Summary:
In this historical route tours you will visit the historical routes of northern Ethiopia attending the Gishen Mariam festival, which commemorate the deposition of the True Cross, the living witness of the Zagwe Daynasty, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, and the medieval period island monasteries of Lake Tana and the magnificent Blue Nile Falls.
Information
- Tour Duration: September 28 – October 5, every year
- Group Size: 2- 20 People
- Destination: Historical Routes of Northern Ethiopia
- Attractions: Historical places, religious site & Gishen Mariam festival
- Season: September and October, every year
- Tour Customizable: No
- Rate: Up on request
Program Details
Day 1 (September 28): Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Air port
Meet and greet you Elmi Tours representative at exit of luggage claim and transfer you to the hotel. Overnight stay in the Jupiter hotel.
Day 2 (September 29): City tour in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world on an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate and a background of green with eucalyptus trees covered mountains. The city is founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu.
Visit Entoto Mountains, with very nice view over the capital, the National/Ethnographic museum, St George church and the Merkato, biggest open air market in Africa. Overnight stay in the Jupiter hotel.
Day 3 (September 30): Drive to Dessie
En route make a stop after some kilometers past the town Debre Berhan, to visit a very magnetic natural force of a cliff, known as “Gemsa Gedele” literally means ‘Bisected Cliff’. The very strong wind plunges down a sheer chasm with a tremendous force to create a continuous mist. Because of the very strong wind and the very cold fog, your photo and video camera may fail to capture the Gelada Baboons running at the side of the cliff.
After that continue to drive Cialis through two man-made caves (tunnel) at Tarma Ber. They were constructed by the Italians during the occupation. Depending on time arrival, you can also visit the Ras Mikael’s Palace in Dessie. Overnight stay in Local hotel Dessie.
Day 4 (October 1): Excursion to Gishen Mariam
Attend the Ghishen Mariam festival, which commemorates the deposition of the True Cross at Gishen Mariam. Late in afternoon drive back to Dessie for overnight stay.
Day 5 (October 2): Drive to Lalibela
After an early morning breakfast you will drive to Lalibeal through Woldiya and Gashena.
Lalibela and its rock-hewn church are thought, to date the 12th and 13th century during King Lalibela reign. The churches are remarkable since they are entirely freed from the rock, refined and concentrated in small land. Overnight stay in Mountain View hotel.
Day 6 (October 3): Visit the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, so called eighty wonder of the world
Start to visit the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are clustered in to three different places separated by River Jordan. Today visit the first and the third groups of churches. O/n stay in Lalibela. Overnight stay in Mountain View Hotel.
Day 7 (October 4): Continue sightseeing around and in Lalibela
Make excursion to visit Asheton Mariam by mule or drive to 45km gravel road North of Lalibela to visit Yemrehan Christos church. In afternoon continue to visit the second groups of churches. Overngight stay in Mountain View Hotel.
Day 8 (October 5): Flight back to Addis Ababa and continue to make city tour
Today you have enough time left for shopping in Merkato or in the numerous souvenir shops near Churchill road, to visit art galleries. Late in afternoon have a fare-well dinner then check in for flight back home.
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