9-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
Tour : Historic Route, North Ethiopia
Duration : 9 Days / 17th April – 25th April 2019 /
Group Size : 4 Persons
Day One
Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar
At 7:30AM, 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 Summerland Hotel / Papyrus Hotel / Abay Minch Lodge / Tana Hotel / Kuriftu Resort.
Day Two
Bahir Dar – Gondar
At 7:30AM, you will drive North to Gondar, driving parallel to Lake Tana for the last 115kms. Arriving Gondar at 9:30AM, you will spend the rest of the day visiting Emperor Fasiledes‘ Castle complex and Spiritual bathing Pool, Debre Birhan Silassie Church and Wolleka – the ancient settlement of Ethiopia Jews, locally known as the Falashas / Falashmuras. End of the day, you will spend overnight at Ambaras Hotel / Quara Hotel / Goha Hotel.
Day Three
Gondar – Simien Mountains – Debark
At 6:30AM, you will be heading to Debark, gateway town to the Simien Mountains. Arriving Debark and into the National Park mid-morning, you will be able to see the endemic Gelada baboons, appealing surrounding landscape and a bit of birdlife as well. Starting at noon, you will have the opportunity to do a 4 hours / 12kms trekking from the 22nd kilometer mark to Sankaber Campsite (36kms mark). End of the day, you will returning to Debark where you will be spending overnight at Simien Park Hotel.
Day Four
Debark – Lima Limo – Axum
Leaving at 8:00AM from Debark, will head to Axum via the Lima Limo route crossing the Tekeze River in the valley. Driving by the side of the Simien Mountains for roughly 95kms, you will get to have additional side views of the Simien Mountain’s scenic beauty. Further into the Tigray highland plains around Shire Indaselassie, you will be arriving Axum late afternoon, spending overnight at Africa Hotel / Remhai Hotel / Yeha Hotel.
Day Five
Axum
Through the day, you will be visiting the Stelae fields of Axum, St. Mary Zion’s Church and Bathing Pool, Dungur – the ruined palace site of Queen of Sheba, King Bazin’s and King Kaleb’s Churches. End of the day, you will spend overnight at Africa Hotel / Rehmai Hotel / Yeha Hotel.
Day Six
Axum – Adigrat – Mekele
Starting off from Axum at 7:30AM, you will be heading to Mekele, en route visiting the moon-temple of Yeha. Further ahead, you will be visiting Debre Damo Monastery (allowed for men only) or alternatively Abraha Atsbaha Church of the Gheralta Cluster in the West wing around Wukro. Time permitting, you will also be able to visit Mikael Imba Church of the Atsbi Cluster found in the East wing around Wukro. Proceeding further and arriving Mekele late afternoon, you will be spending overnight at Hill Top Hotel / Axum Hotel / Yohannes IV Hotel / Yordanos Hotel.
Day Seven
Mekele – Sekota – Lalibela
At 7:00AM, you will be proceeding to Lalibela via the Sekota route. A remote but relatively shorter and very much route, you will be passing through some wonderful landscape. Shortly before arriving Lalibela, you will be able to visit Yimrihana Kristos Church. Late-afternoon, you will be arriving Lalibela where you will be spending overnight at Roha Hotel / Mount View Hotel / Panoramic View Hotel / Cliff Edge Hotel / Seven Olives Hotel / Alief Paradise Hotel.
Day Eight
Lalibela
Starting off at 8:00AM, you will be visiting the rock-hewn Cluster Churches of Lalibela through the day, a total of 10 Churches through the day, divided into three groups. End of the day, you will be spending overnight at Roha Hotel / Mount View Hotel / Panoramic View Hotel / Cliff Edge Hotel / Seven Olives Hotel / Alief Paradise Hotel.
Day Nine
Lalibela – Addis Ababa (flight)
At 8:00AM, you will be heading to visit the cave–Monastery of Neakuto Leab, located 7kms West of Lalibela town. After your visit of this Monastery, you will be transferred to the airport at 9:30AM for your flight to Addis Ababa. Arriving Addis Ababa at 1:30PM, you will have a quick check-in into a hotel of your choice and then have a brief city tour of Addis Ababa during the rest of the afternoon. At 7:30PM, you will have a complementary farewell dinner from SORA Tours at Yod Abyssinia / 2000Abesha Cultural Restaurant where you will be able to taste the best of spicy Ethiopian cuisine while watching live traditional music and dance performances from various the ends of Ethiopia. At 10:30PM, you will be transferred to a hotel of your choice, thereby ending your 9 days tour of the Historic Route of North Ethiopia.