North Ethiopia Historic Route 14 Days Tour Package

Day 1: Arrival And Addis Ababa City Tour

1. Addis Ababa Museum
   5h · Admission ticket included
   Up on your arrival at Bole International Airport and you will clear immigration and proceed to baggage claim, after collecting your checked bags, clear customs and pass through the arrivals hall where you will be meet by FINOT TOUR ETHIOPIA representative, who will assist you with your transfer to your hotel.
   
   After a break in the afternoon, you will enjoy a half day guided tour of the Ethnological Museum, with its artifacts and displays of the cultures and handicrafts of Ethiopia’s many ethnic groups. At the famous National Museum, with its cultural and archaeological relics, you will visit the famous “Lucy,” a 3.2 million-year-old female hominid who was discovered in Ethiopia’s Awash Valley in 1974. Time permitting; you may visit the biggest open-air market of Addis Ababa, the Mercato, is the largest on the continent, and you will take a drive through it. you may also visit Ba’ata Church, also known as Menelik’s Mausoleum, one of the oldest of the churches in Addis, built in 1911. It houses beautiful paintings and the royal tombs of past emperors, including Emperor Haile Selassie.

Day 2: Drive to Bahirdar

1. Blue Nile Falls
   Pass by
   Morning after breakfast meet with FINOT TOUR ETHIOPIA staffs (driver and guide) at your preferred departure point and time, at 7.00 am, and start drive to northward passing through the Entoto hills, after driving hundred km detour to visit the 13th century monastery of DEBRE LIBANOS established by Teklehaymanot and a visit to the 16th century bridge of Portuguese. Continue drive and pass through the amazing Blue Nile gorge, lunch break at Debre Markos, continue to drive through the beautiful flat farming land late afternoon arrival at Bahirdar.

Day 3: Visit Bahirdar

1. Lake Tana
   6h · Admission ticket included
   Morning after breakfast boat cruise on this beautiful highland lake to see the monastery church of the beautifully decorated Ura Kidanmihret, and Azwa Mariam that allows both genders. Under the thatched roof of the monastery, there are some distinctive colorful frescoes of religious scenes an impressive display of illuminated bibles written in “Geez” the religious language from which Amharic is derived then afternoon will take a scenic drive of 32 km to the little town of Tiss Abay and walk for about twenty minutes to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. The falls is locally known as Tiss Isat meaning, “Water that smoke”. Those who may wish to descend to the base of the falls must be climb back to the other side and cross the Blue Nile in a boat in-order to back to the point of departure.

Day 4: Drive to Gondar

1. Fasil Ghebbi
   4h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast drive to Gondar 180 km to conduct tour of Gondar known as the “Camelot” of Africa, nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Semien Mountains National Park in the northwestern part of the country was the 17th and 18th century capital city of Ethiopia, which was founded by Emperors Fasiladas (1632 – 1667) and was home to a number of emperors & warlords, curtsies and kings who built several castles and palaces around the area. Visit the oldest and the most impressive Gondarian structure, the magnificent castle compound including the two storied palace of emperor Fasiladas, built of roughly hewn brown basalt stone held together with mortar, the fantastically decorated Debre-brehan Silassie Church (light of Trinity),the bath (now baptismal place during Ethiopian epiphany, January 19) of king Fasiladas and the ruined palace of Queen Mintiwab at Qusquam, were the Scottish explorer James Bruce used to reside for sometimes.

Day 5: Drive to Semien Mountain and Visit

1. 8h · Admission ticket included
   We have an early departure this morning as we drive to Debark in the Simien Mountains. This range lies north of Gondar and many of the peaks rise above 4000m, with the highest peak of Mt. Ras Dashen at 4543m being the fifth highest on the African continent. On the way, there may be the opportunity to visit a Falasha village. The Falasha Jews are thought to have arrived in Ethiopia 3,000 years ago at the time of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, but their history is shrouded in mystery. Translating to 'exiled' in Amharic, the Falasha claim to be descendants of Moses.
   
   This afternoon we'll take a short hike for a couple of hours to enjoy the wilderness of this mountain region, and here both gelada monkeys and lammergeyer can often be spotted. The mountains are marked with tracks worn out by the local people travelling from village to village or moving their animals to fresh pastures. The combination of these tracks and the spectacular scenery make for excellent walking

Day 6: Drive to Axum

1. Pass by
   Although the roads are rough and dusty, the views in this remote part of Ethiopia are simply spectacular. The drive today affords some excellent photo opportunities of the jagged Simien Mountains and the Tekeze Valley. The route is dotted with intermittent mountain hamlets and huge baobab trees that add to the splendor of the scenery. There will be scheduled stops to break up the journey, walk around and to get a cool drink.
   
   The drive brings us to the sacred city of Axum in the Tigrayan region, that was the capital of the Ethiopian empire between the 1st and 10th centuries AD. As the birthplace of Christianity within the country, it was also a bustling commercial center. We hope to arrive in time to enjoy a well-deserved sundowner.

