This is a route to the major historical sites in Ethiopia, church history of Ethiopian Orthodox religion and Simen mountains National park, home to endemic mammals like Galada Baboons, Waliya Ibex and Ethiopian wolf.
At any accommodation site or Bole int'l airport
Day 1- Addis Abeba. Arrive Addis Ababa and take city tour to visit National museum where Lucy is located, Trinity Cathedral, Marcato, the biggest open air market in Africa and more.
O/n hotel
Day 2- Addis Abeba- Bahirdar-
Early breakfast and drive to Bahirdar via Debrelibanos monastery, the Portuguese bridge and photo stop at the Blue Nile river gorge. Lunch in Debre-markos town. More drive then late in the afternoon arrive in Bahirdar. O/n hotel.
Day 3- Full day in Bahirdar, morning boat ride on lake Tana to visit the monastery of Ura Kidanemihiret and Aziwa Mariam. Back to hotel via the outlet of Nile river. Afternoon, drive to blue Nile falls. Walk for about 1 and half hour to the falls then back to Bahirdar.
O/n hotel
Day 4- Bairdar-Gondar-
Drive to Gondar and on the way visit Awramba community village established in the beginning 1980 with the aim of to solve poverty and economic problems of Amhara people through helping one another by promoting egalitarianism practice in Ethiopia. There are about 700 heads in this village who are a model for gender equality in the country that women have equal right with men. Meaning no more women discrimination in all circumstances. Heading to Gondar with photo stops to the beautiful scenery of river Georges, local farmlands and plain landscape. After lunch, visit the royal enclosure, bath of king Fasiledes, the church of Trinity and monastery of Kuskuam Mariam.
O/n hotel
Day 5- Gondar- Simen mountain NP- Take breakfast and head to the Simen mountains NP with a stop at the Felasha village where Ethiopian Jewish Communities used to live. Enjoy the endemic Gelada babbons and magnificent land scape of the Simen escarpments.
O/n hotel/lodge
Day 6- Simen mountain-Aksum
Breakfast then drive to Aksum via Limalimo mountain ranges and Tekeze river valleys, one of the most scenic route in Ethiopia where can enjoy a breathtaking drive all the way to Axum. O/n hotel
Day 7- Axum
The whole day in Axum to visit the stele park, tomb of king Kaleb and Gebre Meskel, the church of St. Mary of Zion where Ethiopian's believe that the original Ark of the covenant is sheltered, palace of Queen Sheba and many other ancient treasures.
O/n hotel
Day 8- Aksum- Hawzen
After breakfast drive to Hawzien with a stop at the ancient moon temple of Yeha and rock hewn churches of Tigray found on the way. O/n hotel/ lodge
Day 9- Hawzen
Full day in Hawzien with excursion to Gerealtha mountains rock hewn churches: such as Mariam Korkor, Daniel Korkor, Abune Yemata, Mariam Papasiti and more.
O/n hotel/lodge
Day 10- Hawzen-Mekele
Take breakfast and start driving to Mekele, the 2nd biggest city in Ethiopia, next to Addis Ababa where about 700,000 inhabitants are living. On the way visit the rock hewn churches of Abreha-Atsibeha and Wokro Qirkos. O/n hotel
Day 11- Mekele-Lalibela-
Today is a long drive to Lalibela through a magnificent landscape and beautiful scenery of Maychew and Alamata mountain ranges.
O/n hotel
Day 12- Lalibela
Full day in Lalibela and visit the 11 rock hewn churches, such as:- Bête Medhanialem/house of savor of the world; Bête Mariam/house of St. Mary; Bête Meskel/house of the cross; Bête Denagil/house of the virgins myrtyers and Bête Golgota-Micheal/house of St. Micheal. Then in the afternoon more visit of the second group of churches like- Bête Gebriel-Ruphael/house of St. Gabriel and Raphael ; Bête Amanuel/house of Emanuel; Bête Georgis/house of St. George; Bête Merkoriwos/house of St. Merqoriew and Bête Aba Libanos/house of father Libanos. O/n hotel
Day 13- Full day in Lalibela
In the morning, mule trekking to the church of Asheton Mariam and in the afternoon day trip to Yimrehane Kiristos monastery, built up cave church stretched about 45Ks from Lalibela town.
O/n hotel
Day 14- Lalibela- Addis Ababa
After breakfast do your hotel check out then transfer to Airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. Balance of the day shopping and city other activities. After farewell dinner at one of the traditional restaurants, drop you at Bole Int'l airport for your departure home.
End of our service.
Any place you want to be dropped
-Entrance fee
-Meal in full board basis (BLD) +Soft drinks, coffee or tea, juice
-High roof mini van or Coaster bus rental
-Room
-English speaking guide all the way
-Local guide payment
-Scout in Simen Mountain
-1 bottle of water /pax/day
-Boat hire on lake Tana/Bahirdar
-gov tax and etc
-Local and Int'l airfare
-Insurance
-Personal expenses like cigarette, alcoholic drinks, shopping,
-Medical expenses and so on
As I am working in the travel business, I work from Monday- Sunday. But in the month of May 2023, I am not available in Addis Ababa for I fly to Gondar. In case if your are coming there by that month, I can arrange you all the necessary things for the city tour of Gondar and trekking or day trip to the Simen mountains NP.
Also, I'm happy to create a special itinerary for you and your family, friends or loved ones up on your request. Thus, please feel free to contact me at any time when you schedule to travel Ethiopia.
A JOURNEY FOR A PURPOSE!
Available any time of the year
-Walking stick and trekking shoes
-Altitude medicine
-No smoking in the compound and inside churches
-take off shoes before walking in to the churches
-Women are advised to cover their hair until leaving the church yard.