8 Days Northern Ethiopia Tours

Day 01 Arrival and Addis Ababa City Tour

You will meet our staff upon arrival from international flight and begin sightseeing of Addis with our first stop to Entoto Maryam Church; it’s one of the oldest Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Churches on the Entoto Hills. It was built in 1877 by Emperor Menelik II characterized by octagonal domes. Several royal artifacts of the emperor and empress also found in this church  including some traditional costumes of the crowns, their royal bed, jewels owned by the royal family, and a mirror presented by Queen Victoria to Empress Taytu. Our second stop Entoto Hills for a panoramic view of Addis with an altitude of 2900 MASL. Our third stop drive to Ethnological Museum houses anthropological, musicological and cultural objects. The Ethnological Museum is the first university museum in Ethiopia. The Museum is located in the main Campus of Addis Ababa University which houses the Institute of Ethiopian Studies and it was the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. Our Fourth stop Descend down and drive to National museum, it contains many precious local archaeological finds such as the fossilized remains of early hominids, the most famous of which is “Lucy,” the partial skeleton of a specimen of Australopithecus Afarensis. Recently added to the basement gallery is a display on Selam, found between 2000 and 2004. This archaic fossil is estimated to date to 3.3 million years ago. Our fifth stop drive to Merkato, established by the Italian around 1937 it’s a large open-air marketplace in Africa, Covering several square miles and employing an estimated 13,000 people in 7,100 business entities.

Overnight Aya Addis hotel Addis Ababa

Day 02 Fly Addis Ababa to  Bahir Dar (Lakeside Town)

After breakfast You will  transfer  to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar. you will met our staff and take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 14th-century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret which is the most famous of the Zege peninsula monasteries. Afternoon, you will drive to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile Falls (Note that the volume of the water could be minimal because of the construction of the new dam.)

Overnight Naky Hotel Bahir Dar

Day 03 Drive Bahir Dar to  Gondar (The Camelot of Africa)

After having your breakfast, you will begin your journey to Gondar. The Royal Capital of Ethiopia, Gondar was founded in 1636 by Emperor Fassiladas. In the afternoon you will visit the city of Gondar with the drive to the Castles and Churches built by Emperor Fassiladas and his descendants.  Proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie (The Enlightening of Trinity) with Wonderful murals art, Qusquam Church.

Overnight Haile Resort  Gondar

Day 04 Excursion to Semien Mountains 

After breakfast the trip starts from Gondar to the famous and beautiful Simen Mountains National Park. The park is known as the roof of Africa and contains several high mountains and the only place in Ethiopia registered by the UNESCO as a natural beauty. After two hours’ drive from Gondar we will start hiking on the Beautiful landscapes and mountains and admire the nature. There will be a chance to see some wild animals especially the endemic Gelada Baboons. Later you will be drive back to Gondar.

Overnight Haile Resort Gondar.

Day 05 Fly Gondar to Lalibela

After breakfast you will take to airport your flight to Lalibela. You will meet upon arrival and take to your Hotel. After lunch you will Visit the first group of seven churches lie in rock cradles one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mika’el, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danagl and Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem, the largest one, is built like a Greek Temple and its stone floor is so polished by the countless numbers of visitors that it reflects shafts of light from apertures in the walls high above. In a corner are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Later you will visit of the other groups of Rock churches of Lalibela Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches which lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the village on a sloping rock terrace.

Overnight Maribela Hotel lalibela

Day 06  Excursion to Yimrehane Kristos

Morning you will take an excursion to visit Yimrehane Kirstos, located on a mountain ridge, at the peak of Abuna Yosep. This exquisite church is a masterpiece of Axumite wood and stone construction and renewed its interior decoration. The walls are subdivided vertically with recessions and projections.

Overnight Maribela Hotel lalibela

Day 07 Drive Lalibela to Asheten Maryam and Na’akuto La’ab

After breakfast you will visit Na’akuto La’ab Monastery, it’s attributed to Na’akuto La’ab, the successor to King Lalibela. Inside, there are various artifacts believed to have belonged to Na’akuto La’ab, including crowns, gold-painted drums, crosses, a large painted canvas depicting ancient kings and an old, illuminated Bible. Intriguingly, the monastery has some ancient stone receptacles that gather the water that drips from the cave’s roof, thought to be holy water. Later drive to another ancient church, there are many sacred items found at Asheton Maryam, including crosses and a Bible illustrated with colorful, intricate drawings, presented by the priest for visitors to see.

Overnight Maribela Hotel Lalibela

Day 08 Fly Lalibela to Addis Ababa Departure

In the morning after breakfast you will visit the remaining churches of Lalibela like Bete Gabriel, Bete Marqorios, Bete Emmanuel, and Bete Aba Libanos. Later drive to airport your flight to Addis Ababa. In the evening attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served.  Later you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.