Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Addis Ababa.
City tour of the town which includes the view from mount Entoto, the old Museum at Entoto which displays the materials of 18th century, Ethnological Museum and Art gallery of Addis Ababa University and the Archaeological Museum.
Over night in Holiday Hotel.
Day 2: Addis Ababa - Dabre Markos (300 kms asphalt).
After early start drive to the top of the chain Mountain of Entoto. Until you cross the Blue Nile Gorge you are driving on the Showan Plateau inhabited by the Salale Oromo, based for their income on cattle. This a plateau with an average altitude of 3000 meters above see level. After a town of Goha Tsiyon, you start descending down to the Blue Nile Gorge. When you reach the river the altitude is 1000 meters a.s.l. This river is like a natural boundary between two provinces, Showa and Gojam; and between two ethnic group, Oromo and Amhara. After you crossed the gorge, until you reach Bahir Dar you drive in Northern Central Massif.
Arrival at Dabre Markos and Overnight stay in Shebel Hotel.
Day 3: Dabre Markos - Bahir Dar (260kms).
Start the drive after breakfast. You drive through rolling mountains of Gojam and Agaw people. Until you reach Bahir Dar it is the best place to see the daily activity of the people on the farm field. After about 3 hours drive you arrive Bahir Dar and check in to Hotel. After having lunch, the afternoon is for city tour of the town which includes general Market of grain, spices, vegetables, handicrafts and fire wood, and the attractive basket market. In late afternoon drive to the outskirt of the town to the view point called Bezawit to have good view of the town, the lake and the Blue Nile River.
Overnight in Sammarland Hotel.
Day 4: Full day around Bahir Dar (Blue Nilefalls or Island monastery).
Bahir Dar is a town located on the southern shores of Lake Tana. Thirty-seven islands dot this immense body of water, and twenty of them shelter historic churches and monasteries, many decorated with impressive paintings.
Boat excursion to island’s monasteries. Located on the forested Zege Peninsula, Ura Kidhane Mihret is the most impressive of the monasteries. The walls of the church are completely covered with remarkable 16th-century murals that offer a revealing look into medieval 'Ethiopia. Nearby is Azuwa Maryam, containing several fascinating paintings.
Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile, and the most dramatic wonder here is the Blue Nile Falls; during flood-stage it is more than 1300 feet wide. After dropping over a sheer chasm more than 150 feet deep, the mist drenches viewers a half mile away. In a gorge created by the waterfall is a small rain forest lush with tropical vegetation and inhabited by lively monkeys and a multitude of spectacular birds.
Nowadays more than 90% of the waterfalls are used for hydro electric power. It is by chance you can see the fall. But to there and walking in the river gorge and the surrounding scenery is god experience. In the evening, after dinner you can enjoy the traditional music in one of the small cultural musician bars(Azmari Bet). Summerland Hotel.
Day 5: Bahir Dar - Gondar drive (180 kms).
After early start drive through Woreta and Fogera plain. After the plain the route pass through the Adis Zemen chain of mountains which are part of the Semein Mountain. Arrive Gondar and check in to Balagaz Hotel. You are in the royal city of Gondar where magnificent fortified palaces dominate the landscape.
The oldest and most impressive is the two-story palace of Emperor Fasilidas, built of solid basalt stones. Other royal buildings include the library of Emperor Yohannes I, the House of Song where royal ceremonies took place, the elegant reception and banquet hall of Emperor Bakaffa, and the palace of this king's wife''. Just outside of town is the Bathing Palace where Epiphany is celebrated each year. Also visit the Church of Debre Birhan Selassie, an imposing structure with its harmony of brightly colored ceilings completely covered with intricately painted angels.
Overnight in Amba Ras Hotel.
Day 6: Half day in Gondar and drive to Dabark, in Semein Mountain Hotel.
After breakfast drive to the center of the town for walking and visit the different sites like the daily colorful market of the town. back to hotel for lunch. After lunch drive to Dabark which is the gate of the Park. Over night in Semein Mountain Hotel( this is very basic hotel with common shower).
If you can afford there is a lodge in the park which charges $120 per day.
Day 7: Debark - Semein Mountain - Debark.
After early breakfast and buying entrance ticket, drive on the edge of the escarpment which has good view of the surrounding and there is chance to see the endemic Gelada baboon. These baboons are grass eaters and will be seen in family units in many areas of the Semein. They are also known as the 'the bleeding heart baboon' as there are red areas on the chest. Generally the area before Sankabar is mainly through cultivated areas. Few indigenous trees will bee seen in the area except the introduced eucalyptus. In some areas, plants such as St. John's wort and heather will bee seen. Also many smaller herbs like Alchemila, Kiniphofia, red-hot pocker and Lobelia will be seen. Drive back and Overnight in Dabark Semein Mountain Hotel.
Day 8: Dabark - Axum drive (280 kms).
This day you cross through twl wonderfull landscapes, the Limalimo and The Valley of Tekeze River. The road is winding(snakey), and it gives very good view of the mountains of the Semein.In fact this is one of the most difficult road in Africa. After you crossed the Valley of Tekeze you are in the Regional State of Tigre.
Arrive in late afternoon in Axum and Overnight stay in Africa Hotel.
Day 9: Full day exploring Axum.
This ancient city, with its half-buried ruins of palaces, monolithic stelae, and subterranean tombs, is one of Ethiopia's most historic sites. Reputedly the capital of the Queen of Sheba, today Axum is the hub of Ethiopian Christianity. Visit the Park of the Obelisks where several colossal monoliths still stand together, marking the tombs of the Axumite royals. Nearby, is the subterranean Tomb of Ramha, a former king of Axum. Beneath the Palace of Kaleb, steep stone steps lead to underground galleries and chambers, locally believed to be the treasury of Emperor Kaleb.
