Tour Details
10 Days Historical Route & Harar by AirBahir Dar – Gondar – Axum – Lalibela - Harar |
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Days |
Time |
City (Departure) |
Transportation |
Activities |
Meal |
Boarding |
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1 |
05:00
07:00 |
Addis Abeba |
Flight |
Check in for a flight to Bahir Dar Early in the morning, depart on a flight for Bahir Dar (07:00). After arrival, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit a selection of the monasteries hidden on the islands and shores of this sacred lake. Visit the Zege Penninsula and the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret and the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River. In the afternoon, you will have time to relax around Lake Tana and take a short city tour, including to the top of Mt. Bezawit, where the former Palace of Haile Selassie looks out to Lake Tana. Finish the day with the sunset over the lake |
Lunch on your own |
Overnight in Bahir Dar at a) Kuriftu Resort & Spa b) Abay Minch Lodge c) Summerland Hotel d) EthioStar Hotel.
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2 |
08:30 |
Bahir Dar |
Drive |
After breakfast, continue north to Gondar. The four-hour drive will take you through rural villages, offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture. After briefly settling in your hotel, explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Ras Gimb Palace Museum and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia |
Breakfast |
Overnight in Gondar at a) Taye Hotel b) Fasil Lodge c) Queen Taitu Pension.
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3 |
05:45 07:45 |
Gondar |
Flight |
Check in to airport for a flight to Axum Early morning flight to Axum (07:45). Upon arrival to Axum, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Today will be a full day visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s enscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, 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. |
Breakfast |
Overnight in Axum at a) Sabean International Hotel b) Remhai Hotel c) Africa Hotel.
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4 |
08:30 |
Axum |
Drive |
After breakfast, drive to visit the ruins of Yeha, dating from the 8th to 5th centuries BC, and thought to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum. Afterwards, 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, stopping en-route for a visit to the rock-hewn church of Medhane Alem Adi Kesho. |
Breakfast |
Overnight in Hawsein at a) Gheralta Lodge b) Tourist Hotel. |
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5 |
09:00
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Hawsein |
Drive |
In the morning, visit either Abuna Yemata Guh or Maryam Korkor. Both churches involve an approximate one-hour hike but offer commanding views of the surrounding area. After lunch, continue your visit with the more easily-accessible churches of Abreha we Atsbeha and Chirkos before returning to Axum |
Breakfast |
Overnight in Axum at a) Sabean International Hotel b) Remhai Hotel c) Africa Hotel. |
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6 |
09:00 11:00 |
Axum |
Flight |
Check in to airport for a flight to Lalibela Depart on a morning flight to Lalibela (11:00), the most famous of all of the Ethiopian historical sites. After lunch, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for women). |
Breakfast |
Overnight in Lalibela at a) Maribela Hotel b) Lal Hotel c) Alief Paradise Hotel. |
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7 |
09:00
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Lalibela |
Drive
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In the morning, take a trip to visit the church of Yimrehanne Kristos. 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. After the visit, return to Lalibela for lunch and, in the afternoon, visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George. |
Breakfast |
Overnight in Lalibela at a) Maribela Hotel b) Lal Hotel c) Alief Paradise Hotel. |
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8 |
10:15 12:15 |
Lalibela |
Drive |
Check in time to the airport for a flight to A.A. In the morning, transfer to the airport for flight to Addis Ababa (12:15) and continue on a flight to Dire Dawa (16:00). You will be met by your driver and proceed for a short drive to the town of Harar. |
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Overnight in Harar at a) Heritage Plaza Hotel b) Ras Hotel c) Rewda Guesthouse. |
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9 |
08:30
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Harar
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Drive |
Today is a full day discovering the treasures hidden in the narrow alleyways of the walled city of Harar, with its colorful markets, countless mosques and shrines and unique Harari people and homes. Sites to visit include: the House of Rimbaud, Ras Tafari’s House, Ras Mekonnen’s Palace, the Harari National Cultural Center, and the tomb of Emir Nur, who built the famous Jugol, as the wall is known locally. At night you will visit the hyena man, who feeds the hyenas every night just outside the walls of the city. This tradition was started long ago to prevent these wild hyenas from hunting for food in the town. Guests are welcome, and encouraged, to feed the hyenas themselves. |
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Overnight in Harar at a) Heritage Plaza Hotel b) Ras Hotel c) Rewda Guesthouse. |
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10 |
09:00 |
Harar |
Drive & Flight |
After breakfast, depart from Harar to Dire Dawa for time to explore this relaxed city, including the lively Kefira market. Transfer to the airport (at 15:00 for check in) for return flight to Addis Ababa (17:00).
End of Tour. |
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