Ethiopia’s Historic Route: 14 days / 13 Nights
Overview
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. During this historic tour, all transport is either by means of road or water except for flight from Lalibela to Addis Ababa at the very end of the tour. If you’re an adventure fanatic, then this is the ultimate and ideal trip for you. You honestly must not miss it dear. Noteworthy, we have designed this itinerary, to be as comfortable as possible, despite the existing underdevelopment in this part of the vast globe. Also, regardless of the often-rustic conditions, delays, and bumpy roads, this journey will be entertaining and full of very epic moments for any experienced traveler with a sense of humor, flexibility, and a high true spirit of adventure.
Provided by Dejene Ethiopia Tours.
$2,800.00
Itinerary
Day 01: Welcome to Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Awash Park to Addis – Journey’s End On the last day of this exhilarating tour, we’ll drive back to Addis Ababa, completing our unforgettable journey through the splendor of Harar and the wilderness of Awash National Park. Experience the vibrant culture of Harar and the untamed beauty of Awash National Park with Dejene Ethiopia Tours. Book now to embark on an incredible 3-day adventure, creating lasting memories of Ethiopia’s natural and historical wonders.
Day 02 Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar
Drive to Bahar Dar through the great Blue Nile Gorge popularly known as the “Grand Canyon” of East Africa. We will also make a stop at the historically significant Monastery of Debre Libanos which was exceptionally rebuilt after it was razed by the Italians in 1930’s. When the day comes to an end you will retire to a hotel in Bahir Dar with a serene environment and atmosphere where you will have a peaceful night rest. Overnight Bahirdar
Day 03 Bahar Dar
Visit the Market place in Bahar Dar. After this visit you will go for an exhilarating and mind-blowing excursion on the skyline silver Lake Tana which is the source of the jewel blue, Blue Nile River. Additionally, you will tour the wondrous ancient island monasteries. After the day’s excursion, you will return back to spend the night at the same hotel with a serene environment and atmosphere. Overnight Bahirdar
Day 04 Bahar Dar – Gondar
An early morning drive to see the spectacular Blue Nile Falls and then return to Bahar Dar for extremely delectable meals for lunch. In the afternoon, you will be driven to Gondor, North of the beautiful Lake Tana and the final stop will be at Awra Amba village. After the days’ tour you will spend the night at an awesome hotel in Gondar. Overnight Gondar
Day 05 Gondar
Visit the remote ruins of Kuskuam, which was built for Empress Mentewab in the 1700’s and after lunch, you will have the opportunity to tour the illustrious Royal Enclosure a UNESCO World Heritage site that has five glorious castles built in succession by the Ethiopian Kings from the 17 th century. These glorious castles are a clear indication of the great resilience of this once mighty and powerful African Empire for they endured several air raids during World War 2. Also you will visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, renowned for its aesthetic religious art and more so its iconic ceiling that exactly depicts the angels. On this historic tour day, you will also spend the night at the same awesome hotel in Gondar. Overnight Gondar
Day 06 Gondar – Simien Mountains
Drive to Sankaba, the gateway to the incredible Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you have the chance to see the spectacular park scenery and a wide range of wild animals. You will spend the night at a stunning and tranquil lodge.
Day 07 Simien Mountains – Axum
You will have an exceptional scenic drive to Axum, the capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, there will be frequent stops at perfect and ideal viewpoints along the way and eventually arrive at Axum late afternoon. While here in Axum, your overnight stay will be at an impeccable hotel. Overnight Axum
Day 08 Axum
Tour the ancient and medieval stelae fields that have been in existence for the last 2000 years. Furthermore, you will visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum. In case time permits we will take you to visit other tombs and archeological sites. The overnight stay will be at an impeccable hotel in Axum. Overnight Axum
Day 09 Axum – Gheralta Lodge
Drive to the spacious and charming Gheralta Lodge passing by the famous Adwa battlefield where the prominent Emperor Menelik II conquered the invading Italians in 1895. With a visit to the majestic ruins of Yeha which was a spectacular medieval moon temple. We will also continue with the journey past Adigrat and visit Aba Gerima and Petros, the two most primeval and finest rock churches in Tigray region. Much more fascinating and breathtaking on this day, is a visit to the 6 th century monastery of Debre Damos that rests on top of a remote plateau and is only accessible using a rope and the monks will help the visitors up the 20 – 25 meter cliff. Nonetheless, with all the existing fun at this place, we only recommend this for the physically fit individuals. It is also important to note that women are not authorized to access the grounds of the monastery. Owing to this, a visit to the Debre Damos monastery is not part of the regular tour schedule. However, we can stop here, for those on a customized or private tour. After a long day full of exhilarating and mind-blowing experience you will spend your night at the spacious and charming Gheralta Lodge.
Day 10 Gheralta Lodge – Mekele
Visit more of the awe-inspiring ancient rock-hewn churches in Tigray such as Abraha Atsbeha established in the 10 th century, the slightly and beautiful Wukro Chirkos and the great Medhane Alem Kesho. Finally we will drive you to Mekele where you spend your night in a remarkably awesome hotel. Overnight Mekelle
Day 11 Mekele – Lalibela
Drive on a highly scenic road to Lalibela and eventually arrive at your luxurious modern hotel in the late afternoon – a perfect time to enjoy the tropical and romantic sunset from a winsomely paved terrace. You will spend the night in this hotel.
Day 12 Lalibela
Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were aesthetically carved right into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years down the line. This complex or rather nexus boasts and swanks the most massive monolithic church in the world, a labyrinth of passageways and tunnels, convoluted carved reliefs, and phenomenal illustrations of iconic paintings. On this day you will spend the night in the same luxurious modern hotel in Lalibela. Overnight Lalibela
Day 13 Lalibela
Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, an exquisite church situated in a shallow cave that antedes the beautiful churches of Lalibela. In addition, this drive to Lalibela will also give you the ultimate opportunity to perfectly view the vast rural countryside and villages of the impressive Ethiopian highlands. We will also go on with our Lalibela churches’ escapade in the afternoon and eventually when the day dawns you will return and stay overnight in the same hotel in Lalibela. Overnight Lalibela
Day 14 Fly to Addis Ababa
Fly to the heavenly and awesome city of Addis Ababa. While here, you visit the National Museum, the home of the 3.2 million year old formidable and wonderful skeleton “Lucy” and you can also go for an optional souvenir shopping. The epic of our tour is a farewell dinner at a glorious and resplendent traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring exceptional dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s diverse ethnic groups. Finally after the incredible and memorable farewell dinner you can be transferred to the airport for a late night departure if need be.
$2,800.00
