Tour Details
13 Days North – Historical Route by AirBahir Dar – Gondar – Simiens trek – Axum – Tigray – Lalibela |
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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 |
07:00 |
Gondar |
Drive & Hike |
Depart early in the morning from Gondar (7am at the latest), driving to Sankober. We will stop along the way at Debark to handle park fees, etc. We will drop you near to Buyit Ras for a 3-4 hour hike to Sankober, which passes close to the escarpment edge. Nearing Sankober, you will have beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge and where you will likely see the endemic Gelada baboons. In Sankober, you will be met with your supplies. |
Breakfast |
Overnight camping in Sankober |
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4 |
08:30 |
Sankober |
Trekking |
From Sankober, depart into a valley, through which the Wazla (or Koba) River runs. (This river is often dry). Coming out of the valley you will have views of the Jinbar River waterfalls falling into the Geech Abyss. Continuing along, you will cross the Jinbar River and ascend into the village of Geech. Total trekking time: 4-5 hours |
Breakfast |
Overnight camping in Geech |
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5 |
08:30
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Geech |
Trekking |
After an early breakfast, depart from Geech to the peak of Imet Gogo at 3926m. Here you’ll have spectacular views over the lowlands – one of the highlights of the trip. As you continue to Chenek, you will pass Korbete Metia, a solid rock wall which opens up exposing beautiful views over the lowlands and the escarpment. This is also a good place for spotting lammergeyers. Total trekking time: 7 – 9 hours |
Breakfast |
Overnight camping in Chenek. |
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6 |
05:45 07:45 |
Chenek |
Trekking & Drive |
From Chenek, continue east up a valley to Bwahit Peak, overlooking the camp from where you just came. After the visit, return to camp and depart for 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 b) Fasil Lodge c) Queen Taitu Pension. |
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7 |
05:45 07:45
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Gondar |
Flight
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Check in at 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 inscription, 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. |
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8 |
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. |
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Overnight in Hawsein at a) Gheralta Lodge b) Tourist Hotel. |
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9 |
08:30
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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. |
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Overnight in Hawsein at a) Gheralta Lodge b) Tourist Hotel. |
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10 |
09:00 11:00 |
Hawsein |
Flight |
In the morning, visit the other of Abuna Yemata Guh or Maryam Korkor (whichever was not visited the previous day). Afterwards, return to Axum |
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Overnight in Axum at a) Brana Hotel b) Remhai Hotel c) Africa Hotel. |
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11 |
08:30 |
Axum |
Drive |
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). |
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Overnight in Lalibela at a) Maribela Hotel b) Lal Hotel c) Alief Paradise Hotel. |
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12 |
09:50 |
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. |
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Overnight in Lalibela at a) Maribela Hotel b) Lal Hotel c) Alief Paradise Hotel. |
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13 |
09:50 |
Lalibela |
Flight |
Check in at the airport for a flight to Addis. In the morning, transfer to the airport for return flight back to Addis Ababa (11:50). End of Tour |
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