Visit an historically important dedicatory stone dating to about 320 AD with an inscription written in three languages - Sabaean, Ge'ez (earliest written Ethiopian language), and Greek, and explore the tomb of King Basen, who ruled at the time of the birth of Christ. Also explore Gobadura, where Axum’s giant stelae were quarried, and see the impressive relief drawing of a lion cut into a large boulder. Axum is where the Ark of the Covenant of Biblical fame is reported to be hidden within the compound of the Church of Saint Mary of Zion. We will see the new, and rather garish church built with the support of Haile Selassie, and the small outbuilding nearby that purportedly houses the renowned Ark.
Overnight in the Africa Hotel.
Day 10: Axum - Adigrat drive (120 km).
An all day road trip takes us east through dramatic volcanic formations to Yeha, the capital of the earliest kingdom in Ethiopia. Here, the pre-Axumite Temple of the Moon is the oldest known sacred site in Ethiopia dating to about 700 B.C. It is reputed to be the best preserved example of South Arabian style temple architecture in the world. Next to the shrine is the Church of Abune Aftse, one of the “Nine Saints” who did much to spread Christianity in Ethiopia.
The next job is to visit Dabre Damo, hill top church which is about 1000 years old. Access to this mountain top monastery is only climbing using a rope hanging from the top. Continue to Adigrat.
Overnight stay in Hohoma Hotel.
Day 11: Adigrat - Makale drive (120 kms).
This is a drive to visit some of the oldest rock-hewn churches of Ethiopia. These churches are pre dating the churches of Lalibela at least by 400 years. En route you visit Wukro cherkos and Abreha Atsbeha church. Arrival at Makale, the seat of Tigre Regional state.
Overnight in Axum Hotel.
Day 12: Makale - Lalibela drive(380 kms).
This is the route to see another mountainous region. Specially, the mountains around Mohony are very special. You cross many farm lands which gives you the experience of the life of the farmers activity on their land. Arrive Lalibela in late afternoon and check in to Seven Olives Hotel.
Day 13: Full day in Lalibela.
Unofficial eighth Wonder of the World. Eight hundred years ago King Lalibela created a marvelous gift to the world. Often called the Eighth Wonder of the World, Lalibela contains towering churches that were carved from the soft, volcanic tuff in which they stand. Some lie almost completely hidden in deep trenches, and others stand in open quarried caves. A complex and bewildering labyrinth of tunnels and narrow passageways with crypts, grottoes, and galleries connects them all. Within this mystical world, priests go about their daily tasks, seemingly oblivious of the outside world.
Standing 38 feet tall with seventy-two pillars, Medhane Alem is not only the largest in Lalibela, it is the largest monolithic rock-hewn church in the world. The oldest of the churches, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Bet Maryam is the only Lalibela monolith with a porch. The remains of exquisite early frescoes can be seen on the ceiling and upper walls, and there are many elaborately carved details on the piers, capitals, and arches.
Overnight for two nights at the Seven Olives Hotel.
Day 14: Visit the churches out of Lalibela town.
Day 15: Lalibela - Kombolcha drive(380).
This drive is still in the Northern Central Massif and still in Amhara people. The landscape around Qebero Meda is wonderfull. Stop for lunch in Woldiya town and continue to Kombolcha.
Overnight in Tekle Hotel.
Day 16: Kombolcha - Bati - Awassh, Ganat Hotel(400 km).
This drive takes you first to the belt of North east mountains until you reach the town of Bati. Bati has very famous colorful Monday market which is the meeting place of different tribes coming both from highland and lowland. It is also common to see the camel caravans coming for market. After Bati you drive in the very barren lowland once which was the place of our old ancestors. This is where many anthropologists are digging for human fossil.
Arrive Awash and over night in Ganat Hotel.
Day 17: Awash - Harara drive, Rawuda Gust House(300 km).
From Awash we drive to east country. The first 100 km is in the great Rift Valley. After Asebe Teferi town we start driving on the eastern Highland until we reach Harar town.
Arrive the old and walled city of Harar, check in to Rawda Guest House.
Day 18: Full day visit of Harar.
Today is the day to explore the a millennium old town of Harar. This famous town attracted many great people from around the world. Harar was the commercial center of North-East Africa and once it was named "East African Timbuktu". It was the center of Islamic study for centuries. The old wall surrounding the town, and the fife gates make this town Unique.
The visit of Harar includes, the 10th century palace of Emperor Hailesilase, the house of the famous French poet, Ramboud, the Christian market, the Muslim market, The Harari Museum. This evening before dinner we visit the hyena man who is feeding the wild Haynes from his and.
Day 19: Harar - Awash drive, Ganat Hotel.
Day 20: Awash - Awash park - Addis Ababa, Holliday Hotel.
Before we head to the capital city we drive to Awash National Park. Awash Park is home of Beisa Oryx and some Gazels. In Addition to this Awash River waterfalls, the escarpment of the river is wonderful. Continue the drive and arrival at Addis Ababa. Since this is the last day, you can have a visit the shopping centers of Addis for some traditional materials.
Day 21: Departure. Back to home.
Notes: The hotels mentioned are better hotels. In Addis, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Dabark and Axum there is a chance to book the best once. In this case you have to add $400 per person.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Notes: Prices are constantly changing in Ethiopia due to inflationary pressures.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Ethiopia
National Parks
Ecotourism
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