9 Days Tour to Northern Historic Route of Ethiopia

In the early morning, meet up at convenient point in Addis Ababa and depart to Wanchi Crater Lake via the town of Ambo town (144 km asphalt road), situated in the western side of the capital. Up on arrival at Wanchi, begin your hiking or horseback riding on the hillside of the crater through the natural forest with a beautiful scenery. Inside the forest, you will observe different tree species, alpine vegetation, aquatic and terrestrial bird species, and mammals. Then, descend down to the natural hot-spring. Soak in the natural mud-pool and take bath in hot-spring for a relaxation and rejuvenation. Picnic lunch (goat steak bites, rice with cooked vegetable, and fruits) will be served at the green fields near to the hot-spring. Afternoon, continue hiking or horseback riding to the villages through the beautiful grassland water streams. You will have a short break to visit one of households in on of the villages to observe their daily lifestyle. Continue hiking to the shore of the lake and take in views of the lake shore from a peaceful dock. Then, our boat will pick you up to cross the lake. On the way, if time allows, stop over at the island of the lake and visit the monastery of Cherkos. Then meet our vehicle and drive back to Addis Ababa.

In the early morning, transfer in to airport to fly to Bahirdar. After check-in to hotel, boat excursion on Lake Tana. On Lake Tana time has still stood and dominated by an archaic, dating from early Christian mysticism and the religious interpretations of African art are characterized by the Ethiopian Christianity, and the world’s Old Testament is still practiced. Visit Azua-Mariam and Ura Kidane Mihret Monasteries which are rich in icon painting. In the afternoon, journey by sympathetic African plains eventually leads to the mighty Blue Nile fall commonly known as “Tis Isat” (water that smokes). After hiking the cataracts drive back to Bahirdar. Overnight in hotel

Morning, drive to Gondar, which was one of the hidden cities of the foreign trade area in the 17th century AD. Gondar is the site of ancient castle building palaces of different emperors constructed in the European middle age architectural style. After check-in to hotel, visit the curious symbiosis of Ethiopian and Portuguese architectural representation of the Royal Enclosure which is also known as” the Camelot of Africa”, the iconic church of Debre Birehan Selassie, bath of king Fasilledes which still in use for the colorful celebration of Ethiopian epiphany (Timket). Overnight in hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Semen Mountains National Park which is the most marvelous of all Abyssinian landscapes. Semen Mountain National Park constitutes many summits above 4000masl and culminates at Ras Dashen, the highest peak in Ethiopian and it is the home of the endemic’s Gelada Baboon, Ethiopian Wolf and Walya Ibex. After visit, drive back to Gondar. Overnight in hotel

After breakfast, transfer in to airport to fly to the ancient town of Axum. after check-in to hotel visit the archaeological and historical attractions in Axum; which include, The Archaeological Museum, Monolithic Steles, The Tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskal, and the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of ancient palace of Queen Sheba. You also visit the new and the old Cathedral of St Mary of Zion and the sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the covenant. The 16th Century Cathedral of St Mary of Zion was probably built on an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest church in Ethiopia. In its sanctuary is said to rest the original Ark of the Covenant. Overnight in hotel

In the morning, transfer in to airport to fly to the legendary and the framed of Ascetic Mountain town of Lalibela. Lalibela is famous for its rock hewn churches and these brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often referred to as the 8th wonder of the World. There are many rock churches in Lalibela some hidden in enormous caves. After check-in to hotel, Visit, the first group of the 12th c. Rock-Hewn Churches; Bete Golgota, Bete Mika'el, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, Bete Danaghel, and Bete Medhane Alem and Bete Giorgis, dedicated to the national saint of Ethiopia is isolated from the other two groups of churches. Overnight in hotel

After breakfast, drive to north east of Lalibela to visit the church of Yimrehane Kirstos, built-up cave church in Axumite wood and stone construction. The church has become famous for the decoration of its interior. The flat-span roof displays paneling richly adorned with geometrical designs. The ceiling over the sanctuary is domed and displays carvings and paintings. In the afternoon, visit the Second Group of Churches of Bete Emanuel, Bete Mercurios, Bete Abba Libanos, Bete Lehem and Bete Gabriel-Rufa’el and Bete Giorgis, dedicated to the national saint of Ethiopia is isolated from the other two groups of churches. Overnight in hotel

Morning, transfer in to airport to fly back to Addis Ababa. In the afternoon, you will have leisure and shopping time. In the evening, farewell traditional dinner in one of the best restaurants in Addis followed by folkloric dance of different Ethiopian nations. Then transfer to your destination. End of the trip.