8 Days Historic Route, North Ethiopia
Starting from Addis Ababa through Bahir Dar–Gondar–Simien Mountains–Lalibela to Addis Ababa a trip that will give you the chance to experience the true nature and cultures of Northern Ethiopia
Overview
Group Size : Two
Tour : Historic Route, North Ethiopia
Duration : 8 Days / June 2022 /
Visit Specifics : Bahir Dar–Gondar–Simien Mountains–Lalibela

Day One
Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar
At 7:00AM, you will be heading North to Bahir Dar, on your way visiting the 13th century Debre Libanos Monastery and the Blue Nile Gorge. Arriving Bahir Dar late afternoon, you will be spending overnight at Papyrus Hotel / Summerland Hotel. *574kms / 9 Hours’ Driving Time
Day Two
Bahir Dar – Tana Lake – Blue Nile Falls – Bahir Dar
At 08:30AM, you will have a boat trip on Tana Lake (the largest Lake in Ethiopia) where you will be able to see two Monasteries, to be recommended Azoa Mariam and Kibran Intos Monasteries. Returning back to Bahir Dar for lunch, at 2:30pm, you will be driving to the Blue Nile Falls located 28kms out of Bahir Dar. After visiting the Falls, you will be returning back to Bahir Dar End of the day, you will be spending overnight at Papyrus Hotel / Summerland Hotel.
*65kms / 2.5 Hours’ Driving Time


Day Three
Bahir Dar – Gondar
Starting off at 7:30am, you will be driving to Gondar. Arriving Gondar mid-morning, through the day you will be visiting the various attractions of Gondar – Emperor Fasiledes Castle Complex and spiritual Bathing Pool (where the annual Timkat and Epiphany festivals take place) and Qusquam Mariam. Additionally, you will also be able to visit Debre Birhan Silassie Church as well as Wolleka – the one-time Falashmura (Ethiopian Jews) village who were best known for their blacksmith and pottery skills. Early evening, you will be visiting an Azmari Bet for local traditional music performances. End of day, you will be spending overnight at Quara Hotel / Ambaras Hotel.
*205kms / 4.5 Hours’ Driving Time
Day Four
Gondar – Simien Mountains – Gondar
At 7:00AM, you will be heading to Debark, gateway town to the Simien Mountains. Arriving Debark mid-morning and driving further to Sankaber in the National Park, you will be able to see the endemic Gelada baboons, the amazing Jinbar Waterfall, appealing surrounding landscape and a bit of birdlife as well. Mid-afternoon, you will be ending your tour of the Simien Mountains and head back to Gondar via Debark. Arriving Gondar late afternoon, you will be spending overnight at Quara Hotel / Ambaras Hotel. *276kms / 7 Hours’ Driving Time


Day Five
Gondar – Awra Amba Village – Lalibela
Starting off at 7:30am, you will be driving to Lalibela. Driving through magnificent landscape, enroute, you will also be able you will be able to visit Awra Amba village, an exemplary community where men and women share equally day-to-day community activities – farming, cotton weaving and cloth makings, caring for the community elders etc. Driving further and arriving Lalibela late afternoon, you will be spending overnight at Lalibela Hotel / Seven Olives Hotel. *398kms / 8 Hours’ Driving Time
Day Six
Lalibela
Starting off at 8:30AM, you will be visiting the various rock-hewn Cluster Churches of Lalibela through the day, a total of ten Churches divided into three groups. End of the day, you will be spending overnight at Lalibela Hotel / Seven Olives Hotel / Alef Paradise Hotel. *10kms / 45 Minutes’ Driving Time


Day Seven
Lalibela – Woldiya – Kombolcha
Starting off at 8:30AM, you will be driving to Kombolcha, on the way visiting the cave Monastery of Neakuto Le’ab shortly out of Lalibela. Proceeding further through Weldiya and Hayk, you will be arriving Kombolcha late afternoon, spending overnight at Yegofe Hotel. *320kms / 7 Hours’ Driving Time
Day Eight
Kombolcha – Debre Birhan – Addis Ababa
Starting off at 8:30AM, you will be driving to Addis Ababa via Kemise and Debre Birhan, en route driving through Amhara/Oromo villages. Arriving Addis Ababa late-afternoon, you will be checking into a hotel of your choice, thereby ending your 8 days tour of the Historic Route of North Ethiopia.
*390kms / 8 Hours’ Driving Time / ** If on a Sunday, you will be able to visit a lively weekly market at Senbete town.
