Surface and flight

This voyage leads to the rich historic sites; passes through scenic highlands and spectacular panoramas. The monasteries on lake Tana with the Blue Nile Falls, the 13th Century monolithic Rock-Hewn churches of King Lalibella, the stele & tombs of the Axumite Kings, the rock churches found in Tigray region, other churches dating back to the 4th -15th Centuries and 7th C mosque of Negashi in Tigray, shrines in Harar, Dire Dawa, Sof Omar, Sheik Hussein and others are parts of the package.

1: Addis Ababa
Arrive Addis Ababa transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour of the capital. Including Entoto Mountains, with very nice view over the capital, and church of St Mary with adjacent museum of imperial objects. Then back to the city, for the National museum, and different historical monuments.

2: Bahir Dar
Fly to Bahir Dar, and transfer hotel for check-in. If time permits, go to visit Bezait palace, with very nice view over Tana Lake and Blue Nile. Afternoon boat trip of about 3-4 hours on lake Tana to admire the beautiful monasteries over the lake’s islands.

3: Blue Nile falls – Gondar
Morning drive to admire the Blue Nile falls. Lunch Bahir Dar. Afternoon drive to Gondar, city of castles and churches.

4: Gondar
Full day visit of castles and churches in Gondar: visit the castle’s compound, the Debre Birhan Sellasie church (light of Trinity) with wonderful murals, the King Fasiladas bath, the old Usual monastery and the Empress Mentewab second palace. View of the spectacular Semien Mountains from Kosoye can be added.

5: Axum
Drive to Axum, beginning of civilization in Ethiopia (history of more than 3,000 years), admiring spectacular views over the Semien Mountains.

6: Axum (Palace of Queen of Sheba)
Full day visit steles, different archeological sites, the bath and the palace of Queen of Sheba, tomb of Kings and churches, among which in the church of St. Mary of Zion (where legend says is deposited the Ark of Covenant, brought here from Israel by King Menelik I).

7: Lalibela
Fly to Lalibella, defined as the 8th wonder in the world, and afternoon visit the first group of the rock-hewn churches.

8: Lalibela
Morning visit one of the churches out of the town. We propose an excursion by mules to the Asheten Mariam church, with spectacular views too. Or by car to the cave church of Naktule’ab. PM remaining churches in Lalibella.

9: Addis Ababa
Fly to Addis Ababa, by admiring wonderful view. Afternoon visit the Mercato, biggest open air market in Africa, and souvenirs shops.

10: Departure
Departure