North Ethiopia Tour Package 8 Days

The Historic Route is one of the greatest treasures of Ethiopia. Nowhere else in the world can you see the riches of man’s past such as those in the northern part of Ethiopia most of them are registered by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

A history that stretches back to the time of prehistoric man the 5th century B.C pagan temple of Yeha, Debre Damo monastery to more than 3000 years old history of Axum with the rock Churches of Tigray just prior to their cousin in Lalibela dated back from the 6th-10th, the 12th century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the UNESCO heritage walled city of Harar, the medieval castles of Gondar, the famous Blue Nile fall with the 13th-century painting monastery of Lake Tana at Bahir Dar spectacular scenery, peoples, customs landscape Riches that cover the history of Ethiopia

From the 1st early beginnings to the modern day, riches are set among some of the most stunning scenery in Ethiopia and where our people work today, just as their ancestors have done for generations. As scholars say “Lalibela represents the supreme wonder and mystery of Ethiopian civilization, Gondar it’s pride, Bahirdar is natural bounty and Harar its exotic mosaic culture and Axum stands as the fountainhead of all this where civilization born and fertile.

Day 01- Full day drive - Addis Ababa– Bahirdar

The morning after breakfast meet with Finot Tour Ethiopia staff (driver and guide) at your preferred departure point and time, at 7:00 AM, and start to drive northward passing through the Entoto hills, after driving the 110-kilometer you will visit the 13th-century monastery of Debrelibanos monastery established by Abune Teklehaymanot and visit to the 16th-century bridge of Portuguese. Continue driving and pass through the amazing Blue Nile gorge, lunch break at Debremarkos, and continue to drive through the beautiful flat farming land late afternoon arrival at Bahirdar.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Luxury Coach Bus

Accommodation: Jacaranda, Delano, and Solyana Hotel

CONSULTANT NOTE

You will cover approximately 564km

Game drive varies the time of arrival

Day 02- Full Day Bahirdar- Boat Trip and Blue Nile Waterfall

Morning after breakfast boat cruise on this beautiful highland lake to see the monastery church of the beautifully decorated Ura-Kidanmihret, and Azwa-Mariam that allows both genders. Under the thatched roof of the monastery, there are some distinctive colorful frescoes of religious scenes and an impressive display of illuminated bibles written in “Geez” the religious language from which Amharic is derived.

Afternoon will take a scenic drive of 32 km to the little town of Tiss-Abay and walk for about twenty minutes to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. The falls are locally known as Tiss-Isat meaning, “Water that smokes”. Those who may wish to descend to the base of the falls must climb back to the other side and cross the Blue Nile in a boat in order to back to the point of departure.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Luxury Coach Bus

Accommodation: Jacaranda, Delano, and Solyana Hotel

CONSULTANT NOTE

You will cover approximately 64km

Game drive varies the time of arrival

Day 03- Drive Bahirdar – Gonder- Explore Gonder

After breakfast drive to Gonder, 180 km to conduct a tour of Gonder known as the “Camelot” of Africa, nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Semien Mountains National Park in the northwestern part of the country was the 17th and 18th-century capital city of Ethiopia, which was founded by Emperors Fasiladas (1632 – 1667) and was home to a number of emperors & warlords, curtsies and kings who built several castles and palaces around the area.

Visit the oldest and the most impressive Gonderine structure, the magnificent castle compound including the two-storied palaces of emperor Fasiladas, built of roughly hewn brown basalt stone held together with mortar, the fantastically decorated Debre Brehan Silassie Church (light of Trinity), the bath (now baptismal place during Ethiopian Epiphany, January 19) of king Fasiladas and the ruined palace of Queen Mintiwab at Qusquam, were the Scottish explorer James Bruce used to reside for sometimes, overnight hotel.

NB: Optional Activities Awra Amba community- is an Ethiopian community of about 400 people, located 73 kilometers east of Bahir Dar in the Fogera woreda of Debub Gondar Zone. It was founded in 1980 with the goal of solving socio-economic problems through helping one another in an environment of egalitarianism—in marked contrast to the traditional norms of Amhara society.

