Northern Historic Route by Plane (8 days)

Highlights

• Blue Nile Falls, Bahir Dar
• Boat trip on lake Tana with unique island monasteries and nature (animal viewing- and excellent birding)
• Former imperial town of Gondar (UNESCO world heritage site)
• Breath-taking landscapes of the Simien Mountains with numerous endemic animals (UNESCO world natural site)
• Former imperial town of Axum with many relics of a several thousand-year-old civilizations (UNESCO world heritage site)
• Lalibela, the unofficial 8th wonder of the world (UNESCO world heritage site)

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa and City Tour
Upon arrival at Bole International Airport you will be met by a Welcome Ethiopia Tours representative and be taken to your reserved hotel. Depending on your arrival time, we have various sightseeing options:

• Mount Entotowith the best views over the capital.
• Institute of Ethiopian Studies, where you can see a variety of artifacts from all the different regions reflecting the history and culture of the country
• National Museum which among other exhibits the 3.5-million-year-old bones of Lucy.
• George Cathedral, where paintings by the famous Ethiopian artist Afework Tekele and other ecclesiastical wealth and cultural heritage of the past are displayed.
• Trinity Cathedral: this is the burial place of members of the imperial family and noted patriots; the cathedral is the most magnificent of its kind in the country, ornamented with carvings, mosaics and other artistic works.
• The Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa

Hotel: Monarch Hotel or similar, Addis Ababa (www.monarchaddis.com)

Day 2: Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar (flight)

Morning: Boat trip on Lake Tana
In the morning, you will fly together with your guide to Bahir Dar, where you will be picked up by your driver and taken to your hotel. We then undertake a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore the nearby monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret on the Zege peninsula, known for its 14^th century, round, grass-roofed churches and their magnificent wall murals, the Azoa Mariam and Ura Kidane Mihret churches. Its architectural styles with mud plastered round wall and a conical thatched roof are typical examples of ancient Ethiopian orthodox churches. The monastery is found hidden in the forest of the Zege peninsula. Ura is especially well known for its fine frescoes, manuscripts, ecclesial objects, such as the crown of various emperors dating from the 14^th century, gold and silver processional crosses, silver drums and royal vestments. On our walk through the densely-forested area we hope to encounter monkeys and abundant bird life. On the lake, you will also have a chance to see hippos and more wildlife.
Afternoon: Visit to the Blue Nile Falls
After lunch we will visit to the magnificent Blue Nile Falls. The water plunges here for 45m (148ft). It is about 35km/1hour drive from town. In the later afternoon, we drive back to Bahir Dar and discover the market, where you may purchase handicrafts like jewellery, woven and embroidered garments, ox-horn cups or grass baskets (Agelgil), for which Bahir Dar is well known, or simply watch the indigenous culture of the local community.

Accommodation: Hotel, Bahir Dar

Day 3: Bahir Dar – Gondar (170 km)

Morning: 
After breakfast we drive to Gondar, a 17th century royal city of Ethiopia, affluent in the imperial structure of a Castle Compound and the spectacularly painted Debre Birhan Selassie Church.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we visit to the royal enclosures of Fassil Ghibe and all the castles of the Gonderian emperors as well as the famous Debre Berhan Selassie Church, which is completely covered in murals, with the angels’ faces on the wooden ceiling that have become a trademark of Ethiopian art and design.

Accommodation: Hotel, Gondar

Day 4: Gondar – Simien Mountains National Park – Gondar (240 km)

Morning /Afternoon:
Early in the morning, we continue our journey to the Simien Mountains National Park auf. We will reach the Simien Lodge, the highest lodge in Africa, around noon. After lunch, we start exploring the Simien Mountains National Park. Due to its unique landscape and its endemic fauna the park has been declared a UNESCO world nature heritage site in 1996. In the park, you may experience the very close interaction with the friendly Gelada Baboons. We drive up to Sankaber (3’220m) and admire the impressive scenery with its deep gorges and valleys and the highest waterfall in Ethiopia. Here a gentle walk would take us about 2 hours. We hope to encounter further endemic animals, such as the Walia Ibex and the Simien fox. In the late afternoon, we will return to Gonder.

Accommodation: Hotel, Gondar

Day 5:  Gonder – Lalibela (flight)

Morning:
After breakfast, you will fly to Lalibela (approx. 30 min.). You will be picked up at Lalibela airport and be transferred to your hotel We will then visit the 11 renowned rock hewn churches of Lalibela, also known as the “8^th wonder of the world”. The Lalibela rock hewn churches are physically carved from the rock on which they stand. These towering edifices seem to be a superhuman creation in scale, workmanship and concept. Some are sculptured out of a solid volcanic rock, others are connected by long underground tunnel and mazes. Some are quarried enlargements of caves. The first group of six churches lies in rock cradles, one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikeal, Bet Mariam, Bet Maskel, Bet Dangal and Bet Medhanealem. Bet Medhanealem, the largest rock hewn church in the world is built like a Greek temple.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will visit to the second group of churches located to the south of the river Jordan. The second group comprises Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches. Bet Giyorgis lies somewhat isolated to the southwestern part of the village on a slopping rock terrace and can only be reached through a tunnel. The group of four churches, south of the river Jordan river, comprises Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Aba Libanos and Bet Gabriel and Rufeal. Bet Emanuel’s elaborated exterior has been much praised by international art historians.

Accommodation: Hotel, Lalibela

Day 6: Full Day in Lalibela

Morning:
If you wish we can spend some more time exploring the rock-hewn churches. Alternatively, we may take an excursion to the Asheton Maryam Monastery (3200 m above sea level) from where you will enjoy spectacular panoramic views over the beautiful surroundings.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will visit the fascinating cave church of Yirmahne Kristos dating from the 11th century. Driving through the local villages located in scenic landscape will take us 2 hours each way.

Accommodation: Hotel, Lalibela

Day 7: Lalibela – Axum (flight)

Morning:
After breakfast, you will fly to Axum (approx. 40 min.).
Afternoon:
The city tour of Axum includes: Axum stelae or obelisks, the largest single piece of stone erected by human beings anywhere in the world, castles of former monarchs, Mariam Tsion Church which is built on the site of Ethiopia’s first church, the Palace of Queen Sheba, the inscriptions King Ezana’s and the tombs of the kings Kaleb and Gabre Meskel.

Accommodation: Hotel, Axum

Day 8: Axum – Addis Ababa (flight)

Morning:
After breakfast, we have the option to visit the temple of Yeha (approx. 50km / 1h). The way passes through Adwa, where in 1896 the famous battle between the Ethiopians and Italians tool place. Yeha was a pre-axumite settlement and is famous for its well-preserved stone temple with 12 m high walls estimated to be 2‘500 years old.
Afternoon:
We fly back to Addis Ababa and you will be picked up at Bole Airport and taken to your hotel. According to your interests, there are various sightseeing and shopping opportunities.
Evening:
In the evening you will be invited to a memorable farewell dinner in one of Addis Ababa’s traditional restaurants with cultural songs, dances and traditional food and drinks. You will then be transferred to either Bole International Airport or, if you continue your stay in Ethiopia, to your reserved hotel.
Departure or individual extension