Tour Northern Ethiopia 6 Days
Tour Northern Ethiopia
Visit Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Axum, & Lalibela
Itinerary
Program: Northern Ethiopia Circuit
Tour Code: North 05
Duration: 5Nights (6 Days)
Transportation: Air & Land
Tour starts: Addis Ababa
Tour Ends: Addis Ababa
Day 1: Arrive & City tour of Addis Ababa
Morning, arrive to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, meet with us at the air port and After Breakfast, we drive to the Entoto Mountain (3300m) for a panoramic view of Addis, Entoto Museum with historical and royal exhibit, The Church of St. Mary, built in 1885 and the old palace of emperor MenelikII. Take some images at Mount Entoto and we drive back to Addis for Ethnological Museum that exhibits the culture and handicrafts of various Ethiopian ethnic groups, the National Museum in which you are visiting different archaeological findings (including Lucy’s replica Skeleton). After lunch, visit the Trinity Cathedral, Mausoleum of emperor MenelikII at Bààta Church and finally Merkato – the largest open market in Africa. Overnight –Hotel (4*) – Addis
Day2: Tis Issat / Tis Abay – Blue Nile and Monasteries on Lake Tana
Morning, fly from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar & drive to the small town of Tiss Abay (32km rough road) to visit the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Issat means in Amharic: ‘Smoke of Fire’. Much of the water is diverted for Hydro electric Generation plant but it is still worth visiting for remaining waterfalls, walking around, a Portuguese Bridge (17Century) and the country side. The area around the waterfall is amazingly fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghum and Teff (from which Injera, our national bread, is made). On the way after the Blue Nile, visit the market of Bahir Dar where you can find the pottery, traditional hand-made woven clothes, and Woito Basket market.
After lunch; take a chartered boat trip on Lake Tana to visit monasteries (constructed during 14 up to 19 century). You will visit only the most accessible and representative of the monasteries on the lake, still serving their original function: Ura Kidane Mehret, and Azwa Maryam (in Zeghie Peninsula), Kibran Gabriel (prohibited for women) & Entos Eyesus. Overnight hotel/lodge – Bahir Dar
Day3: Bezawit Palace with view point, Awara Amba & Castles of Gondar &
After breakfast; drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar (187km asphalt road). On the way; visit the hill top of Bezawit (roughly 5km after Gojjam – Gondar border Bridge). At this point, you are visiting the Palace of Emperor Haile SelassieI (entering & photographing the palace is prohibited), panoramic view of the town of Bahir Dar, the Source of the Blue Nile – leaving its source from Lake Tana. Again on the way; visit the Awramba/ Awra Amba Community & landscapes. After lunch in Gondar, visit the Castles of emperor Fassiladas, his swimming pool, the empress Minitab’s Palace, the Banquet Room of Emperor Bakaffa… the 17century church of Debre Birhan Sillassie (Light of Trinity) and Jewish/ Felash Village. Overnight –Hotel– Gondar
Day4: Discover Axum
Fly from Gondar to Axum & explore the city of Axum for full day. Axum was oldest Ethiopian capital city. The attractions of Axum include: the archaeological museum, monolithic steles, the tombs of King Kaleb, and the legendary Bath and the ruins of ancient palace of the Queen of Sheba (Dengur palace), St Mary of Zion and the sanctuary that houses the original Ark of the Covenant. Almost all Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and some scholars believe firmly that the original Ark the covenant of God is resting here at the chapel- in the middle of St Mary of Zion and Emperor Fassiladas’ Castle of Axum. Visit also the monastery of Abba Pantelion at the hill side of Axum. Overnight – at Yeha Hotel or similar (3*) –Axum
Day5: Explore Lalibela Rock Hewn Churches
Morning, fly from Axum to Lalibela and after lunch, Visit the first group of six churches: 1.Bet Golgotha, 2.Bet Mikael, 3.Bet Mariam, 4.Bet Meskel, 5.Bet Danaghel and 6.Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem is the largest monolithic rock hewn church in the world, built like a Greek temple! In a corner there are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Afternoon; 7.Bete Amanuel, 8.Bete Marqorewos, 9.Bete Abba Libanos, 10.Bete Gabriel -Rufael and11. Bet Giyorgis is the most elegant of all Lalibela churches, which lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the town on a sloping rock terrace. Overnight – Overnight – Roha Hotel or similar (3*) – Lalibela
Day6: Lalibela – Addis – Departure
Morning, visit Nakuto Làabe Cave Church (5km from Lalibela) and fly back to Addis Ababa .Iif your departure is in the night time, we will take you to ethnical live dance club to observe different cultural dances Habesha Cultural Restaurant or Yod Abyssinia Restaurant). .
Notice: This itinerary can be amended up on request