13 Days North – Historical Route by Air

Bahir Dar – Gondar – Simiens trek – Axum – Tigray – Lalibela

Days

Time

City              (Departure)

Transportation

Activities

Meal

Boarding

1

05:00

07:00

Addis Abeba

Flight

Check in for a flight to Bahir Dar

Early in the morning, depart on a flight for Bahir Dar (07:00).  After arrival, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit a selection of the monasteries hidden on the islands and shores of this sacred lake.  Visit the Zege Penninsula and the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret and the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River.  In the afternoon, you will have time to relax around Lake Tana and take a short city tour, including to the top of Mt. Bezawit, where the former Palace of Haile Selassie looks out to Lake Tana.  Finish the day with the sunset over the lake

Lunch on your own

Overnight in Bahir Dar at

a)     Kuriftu Resort & Spa

b)    Abay Minch Lodge

c)     Summerland Hotel

d)    EthioStar Hotel.

2

08:30

Bahir Dar

Drive

After breakfast, continue north to Gondar.  The four-hour drive will take you through rural villages, offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture.  After briefly settling in your hotel, explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings.  Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Ras Gimb Palace Museum and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia.

Breakfast

Overnight in Gondar at

a)    Taye Hotel

b)    Fasil Lodge

c)     Queen Taitu Pension.

3

07:00

Gondar

Drive & Hike

Depart early in the morning from Gondar (7am at the latest), driving to Sankober.  We will stop along the way at Debark to handle park fees, etc.  We will drop you near to Buyit Ras for a 3-4 hour hike to Sankober, which passes close to the escarpment edge.  Nearing Sankober, you will have beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge and where you will likely see the endemic Gelada baboons.  In Sankober, you will be met with your supplies. 

Breakfast

Overnight camping in Sankober

4

08:30

Sankober

Trekking

From Sankober, depart into a valley, through which the Wazla (or Koba) River runs.  (This river is often dry).  Coming out of the valley you will have views of the Jinbar River waterfalls falling into the Geech Abyss.  Continuing along, you will cross the Jinbar River and ascend into the village of Geech.  Total trekking time: 4-5 hours

Breakfast

Overnight camping in Geech

5

08:30

Geech

Trekking

After an early breakfast, depart from Geech to the peak of Imet Gogo at 3926m.  Here you’ll have spectacular views over the lowlands – one of the highlights of the trip.  As you continue to Chenek, you will pass Korbete Metia, a solid rock wall which opens up exposing beautiful views over the lowlands and the escarpment.  This is also a good place for spotting lammergeyers.    Total trekking time: 7 – 9 hours

Breakfast

Overnight camping in Chenek.

6

05:45

07:45

Chenek

Trekking & Drive

From Chenek, continue east up a valley to Bwahit Peak, overlooking the camp from where you just came.  After the visit, return to camp and depart for Gondar. On the way back to town you will visit the Falasha Village, home of the last remaining Ethiopian Jews and the Ploughshare Women’s Training Center.

Breakfast

Overnight in Gondar at

a)    Taye Hotel

b)    Fasil Lodge

c)     Queen Taitu Pension.

7

05:45

07:45

Gondar

Flight

Check in at the airport for a flight to Axum

Early morning flight to Axum (07:45).  Upon arrival to Axum, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.  Today will be a full day visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s inscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace.  You can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept.  Men only are allowed to enter the old church.  Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. 

Breakfast

Overnight in Axum at

a)     Brana Hotel

b)    Remhai Hotel

c)     Africa Hotel.

8

08:30

Axum

Drive

After breakfast, drive to visit the ruins of Yeha, dating from the 8^th to 5^th centuries BC, and thought to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum.  Afterwards, visit the Debre Damo monastery, where the men (sorry!  No women allowed.) must climb up a 15-m rope to enter.  Proceed through the state of Tigray, stopping en-route for a visit to the rock-hewn church of Medhane Alem Adi Kesho. 

Overnight in Hawsein at

a)    Gheralta Lodge

b)    Tourist Hotel.

9

08:30

Hawsein

Drive

In the morning, visit either Abuna Yemata Guh or Maryam Korkor.  Both churches involve an approximate one-hour hike but offer commanding views of the surrounding area.  After lunch, continue your visit with the more easily-accessible churches of Abreha we Atsbeha and Chirkos.

Overnight in Hawsein at

a)    Gheralta Lodge

b)    Tourist Hotel.

10

09:00

11:00

Hawsein

Flight

In the morning, visit the other of Abuna Yemata Guh or Maryam Korkor (whichever was not visited the previous day).  Afterwards, return to Axum

Overnight in Axum at

a)     Brana Hotel

b)    Remhai Hotel

c)     Africa Hotel.

11

08:30

Axum

Drive

Depart on a morning flight to Lalibela (11:00), the most famous of all of the Ethiopian historical sites.  After lunch, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for women).   

Overnight in Lalibela at

a)    Maribela Hotel

b)    Lal Hotel

c)     Alief Paradise Hotel.

12

09:50

Lalibela

Drive

In the morning, take a trip to visit the church of Yimrehanne Kristos.  The most popular of the churches outside of Lalibela, this church is built with layers of wood and granite, set in the entrance to a large cavern.  After the visit, return to Lalibela for lunch and, in the afternoon, visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos.  Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George.

Overnight in Lalibela at

a)    Maribela Hotel

b)    Lal Hotel

c)     Alief Paradise Hotel.

13

09:50

Lalibela

Flight

Check in at the airport for a flight to Addis.

In the morning, transfer to the airport for return flight back to Addis Ababa (11:50).

End of Tour