12 Days North Ethiopia itineraries
Twelve Days North Ethiopia Tours CODE: (SP-DE-12D)
Day 1
Give you transfer in at Bole International airport and while Check in your Rooms and have tea coffee for short brief of your tour in Ethiopia then begins the full day tour of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.
Start the day looking down on Addis Ababa from Entoto Mountain, the capital of Ethiopia before Addis Ababa. Here you will have panoramic views of the city with fresh air from the eucalyptus forests. Here you will visit the Entoto Maryam church and museum.
After the visit, proceed down to Addis Ababa via Shiro Meda, the city’s largest market for traditional clothes.
Proceed to the campus of Addis Ababa University to the ethnographical museum, with great displays of the many cultures of Ethiopia, housed in the former palace of Haile Selassie.
Continue with a visit to the National Museum, where Ethiopia’s oldest resident, Lucy, is housed.
Close to the National Museum is the Selassie (Trinity) church, one of the most important churches of Addis Ababa and the final resting place of Haile Selassie, to whom there is a dedicated museum on site.
Overnight Hotel.
Day 2
Early in the morning, depart on a flight for Bahir Dar. 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, drive out to the Blue Nile Falls for a short hike in the area. Finish the day with the sunset over the lake. Overnight in Bahir Dar (resort or hotel).
Day 3
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. Overnight in Gondar (hotel).
Day 4
Today is an early morning drive departure From Gonder to Sankaber in the Simien Mountains. From here you will go for an easy hike to Sankaber Abyss where you will see a large waterfall where the Jinbar River plunges into the abyss. This area is also a great place for viewing the endemic gelada baboon, all known as the ‘bleeding heart baboon’ due to the red patch of skin on its chest. Overnight in the Simien Mountains (lodge)
Day 5
After an early breakfast, drive depart from the Simien Lodges to Enatye pecks 4070 MAS, Here you’ll have spectacular views over the lowlands as having about 3hrs walk 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 endemic animals of Walia Ibex, Abyssinian Wolf and famous birds like Lammergeyers, while those back to the Simien Lodges for an overnight.
Day 6
After breakfast, depart north for Axum, enjoying spectacular views of the Simien Mountains. After stopping for lunch in Adi Arkay, proceed driving through the dramatic Tekeze Valley, offering some of the best landscapes in the country. Proceed to Axum, home of the ancient Axumite Empire, the Queen of Sheba, and the Ark of the Covenant. Overnight in Axum (hotel).
Day 7
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 enscription, 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. Overnight in Axum (hotel).
Day 8
After breakfast, drive to visit the ruins of Yeha, dating from the 8th to 5th 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 (Gerhalta lodge).
Day 9
In the morning, visit Maryam Korkor. these churches are on the top of Rocky mountains it involves an approximate one-hour hike but offers commanding views of the surrounding area. After lunch, continue your visit to the second rocky mountains top churches of Abuna Yemata Guh which both are involved an hour hike but so interesting in late afternoon back to the Lodge for an overnight.
Day 10
Early in the morning, embark on a full day of driving to Lalibela. Here you will pass through several small villages, with typical sandstone homes of the Tigray people. Proceed through this rural area for the stunning approach to the home of Ethiopia’s most prized destination – Lalibela. Overnight in Lalibela (hotel).
Day 11
In the morning, 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). After lunch, continue with 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 (hotel).
Day 12
After breakfast, before the flight back to Addis Abeba on the way to Airport visit the nearby monastery of Na’akuto La’ab, set on the side of a cliff. while transfer to Airport of Lalibela to fly back Addis.
End of tour.