Overview
On this tour, you will be able to cover the whole classic historic route with a few rock-hewn churches of Tigray plus Harar. You will first drive to Debre Markos while visiting Debrelibanos Monastery and the Blue Nile Gorge en route. Then you proceed to Bahir Dar for a boat trip to the nearby monasteries of Lake Tana's islands, and a visit of the Blue Nile Falls. In Gondar you visit the castle compound and Debrebirhan Selassie church, then take an excursion to the Semien Mountains National Park. You drive to Axum admiring spectacular mountain scenery and the Tekeze Gorge, visiting the single-stone stele and other archaeological sites, plus Yeha and rock-hewn churches of Tigray, before proceeding to Lalibela to visit the eleven rock-hewn churches. Driving through the Ambalage and Alamata mountains you reach Kombolcha, then Awash National Park, before continuing to Harar to visit the Hyena Man performance and the walled city.
Gallery
Trip Facts
- Duration
- 17 days / 16 nights
- Tour Style
- Study
- Physical Rating
- Challenging
- Age Requirements
- 20 – 80
- Service Level
- Upscale
- Group Size
- 1 – 12
Day by Day
Itinerary
Arrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel.
- Accommodation
- Jupiter Hotel (4★)
- Meals
- Dinner
Drive to visit Debre Libanos Monastery (13th century) and the spectacular Blue Nile gorge, then proceed along the rolling plateaus and farmlands of Gojjam to Bahir Dar.
- Accommodation
- Summer Land Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Boat trip on Lake Tana to see island monasteries and their treasures, including biblical wall paintings, crowns of Ethiopian kings, illuminated parchment books, and crosses. In the afternoon, excursion to the Blue Nile Falls.
- Accommodation
- Summer Land Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Proceed to Gondar; with a short detour, visit the village of the Awramba society and their woven products, then continue to Gondar.
- Accommodation
- Goha Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour of Gondar including the Royal Enclosure, bath of King Fasiledes, Debrebrihan Selassie church, and ruins of Qusqwam Palace. In the afternoon, drive via Debark to the Semien Mountains National Park (World Heritage Site).
- Accommodation
- Semien Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning drive to Sankaber, then trek to the surrounding escarpments and viewpoints, spotting the endemic Gelada baboon. Continue to Chenek to see spectacular viewpoints and the endemic Walia Ibex.
- Accommodation
- Semien Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Admiring the unique flora (Abyssinian wild rose, Giant Lobelia) and fauna, leave the Semien Mountains via the scenic Limalimo road and Tekeze Gorge to Axum.
- Accommodation
- Remhai Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Full day visit of Axum: the stele park with its huge monolithic obelisks, the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba, ancient stone inscriptions, and the church of St. Mary of Zion, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant.
- Accommodation
- Remhai Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive via Gherealta to Mekele, visiting the ancient Temple of Yeha (5th century BC) and the rock churches of Dugum Sillassie, Abreha We Atsbeha and Wukro Kirkos en route.
- Accommodation
- Axum Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, leave for Lalibela through the stunning scenery of the North Central Massif and Tigrean plateau, arriving late afternoon.
- Accommodation
- Mountain View Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit the first and second group of King Lalibela's rock-hewn churches (World Heritage Site) — each carved from huge blocks of rock, each with unique architectural features.
- Accommodation
- Mountain View Hotel
Keep Exploring
You Might Also Like
20 daysAxum Tsion and Omo Valley
A comprehensive 20-day journey combining the ancient stelae, churches and archaeological heritage of Axum — including the Church of St. Mary of Zion, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant — with the cultural richness of the Omo Valley's tribal communities. Suitable for travelers of all ages seeking a deep historical, cultural, educational and pilgrimage experience of Ethiopia.
View tour
5 daysBale Mountains and Sof Omar Cave
The Bale Mountains National Park is one of the most beautiful parks with rich endemic plants and animals. It is often called an Island in the Air. At Dinsho, where you pay entrance fees for the national park, you can visit the Mountain Nyala and Kudus in the surrounding compound. As you make a game drive in the national park you have a chance to visit the Ethiopian endemic red fox at Senete Plateau, Tullu Dimtu mountain peak, and Harena Forest is another attraction of the area. An excursion drive to Sof Omar Cave will end your visit. The cave is one of the most sophisticated natural caves in Africa, said to be about 15 km long. Finally, drive all the way back to Addis Ababa and enjoy a farewell dinner before flying back home.
View tour
7 daysBale Trekking
You drive to Dinsho, headquarters of Bale Mountain National Park. Then, you trek to Moraro Mountain and Wassama valley. After that, you climb Mount Batu and camp around Gebreguracha Lake. Next, you trek to Senetti plateau, where en route you have a chance to see the endemic Ethiopian Wolf and Alpine Lakes. Finally, you drive back to Addis Ababa for a farewell dinner before departure.
View tour