Seven days historic route using local flights
Explore Tours
Tour Plan
On arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be met by your tour guide and transferred to the hotel and check-in. After checking in, embark on a leisurely full-day tour of Addis Ababa. Founded in
1886 by Menelik II, Addis is located at 2,500m above sea level in the Entoto mountain chain, where it enjoys an excellent year-round climate, with an average temperature of 25°C. Start the tour with a visit to the National Museum which is among the best in Africa, containing an impressive collection of archaeological relics, foremost among them the plaster cast of
"Lucy," the 3.2-million-year-old Hominid. After touring the museum, continue to the Ethnographic Museum which used to be the former palace of the late King Haile Selassie I. In the afternoon visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral the second holiest site in Ethiopia, and, time-allowing, end the day with a visit to Merkato, said to be Africa’s largest market of its kind followed by dinner in town.
Overnight: your hotel
Depart Addis Ababa on the morning flight to Aksum. We’ll be transferred to our hotel and check in.
Ethiopia’s most ancient city and former capital of the great Aksumite kingdom was the only
internationally recognized independent African monarchy of important power
status in its age.
Your full-day tour of Aksum a UNESCO world heritage site will take in the main
highlights, beginning with the famous granite obelisks dating from pre-Christian times and decorated with symbolic engravings, before continuing to the church of Saint Mary of Zion, Ethiopia’s holiest temple, which houses the crowns of Ethiopian kings among other treasures. During our time here, we’ll also visit the Queen of Sheba Baths, a huge water reservoir that is
carved into solid rock and her palace, and a pair of tombs attributed to the sixth-century King Kaleb and his son. Take a short walk in the town before you return to the hotel.
Overnight: your hotel
In the morning we’ll depart our hotel and drive to the airport for our flight to Lalibela, a mountain town situated about 2600 m above sea level. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel and check in.
The town is remote and it has long been a holdout for the Orthodox Ethiopian Church. The UNESCO world heritage site, of course, is most famous for its 12th-century monolithic churches, of which there are 11, each carved out of pink granite rock and collectively considered to be one of the wonders of the world.
Each of the churches has a unique architectural style, though they share many features; most notably, each has been carved from the top down, a technique not practiced anywhere else in the world. The complex is divided into two groups of churches with each cluster representing the earthly and heavenly forms of Jerusalem. The churches are intertwined and connected by a warren of tunnels; some churches were chiseled into the face of the rock; others stand as isolated
blocks, including the iconic church of Saint George (Ethiopia’s patron saint).
For Orthodox Ethiopians, the pilgrimage to the churches of Lalibela, services are still held daily. This afternoon we explore the northern complex visiting six churches.
Overnight: your hotel
In the morning, a trip to visit an ancient cave church that is one of the lesser-known treasures of the region Yimrehane Kristos. This church is built with stone and wood, in the late-Axumite style, and predates the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela by almost a century. As we explore the church, you may notice the large pile of bones at the back of the cavern they are the remains of some thousands of pilgrims who came here to die over the centuries.
We’ll hike back down to our vehicle and then drive back to Lalibela in time for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the second group of churches located very near the others. The churches in this second grouping differ greatly in architecture and style and feature more intricate exteriors along with interconnecting trenches and tunnels. Finally, visit the Church of Saint George (separated from the two groups) said by many the most beautiful church of Lalibela. Of all the churches at Lalibela, Beta Giyorgis is the best preserved and it is also one of the latest churches at the site.
Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela
Late morning we’ll depart our hotel and head to the airport for a flight to Gondar.
Gondar was founded in the early seventeenth century as the capital city of the Ethiopian Empire during the reign of Fasilides. The town served as the imperial capital for about 250 years and has been the center of Ethiopian art and culture. Its unique imperial castles (UNESCO world heritage site) built during the 17th and 18th centuries by Fasildeus and his descendants display the era's rich architecture.
In the afternoon explore the walled royal enclosure that dominates the city center surrounded by high stone walls containing several well-preserved castles and other buildings. Of several old churches dotted around Gondar, Debre Berhan Selassie the most beautiful church with its walls and ceilings lavishly decorated represents a masterpiece of the Gonderine religious School of art.
Overnight: Hotel
Leave Gondar this morning and drive to Bahirdar (approx. 4 hours). On your way enjoy the beautiful landscape and the view of Lake Tana. Bahirdar is a pleasing city situated 1,800 meters above sea level located at the southern shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. On arrival check into your hotel for one night.
This afternoon, embark on a boat tour of Lake Tana to explore some of its unique island monasteries, including the famous 14th-century monastery of Ura Kidanemihret; then walk through the coffee trees to Azewa Maryam to see the wonderful 16th-century mural paintings, crowns, crosses, and many old church treasures, and finally, cruise back to Bahirdar.
We’ll return to our hotel and dinner at the local restaurant, featuring traditional Ethiopian cuisine.
Overnight: hotel in Bahirdar
After breakfast in the morning, we’ll depart our hotel and head to the airport for a flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy the services of a day room at a hotel in Addis. Afternoon, enjoy some free time to do some last-minute shopping in Addis or to rest in your day room for this evening’s flight.
In the evening, farewell party at the traditional restaurant in Addis with a cultural special buffet and local drinks. After farewell dinner, depart to the airport for your return flight home.
End of tour
