Day 1. Flight to Mekele
We will take a flight from Addis Ababa to Mekele. On arrival, we will drive to Wukro to visit the Abraha We Atsbeha church. Then, we will go to Hawzen for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight at Vision Hotel.
Day 2. Hiking Gheralta Mountains
After breakfast, we will head to the Gheralta Mountains. It will take about two hours to reach the top. The paths are narrow and steep. From the summit, we will see great views of the Tigray region and the rock-hewn churches from the 14th century.
After lunch, we will hike to Abune Yemata Gughe. This hike also takes about two hours to reach the top. Be prepared for the challenge, as we will need to climb a 10-meter rock. You should be fit enough to handle two hikes in one day.
Overnight at Vision Hotel.
Day 3. Drive to Axum
We will leave Hawzen and head to Axum today. On the way, we will stop briefly at Adwa Mountain. This place is important because it is where the battle that stopped Italian colonization happened in 1896.
We will then drive to the small town of Yeha. Here, you can see a unique temple that is about 12 meters high but partly ruined.
The temple is believed to be about 2,500 years old and is built in an ancient style that will impress you.
Overnight at Yared Zema International Hotel.
Day 4. Axum – The Beginning of Ethiopian Civilization
Axum is a small town in the north of Ethiopia. It stands about 2,100 meters above sea level. The Axumite civilization started here about 3,000 years ago. The town shows both old and new parts of this civilization.
We will visit the palaces of the ancient kings, the Church of Mary of Zion, and the palace of the Queen of Sheba.
Overnight at Yared Zema International Hotel.
Day 5. Drive to Mekele then Flight Back to Addis Ababa
After breakfast, we will drive back to Mekele, which takes about four hours. Later, we will fly back to Addis Ababa.
Overnight at Best Western Premier.
Day 6. Flight to Bahirdar
We will fly from Addis Ababa to Bahirdar. On arrival, you will be taken to your hotel and later driven to Lake Tana. Here, we will visit the monasteries of Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam.
After lunch, we will drive to the Blue Nile.
Overnight at Jacaranda Hotel.
Day 7. Drive to Gondar (Camelot of Africa)
Today we continue to Gondar, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our drive will take us through the beautiful Amhara region. Gondar was a center for many emperors in the 17th and 18th centuries.
It is also near the Simien Highlands. We will visit the castles of former leaders and the bath of King Fasilidas. The Timkat festival is held here every year.
This festival is very important to Ethiopians as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Overnight at Haile Resort.
Day 8. Explore Simien Mountains National Park
After breakfast, we will hike in the Simien Mountains, another UNESCO World Heritage site. As we drive from Gondar to Debark, we will see beautiful scenery. This mountain is the best place to see the endangered Gelada baboons.
It is also home to rare birds like the Thick-billed Raven and Wattled Ibis. The mountains have one of the largest Afro Montane forests in the region, mostly made of large Lobelia plants.
We will return to Gondar for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at Haile Resort.
Day 9. Drive to Lalibela (Eight Wonders of the World)
We will drive to Lalibela, another UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also called the New Jerusalem. The town is famous for its rock-hewn churches and how they were built to stand high on the rock.
These churches are called the Eight Wonders of the World. We will visit the South Eastern cluster of churches: Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanuel, and Bet Abba Libanos.
Overnight at Top Twelve Hotel or similar.
Day 10. Visit Lalibela Churches then Fly Back to Addis Ababa
Today, we will visit the North Western cluster of churches: Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael, and Bet Golgotha.
Here, there is a large monument of St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia. The monument is shaped like a cross. Later, we will take our flight back to Addis Ababa.
End of the tour.
