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8
Days Tour to Northern Historic Route
Brief Description:
For a traveler who wants to see the Northern Historic Ethiopia within a
relatively short schedule, 8 days, this package gives a good
opportunity. The 8 day trip covers all tourist attractions in
Bahir Dar,
Gondar
, an extra day at Lalibela to visit all rock hewn churches and
Axum and
Addis Ababa
’s historical attractions.
Itinerary
 Day
1: Upon
arrival in
Addis Ababa
,
Ethiopia
, You will be greeted with the traditional Ethiopian hospitality
at the airport and transferred to the hotel. (Depending on your
arrival time we can arrange afternoon or after hour city tour)
 Day
2:
Early
morning breakfast and transfer to the
Bole
International
Airport
and fly 50 minutes to Bahir Dar. Bahir Dar is the capital of the
Amhara
National
Regional
State
. Upon arrival transfer to Tana Hotel, lakeside hotels near the
market place of Bahir Dar. In the afternoon we will visit the city
of
Bahir Dar
.
Visitors should expect to see
Colorful
market with easy access to buy traditional baskets, pottery, hand
made woven clothes, capes, scarves and etc
The
Woito village where the local people make the papyrus boat
The
Mount
Bezawit
where Emperor Haile Selassie’s palace of is gracefully situated.
It also provides a magnificent scenery
Dinner and overnight in Tana with a
pleasant garden and a
Lakeside
view of Tana.
Day 3:
After an early breakfast drive to the
Water
Falls
of the
Blue Nile
which is 30kms from Bahir Dar. On arrival at the site we will walk
the uphill for about 20-30 minutes to reach the best view point of
the falls which has 45 meters deep and up to 400 meters wide
during the rainy season of June, July, August and September.
Depending on your interest we can descend to the base of the falls
and climb back up the other side and cross the
Nile
in a papyrus boat which will take us about an hour. Afternoon, a
boat trip will be arranged to Ethiopia's largest Lake called Tana
known for its middle age island monasteries. Lake Tana is the
source of the longest river in Africa, the
Blue Nile
and home for 37 islands. We will have the opportunity to visit the
Zege peninsula for its famous 14th century monasteries
of Ura Kidanemihret, Azewa Mariam and the island monastery of
Kibran Gebriel (where only men are allowed) for their wonderful 16th
century mural paintings, crowns, crosses and many old church
treasures. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
 Day 4:
Early morning start driving to
Gondar
which is 175Km/ 120 Miles from Bahir Dar. They say “you have
only to stroll through the banqueting halls and gaze down from the
balconies of the many castles and palaces here to imagine the
intrigue and pageantry that took place back in the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries, when
Gondar
, then the Ethiopian capital, was home to a number of emperors and
warlords, courtiers and kings. After settling in Ghoa Ghion Hotel
we will start our visit to these palaces, residences and baths of
Fasilidas.
Gondar
is also the site of numerous fine churches, a number of which have
survived to this day. Late in the afternoon, we will have the
opportunity to visit the church of Debre Berham Selassie,
translated to mean “Light of the Trinity”, which is
located at the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
 Day 5:
Early morning transfer to Gondar airport and fly to Axum which
will take 40 min. Ethiopian legends first recorded in the
fourteenth-century Kebre Nagast (Book of Kings) make
Axum
the capital of the Queen of Sheba in the tenth century BC. Rising
to importance around the time of the Christ, Axum was the capital
far-reaching Axumite kingdom, dominated the vital crossroads of
Africa and
Asia
for almost a thousand years. After settling ourselves in one of
the comfortable hotels in Axum, Yeha Hotel, we will start our
visit to the famous historical sites of Axum such as the
Archeological museum, the Zion Cathedral where the original Arc of
the covenant is said to be found, the stele park where the
magnificent single block of stones standing since the 3rd century.
Later the day we will have an opportunity to visit the ruin palace
and
Bath
of Queen
Sheba
. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
 Day 6:
Early morning we will fly to Lalibela located at an altitude of
2,600 meters above sea level. Lalibela is the 8th wonder of the
world. 13 rock-hewn churches cut out of a solid red volcanic rock,
some completely hidden in deep trenches, while others stand in
open quarried caves and a complex series of tunnels and narrow
passageways connecting the churches, Lalibela indeed offers a
great opportunity for any traveler. Upon arrival and transfer to
the Ghion Roha Hotel we will start our visit with the first group
of churches and the city itself. Dinner and overnight at your
hotel.
 Day 7:
After an early breakfast trek (half way mule or horse ride)
to the 13thc rock hewn monastery of Asheten Mariam. Ashetan Maryam
is located in the mountain high above the town, with an impressive
view of the surrounding countryside. Inside the monastery you find
the 13thc hand and processional crosses of King Na’akutola’ab
who ruled
Ethiopia
for over 40 years. UNESCO registers this breathtaking site as one
of the Eighth Wonders of the World and world heritage. In the
afternoon, we will visit the second group of churches, dinner and
overnight stay at the same hotel as the previous night. With
arrangement made with local households we will provide you the
opportunity to see how a typical Ethiopian family in this town
live. A traditional coffee ceremony will be hosted for you.
Day 8:
Early morning transfer to the Lalibela airport and fly back
to
Addis Ababa
which takes around 55min. In the afternoon we will have the chance
to visit a museum and if time permits the largest open market in
Africa
“Mercato". A traditional coffee ceremony hosted to you by
the Fest Ethiopia group. In the evening we will dine in one of the
traditional restaurants and depart thereafter.
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