Our fourteen-day northern historical tour includes all the major historical sites of the north. including the rock-hewn churches of Tigray. We will be using ground transportation for the entire trip. We will fly back from Lalibela to Addis Ababa at the end of the northern historical tour.

Day1

Addis Ababa: Arrive at Bole International Airport and Transfer to the hotel for check-in. The city tour of Addis Ababa includes Merkato, Africa’s largest market, the National Museum of Ethiopia, and the ethnographic museum.

Overnight Hotel – Addissinia Hotel

Day2

Addis Ababa to Bahirdar: The second day of this northern historical tour starts by driving to Bahar Dar via the Blue Nile Gorge, the “Grand Canyon” of East Africa. Stop by the historical Monastery in Debre Libanos. Rebuilt after the 1930s destruction by the Italians. 

Overnight Hotel – Bahar Dar

Day3

Bahirdar: The third day of this northern historical tour starts by taking a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore the monasteries of Lake Tana. In the afternoon, you will have an excursion to the Blue Nile falls, also called (TIS ABAY or TIS ESAT) which means smoking water.

 Overnight Hotel – Bahar Dar

Day4

Bahirdar to Gondar: The fourth day of this northern historical tour starts by driving to Gondar, north of Lake Tana, stopping at the village of Awra Amba.

Overnight Hotel – Gondar

Day5

Gondar: Spend the fifth day of the northern historical tour exploring the sites of Gondar. Visit to the Royal Palace with six Castles and several other buildings. In addition, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia, and Kuskuam Mariyam.

 Overnight in Gondar Overnight Hotel – Gondar

Day6

Gondar to the Semien Mountains: Drive to Sankabar, the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Simien Park. The Semien Mountains National Park has many summits above 4,000 meters. Ras Dashen is the highest point in Ethiopia and the fourteen highest in Africa. At 4,620 meters tall, Ras Dashen is one of UNESCO World Heritage Site found in Ethiopia Enjoy some light hiking with the dramatic land scope and wildlife! 

Overnight Hotel – Lodge/camping

Day7

The Semien Mountains to Axum: Take a scenic drive to Axum on the seventh day of the northern historical tour. Axum is 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.

 Overnight Hotel – Axum

Day8

Axum: Once you arrive in Axum, you will see the obelisk of Axum. Axum is an ancient kingdom that existed several years before the birth of Christ. Axum is the cradle of Ethiopian culture and Christianity. The city is also the site of Ethiopia’s first church dedicated to Tsion Maryam. Tsion Maryam is the spiritual home of the Ethiopian Orthodox church.

 Overnight Hotel – Axum

Day9

Axum to Gherealta Lodge: The9th day of the northern historical tour starts with a drive to the Ghiralta Lodge. Enroute we will pass by the Adwa battlefield. This site is where Emperor Menelik II’s 1895 victory over the invading Italians took place. We will visit the 2,500-year-old ruins of Yeha, an ancient moon temple. Continue past Adigrat and visit Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos. These churches are two of the Tigray region’s oldest and finest rock churches. On this day, we will pass by the 6th-century Monastery of Debre Damo located atop of remote plateau. The monastery is only accessible using a rope. 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. Therefore, a visit is not part of our regular tour itinerary. However, we can stop here for those on a custom or private tour. 

Overnight Hotel - Ghiralta Lodge 

Day10

Gherealta to Mekelle:  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. Overnight Hotel – Mekele

Day11

Mekelle to Lalibela: Drive on a scenic road to Lalibela. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the beautiful full sunset 

Overnight Hotel – Lalibela

Day12

Lalibela: start the morning by visiting the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These groups of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly onto the mountain at least 800 years ago. After lunch, begin by exploring the 11 rock-hewn churches of the remarkable king Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches – Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha. In the afternoon, drive to Nakuto Le’Abe. This cave church, 7 km from Lalibela, is a simple but attractive little church built on the site of a much older shrine. This monastery houses some of the most captivating collections of ancient crosses, illuminated manuscripts, and other icons, some of which are the works of its founder, Nakuto Le’Abe.

 Overnight Hotel in Lalibela

Day13

Lalibela: The morning starts with a drive to Yimerhan Kristos which 42 km from Lalibela.  Yimrehanne Kristos is the most popular of the churches outside of Lalibela. Built-in the late-Axumite style, the entrance to the large cave is built with layers of wood and granite. The afternoon starts with a visit to the Southeastern Cluster of churches. We will be visiting Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, visit to the most famous of all the churches, Bet Giyorgis. This a single monolith in a shape of a cross constructed in honor the patron saint of Ethiopia, St. George.

Overnight Hotel – Lalibela

Day14

Fly to Addis Ababa – Fly back to Addis Ababa and have a farewell party with a cultural dinner and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks.

Upon request, the itinerary can be modified to suit your interest, time, and budget. 

Contact us for further details at +251 911 512691 or www.tours@addissinia.com