16-DAYS CLASSIC HISTORIC ETHIOPIA TOUR
16-DAYS CLASSIC HISTORIC ETHIOPIA TOUR
Tour Code: EAET608
Duration: 15 Nights /16 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 hill top of Mount Entoto. Overnight stay on reserved Hotel
Day 2: Debre Libanos Monasteries and Blue Nile Gorge
After breakfast drive to Debre Markos via Dejen which is the famous Teff growing region in the country. Teff is staple food of Ethiopians. After 105 km drive visit the 13th century monasteries of Debrr Libanos and the 17th century Portuguese bridge. En route you will enjoy the fabulous Blue Nile Gorge. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 3: Bahir Dar
Drive about 250kms to Bahar Dar, a town by the edge of Lake Tana, through the beautiful scenery and visiting the Amhara people and their villages. Have a lunch at Bahar Dar, the capital of the Amhara National Regional State. Afternoon, we make city tour of Bahir Dar that includes: Colorful market where someone could find the pottery, traditional hand-made woven clothes, etc. Visit Woito Basket market and Mount Bezawit where the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie is gracefully situated. This hilltop is the best viewing point for the town, the lake and the river. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 4: Blue Nile Falls and Tana Monasteries
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 5: 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 6: Excursion to Semien Mountain National park
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 7: Simien Mountain-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 8: Axum City Tour
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 9: Axum –Mekele
After breakfast drive through the historical town of Adwa, this is the major African battlefield. Drive to the very small town of Yeha to visit the 5th century B.C imposing ruins of Yeha’s temple. It was a large pre-Christian temple consisting of a single oblong chamber. The temple is believed to be the oldest standing building in the country. You will also visit the 6th century A.D church of Aba Afse –the church, sharing the same compound with the temple, is rectangular in shape. Continue driving to Mekele-the capital of Tegray region en route visit Rock church of Wekro Cherkos. Overnight Mekele
Day 10: 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 11: 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 12: Lalibela – Kombolcha
After breakfast drive through the Ethiopian dramatic landscap. Enroute visit the 13th century of Hayk to visit the 13th century Monastery of Hayk Istifanos ,if it is a market day you will have a good experience for Bati Color full market where you are going to find the Oromo,Amhara and Afar people after that continue to Kombolcha . Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 13: Awash National Park
Drive to Awash and visit the magnificent awash waterfalls. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 14: Drive to Harer
After breakfast drive from Awash Sebat Killo to Harar. You will be driving through the Hararghe Mountains and we will see plenty of coffee and ‘chat’ fields. The region is well known in growing one of the best qualities of coffee in the country. Finally we will arrive in Harar early in the afternoon. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 15: Harer
This day you will visit the colorful Muslim and Christian markets, the museum and the traditional Hararie houses situated within the famous welled city. In the evening visit the hyena man while he feeds the hungry hyenas. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 16: Departure
After breakfast drive back to Addis Ababa, 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.
