ETT-1014: Ethiopia’s Historic Route – Ethio Travel and Tours

Tour Overview

Day 1

Addis Ababa

We will meet all clients arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, you may begin your tour the following day. You will visit the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Tour the Mercato, one of Africa's largest outdoor markets, and Trinity Cathedral, the resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.

Day 2

Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar

Fly to Bahar Dar on Ethiopian Airlines. Visit the marketplace in Bahar Dar. Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient island monasteries.

Day 3

Bahir Dar - Gondar

Drive through the countryside to Gondar. Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African Empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.

Day 4

Gondar - Simien Mountains National Park

Drive to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy some light hiking in the afternoon in the park and spot wildlife such as the endemic Gelada baboon.

Day 5

Simien Mountains - Axum

Take a scenic drive to Axum, the capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Frequent stops at viewpoints along the way. Arrive in Axum late afternoon.

Day 6

Visit Axum

Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum. Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits.

Day 7

Axum - Hawzein

Drive to the Ghiralta Lodge passing the Adwa battlefield, the site of Emperor Menelik II's 1895 victory over the invading Italians. Visit the 2,500-year-old ruins of Yeha, an ancient moon temple. Continue past Adigrat and visit Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos, two of the Tigray region's oldest and finest rock churches. On this day, we will pass the 6th-century monastery of Debre Damo which is perched atop a remote plateau. The monastery is only accessible using a rope and the monks will help pull visitors up the 20 - 25 meter cliff. However, we only recommend this for physically fit individuals. Women are not allowed on the grounds of the monastery, and therefore, it is not part of our regular tour itinerary. However, we can stop here for those on a custom or private tour.

Day 8

Hawzein - Mekele

Visit more of Tigray's remote and ancient rock-hewn churches: Abraha Atsbeha, dating from the 10th century; the beautiful Wukro Chirkos; and Medhane Alem Kesho. Drive to Mekele.

Day 9

Mekele - Lalibela

Drive on a scenic road to Lalibela. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the sunset from the terrace.

Day 10

Lalibela

Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi- monolithic structures was carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings.

Day 11

Lalibela

For the morning we have two choices: Take a morning hike with mules to Mount Asheton, with its 13th century rock-hewn monastery and great views of the town; - OR - Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Following either option above continue with a tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon.

Day 12

Lalibela - Addis Ababa - Dire Dawa

Fly to Dire Dawa via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines. Visit Dire Dawa’s very large and vibrant market.

Day 13

Harar

Drive to Harar. Stroll through the 16th-century walled city of Harar, the fourth most important city in the Islamic World. See the home of Arthur Rimbaud, a renowned French poet who worked and lived in Harar as a "gun-runner" during the 19th century. Visit the National and Harari museums; the house of Ras Mekonnen (father of Haile Selassie); and a traditional Harari home. In the evening see the "Hyena Man” feeding the hyenas that gather nightly outside the town.

Day 14

Harar - Addis Ababa

Morning visit to the colorful Islamic Market. Drive from Harar to Dire Dawa with an optional stop at Ethiopia’s largest “chat” market. From Dire Dawa, fly to Addis Ababa. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure if needed.