12 Days to Explore Ethiopian History

12 Days to Explore Ethiopian History

This 12 days historic route is one of our best products and is purchased so many times by differently originated worldwide customers indeed. On this Eleven Days and Twelve nights specific tour the Siemen Mountains, major historical sites of northern Ethiopia and the Tigray Rock churches will be visited Including Addis Ababa City tour. Not only this, we will also spend three nights in the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.

Itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa

Stop At: Ethnological Museum, Algeria St Piazza Haile, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Even if you’re not a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of your time – it’s easily one of the finest museums in Africa, showing the full sweep of Ethiopia's cultural and social history across two floors.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Addis Mercato, Kenya St Addis Ketema, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
If you’re a market lover, one place you can’t miss when you visit Addis Ababa is Addis Mercato. It’s considered Africa’s biggest market, an open air sprawl of vendors that goes on for kilometers; It’s one of those markets that weaves in all directions and you never know what you’re going to stumble into or what you’re going to find. At the market there’s a section for just about anything you can imagine.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Aratkilo area Addis, Addis Ababa 123 Ethiopia
This massive and ornate cathedral is the second-most important place of worship in Ethiopia (ranking behind the Old Church of St Mary of Zion in Aksum). It’s also the celebrated final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife Empress Menen Asfaw. Their massive Aksumite-style granite tombs sit inside and are a sight indeed. The solemnity of the interior design contrasts sharply with highly the charged emotions of many pilgrims. It's a fascinating place.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel

Day 2: Addis - Bahirdar

Stop At: Lake Tana, Ground floor from Blue Nile Hotel, Bahir Dar 1000 Ethiopia
Visit the marketplaces, take a boat trip on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient island monasteries.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel

Day 3: Bahirdar - Gondar

Stop At: Fasil Ghebbi, Gonder Ethiopia
Tour the Royal Enclosure, featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Debre Berhan Selassie Church, Gondar, Ethiopia, Gonder Ethiopia
Visit Debre Birhan Selassie church, famous for its religious art and iconic ceiling depicting angels.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel

Day 4: Simien Mountain National Park, Gondar

Stop At: Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Enjoy some light hiking in the afternoon in the park and spot wildlife such as the endemic Gelada baboon.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel

Day 5: Gondar - Axum

Pass By: Axum, Axum, Tigray Region
Take a scenic drive to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire. Experience the magnificent views on the way.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel

Day 6: Axum

Stop At: Northern Stelae Field, Near St Mary of Zion Church, Axum Ethiopia
You'll set off after breakfast and board your scheduled flight to Axum (sometimes known as Aksum), the site of some of Ethiopia's most storied ruins.
Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel before venturing out to the Northern Stelae field to see the 4th century obelisks that lend the region its name. While all of the tombs excavated so far have been robbed centuries ago, more than 90% of the ancient burial sites remain unearthed!
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Queen of Sheba Palace, Axum Ethiopia
You'll then embark on a day of discovery as you explore the ruins of Dungur, better known as the Queen of Sheba's Palace, as well as the tombs of ancient figures such as King Kaleb, King Gebre Meskel, and more.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: St Mary of Zion, Axum Ethiopia
You'll then proceed to St. Mary's of Zion Cathedral, fabled home of the Ark of the Covenant. Not only is this4th century church said to be home to the Biblical artefact, it is also where ancient Axum Emperors and Empresses were crowned.
A visit to the archaeological museum will further enhance your knowledge of the ancient kingdom.
Bathed in the history of the Ancient Kingdom of Axum.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel

Day 7: Axum - Gheralta

Stop At: Yeha Archaeological Site, Yeha Village Ethiopia
Drive to the Gheralta lodge passing the Adwa battlefield, Emperor Menelik II's victory site over the Italians. Visit the 2,500 year old ruins of Yeha, Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos Tigray rock churches.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel

Day 8: Hawzen, Tigray

Stop At: Abuna Yemata Guh church, Hawzen Ethiopia
We/Abraha Atsbeha; the beautiful Wukro Chirkos; and Medhane Alem Kesho. Then Drive to Mekele.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel

Day 9: Mekelle - Lalibella

Pass By: Lalibela, Lalibela, Amhara Region
Arrive late afternoon and enjoy the sunset from the terrace.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel

Day 10: Lalibella

Stop At: Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Lalibela 1260 Ethiopia
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.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel

Day 11: Lalibela

Stop At: Yemrehanna Kristos, Lalibela Ethiopia
In The morning we will visit a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. Tour Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel

Day 12: Lalibela - Addis Ababa

Stop At: National Museum of Ethiopia, King George VI Street, Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Visit the National Museum, home of the 3.2 million years old skeleton "Lucy." Optional souvenir shopping and Farewell dinner in traditional Ethiopian restaurant, Transfer to airport. End of the Trip!
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner: In a traditional Restaurant
Accommodation included: Departure