Northern Ethiopia

Program:  Historic and nature Routes

Duration: 9Nights (10Days)

Transportation: fly and Land

Tour starts: Addis Ababa

Tour end: Addis Ababa

Day01: Addis Abeba -Gondar

On arrival  city tour Addis Ababa

Day 2: Addis Ababa -Gondar

we continue our journey to Gondar. It’s not what Gondar is,

but what Gondar was that is so enthralling. After settling in the

hotel, we will explore the castles of king Fasilidas, which is said to

be the wall of the castles bathed in blood and painted in the pomp of

royalty. Often called the Camelot of Africa, this description does the

royal city a disservice: Camelot is legend where as Gondar is reality.

Drifting through the old palaces, banqueting halls and former gardens

it’s not difficult to imagine the courtly pageantry, ceremony and

intrigue that went on here. The entire compound contains numerous

castles and the place has been completely preserved with the aid of

UNESCO and was made one of world heritage site in 1979. By far

Fasilada’s palace is the most impressive and also the oldest

building. Continue our visit to the one of the most famous and

stunning churchs of the nation ‘ Debre Birhan Selassie church’.

The church would have probably been destroyed like most of the Gondar

churches by the marauding armies of the dervishes in the 1880s if it

weren’t for a swarm of bees. When the dervish showed up at the gate

 of the church, a giant swarm of bees surged out of the compound and

chased the most beautiful church the norher Ethiopia

Day 03:   Gondar-Simien Mountains National Park

Fly to Gondar on Ethiopian Airlines.  Meet with vehicles and drive to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Meet with guides and prepare for trek.

Overnight Camping

Day 04:   Trekking Simien Mountains National Park

Trek Sankaber – Geech (3,600m elevation) which will take between 5-7 hours. After one and half hours, see the Jinnbar River and falls which you will cross later in the day. After crossing the river, ascend for about 2 hours to Geech. The scenery is wonderful and a herd of Gelada Baboons can be seen on the journey.

Overnight Camping

Day 05:   Trekking Simien Mountains National Park

Trek Geech – Chenek (3,620m elevation); trek along the 4,000 meter breathtaking Enatye escarpment before descending to Chenek. Walia Ibex and Gelada Baboons are routinely spotted.

Overnight Camping

Day 05:  Gondar  city tour

Today we continue our journey to Gondar. It’s not what Gondar is,

but what Gondar was that is so enthralling. After settling in the

hotel, we will explore the castles of king Fasilidas, which is said to

be the wall of the castles bathed in blood and painted in the pomp of

royalty. Often called the Camelot of Africa, this description does the

royal city a disservice: Camelot is legend where as Gondar is reality.

Drifting through the old palaces, banqueting halls and former gardens

it’s not difficult to imagine the courtly pageantry, ceremony and

intrigue that went on here. The entire compound contains numerous

castles and the place has been completely preserved with the aid of

UNESCO and was made one of world heritage site in 1979. By far

Fasilada’s palace is the most impressive and also the oldest

building. Continue our visit to the one of the most famous and

stunning churchs of the nation ‘ Debre Birhan Selassie church’.

The church would have probably been destroyed like most of the Gondar

churches by the marauding armies of the dervishes in the 1880s if it

weren’t for a swarm of bees. When the dervish showed up at the gate

 of the church, a giant swarm of bees surged out of the compound  the most beautiful paintings for the celling

Day 6:  Gondar to Bahir Dar

Drive to blue nile waterfalls

Bahir Dar & drive to the small town of Tiss Abay (32 km rough road) to visit the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Issat means in Amharic: 'Smoke of Fire'. Much of the water is diverted for Hydroelectric Generation plant but it is still worth visiting for remaining waterfalls, trekking around and to see a Portuguese Bridge (17 Century) and the country side as well. The area around the waterfall is amazingly fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghum and Teff (from which Injera, the national bread, is made). After the fall, return to Bahir Dar & make city tour of Bahir Dar which includes: market where you can find the pottery, traditional hand-made woven clothes, and Woito Basket market.

Afternoon; take a chartered boat trip on Lake Tana to visit monasteries (constructed during 14 up to 19 century). You will visit only the most accessible and representative of the monasteries on the lake, still serving their original function: Ura Kidane Mehret, and Azwa Maryam (in Zeghie Peninsula), Kibran Church (prohibited for women) & Entos Eyesus. Overnight –Hotel– Bahir Dar

Day 6: Drive from Bahir Dar to Awra Amba & Lalibela

Drive to Lalibela, on the way; visit Awra Amba village. Awra Amba community is famous in villagers work activity. Any member, whatever the type of task or knowledge they perform, the share distribution among them is equal. They believe any member of the community should be treated fairly (denying the difference of knowledge, skill & task hardship) & get their support until death. When a member dies, only two people bury the dead body. No one cries for the dead but go working!!  The founder of the community is called Zumra, an old man, still alive!! Continue to Debre Tabor – Woldya – Lalibela – Overnight –Hotel – Lalibela

Day 9: full day visit in Lalibela

Early morning; Hike to Asheten Mariam Mountain Church .After Asheten and a short siesta, visit the first group of six churches: 1.Bet Golgotha, 2.Bet Mikael, 3.Bet Mariam, 4.Bet Meskel, 5.Bet Danaghel and 6.Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem is the largest monolithic rock hewn church in the world, built like a Greek temple! In a corner there are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Second groups: 7.Bete Amanuel, 8.Bete Marqorewos, 9.Bete Abba Libanos, 10.Bete Gabriel -Rufael and11 Bet Giyorgis. Bet Giyorgis is the most elegant of all Lalibela churches, which lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the town on a sloping rock terrace. Drive for the cave church of Nakuto Làabe (5kms away from Lalibela). Overnight –Hotel – Lalibela

Day 10: Lalibela to Addis Ababa & Departure

Fly from Lalibela to Addis Ababa to catch an evening flight or next country destination. Evening, dinner with live  amazing shoulder to shoulder dances ( northern culture) and other many live dances at best cultural restaurants in Addis ( Habesha restaurant or Yod Abyssinia) and transfer you to Bole International airport for your flight to  your homeland end of the trip .