Tour Description
Duration: 15 days/ 14 nights
Tour Code: AT007
Mode of Transportation: By car
Tour Highlight
This tour combines the best of Ethiopia’s historical sites and scenery; the island monasteries that decorate Lake Tana like emeralds in pool of gold, the mighty Blue Nile Falls, the Castles of Gondar “African Camelot”, the magnificent Rock hewn churches of Lalibela, the great Stelae of Axum, St. Mary of Zion church, the fabled Queen of Sheba ruined palace, Temple of Yeha, the remarkable rock churches of Tigray.
Day 1: Drive Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar
Day 2: Blue Nile Waterfalls and Lake Tana
Day 3: Drive to Bahir Dar Gondar and continue to Semien MT.NP
Day 4: Trek to Sankaber (3250 MASL)
Day 5: Drive SMNP to Axum
Day 6: Drive to Geraltha
Day 7: Drive to Mekelle
Day 8: Drive to Lalibela
Day 9: Lalibela site seeing
Day 10: Drive to Kombolcha
Day 11: Drive to Addis Ababa
Tour Detail
Day 1: Drive Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar
After breakfast drive 565km to the town of Bahir Dar, set at an altitude of 1830m on the southern shore of Lake Tana. Passing by Mount Entoto through the Sululta plain en-route visit the monastery of Debre Libanos and precede your drive through the spectacular scenery of the Blue Nile Gorge. Overnight Soliyana hotel/similar
Day 2: Blue Nile Waterfalls and Lake Tana
In the morning make a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the monasteries of Ura Kidane Meheret, Kibran Gebriel and Azoa Mariam. Ura Kidane Meheret and Kibran Gabriel host important religious icons from the 16th century and interesting museums. Azoa Mariam is also known for its mural paintings. In the afternoon drive to visit the majesty Blue Nile Falls around 33 km from the town, locally known as “Tiss Issat” (smoke of fire) return to the city have dinner. Overnight Soliyana hotel/similar
Day 3: Drive to Bahir Dar Gondar and continue to Semien MT.NP
After breakfast drive (180 km) to the town of Gondar through the Fogera plain and mountains of Addis Zemen. In the afternoon, drive (122 km) to Semien Mountain National Park and check-in the Lodge, in the late afternoon you will have a hiking around the lodge to see the endemic Gelada Baboon and the breathtaking landscape. Overnight Florida hotel/similar
Day 4: Trek to Sankaber (3250 MASL)
After breakfast, drive 100km to Debark, where you registered before entering to the Semien Mountain National Park and have lunch in Debark. In the afternoon drive almost 30km to Michibi then you will start your hiking for almost 2 hours until the first camping site of Sankaber. Overnight Semien mountain lodge/ similar
Day 5: Drive SMNP to Axum
Drive (280 km) to the northern Ethiopia ancient city of Axum, regarded as the cradle of Ethiopian culture and religion, passing through the chains of the Semien Mountains and the Tekeze River valley. Overnight Sabean hotel/similar
Day 6: Drive to Geraltha
After breakfast drive to Geralhta through the escarpments of Adwa Mountains & Scenic landscapes en-route visit the 6th century B.C Pre-Christian Temple of Yeha and the oldest church of Debre Damo Monastery. Overnight Geraltha lodge/similar
Day 7: Drive to Mekelle
Drive to Mekelle and en-route visit the famous rock hewn churches of Tigray of Abrha and Atsbha and Wukero Cherkos rock-hewn church. Overnight Planet hotel/similar
Day 8: Drive to Lalibela
Drive to Lalibela through dramatic highland scenery. Lalibela, perched at an altitude of 2630 m, among wild craggy mountains and vast rocky escarpments, Lalibela is a strikingly singular town famed for its 11 rock-hewn churches excavated in the beginning of the 13th century. Overnight Lalibela lodge/similar
Day 9: Lalibela
In the morning visit the northern group of churches and Bet Giyorgis, built after St. George appeared in the dream of King Lalibela. It displays the finest architecture in a good state of preservation. Each church (“Bet”) has a unique architectural style. All are superbly carved and most of them are decorated with well-preserved paintings. The northern group of churches includes Bet Medehane Alem is the largest monolithic rock-hewn building in the world, supported by 72 pillars. Through a short tunnel you pass on to Bet Mariam. Bet Golgotha and Bet Mikael contain many important religious items. In the afternoon drive 7 km from the town to visit the cave church of Naakuto Laab, built inside a natural cave. Overnight Lalibela lodge/similar
Day 10: Drive to Kombolcha
Drive (325km) to the town of Kombolcha passing through the breathtaking landscape of Yeju Wodela Delanta en-route visit Hayk Estifanos Monastery, dedicated to St. Stephanie. Overnight hotel
Day 11: Drive to Addis Ababa
After breakfast drive (374 km) to Addis Ababa through Shoan plateau and en-route short stop at “Gemasa Gedel” to enjoy the view and to see the separation land marks of the North Western highlands and the Ethiopian Rift valley as well as you can see the endemic Gelada Baboon. In the evening you will have a traditional farewell dinner in the traditional restaurant. Overnight Caravan hotel/similar hotel or Departure
