NORTHERN ETHIOPIA

Code STT 009

Day 1: Addis - Bahir Dar

Drive north from Addis Ababa passing by Mt. Entoto and the Sululta plain, and visit the Monastery of Debre Libanos as well as the Portuguese Bridge; then, proceed to the spectacular scenery of the Blue Nile Gorge, where you stop for a picnic lunch. Finally, continue to Bahir Dar. Overnight stay at a reserved hotel.
 

Day 2: Bahir Dar
It is located on the southern shore of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile River. The Lake has several islands where old monasteries and churches are found. The wide palm-lined avenues and gardens overflowing with tropical vegetation make Bahir-Dar (Lake Side city) a comfortable base for excursions either by land or water.

In the morning, you could take a scenic drive to visit the colorful market and Mount Bezawit, where the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie is gracefully situated. You will also have an excellent view of the town and Lake Tana. After lunch and a bit of rest, take a boat excursion on Lake Tana to visit the ancient monasteries, such as Ura Kidanemehiret and Uzwamariam.  At night, you could visit one of the traditional azmari houses (bars) to enjoy the nightlife in Bahir Dar. Overnight hotel
 

Day 3: Bahir Dar - Gondar 
In the morning, drive to Gondar through Fogera plain and the Mountain of Addis Zemen and Tra Gedam. After which,  visit the city of Gondar, which includes the Castle of King Fasiledes, the Monastery of Quesquam  and the icon rich Monastery of Debrebirhan Selassie.
 

Day 4: Gondar - Axum 
Early in the morning, drive to the north of Gondar through the chain of the Semien Mountains en route experience the panoramic view of Semien Mountains at Kosaye; after about 3kms drive you will visit the felasha (bete Israel) village at Welaka. Overnight hotel at Axum.

Day 5: Axum
After breakfast, a full day visit of Axum, which includes the park of standing stele carved out from one single grained stone of the pre-Christian Era, the Palace and tomb of one of the Axumite Emperor King Kaleb and his son King Gebre Meskel as well as the old and the new churches of St. Mary of Zion. This excursion also includes a visit to the ruins of Queen Sheba Palace, palace inscription of Ezana, and archeological museums. Overnight hotel at Axum.
 

Day 6: Axum - Mekele
Early morning leave Axum and drive to Mekele, the capital city of the Tigray Regional State; on the way visit the pre-Axumite Temple of Yeha, and the church of Abrha wa-Atsebeha, Wukro Cherkos Church and Negashi Mosque; if time permits, you will also visit the Palace of Emperor Yohannes IV. Picnic lunch en route and arrive at Mekele. Overnight stay at a selected hotel.
 

Day 7: Mekele - Lalibela
In the morning, drive to Lalibela through Ambalagie mountain chains. Picnic lunch en route; arrive at Lalibela, Overnight Hotel in Lalibela.

Day 8: Lalibela
In the morning, visit the first rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which include Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Maskal, Bete Denaghel, Bete Golgotha, Bete Debre Sina, Selassie Chapel and the Tomb of Adam. Two churches are decorated with interesting wall paintings and carved figures, all of them built at the end of the 12th century and at the beginning of the 13th century. In the afternoon, you will visit the second and the third group of churches. Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are considered by many as the 8th Wonder of the World. This is one of the most interesting sights you are ever likely to visit leaving you with unforgettable memories. Overnight in Lalibela at a selected hotel. 

Day 9: Lalibela - Dessie
After breakfast, drive to Dessie en route visit the semi-cave church of Neakuto-Lab, enjoying the scenery of the landscape with picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight stay at Dessie.

Day 10: Dessie - Addis
After early breakfast, drive to Addis Ababa via Debre-Birhan. Lunch en route. In the evenings enjoy the farewell party in Addis Ababa with traditional music and dance.  Departure.

HISTORICAL ROUTE BY SURFACE

Code STT 010

Day 1: Addis - Kombolcha
Drive to Dessie through the escarpment of the Ethiopian Rift Valley, en route you will visit Sembete markets, different cultures, and natural wonders. Overnight Kombolcha in a chosen hotel.

Day 2: Kombolcha - Lalibela
Drive to Lalibela en route visit the Genet Mariam rock-hewn church. Overnight at Lalibela in a reserved hotel.

Day 3: Lalibela
After early breakfast, visit the first group of rock-hewn churches of Lalibela such as Medhane Alem (the Saviour of the World), Bete Mariam (the church of Mary), Bete Denagil (the church of virgins) Bete Qedus Mikael (the church of the St. Michael), Golgotha (the church of Golgotha), Bete Amanuel (the church of Amanuel), Bete Marqorewos (the church of Mercurius), Bete Aba Libanos and Bete Qudus Gebriel. After lunch continues visiting the second group of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.

Day 4: Lalibela - Mekele
Drive to Alamata, Kobo, and Mekele; en route admire the natural scenery of the marvelous landscape, and experience the culture. Overnight at Mekele in a reserved hotel.

Day 5: Mekele - Gheralta

Drive to Gheralta; on the way visit Tigray Rock Hewn churches of Wukro and Al-Nejashi Mosque. Overnight in Gheralta Lodge.

Day 6: Gheralta - Axum
Early morning drive to Axum; on the way visit the Debre Damo monastery and Temple of Yeha. Also, you will visit the Adwa range of mountains where the famous battle of Adwa was fought. Overnight stay at a selected hotel.