Founded by Zumra Nuru, who currently serves as co-chairman of the community, with 19 other people who shared his vision, as of 2007 Awra Amba has some 400 members, and is lauded as a model to alleviate poverty and promote gender equality in a country where women are generally subservient to men)

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Luxury Coach Bus

Accommodation: Landmark and Florida Hotel

CONSULTANT NOTE

You will cover approximately 210km

Game drive varies the time of arrival

Day 04- Drive Gondar – Semien Mountain - Axum

Early in the morning after breakfast drive through the Semien Mountains National Park escarpments to Axum, via one of the most scenic roads of Ethiopia. This trip is a trying one, but it is the most rewarding for those who love exceptional scenery. Enjoying spectacular views of the Simien Mountains. You will be 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.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Luxury Coach Bus

Accommodation: Yared Zema and SabiyanHotel

CONSULTANT NOTE

You will cover approximately 464km

Game drive varies the time of arrival

Day 05- Full Day Visit Axum-Birth Place of Ethiopian Civilizations

Full-day visit to Axum, a place where the cradle of Ethiopian culture Christianity and the first capital of Ethiopia until the 9th century A.D., On this day you will visit the small but rich archaeological museum, the famous stele park, where the magnificent single block of stones was erected in the 3rd century, the Saint Mary of Zion Cathedral, where the original Holy Ark of the Covenant is still sheltered, however except one guardian (priest) no one is allowed to enter into the sanctuary where the ark stays.

Continuing your visit which includes the subterranean tomb of King Kalbe and his son King Gebremeskel, 6th Century AD, the trilingual inscription of King Ezana and finally visit the ruined palace and bath of Queen of Sheba who was the mother of King Menilik I of the 950 B.C

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Luxury Coach Bus

Accommodation: Yared Zema and Sabiyan Hotel

CONSULTANT NOTE

You will cover approximately 64km

Game drive varies the time of arrival

Day 06- Drive Axum- Lalibela

Early in the morning, you will drive to Lalibela via Sekota, Temben. You will turn to the right and when you arrive in Adowa start gravel road. You will pass through some small cities of Tigray like Zufan and Abiy Adi. The Zagwe dynasty rulers emerged in Lasta and their Agew languages are spoken here. Uniquely identify this Agew person from the rest on your way to Lalibela. The most popular of the churches outside of Lalibela, this church is built with layers of wood and granite, set in the entrance to a large cavern.

Yimrhanne-Kirstos, 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, secular view till you reach the church. Return to Lalibela in the afternoon for a nice dinner at Ben Abeba restaurant.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Luxury Coach Bus

Accommodation: Panoramic View and Top Twelve Hotel

CONSULTANT NOTE

You will cover approximately 383km

Game drive varies the time of arrival

Day 07- Full Day Explore the 8th Wonders of World Lalibela

A full day at Lalibela visiting the brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often by many referred as the “8th wonder of the world” it is exceptional to find eleven rock-hewn churches of such master craftsmanship in one place.

After breakfast, you will have a short drive to the site where we find a concentration of some of Ethiopian most famous Rock Hewn churches, mostly referred to by many as the living wonders of the world these churches are, they have been here for at least 900 years, an active christen shrine, the spiritual center of the counters religious life.

The monolithic churches were carved out of 2600-sq natural rock terraces in the 12th century AD by King Lalibela. Bete Medhanialem, the largest monolithic Rock hewn church in the world, Magers 37.7 ft in Height, covers an area of almost 2625 Square feet and has walls that are up to 6 feet thick. The Church building is supported by 36 pillars inside and 38 pillars outside. Bête Medhanialem is modeled on the original St. Merry Zion church built by King Ezana in the 4th century at Axum.

The Rock-hewn churches that we will visit today before lunch will be the first group of churches including Bete Medhanialem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagl, and Bete Gologota or Michall. After having lunch, we will continue our journey into Ethiopia's long and marvelous past with a visit to other Lalibela Remarkable churches. Their architecture and artistry must be seen to be believed.

The Rock-Hewn Churches that we will visit this morning is the second group of churches and St, George it includes Bete Gebral, Bete Merquros, Bete Emanuel, Betelehiam, Bete Aba Libanos, and Bete Ghiorgis. Once we finish visiting the second group of churches we will walk to the village the complex bewildering labyrinth of underground Tunnels to the monastery where the monks and nuns live.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Luxury Coach Bus

Accommodation: Panoramic and Top Twelve Hotel

CONSULTANT NOTE

You will cover approximately 64km

Game drive varies the time of arrival

Day 08 – Fly back to Addis Ababa and Departure

Depart for morning flight to Addis Ababa and arrival at Addis. Then transfer to the airport for your departure.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Luxury Coach Bus

Accommodation: -

CONSULTANT NOTE

You will cover approximately 375km

Game drive varies the time of arrival