11 Days North & East by Air

Days

Time

City              (Departure)

Transportation

Activities

Meal

Boarding

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.

2

08:30

Bahir Dar

Drive

After breakfast, depart from Bahir Dar to the Blue Nile Falls for an easy hike in the area.  Afterwards, proceed driving to Gondar.  The drive will take you through rural villages, offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture. 

Breakfast

Overnight in Gondar at

a)    Taye Hotel

b)    Fasil Lodge

c)     Queen Taitu Pension.

3

07:00

Gondar

Drive

Today will be a full day exploring 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.  You will also visit the ruins of Kuskuam in the surrounding hills of Gondar and go for a short excursion out of town to visit the Falasha Village, home of the last remaining Ethiopian Jews and the Ploughshare Women’s Training Center.

Breakfast

Overnight in Gondar at

a)    Taye Hotel

b)    Fasil Lodge

c)     Queen Taitu Pension.

4

05:45

07:45

Gondar

Flight

Transfer to the 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)     Brana Hotel

b)    Remhai Hotel

c)     Africa Hotel.

5

08:30

Axum

Drive

After breakfast, drive to visit the ruins of Yeha, dating from the 8^th to 5^th 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.  Return to Axum

Breakfast

Overnight in Axum at

a)     Brana Hotel

b)    Remhai Hotel

c)     Africa Hotel.

6

09:00

11:00

Axum

Flight

Transfer to the 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.

7

08:30

Lalibela

Drive

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.

8

08:50

09:50

Lalibela

Drive and Flight

In the morning, visit the nearby monastery of Na’akuto La’ab, set on the side of a cliff.  After the visit, proceed to the airport for the return flight back to Addis Ababa (11:50) 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. 

Overnight in Harar at

a)     Heritage Plaza Hotel

b)    Ras Hotel

c)     Rewda Guesthouse.

9

08:30

Harar

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.

Overnight in Harar at

a)     Heritage Plaza Hotel

b)    Ras Hotel

c)     Rewda Guesthouse.

10

08:30

Harar

Drive

&

Flight

In the morning, drive out to Babile and the Valley of Marvels.  The Valley of Marvels has wonderful landscapes, famous for its balancing rock formations.  Additionally, the town of Babile has a very large market on Saturdays and a camel market on Mondays and Thursdays.  Afterwards, return to Harar to visit any remaining sites in the city. 

Overnight in Harar at

a)     Heritage Plaza Hotel

b)    Ras Hotel

c)     Rewda Guesthouse.

11

08:30

Harar

After breakfast, depart from Harar to Dire Dawa for time to explore this relaxed city, including the lively Kefira market.  Transfer to the airport(Check in time 15:00) for return flight to Addis Ababa (17:00).

 End of Tour