Historical Attractions of Northern Ethiopia

Be welcomed by your guide on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, and transfer to your hotel. For the remainder of the morning, drive to the National Museum of Ethiopia for visiting the long-age history of Ethiopia and the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University’s main campus is the enthralling Ethnological Museum. Even if you’re not normally a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of your time – it’s easily one of the finest museums in Africa. Before lunch, drive to Holy Trinity Cathedral Church, which has a unique architectural style. Immediately after a relaxed lunch, drive up to the Entoto Mountains, the best location to observe the panoramic view of the capital. It is also a historical place where Menelik II resided and built his palace. It is notable as the location of a number of celebrated churches, including Saint Raguel and Saint Mary (Maryam Church). The return drive will be via Piazza with en-route visits to St. George Church and Menelik II Square towards the largest open-air market, Merkato.

Overnight at Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel or similar, Addis Ababa.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Bole international airport and take a flight to Gondar. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more of European than African origin. You will visit Fasiladas Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one! You continue on to the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs, and paintings. Debre Berhan Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632.

Overnight at Goha Hotel or similar, Gondar.

Upgrade Option: Gondar Hills Resort (shown below)

Early in the morning, depart Gondar, and drive to Sankaber via Debark where the park’s entrance fee is paid, and obligatory staff are met. You will be dropped off at Buyit Ras for a 3-4 hours hike to Sankaber by which you will pass close to the escarpment edge. Nearing Sankaber, you will have beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge where you will likely see the endemic Gelada baboons.

Overnight at Ras Dejen Hotel or similar, Debark.

Upgrade Option: Simien Lodge

*To upgrade to Simien Lodge, an extra USD 160-170 per person sharing

After breakfast, depart the hotel with a picnic lunch for Chennek, where it’s possible to spot another endemic mammal – the Walia Ibex. The landscape in the area is remarkably picturesque with panoramic vistas overlooking the deep gorges of the escarpment. You will also be able to spot troops of Gelada baboons. If lucky, you will also be able to spot the endemic Ethiopian Wolf. Finally, you will drive back to Gondar for an overnight stay.

Overnight at Goha Hotel or similar, Gondar.

After breakfast, start driving to the beautiful city of Bahir Dar. Then in the afternoon, you will have a boat trip on Lake Tana. On Lake Tana, there are 37 islands and 32 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. You will visit the monastery church of Ura Kidane Mihret, which is the best known of the monasteries and has an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries A.D.

Overnight at Jacaranda Hotel or similar, Bahir Dar.

After breakfast, drive to the Blue Nile Falls. This is known locally as Tissisat (smoking waterfall): 100m (328 ft) wide, the water plunges for 45m, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. Then, drive back to Bahir Dar and continue visiting the beautiful city of Bahir Dar, including Fish Market, which is a one-table fish market in the mud-hut deacon’s village behind St George’s Church. The catch is brought in by Tankwa in the morning and pelicans come to feed on the scraps in the afternoon. Then proceed to visit the Palace of Haile Selassie which is two-and-a-half kilometres south of the Martyrs Memorial. Northeast of town, is Bezawit Hill.

Overnight at Jacaranda Hotel or similar, Bahir Dar.

A long but beautiful drive takes us to the highlight of your visit to Ethiopia. En route, you will have a few stops for a great village tour at Awra Amba Village which was founded by Zumra Nuru, who stems from the rural part of Amhara region in Northern Ethiopia. The fact that members of Awramba work together are diligent, disciplined and self-confident makes the Awra Amba community distinct from other Amhara communities. Women have equal rights as men and there is no distinction in divisions of labour between men and women. The community engage themselves in handicrafts, especially in weaving, due to a shortage of cultivable land. Every member participates in the cooperative work except for elders and breast-feeding females and late Pregnant. Tasks are given regardless of gender, but ability.

Overnight at Maribela Hotel or similar, Lalibela.

Lalibela is a small town in the Lasta mountains which is world-famous for its unique rock churches chiselled into the red, soft tuff rock. The city is named after King Lalibela, who built numerous religious buildings here. The Rock-Hewn Ethiopian orthodox Christian churches of Lalibela are one of the eighth wonders of the world. It’s a collection of churches, some connected by fascinating internal channels, with hermit holes where people lived and died. The connecting walls are full of religious symbols. The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century. Some are beautifully painted inside. Start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches – Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danagel, and Mikael. And in the afternoon, visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rafael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanuel, and Bet Abba Libanos.

Overnight at Maribela Hotel or similar, Lalibela.

Today, you leave Lalibela and have a drive to Yemrehanna for another ancient rock-hewn church known as Yimrhane Kristos. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Visit Yemrehanna Kristos, which is one of Ethiopia’s best-preserved late-Aksumite buildings. Few people reward themselves with a visit – and a reward it is. The church is different because it’s built rather than excavated. Seeing the stepped exterior facade, created from alternating wood and stone layers, you’ll understand why so many of Lalibela rock-hewn churches look like they do. And knowing that Yemrehanna Kristos may predate Lalibela’s churches by up to 80 years, you have before you a virtual blueprint of greatness. Afternoon drive back to Lalibela with the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at Maribela Hotel or similar, Lalibela.

Early in the morning, go to one of the churches to watch the pilgrims gather for a church service. White-robed churchgoers gather to attend together in one of the many churches around town. Then, after breakfast you will be transferred to Lalibela Airport and take a flight back to Addis Ababa. You will have a shopping and dinner party with the group at Cultural restaurants then transfer to Bole International Airport and Depart based on your Flight Schedule.