Day 03:Drive to Bahir Dar
Drive to Bahir Dar through the beautiful, fertile countryside of the Agaw people you arrive at lunchtime in Bahir Dar. In the afternoon visit the waterfall of the Blue Nile which is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Africa. Finish the day with a sunset on the hilltop where the summer villa of Emperor Haileselassie is built, with beautiful views over the Nile, Bahir Dar and Lake Tana.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Tana hotel with beautiful garden at the lakeside
Day 04:Bahir Dar
Boat trip on Lake Tana and afternoon at leisure.In the morning sail to some of the more than 20 churches and monasteries on the islands in Lake Tana are. You'll visit the 16th century Ura Kidane Mihret Church with its beautiful murals that 100-250 years old. There is also a museum with very old church treasures, handwritten Bibles and silver crosses. Hereafter you visit one of the nearby churches on your free afternoon you can explore the city and visit the market (by foot or rent a bike), walking along the lake or just relax at the lakeside.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Tana Hotel
Day 05:Drive to Gondar
Visit of the 17th century castles of Emperor Fasilada and his successors, Fasilada's bad and the beautiful 17th century Debre Birhan Selassie church.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Goha hotel, built on a hilltop with wonderful view over the city and surroundings.
Day 06: Drive to Debark
In the morning drive to Debark and after lunch you drive into the mountains for a hike of 1 to 3 hours to enjoy the magnificent views at Semien Mountain National Park. You also see the troops of hundreds of Gelada Baboons. The males with their long manes are impressive, especially when they fight with each other.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Semien Park hotel
Day 07: Drive to Axum
Drive to AxumVia a long and impressive route on the edge of the Semien Mountains and through the Gorge of the Takeze River, passing small towns and stone farmhouses of Tigray, you drive to Axum, the old capital of the mighty Kingdom of Axum with its obelisks and king’s graves.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Yeha hotel
Day 08: Excursions in Axum
You visit today the 2000 year old obelisks, the Archaeological Museum, St. Mary of Zion church where the "Ark of the Covenant" (made the prophet Moses) is said to be hidden and several royal tombs from the 4th to 6th century.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Yeha hotel Axum.
Day 09: Drive to Mekelle
Again via a beautiful mountain landscape with breathtaking hairpin bends and mountain passes you drive to Mekelle. En route visit the ruins of the approximately 2500 year old Yeha temple and for the men a visit to the Debre Libanos monastery is interesting. This is the oldest monastery in Ethiopia from the 4th century and built on a "amba" (flattened mountain) which is only accessible by a rope along a steep cliff. En route some of the more than 120 rock-hewn churches of Tigray can be visited such as Wukro Chirkos and Abreha we Atbeha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Axum Hotel Mekelle.
Day 10: Drive to Lalibela
The beautiful landscapes are again a surprise so you don’t get bored of the long drives. There is always plenty to see along the road and in small villages that you pass. In the afternoon you arrive in the high mountain town of Lalibela where the famous 13th century rock churches.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in LAL hotel Lalibela.
Day 11: Excursion to the rock hewn churches
Under the rule of King Lalibela (13th century) are 11 Rock hewn churches carved out in the rocks and partly underground, connected by narrow footpath and stairs. These wonderful churches are built with the help of angels as the legend tells. When you see them, you start to believe this! These churches are still in use and have a medieval mystical atmosphere. So take time, not only see but also to breathe in this atmosphere.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in LAL hotel Lalibela.
Day 12: Drive to Kombolcha
You drive about 8 hours through mountain landscape with breathtaking hairpins and panorama’s to the town Kombolcha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Sunnyside Hotel Kombolcha.
Day 13: Drive to Ankober / Optional/
The mountain town of Ankober was the former capital of Ethiopia and there are still some remains of Emperor Menelik's palace to see. From Ankober palace hill you have a stunning view over the Rift Valley. The Ankober Palace lodge is built in the style of the palace and in the green mountain highlands you can make nice walks and visit a farm house.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Ankober Palace lodge.
Day 14: Drive back to Addis Ababa
Through the old town Debre Birhan and the green, fertile plateau drive back to Addis where you spend a few hours before you check in at Bole Airport. It is possible to reserve a day room.
