This is the most popular tour for those visiting Ethiopia. See a range of fabulous constructions, such as the enchanting castles in Gondar and the incredible rock-hewn churches of Lalibela (one of the Eighth Wonders of the World). Be amazed by the thundering Blue Nile Falls (this is actually during the rainy season) and enjoy a boat trip on the splendid Lake Tana for island monasteries.
Aside from the awe-inspiring constructions at each of these sites, you’ll be able to take in a fine blend of scenic delights, natural history and you’ll get to know the charming Ethiopian people
The Historic Route: ‘Cradle of Mankind’
Theme: Culture
Product: Tangible (built) Heritage
Tour Code: TET 007
Duration: 9 Night/ 10 Days
Accommodation: Hotel
Click to download printable version of the Itinerary
Day 1: Addis Ababa
Arrive Addis Ababa at Bole International Air Port & meet with us for transfer to the hotel. Overnight hotel
Day 2: Addis Ababa
Today you have a full day city tour in Addis Ababa. Visit the National Museum, where you see the famous fossil Lucy, who was 3.2 million years old, the Ethnographic Museum, Entoto St. Mary Museum, St. Trinity Cathedral church, and Merkato market, the largest open-air market in Africa. Overnight hotel
Day 3: Bahir Dar
After an early breakfast drive to the city of Bahir Dar. Passing by mt. Entoto through the Sululta plain and stop at Jemmal valley for photo. Then proceed to the spectacular scenery of the Blue Nile Gorge, which has a breath-taking scenery and better than the Grand Canon according to visitor. Overnight hotel.
Day 4: Bahir Dar
We drive to the Blue Nile Falls, which is known locally as Tissisat (smoking water) fall: 100 m (328 ft) wide, the water plunges for 45 m (148 ft), giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. After lunch we will have a boat trip on Lake Tana. There are 37 islands on Lake Tana and 32 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. We visit the monastery church of Ura Kidane Mihiret, 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 same hotel
Day 5: Gonder
Drive to Gonder, which is 180 kms away from Bahir Dar. Gonder was the first capital city of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632 with the reign of Fasillides. In Gonder, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more European than African. In the afternoon, we visit Fasillides’ Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one! We continue on to the Church of Debre Berham Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior of Debre Berham Selassie is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings. Debre Berham Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant. Overnight hotel
Day 6: Debark
After breakfast drive from Gonder to Semen Mountain National Park, which is 130 kms. This is a small market town at an altitude of 2700 meters close to the boundary of the Semien Mountains National Park. Corrugated – iron – roofed buildings surround its colorful and busy market area. Before entering the park, you have to register at the park headquarters just outside town. Here, armed scout – one of the park regulations, joins you. Then drive to Sankober for the best view. En route, pass through pretty country, the foothills of the Semen Mountains, with carefully tended field, open pasture with grazing horses, stands of trees and distant rocky peaks. At the high point of the road, there are superb views across the weirdly eroded foothills of the range and you may also be lucky enough to spot you first lammergeyers and gelada baboons of the trip. Overnight hotel in Debark.
Day 7: Lalibela
After an early breakfast drive to the town of Lalibela to experience the rough nature of road but nice with the beautiful scenery (gigantic, ups and downs landscape) have. Overnight Hotel
Day 8: Lalibela
Today you have a full day city tour in Lalibela. The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century and are carved out of the pink granite rock; they have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the first and the third group of churches, which have seven rock churches. After lunch visit the second group of churches, which have four rock churches. Overnight at same hotel
Day 9: Kombolcha
Drive 325 kms to Kombolcha through the highlands of Dilb, where you may see the endemic mammal of Gelada baboon. Along the way you will have a chance to take a picture of the beautiful hair style of the Wello people and will have a short stop at Lake Hayk, where you see colorful water birds. And then proceed to Kombolcha. Overnight hotel
Day 10: Addis Ababa/Departure
After breakfast drive back to Addis Ababa through the tunnel of Tarma Ber, which is 580 meters. On the way, you will have a stop at Gemassa plateau, where you see the Great Rift Valley and one of the Oromo villages with their people. Evening after the dinner program in one of the traditional restaurants, transfer to airport for departure. End of the tour.
