Classic Historic Route North Ethiopia, 12 Days

classic historic route to north Ethiopia,  We will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in. The first day we spent in the fascinating capital of the country: Addis Ababa. Depending on your time of arrival we take you on a half day or full day city tour visiting some sites of your choice like the Ethnographic Museum, National Museum, Trinity Cathedral, Merkato (the largest market of Africa) or the Entoto Hills just outside Addis Ababa. Accommodation at: Caravan Hotel

An early morning flight will take us to Bahir dar,   After check in in our hotel we embark drive for about one hour to reach the small village of Tissisat. Here we enjoy a lovely walk in the cooler morning hours. We cross the Nile by the 17th century Portuguese Bridge and continue the walk to the falls, meeting local people on the way. After admiring the falls, we cross the Nile by small boat to find our car waiting for us. We are heading back to Bahir Dar for lunch After lunch we will do  boat trip on Lake Tana to explore some of the beautiful churches.  It is about one hour by boat to reach Zeghe Peninsula where we visit the most famous church Uhre Kidane Mehret. We enjoy a walk on the forested peninsula to the other churches and might meet monkeys and beautiful birds on the way. At the other side of the peninsula the boat is waiting and takes us to Kibran Gabriel Island (unfortunately women are not allowed). Before we are heading back to Bahir Dar the boat takes us to the the source of the Blue Nile where we find many water birds and maybe a hippo, meanwhile enjoying the sunset. Accommodation at: Kistel Hotel

After early breakfast proceed to our next destination Gondar. After lunch start your city tour of Gonder. Gonder, founded by Emperor fasileledas around 1635 is famous for its many medieval castles and the design and decoration of its churchs –in particular, DebreBirhan Selassie Represents a masterpiece of unique Ethiopian school of traditional arte. Today you will visit the royal enclosure, a walled compound having a different castles built from 17th century by different kings who ruled in different time the pool of king fasilidas which still  serve us a baptismal pool during Ethiopian epiphany and we will also visit the famous DebreBhirhan Selassie adorned with brilliant  frescos from inside. Accommodation at: AG Hotel

We will stop along the way to handle park fees, etc.  If you like, we can drop you in or around Buyit Ras for a 1-2 hour hike to Sankober, which passes close to the escarpment edge.  Nearing Sankober, you will have beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge and where you will likely see the endemic Gelada baboons and above all the Jimbar waterfall is incredible in such a trip.  Let in the afternoon drive to Debark  for over night Accommodation at: Simen Lodge

early morning, depart north for Axum, enjoying spectacular views of the Simien Mountains.  We will proceed driving through the dramatic Tekeze Valley, offering some of the best landscapes in the country. Proceed to Axum, home of the ancient Axumite Empire, the Queen of Sheba, and the Ark of the Covenant. Accommodation at: Simien Lodge

After breakfast we will be visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy), the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. You can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept.  Men only are allowed to enter the old church.  Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. Accommodation at: Sabean Hotel

After breakfast, drive to visit the Debre Damo monastery, where the men (sorry!  No women allowed.) Must climb up a 15-m rope to enter. Proceed through the state of Tigray to hawzin. After cheeking at Gheralta Lodge and lunch, we will drive to Mariam korkor monastery and you will have a 3 hur (both way) trek to Mariam Korkor, it has unique view till you reach the monastery. Accommodation at: Gheralta Lodge

After breakfast walk to visit Abuna Yemata Guh, walking for about an hour to commence a steep ascent up the side of the Gheralta massif. This steep ascent soon turn into a climb using foot holds and hand holds chipped into the sandstone rock by the passage of many hands and feet. The climb and the walk along very narrow ledges with sheer drops to the side is not one for the faint hearted. The church itself can be reached by walking out on a ledge one-meter-wide and with a 200m drop to the left hand side. At the entrance there is a small cave and a wooden door built into the rock. Of the three, Maryam Korkor is the most impressive architecturally. A huge, high ceiling is supported by 12 free standing pillars. Looking at it you could not help but wonder how the architect managed to carve so high from the ground. Accommodation at: Gheralta Lodge

Early in the morning, embark on a full day of driving to Lalibela.  Here you will pass through several small villages, with typical sandstone homes of the Tigray people. Proceed through this rural area for the stunning approach to the home of Ethiopia’s most prized destination and pass through the dramatic Landscapes – Lalibela. Accommodation at: Sora Lodge

After breakfast, drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopians most famous Rock Hewn churches, mostly referred by many as the living wonders of the world, this churches are, they have been here for at list 900 years, an active christen shrine, the spiritual center of the counters religious life. The monolithic churches where carved out of 2600-sq natural rock terrace in the twelve century AD by king lalibela. BeteMedhanialem, the largest monolithic Rock hewn churches of the world, Magers 37.7 ft in Height, covers an area of almost 2625 Square ft and has walls that are up to 6 feet thick. A plain building supported by 36 pillars on the inside and anther 38 pillars around the outside. Bjte Medhanialem modeled on the original st.Merryzion church build by king Ezana in 4th century at axum. The Rock hewn churchs that we will visit today before lunch will be the first group of churches included: Bete Medhanialem, Bete Mariam, BeteMeskel, BeteDenagl and BeteGolo gota Michal After lunch  we will continue our journey in  To Ethiopians long and marvellous past with a visit to other sent Lalibela  Remarkable churches. There architecture and artistry must be seen to be believed. The Rock Hewn Churches that we will visit this afternoon the second group of churches and St, Gorge it included: BeteGebral, BeteMerquros, BeteEmanule, Betelehiam ,Bete Aba Libanos and BeteGhiorgis . Once we finished visiting the second group of churches and we will walk to the village so the complex bewildering labyrinth of underground Tunnels to the monastery where the monks and nuns live. Accommodation: Sora lodge

After early Breakfast trek/take mule  to visit the monastery church of Asheten Maryam (3150m). Ashten mariam monastery located 40-minute drive or 2:00hur walk from Lalibela, enjoy the spectacular view starting you left the town, Asheten mariam is the first church of king lalibela but Lalibela he didnt finished the church it was completed by his nephew and successor king Nakutelab. The church have ancient sculptures. After you visit the church walk to the near hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the area. in another direction return back to the road where we will peak you up by car, 1:00hur on the way we will have a stop in the Local village to experience how the local people leave in the highland mountains. Afeter lunch After lunch with 4×4 drive to Yimrhanne kirsos, yemirhanne kirstos located 2:00hour drive from lalibela. Yemrehane Kirstos church which predates the Lalibela churches and was built using a completely different style of construction involving marble and wood. The church is built inside a cave. Pass through different villages and learn about local crops on different plateaus, spectacular scenery till your reach the church. Yimrhanne kirstos is 80 years older than churches of Lalibela and it was a big impact for the lalibela Church. Accommodation: Sora Lodge

After breakfast we will drive to the airport for your flight back to home.  The last day of your unforgettable visit to Ethiopia brings us back to Addis Ababa. A hotel room for day-use is available. You can visit some of the sites that you weren’t able to visit them from your first day or do Shopping. We say goodbye Ethiopia with a visit to a cultural restaurant, enjoying the great Ethiopian food together with traditional music and dance from all over this fascinating country. After diner we take you to the airport for your flight back home.