North Ethiopia Historical Tour - 7 day

Day 1. Fly from Addis to Bahir Dar
You will take a trip to Blue Nile Falls at Fafate meaning ‘’ smoking water ‘’in Amharic .The spectacular falls are 100m wide and plunge 45m ,sending spray high in the air .A short walk and a trip across a17th century bridge give a great close –up view of the falls .Overnight Bahir Dar / Abay Minch Lodge

Day 2 .Bahir Dar – Gonder
In the morning, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit some of the monasteries hidden on the islands and shores of this sacred lake; Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret church. After that continuing driving to Gonder.The four-hour drive will take you through rural villages, offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture. After lunch, explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasiledes’s Pool, still used for Timket or Baptism celebrations today, Ras Gimb Palace Museum and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia. Overnight in Gondar Goha Hotel

Day 3. Gonder – Lalibela
Take a flight from Gonder to Lalibela.start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the North-western Cluster of churches – Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha. After lunch, continue with the South-eastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honour of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George. Overnight in Lalibela /Sora Lodge/.

Day 4. Lalibela – Aksum
Fly from Lalibela to Aksum and visit the main sites of Aksum. The famous obelisks , archaeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s inscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace as well as St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. Men only are allowed to enter the old church but possible in the new one for both. Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. Overnight , Axum (Yared Hotel).

Day 5. Aksum -Gheralta
After breakfast, drive to visit the ruins of Yeha, dating from the 8th to 7th centuries BC, and thought to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum. Afterwards, visit the Debre Damo monastery, where the men (sorry! No women allowed but you can choose from both.) Must climb up a 18-m rope to enter. Proceed through the state of Tigray, stopping en-route for a visit to the rock-hewn church of Medhane Alem Adi Kesho.
Overnight in Hawzien /Gherealta lodge/

Day 6. Gheralta –Mekelle
In the morning, visit either Abune Yemata Guh or Maryam Korkor. Both churches involve an approximate one-hour hike but offer commanding views of the surrounding area. After lunch, continue your visit with the more easily-accessible churches of Abreha we Atsbeha and Cherkos. Afterwards, proceed driving to Mekele for overnight (Planet Hotel).

Day 7. Flying from Mekelle – Addis
Visit the National Archaeological Museum, where the 3.2 million-year old bones of Lucy (a female Australopithecus aphaeresis skeleton) reside, followed by the Ethnographic Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral renowned for its stunning stain-glassed windows. If you have full day you may have chance to see the biggest market in Africa Merkato.