Northern Historic Route by Flight (6 Nights / 7 Days)
Tour Code: WET - 002
Historic Route Ethiopia trip
6 nights / 7 days northern Ethiopia historic tour
Discover the former Abyssinia, the legendary home of the Queen of Sheba, and be enchanted by the cultural and religious diversity of Ethiopia. Along the “Historic Route” Northern Ethiopia to take a journey through the exciting and fascinating history of the country and meet with ancient relics of African civilization.
First, you go to Bahir Dar to the monasteries on the islands in Lake Tana and visit the spectacular waterfalls of the Blue Nile. A visit to the old royal city of Gondar will inspire you with its old castles and famous churches as well as the drive along the spectacular mountain road to the Semien Mountains, the mysterious “roof of Africa”, with its endemic fauna. Then the undoubted highlight of the trip is to visit the legendary monolithic rock churches of Lalibela, which were made by hand from the rock in the early 13 century. Return back to Addis to explore the capital of Africa on your last day.
Highlights
All the highlights of a trip to Northern Ethiopia
Addis Ababa – the “new flower” Ethiopia
Legendary monastery in the islands of Lake Tana(UNESCO registered)
Spectacular waterfalls of the Blue Nile
Former Palace district of Gondar (UNESCO registered)
The Semien Mountains, the mysterious “roof of Africa”
Rock Churches of Lalibela (UNESCO registered)
Day 1. China – Addis Ababa: Morning arrival around 6:30 AM to Addis Ababa Bole International airport. Meet Witness Ethiopia representative at airport and transfer to your hotel. Short brief of the north Ethiopia tour is given by Witness Ethiopia Tours representative in the hotel. Then a city tour of Addis continues after a short rest in a hotel. City tour of the capital to National museum, churches, Entoto Mountains and market. Overnight at Addis Ababa, Caravan Hotel
Day 2. Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar: Fly Addis Ababa to Bahirdar. Meet our guide in Bahirdar and visit the Blue Nile fall and Lake Tana monasteries. The beautiful, palm-fringed town of Bahir Dar is situated at the southern end of Lake Tana. In the morning, visit the Tis-ISSAT waterfalls of the Blue Nile and in the afternoon you can enjoy a relaxing boat trip to two famous churches on the lake, in their treasuries precious icons, bibles and Coptic crosses are kept. Overnight at Bahirdar, Jacaranda Hotel,Home Land Hotel or Abayminch Lodge .
Day 3. Bahir Dar – Gondar:
Take a trip to the former residence of Emperor Haile Selassie I, and enjoy a panoramic view from here on the Blue Nile, Lake Tana and the town of Bahir Dar. Then go to the imperial city of Gondar, which was founded in 1632 by the Emperor Fasilidas and was a center of Ethiopian art, literature and science for many decades. (Takes about 3 to 4 hours). City tour to the sites of Gonder in the afternoon will include the city’s unique Imperial compound which contains a number of Castles built between 1632 and 1855 by various Emperors who reigned during this period , the bath of King Fasiledes,and the church of Debre Berhan Selassie with its unique murals. Overnight at Gonder, Land Mark or Taye Belay Hotel or Similar standard accommodation.
Day 4. Day excursions to Semien Mountains : Gonder – Semien Mountains – Gonder
In the morning you will drive to Debark and continue to the Simien Mountains National park, magnificent mountain scenery of the Semien Mountains. After a walk of about 1-2h a panoramic view opens on the mountain chains of the entire environment. With a little luck you can watch Gelada Baboon or bearded vulture. Walk in the park. Overnight at Gonder, Land Mark or Taye Belay Hotel or Similar standard accommodation.
Day 5. Gonder – Lalibela :
Today you drive to Lalibela. The medieval town is situated in the center of an impressive complex of eleven churches carved into rocks, which were appointed by the protected UNESCO World Heritage site and are also referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. (Takes about 6 to 7 hours). These world-famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela were built by King Lalibela in the early 13th Century. One of the world’s most incredible man-made creations, they are a lasting monument to man’s faith in God. Most travel writers describe these churches as the “eighth wonder of the world”. These remarkable edifices were carved out of a solid rock, in a region where the ragged landscape still protects the churches. Overnight at Lalibela, Panoramic View Hotel /Lal Hotel
Day 6. Visit the rock churches of Lalibela : In the morning you visit the first group of churches. After noon spend your time at the second group of churches, finish your visit at Lalibela by visiting the marvelous St George church. As a showpiece of all the buildings is St. George’s Church, which has been carved in the shape of a cross from the rock , late afternoon take part in a traditional tea ceremony in town, which is an important part of Ethiopian culture. Overnight at Lalibela, Panoramic View /Lal Hotel .
Day 7. Lalibela – Addis: Fly back to Addis Ababa, where you will meet your driver to take you to the city for visiting the national and ethnography museums of Addis Ababa and to Merkato for last minute shopping before your departure back home. The evening goes with a traditional meal with a beautiful dance performance at the end in one of the best Ethiopian traditional restaurants in Addis. Transfer out to airport. Transfer to airport for your return flight to home.
Travel Price : Based on 20 persons: XXX USD Based on 22 persons: XXX USD Based on 24 persons: XXX USD |
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Includes | Not included in the performance |
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Good to Know
A guarantee deposit of 25% of the total payment is needed at the time of trip confirmation. The remaining 50% of the total payment is required a minimum of one month prior to the arrival of the tour group, which will be placed directly towards the deposits for hotels, coach companies, ferries and other travel arrangements. The final 25% of the package price should be paid upon arrival and commencement of the tour. In case of late confirmation where the trip begins in 2 weeks time or sooner, we require 100% payment be paid in cash to our account.
A 50% refund of the advance payment will be offered in the event of cancellations made 2 weeks or more before arrival. We will refund 25% of the advance payment made in case trips are canceled in 1 week before arrival. Cancellations made less than 1 week before arrival are non-refundable.