15 Days Northern Ethiopia Tour: Historic Route, Simien Trekking & Tigray Churches
Tour Highlights
- Full-day city tour of Addis Ababa, visiting the National Museum (Lucy) and the Merkato.
- Visit the historic Debre Libanos Monastery and marvel at the breathtaking Blue Nile Gorge.
- Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore ancient island monasteries (e.g., Ura Kidane Mihiret).
- Witness the powerful cascade of the Blue Nile Falls (Tiss isat) near Bahir Dar.
- Explore the 17th-century castles and the beautiful Debre Birhan Selassie Church in Gondar.
- Trek in the Simien Mountains National Park (UNESCO), looking for endemic wildlife like the Gelada Baboon.
- Discover the history of the Axumite Empire (UNESCO), viewing the magnificent obelisks (stelae) and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace.
- Visit Yeha, Ethiopia’s earliest known capital, and its ancient Temple of the Moon.
- Climb the sheer rock face (men only) to the historic Debre Damo Monastery (optional).
- Hike and explore the incredible rock-hewn churches of Tigray, such as Abuna Yemata.
- Be captivated by the 12th-century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela (UNESCO).
- Take an excursion to the remote hill church of Asheton Mariam or Yimerhane Kirsotos near Lalibela.
Day 1: Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Meet your representative and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Day 2: Addis Ababa City Tour
Visit the National Museum (Lucy) and the Ethnographic Museum. Drive up to Entoto Mountain (3,000m) to see Emperor Minelik’s Palace and St. Raguel’s Church. Explore the vast Merkato. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant with Ethiopian folk dances.
Day 3: Drive to Bahir Dar via Debre Libanos
Drive north to Bahir Dar (564 Km). En route, visit the Debre Libanos Monastery. Continue to the dramatic Blue Nile Gorge, comparable to the Grand Canyon. Stop for lunch at Debre Markos before arriving in Bahir Dar in the late afternoon.
Day 4: Lake Tana Monasteries and Blue Nile Falls
Take a boat ride on Lake Tana to visit medieval island monasteries, such as Ura Kidan Mehiret and Azuwa Mariam. After lunch, drive (30 Km) to visit the spectacular Blue Nile Falls.
Day 5: Drive to Gondar and Visit the Royal Castles
Drive to Gondar (185 Km). After check-in and lunch, visit the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi) to see the 17th-century castles and the Bath of Emperor Fasiledes. Continue to the magnificent Debre Birhan Selassie Church. In the evening, experience local music at an Azmari Bet.
Day 6: Excursion to Simien Mountains National Park
Drive to Debark (100 Km) and continue into the Simien Mountains National Park (UNESCO). Enjoy a short trek to admire the magnificent landscape and endemic wildlife. Drive back to Debarq or stay overnight at Simien Lodge.
Day 7: Drive to Axum
An early morning drive takes you to Axum (270 Km from Debark) through the stunning Limalimo Gorge and the Tekeze Valley. Arrive in Axum late in the afternoon.
Day 8: Axum City Tour
Spend the day exploring Axum. Visit the towering Stelae (obelisks), the Inscription of Ezana, the ruins of Queen Sheba’s Palace, and the renowned St. Mary of Zion Church. Also visit the tombs of Kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskel.
Day 9: Drive to Hawzien via Yeha
Drive to Hawzien (250 Km). On the way, visit the ancient city of Yeha, home to the well-preserved Temple of the Moon (over 2,500 years old). Optional excursion (for men only) to the adventurous Debre Damo Monastery, accessible by a climbing rope.
Day 10: Rock-Hewn Churches of Tigray and Drive to Mekelle
Visit some of the most impressive rock-hewn churches of Tigray, such as the challenging Abuna Yemata Guh or Abreha We Atsheba Church. Good walking shoes are essential. Have lunch, then drive to Mekelle.
Day 11: Drive to Lalibela
A long drive (470 Km) takes you through the beautiful Ambalage Chain of Mountains to the holy city of Lalibela. Arrive in the late afternoon.
Day 12: Visit the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
A full day dedicated to exploring the eleven rock-hewn monolithic churches of Lalibela (UNESCO), marveling at their architecture and interior paintings.
Day 13: More Lalibela Exploration
Explore the historical churches around Lalibela, such as the remote hill church of Asheton Mariam (on foot or mule) or Yimerhane Kirsotos.
Day 14: Drive to Kombolcha
Drive to Kombolcha (335 Km). En route, visit Hayk Estifanos Monastery, famous for its birdlife on the shores of Lake Hayk.
Day 15: Drive to Addis Ababa and Departure
Drive back to Addis Ababa (375 Km). Arrive in the late afternoon for some souvenir shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner before transferring to Bole International Airport for your flight home.
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