Day 7: Axum 
Spend in Axum for a full day excursion where you will visit the famous Stele park where the obelisks are erected from a single block of stone in the 3rd century - including the Stele that was returned from Rome after 68 years of removal from its original place. You will also visit the Tomb of King Kaleb and his son King Gebre Mesqel and the bath of Queen Sheba - the mother of King Menelik 1st during the 950 BC, and the cathedral of St. Mary of Tsion or Zion - which is among the most important ecclesiastical buildings in Ethiopia. Finally, you will have a brief city tour of Axum. Overnight in Axum at a reserved hotel. 
 

Day 8: Axum - Gondar
After early breakfast drive to Gondar, en route you will enjoy the panoramic view of the Semien Mountains at Kosaye, and the Ethiopian Jewish community village at Woleqa. Overnight in Gondar at Goha hotel.

​

Day 9: Gondar 
Here you will visit ye Fasil Gimb (castle of Fasilades). It is the first and most imposing of the Gondar edifices, a massive solid-looking building constructed of unequaled dark stone and mortar with cut stone arches of red tufa from Quesquam above the windows and doors. Inside the royal enclosure, the oldest and the most impressive Gondarian structure built of hewn brown basalt stone held together with mortar which is said to be the work of an Indian Architect. Also, visit the open-air bath of King Fasilades (now baptismal place during Ethiopian Epiphany, in January every year) and the famous church of Debre-Berhan Selassie (Light of Trinity) with its wonderful murals. In the late afternoon, you will proceed to Bahir Dar and have a city tour of Bahir Dar. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 10: Bahir Dar
After an early breakfast, drive some 35kms south of Bahir Dar to see the Blue Nile falls-Tiss Issat and visit the source of the Blue Nile, the Weyito village, and the Bezawit palace (used to be a temporary resting Palace of Emperor Haile Selasie I). After lunch and a bit of rest, take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 13th-century Monastery, such as Ura Kidanemehirt which is the most famous of Zeghe peninsula and Uzwa Mariam. The trip concludes with a night visit to one of the traditional azmari houses in order to witness the night life in Bahir Dar. Overnight at selected hotel. 

Day 11: Bahir Dar - Addis 
Early in the morning drive to Addis; en route visit the Abay Bridge, the Blue Nile Gorge, Monastery of Debre Libanos and the Portuguese bridge.  Stop for a picnic lunch at Dejen or Debre Markos, and proceed to Addis passing through Mt. Entoto via the Sululta plain. Overnight in Addis having a traditional Ethiopian dinner or enjoying modern metropolitan nightlife, ending with departure.

HISTORICAL ROUTE BY SURFACE 11 NIGHTS / 12DAYS

Code STT 011

Day 1: Arriving at Addis Ababa

You will be met by Selam Tours representative at Bole International Airport and be transferred to hotel.  

Day 2: Debre Libanos - Abay Gorge - Bahir Dar
Drive north passing through Mt. Entoto and the Sululta plain then visit the Monastery of Debrelibanos and the Portuguese bridge. Then proceed to the spectacular scenery of the Blue Nile Gorge, where you stop for your picnic lunch and proceed to Bahir Dar. Overnight – hotel.

Day 3: Monasteries on Lake Tana - Blue Nile Falls
After early breakfast, a half day boat trip to explore the old monasteries with their priceless heritage on the Islands of Lake Tana, which includes the Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret and Kibran Gebriel. In the afternoon, drive to visit the Blue Nile falls; on return journey make a brief visit to Bahir Dar town. Overnight at Tana or Summerland hotel in Bahir Dar.

 

Day 4: Gondar – the city of Castles
In the morning, drive to Gondar through Dembia, Fogera plain and the Mountain of Addis Zemen and Tara Gedam, then visit the city of Gondar, the Castel of King Fasiledes, the Monastery of Quesquam and the icon rich of Debrebirhan Selassie. Overnight at Goha hotel in Gondar.

Day 5: Semien Mountains 
Drive to Sanka ber, a segment of Semien Mountains which is North of Gondar. It is the wildest and spectacular of all Ethiopian landscape (the roof of Africa). These also give you a taste of Ethiopian’s remarkable wildlife, home to a variety of endemic mammals, birds, and plants. Late in the afternoon, drive back to Debark. Overnight Semien Park Hotel. 
 

Day 6: Axum 
After an early breakfast drives North through the chain of the Semien Mountains and the Tekeze river valley to the ancient town of Axum and check in Axum Hotel. Overnight stay at Axum hotel.

Day 7: Axum Excursion 
After an early breakfast - make sightseeing around Axum including Stele of Axum, tombs of the church of St. Mary of Zion, the ruins of palaces, and Museums. Overnight stay at Axum hotel.

Day 8: Gheralta Rock-Hewn Churches
After an early breakfast, drive to Gheralta Rock-hewn churches. The Gheralta cluster is considered to be the most important with the highest member of churches and is the most accessible. The most famous of a cluster are Abreha Wa Atsbeha, Abuna Yemata Mariam Korkor, and Medhanealem; then proceed to Mekele. Overnight stay at Mekele Planet hotel.

Day 9: Mekele - Lalibela
Drive to Lalibela through Ambalaghe chain of mountains. Overnight in Lalibela at a reserved hotel.

Day 10: Lalibela Sightseeing
Visit the eleven rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, described as the Eighth Wonder of the World, which was built by King Lalibela in the 12th century. Overnight in Lalibela in a reserved hotel.
 

Day 11: Lalibela - Dessie
After an early breakfast, leave Lalibela to Dessie en route visit the Monastery of Nakuto Leab and Genet Mariam and proceed to Dessie. Overnight hotel in Dessie.

Day 12: Dessie - Addis
Drive to Addis Ababa via the picturesque landscape of North Shewa.