Day 7: Visit Axum

1. The Ruins of Aksum
   8h · Admission ticket included
   Full day visit of Axum, a place where the cradle of Ethiopian culture Christianity and the first capital of Ethiopia until the 9th century A.D., On this day you will visit the small but rich archaeological museum, the famous stele park, where the magnificent single block of stones erected since 3rd century, the Saint Mary of Zion Cathedral, where the original Holy Ark of the Covenant is still sheltered, however except one guardian (priest) no one is allowed to enter in to the sanctuary where the ark is stayed. Continuing your visit which includes the subterranean tomb of king Kalbe and his son king Gebremeskel, 6th Century AD, the trilingual inscription of king Ezana and finally visit the ruin palace and bath of Queen of Sheba who was the mother of king Menilik I of the 950 B.C.

Day 8: Drive to Hawzen

1. Abune Yemata Guh Church
   Pass by
   Morning after breakfast drive Axum- Geralta on the way visit the 8-5BC Temple of Yeha. The temple is believed to be the oldest standing worship building in the country dedicating to god of Moon called Almuqa, then Proceed to the 6th century AD famous Monastery of Debre Damo established by Abune Aregawi one of the nine Saints came to Ethiopia in the 6th century in the reign of King Kaleb to spread Christianity and introduce monastery life in different parts of the country particularly to the northern region. The monastery is only for men and accessed by climbing rope to the top of the plateau) if you are not interested with the monastery since it is only for men and need physical capability it is possible to visit rock churches of TIGRAY (TEKA TESFA CLUSTER) arrival to Hawzen.

Day 9: Visit Churhces and Drive to Mekel

1. Abune Yemata Guh Church
   6h · Admission ticket included
   Morning after breakfast head to the Geralta cluster to visit the rock churches of Tigray dated back from the 6-9th century established by the nine saints who came from Syria during the time of Kaleb and Gebremeskel kings of the Axum dynasty, the rock churches are carve on the top of mountain façade today you will visit the rock churches namely Mariam Korkur in the morning and afternoon ABUNE YEMATA – The most difficult to ascend but worth to see the surrounding mountains from the top of the cliff, after that continue drive to Mekelle on the way more rock churches of Abreha-we-Atsbha and finally to Wekro Cherkos. Finally drive to Mekelle.

Day 10: Drive to Lalibela

1. Pass by
   Morning after breakfast drive Mekele- Lalibela a full day Drive to Lalibela passing through outstanding chains of Mountain via Weldia admiring the landscape and the people. A full day drive today takes us to the south, between the mountains to the west and the stark landscape of the Danakil Depression to the east, via the town of Woldiya, to arrive at the remarkable archaeological site of Lalibela, our home for the next 3 nights.

Day 11: Visit Lalibela

1. Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
   8h · Admission ticket included
   We spend today exploring one of the world's most remarkable historic sites and it's 11 rock-carved churches. Although churches carved in rock are found in other parts of the world, those found in Ethiopia are particularly interesting. Generally, they were excavated on all sides of a rectangle, leaving a large block of stone isolated in the centre. This rock was then shaped and formed both inside and out and the carvings show extremely skillful workmanship. Lalibela, the 'New Jerusalem', is thought to have been constructed some 800 years ago by King Lalibela. Once his capital city, this former bustling city is today a small village, virtually cut off from the outside world.
   
   We'll be joined by a guide both this morning and this afternoon to learn about the area's fascinating history. The exploring will include a certain amount of scrambling between rocks and through tunnels. The churches stand in two main groups on either side of a stream, known locally as 'The River Jordan' and between them are considered to be one of the great wonders of the world. Most of the churches now have a permanent roof built over them to preserve them and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 12: Visit Yimirihane Kiristos Church

1. Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
   6h · Admission ticket included
   Overlooking the mountain of Abune Yosef, the tallest mountain in Lasta, this morning we drive towards one of Ethiopia's best-preserved late Axumite churches. Named after the 12th century Zagwe priest-king and saint, the church of Yemrehanna Kristos is built of stone and wood inside a cave. We'll make a ten-minute walk uphill through a forest of juniper trees to the entrance. As well as it's wondrous setting, behind the church lies a pile of mummified bodies said to be that of pilgrims and holy men. Legend has it that a door found inside this church was given as a gift by the Caliph Saladin himself during the time of the crusaders.
   
   In the afternoon, we may have the opportunity to attend a coffee ceremony which is very much part of the social and cultural life of many Ethiopians, before an afternoon to relax and wander around the dusty, traditional town of Lalibela.

Day 13: Drive to Kombolicha

1. Pass by
   Morning after breakfast drive Lalibela- Kombelcha After an early breakfast, leave Lalibela on the way visit the monastery of Nakutolab- a cave church and proceed to Kombelcha on the way visit Hike Estephanos monastery again open only for men with an outstanding lake side view of the monastery.

Day 14: Drive to Addis Ababa

1. Mercato Market
   7h · Admission ticket included
   Early morning drive Kombelcha to Addis Ababa via scenic landscape of North Shewa where you can see the northern rift valley escarpment, possibly depending on the day visit the Bati market and the Afar people late afternoon arrival at Addis, Finally cultural dinner with live cultural dance performance in one of the best Ethiopian traditional restaurant. Then transfer to the airport for your departure.

Pickup details

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• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness