Northern Ethiopia Historic Route

Itinerary

Day 1: A great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history

Stop At: Ethnological Museum, Addis Ababa University Main campus, Siddist Kilo, አዲስ አበባ, Ethiopia
Even if you’re not a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of your time – it’s easily one of the finest museums in Africa, showing the full sweep of Ethiopia's cultural and social history across two floors.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Addis Mercato, Kenya St Addis Ketema, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
If you’re a market lover, one place you can’t miss when you visit Addis Ababa is Addis Mercato.

It’s considered Africa’s biggest market, an open air sprawl of vendors that goes on for kilometers; It’s one of those markets that weaves in all directions and you never know what you’re going to stumble into or what you’re going to find.

At the market there’s a section for just about anything you can imagine.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Aratkilo area Addis, Addis Ababa 123 Ethiopia
This massive and ornate cathedral is the second-most important place of worship in Ethiopia (ranking behind the Old Church of St Mary of Zion in Aksum). It’s also the celebrated final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife Empress Menen Asfaw. Their massive Aksumite-style granite tombs sit inside and are a sight indeed. The solemnity of the interior design contrasts sharply with highly the charged emotions of many pilgrims. It's a fascinating place.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at reserved hotel

Day 2: Fly Addis to Bahir Dar

Stop At: Lake Tana, Ground floor from Blue Nile Hotel, Bahir Dar 1000 Ethiopia
Visit the marketplaces, take a boat trip on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient island monasteries.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Reserved Hotel

Day 3: Drive to Gondar

Stop At: Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar region, Gonder Ethiopia
Tour the Royal Enclosure, featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century. Visit Debre Birhan Selassie church, famous for its religious art and iconic ceiling depicting angels.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Reserved Hotel

Day 4: Drive to Simien Mountain National Park

Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Enjoy some light hiking in the afternoon in the park and spot wildlife such as the endemic Gelada baboon.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Reserved Hotel

Day 5: Take a scenic drive to Axum

Stop At: The Ruins of Aksum, Axum Ethiopia
Take a scenic drive to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire. Experience the magnificent views on the way.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Reserved Hotel

Day 6: Tour the Ancient Stella Fields

Stop At: Northern Stelae Field, Near St Mary of Zion Church, Axum Ethiopia
Visit an ancient Stella fields, standing for 2,000 years, the new and impressive Archeological Museum, other tombs and archaeological sites.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Reserved Hotel

Day 7: Drive to the Gheralta lodge passing the Adwa battlefield

Stop At: Gheralta Lodge Rd, Hawzen,Etiopia, Ethiopia
Drive to the Gheralta lodge passing the Adwa battlefield, Emperor Menelik II's victory site over the Italians. Visit the 2,500 year old ruins of Yeha, Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos Tigray rock churches.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Reserved Hotel

Day 8: Visit more ancient rock-hewn churches

Stop At: Abuna Yemata Guh church, Hawzen Ethiopia
We/Abraha Atsbeha; the beautiful Wukro Chirkos; and Medhane Alem Kesho. Drive to Mekele.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Reserved Hotel

Day 9: Drive on a scenic road to Lalibela

Stop At: Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Lalibela 1260 Ethiopia
Arrive late afternoon and enjoy the sunset from the terrace.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Reserved Hotel

Day 10: Tour the 11 magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela

Stop At: Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela Ethiopia
This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Reserved Hotel

Day 11: Drive to Yemrehana Kristos

Stop At: Yemrehanna Kristos, Lalibela Ethiopia
In The morning we will visit a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. Tour Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Reserved Hotel

Day 12: Take a Flight Back to Addis Ababa

Stop At: National Museum of Ethiopia(Godambaa Biyyoolesa Itiyoopiyaa), Addis Ababa Arada, Ethiopia
Visit the National Museum, home of the 3.2 million years old skeleton "Lucy." Optional souvenir shopping and Farewell dinner in traditional Ethiopian restaurant, Transfer to airport. End of the Trip!
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.