful church, return on Lalibela and beautiful walk on the heights of the city to the rocky peak of Asheten. Departure from the church of Naakuto Lab, a sanctuary built inside a large cavern of basalt. By a small path, climb to Asheten Maryam, beautifully situated monolithic church and overlooking Lalibela. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 14: Flight Lalibela-Addis Ababa
After breakfast transfer to the airport and fly back to Addis Ababa, visit Mercato, one of Africa’s largest outdoor markets. Evening we will have fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian restaurant for cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home.
- Note: The above program can be adjusted according to your time, Budget and interest.
