Ethiopia is an old independent country and its heritage dates back to fist century AD. The Axum civilization was one of the great civilizations of the time and history encompasses legend and tradition, mystery and fact, from a powerful ancient civilization. Legend has it that Emperor Menelik, son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, brought the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Axum where he established one of the world’s longest known, uninterrupted monarchical dynasties. Following the decline of Axum, the Zagwe and Gonderine civilizations are successors which results the greatest historical legacy including Lalibela rock churches, Gondar palace, etc.
Therefore, the following days fascinating tour to well-trodden historic route takes you through Ethiopia’s famous historical places that shelters priceless relics from powerful and religious ancient civilization which covers the rock-hewn churches, ancient obelisks ,the first Sub-Saharan castles, island monasteries and the forbidden medieval town of Harar; it also covers many of the country's astonishing natural wonders, from the spectacular Tis isat falls to scenic Semien mountain national park which takes you through a magnificent scenic world of fairy-tale names such as Addis Ababa ,Bahirdar, Gondar, Semien Mountain National Park, Axum, Debre Damo, Lalibela and Harar .
WUB ETHIOPIA TOURS is ready to take you to such magnificent historic route tourist destinations and help you discover the hidden treasure.
Tour Code: WET-202
Duration: 13days 12nights
Tour Title: Northern Circuit
Transportation: Surface drive
Day1. Addis Ababa
Arrive in Addis Ababa, meet and greet by Wub Ethiopia tours representative and transfer to a hotel. Depending the time of your arrival you will visit the National Museum where 3.4 million years old hominid skeleton is displayed, the trinity church and Merkato (the biggest open air market in Africa).Over night in hotel
Day2. Addis Ababa-Bahirdar
Morning drive to Bahirdar, found at 554 km away from Addis Ababa, on the way visit Debre Libanos Monastery, first built, founded, and named after ABA LIBANOS who is one of Ethiopian saints. The monastery is secluded, peaceful and surrounded by mountains with a beautiful land escape. Then after a 5-10 minutes drive from Debre Libanos junction to visit a bridge called “Portuguese bridge” believed to have been built in the 17th century. Continue visiting the Blue Nile Gorge, which is comparable in scale to American’s Grand Canyon, cited to be the largest canyon in Africa. Lunch break will be at Debre Markos. Then continue driving and late in the afternoon arrive in Bahirdar. Overnight hotel
Day3. Bahirdar
Early morning boat trip on Lake Tana to Zege peninsula and visit one of the antique churches of Ethiopia URA KIDANEMIHIRET famous for its 17th century wall paintings. In the Afternoon drive about 30kms graveled road and visit Blue Nile Falls the extension of Blue Nile River, which travels about 800kms till Khartoum where it meets the White Nile. And on the way back to the hotel visit the BAHIR DAR colorful market. Overnight hotel
Day4. Bahirdar-Gondar
Morning drive about 172kms to GONDER founded in 1632 by king FASILIDES. On the way observe and identify some beautiful birds /like crowned crane /. Afternoon, visit THE ROYAL CASTLES and BATH OF EMPEROR FASILIDES who is one of the strongest rulers of Ethiopia in the 17th century, Continue to visit DEBRE BIRHAN SELLASSIE CHURCH famous for its angel head frescoes, the Castle of Empress Mintewab, and Kuskwam Complex. Overnight hotel
Day5. Gondar-Semein Mountain National Park-Debarq
Morning after breakfast drive to the jagged panorama of the Simien Mountains National Park, famed for its breathtaking landscape, afro-alpine vegetation and unique wildlife spectacular views. The highland plateau is capped by a dramatic skyline of jagged volcanic plugs and split by deep gorges and gullies. With little walk you may spot the endemic Wallia Ibex, Gelada Baboon troops, Bushbuck, Klipspringer. Overnight Hotel in Debarq.
Day6. Debarq-Axum
Early morning drive to the historical town of AXUM, which is 270 km from Debarq through magnificent scenery and topography of Semien Mountain and Tekeze river valley. Overnight hotel
Day7. Axum
Morning visit the ancient city of AXUM including its archaeological museum , the AXUM STELAES which dates back to the 4th century A.D. and the church of AXUM TSION MARIAM. In the Afternoon visit the tomb of two well known kings of their time ATSE KALEB and GEBRE MESKEL at last but not least visit DINGUER palace which is believed to be queen of Sheba’s palace. Overnight hotel
Day8. Axum-Adigrat
Morning drive to ADIGRAT through the pre- historic city of YEHA 58kms from AXUM and on the way visit the YEHA temple which dates back to 450 B.C. Afternoon continue driving and make a stop to the junction and see DEBRE DAMO Monastery founded by the 6th C, which is allowed only for female and accessible by climbing a rope which hangs down from a perpendicular rock. Overnight hotel
Day9. Adigrat-Mekele
Morning drive through the small cities of TIGRAI to MEKELE, on the way visit the house of the local people called HIDMO, which is the typical architecture of TIGRIAN people and proceed to the rock hewn churches of TIGRAI. Afternoon visit the rock hewn churches of TIGRAI like WUKRO CHERKOS a 15 minutes’ walk from our lunch base and ABREHA ATSBEHA 35kms drive from our lunch base and WUKRO a stepping ground city for more than 120 rock hewn churches of TIGRAI. Overnight hotel
Day10.Mekele-Lalibela
Morning drive to LALIBELA, UNESCO heritage sites, the former ROHA takes its name from ZAGWE’S famous king called king LALIBELA meaning by the local language “even a bee knows his sovereignty”, founded in 1137 with the coming of ZAGWE dynasty in to existence. It is one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities and a center of pilgrimage. After lunch break in Woldiya , in the afternoon continue driving to Lalibela. Overnight hotel
Day11. Lalibela
In the morning, among the 11 well known churches of ROHA LALIBELA visit the first and third group of churches consisting of Bet MEDHANEALEM, Bet MARIAM, Bet MESKEL, Bet DENAGIL, Bet MIKAEL/GOLGOTHA, and Bet GHIORGIS. In the afternoon, visit the 2nd group of churches, which consists of Bet RAFAEL/GEBRIEL, Bet MERKORIOS, Bet EMANUEL, and Bet ABBA LIBANOS. Overnight hotel
Day12. Lalibela- Kombolcha
Morning drive to KOMBOLCHA the industrial city of Ethiopia, which is located 335 km away from Lalibela. Enroute visit the monastery of HAIK ESTIFANOS, open only for female which is also famous for its variety of bird’s life. Overnight hotel
Day13. Kombolcha-Addis
Morning, drive back to ADDIS ABABA, the capital city of Ethiopia but and seat of Africa Union head quarter. On the way make a stop to the city of DEBRE BIRHAN /medieval period permanent capital city of famous king ZEREAYACOB/, founded in 1445. Afternoon you will have some shopping and in the evening farewell dinner in one the famous traditional restaurants and transfer to the airport for your departure.
