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Our fourteen day indelible and historic tour includes a visit to all the extremely imposing and major historical sites of the North of Ethiopia and to the exceptional rock-hewn churches of Tigray and Danalik Depression. If you’re an adventure fanatic, then this the ultimate and ideal trip for you. You honestly must not miss it dearly. Noteworthy, we have designed this itinerary, to be as comfortable as possible, despite the existing underdevelopment in this part of the vast globe. Depending on your time of arrival, Dejene Ethiopia tours representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel and make sure that you have everything you need.
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Itineraries
Day 1
Addis Ababa
Visit the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Visit the Mercato, one of Africa’s largest outdoor markets, and Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Overnight ADD (L, D).
Day 2
Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar
Fly to Bahar Dar on Ethiopian Airlines. Visit the marketplace in Bahar Dar. Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient island monasteries. Overnight Bhirdar (B, L, D)
Day 3
Bahar Dar - Gondar
Drive through the countryside to Gondar. Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African Empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels. Overnight Gondar (B, L, D)
Day 4
Gondar - Simien Mountains National Park
Drive to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy some light hiking in the afternoon in the park. Overnight Simien mountain (B, L, D)
Day 5
Simien Mountains - Axum
Take a scenic drive to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Frequent stops at viewpoints along the way. Arrive in Axum late afternoon. Overnight Axum (B, L, D)
Day 6
Axum
Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum. Visit other tombs and archaeological sites as time permits. Overnight Axum (B, L, D)
Day 7
Axum - Hawzein
Drive to the Hawzein passing the Adwa battlefield, site of Emperor Menelik II’s 1895 victory over the invading Italians. Visit the 2,500-year-old ruins of Yeha, an ancient moon temple. Continue past Adigrat and visit Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos, two of the Tigray region’s oldest and finest rock churches. * On this day, we will pass the 6th-century monastery of Debre Damo which is perched atop a remote plateau. The monastery is only accessible using a rope and the monks will help pull visitors up the 20 – 25 meter cliff. However, we only recommend this for physically fit individuals. Women are not allowed on the grounds of the monastery, and therefore, it is not part of our regular tour itinerary. However, we can stop here for those on a custom or private tour. Overnight Gerhalta (B, L, D)
Day 8
Hawzein - Mekele
Visit more of Tigray’s remote and ancient rock-hewn churches: Abraha Atsbeha, dating from the 10th century; the beautiful Wukro Chirkos; and Medhane Alem Kesho. Drive to Mekele. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 9
Mekele - Ahmedela
Meet support vehicles and drive to Ahmedela via Berhaile. Make camp, and see camel caravans passing against a backdrop of dramatic sunsets. Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 10
Excursions to Lake Asale and Dallol
Visit Lake Asale and watch the salt workers as they cut bricks of salt from the lake bed. The bricks are then sold on the market and loaded on camel caravans for transport to the highlands. Proceed to Dallol and view the dramatic and colourful geological formations caused by the hot springs rich in sulfur, potash, and salt. Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 11
Trek to ErtaAle
Drive to Dodom. Trek 15 kilometres to the Erta Alle volcano lake, 613 meters above sea level. Arrive at Erta Alle around midnight and walk to see the spectacular volcanic eruption. Set up camp and rest. Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 12
Return to Mekele
Return trek to Dodom. Drive to Mekele. Overnight Mekele (B, L, D)
Day 13
Mekele - Lalibela
Drive on a scenic road to Lalibela. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the sunset from the terrace. Overnight Lalibela (B, L, D)
Day 14
Lalibela
Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. 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. Overnight Lalibela (B, L, D)
Day 15
Lalibela - Addis Ababa
Fly to Addis Ababa. Visit the National Museum, home of the 3 million-year-old skeleton “Lucy.” Optional souvenir shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups.
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