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INTRO
Packed with historical secrets, Northern Ethiopia is unlike anywhere in Africa. In Addis Ababa, come face-to-face with Lucy, the oldest humanoid in the world. Visit remote rock-hewn churches in Tigray and Lalibela. The towering obelisks of Axum tell the story of a once-great Empire where the Ark of the Covenant is still believed to reside. The island forest in Lake Tana hides ancient monasteries, vervet monkeys and birdlife. Nearby, trek to the source of the Blue Nile and spot gelada baboons and wild ibex in the Simien Mountains.
DATES
AV - Available
GD - Guaranteed
LM - Limited places left
OR - On request (contact us for status)
CL - Closed for bookings
HIGHLIGHTS
Wander through Africa's largest open air market
Meet Lucy, the world’s oldest humanoid
Gentle rural walk to source of the Blue Nile
Visit island monastery on Lake Tana
Medieval castles of Gondar
Gelada baboons and birdlife in the Simien Mountains
Ancient stelae of Axum
Ethiopia’s Orthodox Christianity
Impressive 5th century Great Temple of Yeha
Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
PLACES VISITED
Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar - Gondar - Simien Mountains - Axum - The Great Temple of Yeha - Hawzen - Lalibela Addis Ababa
ITINERARY
Short | Detailed | PDF
If you have a few extra days you can easily tag on a 5-day extension tour to Awash National Park and Harar before or after this tour. The walled city of Harar, in eastern Ethiopia, is a UNESCO heritage site and the Islamic part of Ethiopia close to the Djibouti border. Contact us for more information.
Day 1 : Addis Ababa
Pick up from Addis Ababa airport. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Merkato and the piazza. Overnight in Addis Ababa.
Upon arrival, you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and taken by transfer to your hotel. Check into hotel where you will be able to rest after your flight. Later, there will be an afternoon sightseeing tour of Addis Ababa which will include a visit to Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa, and a walking tour of the piazza. Evening free. Return to hotel. Overnight in Addis Ababa.
Meal plan : n/a
Day 2 : Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar
Morning tour of Addis Ababa. Late afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Bahir Dar. Transfer to lodge. Overnight in Bahir Dar.
You will enjoy a morning city tour of Addis Ababa including sights like St George's Church, the Ethnological Museum and the Entoto Mountains which offer panoramic views of Addis Ababa. Late afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar. Transfer to your lodge for overnight stay. Evening free. Overnight in Bahir Dar.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3 : Bahir Dar
Visit island monastery on Lake Tana. Trek to the source of the Blue-Nile Falls. Overnight.
In the morning, walk to the Blue Nile Falls. After lunch, take a boat from Lake Tana to the island monasteries. Evening free. Overnight stay in the local area.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4 : Gondar - Kossoye
Early morning depart for Gondar. Sightseeing at the castle complex. Drive to Kossoye in the Simien Mountains.
Early morning departure to Gondar for sightseeing at the castle complex. This will be followed by a drive to Kossoye, one of the most scenic spots in the Simien Mountains National Park. It is believed that in 1964, Queen Elizabeth stayed here with Emperor Haileselasse during their journey to Axum for the inauguration of the Axum Zion church. Overnight stay in Kossoye.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5 : Kossoye - Simien Mountains
Walk in Kossoye. Drive to Simien Mountains National Park. Sankaber and surrounding areas. Overnight stay in Simien Mountains.
Enjoy a short walk in the surrounding area of Kossoye, followed by a drive to Simien Mountains National Park. You will be taken to Sankaber, and its surrounding areas, to admire the stunning scenery and see the native Gelada baboon during an afternoon walk. Overnight stay in Simien Mountains.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6 : Simien Mountains
Drive to Chenek. Sightseeing. Visit to village located in park. Drive Back to Sankeber. Overnight.
After an early breakfast, head to Chenek. Here, you will view the most scenic surroundings in the Simien Mountains and also be given a chance to spot the native Walia Ibex. Later, there will be a visit to a village located in the park to meet the local people and try your hand at making Ethiopian coffee, beer and injera, then return to the lodge.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7 : Simien Mountains - Axum
Drive to Axum. View Limalimo Twist and Tekeze gorge. Overnight in Axum.
Drive to Axum which will take you across the stunning Limalimo Twist and Tekeze Gorge. Stop off to see the incense trees which are dotted along the valley. Arrive early evening into Axum. Check into hotel and evening to rest.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8 : Axum - Yeha - Axum
Early morning trip to the ancient city of Axum for sightseeing. In the afternoon drive to the Great Temple of Yeha. Drive back to Axum for overnight stay.
Early morning trip to the ancient city of Axum for sightseeing. Visit Axum's 2000 year old stelae, the Palace of the legendary Queen of Sheba, and the St Mary of Zion Church which is believed to house the actual Ark of the Covenant. In the afternoon drive to the 5th century Great Temple of Yeha visiting the Adwa mountains en route. Drive back to Axum. Evening at leisure.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 9 : Axum - Ghera'alta
After breakfast drive to Hawzen (in Tigray), home to some of Ethiopia's most spectacular churches. Witness some of Ethiopia's stunning mountain scenery on the way. Overnight in Hawzen.
After breakfast drive to Hawzen (in Tigray), home to some of Ethiopia's most spectacular rock-hewn churches. Witness some of Ethiopia's stunning mountain scenery on the way. Overnight in Hawzen.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10 : Hawzen
A full day visit to the rock-hewn churches: Abune Yemata Guh and Abune Gebre Michael. Return to Hawzen for overnight stay.
A full day visit to some of Tigray's most spectacular and remote rock-hewn churches - Abune Yemata Guh and Abune Gebre Michael. Return to Hawzen early evening.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 11 : Mekelle - Lalibela
Drive to Lalibela. Sightseeing en route. Overnight in Lalibela.
Drive to Lalibela via Weldiya. You will visit the small market places of Weldiya and admire the stunning mountains at Gashena, en route. Overnight in Lalibela.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 12 : Lalibela
Full day of sightseeing at the churches of Lalibela. Overnight.
Today, you will enjoy a full day visit to the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Overnight stay in local area.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 13 : Lalibela
Early morning visit to Asheton Maryam monastery. Climb up by mules and return by foot. Drive back to Lalibela. Overnight in Lalibela.
Morning visit to the Asheton Maryam monastery located in the cliff on the outskirts of Lalibela. Take mules up to the monastery and admire the craftsmanship of this remote monastery. Also enjoy the spectacular views of Lalibela. Afterwards trek back to the vehicle and drive back to Lalibela. Optional stop at the Lalibela Art Gallery. Evening at leisure.
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 14 : Addis Ababa - Departure
Fly back to Addis Ababa. Free time to explore local markets. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant, before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Transfer to airport for flight to Addis Ababa, where you will be met by our representative/driver. Free time to do some shopping in the local markets. In the evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant, before being transferred to the airport to connect with your onward flight.
Meal plan : Breakfast & dinner