Ultimate Historical Exploration of North Ethiopia – 9 Days

from

$0.00

The core of the country’s tourist industry is formed by the well-defined ‘historical circuit

Reviews 0 Reviews

0/5
Vacation Style Holiday Type

History
Activity Level Fairly Easy
2/8
Group Size Medium Group
30

All about the Ultimate Historical Exploration of North Ethiopia – 9 Days.

The core of the country’s tourist industry is formed by the well-defined ‘historical circuit’ through northern Ethiopia. It is probably no exaggeration to say that 90% of travelers to Ethiopia base the bulk of their itinerary around this circuit, and rightly so. There is nothing in sub-Saharan Africa that prepares the visitor for the wealth of historical and cultural treasures, both ancient and living, contained in northern Ethiopia. The circuit pivots around four cities, all very different from each other, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum, and Lalibela.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

10 Nights Accommodation
Dinner Scouts in the Simien Mountains
Car, Fuel, and Driver Allowance
Breakfast (toasted bread, juice, eggs, pancakes, donuts, coffee, milk, tea, and more options)
Private Guide
Applicable Local guide
Boat Trip on Lake Tana
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Breakfast (10)

What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

Meals except for breakfast
Gratuities
Alcoholic Expenses;
And what is NOT included in the Inclusion List.

Day 1 Arrival and Addis Ababa City Tour

National Museum of Ethiopia

After breakfast, drive to the National Museum of Ethiopia for visiting the long-age history and the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University’s main campus is the enthralling Ethnological Museum. Even if you’re not normally a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of your time – it’s easily one of the finest museums in Africa.

Duration: 3 hours

Admission Ticket Included

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Before lunch, drive to Holy Trinity Cathedral Church which has a unique architectural style.

Duration: 1 hour

Admission Ticket Included

Mount Entoto

Immediately after a relaxed lunch, drive up to the Entoto Mountains, the best location to observe the panoramic view of the capital. It is also a historical place where Menelik II resided and built his palace. It is notable as the location of a number of celebrated churches, including Saint Raguel and Saint Mary (Maryam Church). The return drive will be via Piazza with an en-route visit to St. George Church and Menelik II Square towards the largest open-air market, Merkato. This site will enable you to have an experience of shopping in Ethiopia.

Duration: 4 hours

Admission Ticket Included
Day 2 Drive to Bahir Dar

Debre Libanos Monastery

Early in the morning, drive to Bahir Dar, en-route visit Blue-Nile Gorge and Debre Libanos monastery. If you think the Grand Canyon is impressive, compare it to its African cousin – the Blue Nile Gorge. Situated 210 km north of Addis Ababa and is about one mile wide and deep, the Blue Nile Gorge is one of the most spectacular gorges in the world. After a 100 km drive on the waylays the renowned monastery of Debre Libanos, was founded in the 13th century in a magnificent 700m-deep canyon. Duration: 8 hours Admission Ticket Included

Accommodation: Overnight Stay at Jacaranda Hotel or Similar, Bahir Dar.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Bahir Dar, Boat trip and drive to Blue Nile Falls

Lake Tana

In the morning, you will go on a boat trip to Lake Tana. On Lake Tana, there are 37 islands, and 32 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. We visit the monastery church of Ura Kidane Mihret, which is the best known of the monasteries and has an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries A.D

Duration: 4 hours

Admission Ticket Included

Blue Nile Falls

In the afternoon drive to the Blue Nile Falls, this is known locally as Tissisat (smoking waterfall): 100 m (328 ft) wide, the water plunges for 45m, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. Early in the afternoon drive back to Bahir Dar and finish the day with a lovely sunset over Lake Tana. Duration: 5 hours Admission Ticket Included

Accommodation: Overnight stay at Jacaranda Hotel or something similar, Bahir Dar.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Drive to Gondar

Fasil Ghebbi

After lunch, we will visit Gondar, the first capital city with the reign of Fasilides. In Gonder, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more of European than African origin. In the afternoon, we visit Fasiladas’ Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one!

Duration: 3 hours

Admission Ticket Included

Debre Berhan Selassie Church

We continue going to the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs, and paintings. Debre Berhan Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632. Duration: 2 hours Admission Ticket Included

Accommodation: Overnight stay at Goha Hotel or similar, Gondar.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Drive to Simien Mountains

Simien Mountains National Park

After breakfast drive to Simien Mountain National Park. Debark is a small market town at an altitude of 2700 meters close to the boundary of the Simien Mountains National Park. Corrugated–iron-roofed buildings surround the colorful and busy market area. Before entering the park, you have to register at the park headquarters just outside town. Here, armed scout – one of the park regulations, joins you. Then drive to Sankaber for the best view. En route, pass through pretty country, the foothills of the Semen Mountains, with a carefully tended field, open pasture with grazing horses, stands of trees, and distant rocky peaks. At the high point of the road, there are superb views across the weirdly eroded foothills of the range and you may also be lucky enough to spot your first Lammergeiers and Gelada Baboons of the trip.

Duration: 8 hours

Admission Ticket Included

Accommodation: Overnight stay at Ras Dejen Hotel or similar, Debark. Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Drive to Lalibela

Lalibela

A long but beautiful drive takes us to the highlight of your visit to Ethiopia.

Duration: 8 hours

Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Overnight stay at Maribela Hotel or Similar, Lalibela. Meals: Breakfast Day 9
Day 7 Exploring Lalibela

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

After breakfast, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches – Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Dangel, and Bet Mikael. and in the afternoon, visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rafael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanuel, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George

Duration: 6 hours Admission Ticket Included

Accommodation: Overnight stay at Maribela Hotel or Similar, Lalibela.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Drive to Dessie

Lake Hayq

After a relaxed breakfast, you will drive to Kombolcha. On the way, you will see the small towns of South Wollo and Lake Hike and its island monastery.

Duration: 8 hours

Admission Ticket Included

Accommodation: Overnight stay at Golden Gate Hotel or similar, Dessie. Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Drive to Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa

Today, the return drive to the capital city departs in the morning after breakfast. On the way, you will visit towns known for fruit production. You will be arriving late afternoon in Addis Ababa. Depending on your interest and time availability visit the local gift and traditional cloth shops, Evening farewell dinner party, and then transfer to the airport for departure.

Duration: 8 hours

Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Not Included Meals:

Breakfast Dinner