Day 03:Drive to Bahir Dar
Early in the morning you will drive to the small town of Tiss Abay to visit to the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire'. The falls throws up a continuous spray of water droplets which drench onlookers up to a kilometre away. Still worth the visit though much of the water has been diverted to power hydroelectric generators, the surrounding area is extremely fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghum and teff, which injera, the national bread, is made from. After lunch, back to Bahir Dar, where we take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit ancient monasteries. We will visit two of the most accessible and representative of the monasteries, still serving their original function, Ura Kidane Mehret, and Azwa Maryam.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Tana hotel Bahir Dar.
Day 04:Drive to Gonder
On our drive (180km) to this ancient Imperial city, we travel through a fertile landscape of wide open fields of a typical African tableau and then undulating farmland. The town was once the capital of Ethiopia, founded in 1635 by Emperor Fasilides, who built a palace and seven churches. The subsequent five emperors built their own respective palaces. Referred to as the Camelot of Africa, we visit the royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels and raised walkways. Nearby is the Debre Birhan Selassie church with its sensational angelic ceiling and the bathhouse of Fasil where thousands of Ethiopians celebrate the Timkat festival every January.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Goha Hotel Gonder
Day 05:Drive To Debark
After breakfast, we begin our drive to Debark (100 Km from Gondar), and the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park. There, we are joined by our trekking scout and local guide and continue on to the Lodge. In the afternoon, we take a three to four hour trek to explore the beauty of this mountain range. Along the way we should spot troops of the endemic Gelada Baboon and see birdlife including the giant Lammergeyer.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Simian Lodge.
Day 06: Drive to Axum
We continue our drive (280kms) through the mountain range enjoying the extraordinary scenery of the Simien massive and later the Tekeze Gorge. The road descends from a height of 3100 meters above sea level down hairpin turns to only 1400 meters in just 40kms. We drive through small villages dotted between mountains massifs where people eke out an existence in this unforgiving countryside. The drive continues through the Tekeze valley and onto thet fertile plain leading to bustling charming city of Shire Endesilassie where there will be a tea break before embarking the jotny to Axum in the north.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Sabian Hotel
Day 07: Visit Axum
Axum is historical and archaeological wonders of the world. The city is the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Axum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The archaeological and historical attractions in Axum include: monolithic steles or obelisks, the tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskal, and the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of her ancient palace. We visit the new and the old Cathedral of St Mary of Tsion and the sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the Covenant. The older of the two cathedrals, built in the 16th century, is believed to be built on an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest church in Ethiopia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Sabian Hotel
Day 08: Drive to Mekelle
We visit the historical town of Adwa, where in the decisive battle of 1896 the Ethiopian army under the Emperor Menelik Ⅱ defeated the Italians and crushed their goal to colonize Ethiopia. Then on to Yeha, a small village where we find the 5th century B.C ruins of a large pre-christian temple, believed to be the oldest standing building in Ethiopia. Also on the temple grounds is the 6th century A.D church, dedicated to one of the nine saints who migrated from Syria to worship Christianity. Then drive to Mekelle, stopping in the town of Wekiro to view the rock church of Wekiro Cherkos.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Axum Hotel Mekelle.
Day 09: Drive to Lalibela
Drive to Lalibela After a day’s drive through the Tigray landscape; you will have abundant evidence why Ethiopia is the most mountainous country in all of Africa. Along with the magnificent scenery, we’ll visit Lake Ashenge, a good spot for birding.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Mountain View Hotel Lalibela.
Day 10: Lalibela
Full day of sightseeing in Lalibela, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. King Lalibela commissioned the construction of the 11 rock churches in the center of town to fulfill his dream of a New Jerusalem. There are no less than 1000 churches in the Lasta Region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves, but it's exceptional to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one locality. These brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World".
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Mountain view Hotel Lalibela.
Day 11: Lalibela
We start the day with a morning excursion by mule to Asheton Mariam, a mountaintop church with a panoramic view of the Lasta Region. In the afternoon, we continue the expedition of 11 of the rock churches in Lalibela.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Mountain view Hotel Lalibela.
Day 12: Drive to Kombolcha
After breakfast you will drive through the highland area of Delb where you can see the endemic mammal of Gelada Baboon. Have stop-over at Hayk to visit the 13th C monastery of Hike Istifanos on the island of Lake Hike. Proceed to Kombolcha for dinner and night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: 4x4 Air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Overnight stay in Sunnyside hotel Kombolcha.
Day 13: Drive back to Addis Ababa
Drive back to Addis and continue to the Merkato outdoor Market. In the evening, enjoy a “farewell dinner” where we will taste various national dishes, watch dances of various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. A traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. You will then be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
