Cultural - Historic Route Tour (178515),Holiday Packages to Addis Ababa

Package Overview

Visit the monks and monasteries and awe-inspiring landscape of Ethiopia鈥檚 historic northern region. On this tour, you will see the magnificent geography of Northern Ethiopia, stay at some beautiful lodges and hotels and begin to understand why so many people visit this extraordinary Country. You will be in real touch with its ancient religious history 鈥� from the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, to St. Mary of Zion in Axum, the holiest church in Ethiopia and alleged to hold, in its sanctuary, the original Ark of the Covenant and onto the many monasteries of the northern region. There are also medieval castles at Gonder, smoking waterfalls at Tississat and incredible views and hotels in the Simien Mountains. Above all, you will meet the monks of Debre Damo and the Zegie Peninsula of Lake Tana and experience the hospitality of the people of Ethiopia, to discover something of their ways and beliefs. This tour is suitable for all age groups.

Axum and Gondar, the introduction of Christianity in Ethiopia
Stunning scenery of Tigray Mountains
Visiting the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World, Lalibela
Taking aboat ride on Lake Tana, visiting Ura Kidane Mihret Church.

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Day wise Itinerary

Day 1 :

Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by your tour guide and driver for the transfer to Hotel.

Addis Ababa, founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is situated at 2,500 meters above sea level. It is the highest capital city in the world. The city enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 23 C . With multiethnic population of over 5 million, Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with wide avenues of jacarandas, interesting museums, and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the 鈥淢ercato.鈥�

The rest of the day city tour of Addis Ababa which include: the National Museum which houses Dinknesh (Lucy), Ethnographic Museum and Mercato the largest open air market in Africa. Lunch at a local restaurant.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 :

In the morning, drive to Bahir Dar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with a stopover at different small towns like Dejen, Chancho and Goha Tsion. Here en route, group will visit the ancient Debre Libanos Monastery from the 12 century and the beautiful Jemma River Gorge. Group also will be driving through the Blue Nile Gorge is a majestic and enormous river gorge and it is one of the most captivating gorges in Africa. It has a magnificent, alluring physical feature and natural beauty.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 :

In the morning, we will make boat cruise over Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th century island monasteries of Lake Tana. The 37 islands of Lake Tana shelter twenty monasteries-surviving remnants of an old, contemplative tradition. Because of their isolation, they were used to store treasures and religious relics from all parts of the country. The Lake鈥檚 monasteries are famous for their typical Ethiopian religious paintings, illuminated manuscripts, and other ancient church treasures. The monasteries that we are going to visit include Kibran Gebriel, Ura Kidane Mihret and Azua Mariam. After having lunch at the hotel, we will drive 35 KM to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls. 30 KM after it exits Lake Tana, the Blue Nile plunges over a 45m-high face to form one of the most spectacular waterfall in Africa. Walking to the fall through the beautiful river gorge on the ancient bridge from the 17th century, and meeting the local people at the small villages on the way to the fall is also a great experience.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 :

After breakfast, drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime. After check in to Goha Hotel and having lunch there, we will start city tour of Gondar. Gondar, founded by Emperor Fasiledas around 1635 is famous for its many medieval castles and the design and decoration of its churches-in particular, Debre Birhan Selassie represents a masterpiece of unique Ethiopian School of traditional art. Today you will visit the Royal Enclosure, a walled compound having 6different castles built from 17th century by different kings who ruled indifferent times, the pool of King Fasilidas which still serves as a baptismal pool during Ethiopian Epiphany and we will also visit the famous Deberberhan Sillassie adorned with brilliant frescos from inside.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 :

Morning after breakfast drive to Axum through the beautiful sceneries of Simien Mountains, Limalimo, Tekeze River Gorge. While driving from Simien Mountains to Axum, you will have a brief stop at different parts of the park for the best view. You will have picnic lunch under the shade of the tree past the Tekeze River Gorge whilst enjoying the beautiful Simien Mountains scenery from distance. The Tekeze River is 608 kilometers long, one of Ethiopia鈥檚 main rivers. The canyon, which it has created, is the deepest in Africa and one of the deepest in the world, at some points having a depth of over 2000 meters.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 :

After breakfast, we will start to visit the ancient city of Axum. This is the birthplace of Ethiopian civilization, and by the first century Axum was a major trading center for exotic goods from Egypt, Rome, Nubia, Greece, Syria, and India. The Holy Ark of the Covenant was brought here before the destruction of the Temple, and Axum is reputed to be the second Jerusalem. Our visit in Axum include: the Stele Square, Kaleba Tombs, the 4th century Christian inscription of King Ezana, Queen of Sheba鈥檚 Palace, Archeological Museum, and Tsion Mariam Church where the original Ark of the Covenant is housed.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 :

Morning drive to Mekele en route visit Yeha temple and Debre Damo monastery. This Tigray region is home to some of the most remote, hard-to-reach churches, often situated in incredible locations. Some churches involve precipitous climbs and some are unfortunately forbidden to females.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 :

Drive from Mekelle to Lalibela (home of the incredible hand carved 12th century rock churches of King Lalibela) through the scenic Wollo Mountains visiting the Amhara people. On the way visit lake Ashenge and some local market.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 :

In the morning after breakfast excursion to visit the first group of the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are carved out of living volcanic tuff with super architectural skill that the world has never seen, yet elsewhere. UNESCO registers these churches as world heritage. Among churches of this group Bete Medahine Alem (house of the redeemer) is the largest with 5 aisles, 72 pillars, vaulted dome and molding decoration. Bete Mariam (house of St. Marry) is the most decorated among the rock hewn churches. Back to the hotel for lunch and afternoon visit the second group of the rock-hewn churches; Bete Emanuel (house of Emanuel) is architecturally the finest. Bete Giorgis (the house of George) is the finest of all the churches in Lalibela for which reason art historians conclude that this church is carved at the end of the cluster, after the masons have developed their skill to carve the church in such extraordinary perfection. In the evening, there will be Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony for the group prepared at a local house. Those who can鈥檛 face their day without a cup of coffee may be surprised to know that in its birthplace in Ethiopia鈥檚 Kaffa region-from which it gets its name- the berries were originally only eaten, never roasted and ground for a drink. Only since the13th century, coffee has been made a hot drink. Holding a coffee ceremony is traditional Ethiopian way of welcoming a guest and giving the guest the best hospitality. It is probably one of the most celebrated Ethiopian traditions, and a lifestyle 鈥� in which most Ethiopians can identify themselves with.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 :

After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa, transfer to Airport hotel. The rest of the day, at leisure. In the evening farewell dinner party with traditional special buffet and local drinks.
- Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner