12 Days North – Historical Route by Air

Bahir Dar – Gondar – Simiens – Axum – Tigray – Lalibela

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 & Hike

Today is an early morning departure to Sankober in the Simien Mountains.  From here you will go for an easy hike to the Geech Abyss, where you will see a large waterfall where the Jinbar River plunges into the abyss.  This area is also a great place for viewing the endemic gelada baboon, also known as the ‘bleeding heart baboon’ due to the red patch of skin on its chest.  Overnight in the Simien Mountains (Simien Lodge) or in Debark (Giant Lobelia Hotel).

Breakfast

Overnight in the Simien Mountains

a)    Simien Lodge

 or in Debark

b)    Giant Lobelia Hotel.

4

08:30

Simien Mountains

Drive

Today you will go further into the mountains for more scenery and wildlife viewing.  You will have a picnic lunch (packed from the lodge) and then drive to Chenek, where you will have opportunities to admire the local wildlife, such as the gelada baboons, lammergeyers, and the rare endemic Walia ibex

Breakfast

Overnight in the Simien Mountains

a)    Simien Lodge

 or in Debark

b)    Giant Lobelia Hotel.

5

08:30

Simien Mountains

Drive

After taking in some more of the nature in the area, you will return back to Gondar.  On the way back to town you will 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/Fasil Lodge

b)    Queen Taitu Pension.

6

05:45

07:45

Gondar

Flight

Transfer to the airport for 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.

7

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.  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.

8

Hawsein

Drive and Flight

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.

Overnight in Hawsein at

a)    Gheralta Lodge

b)    Tourist Hotel.

9

08:30

Hawsein

Drive

In the morning, visit the other of Abuna Yemata Guh or Maryam Korkor (whichever was not visited the previous day).  Afterwards, return to Axum  overnight at Brana Hotel/Remhai Hotel/Africa Hotel.

Overnight in Axum  at

a)     Brana Hotel

b)    Remhai Hotel

c)     Africa Hotel.

10

09:00

11:00

Axum

Flight

Check in for 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).   

Overnight in Lalibela at

a)    Maribela Hotel

b)    Lal Hotel

c)     Alief Paradise Hotel.

11

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.

Overnight in Lalibela at

a)    Maribela View Hotel

b)    Lal Hotel

c)     Alief Paradise Hotel.

12

09:50

Lalibela

Drive

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 (Check in at 09:50) for the return flight back to Addis Ababa (11:50).

End of Tour.