Uncover Ethiopia’s wonders on a captivating 10-day tour! This journey begins in Addis Ababa, exploring its cultural landmarks. Delve into the ancient past with Gheralta Churches and Axum’s historical sites and obelisks. Witness the vibrant Hidar Tsion Celebration. Marvel at the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. Explore the architectural blend in Gondar and Bahir Dar’s natural beauty, including the Blue Nile Falls. Return to Addis Ababa for a cultural immersion and a traditional Ethiopian farewell feast.
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrival in Addis
Upon arrival in Bole airport , Our guide will welcome you and take you to your hotel and Explain to you about the tour.
O/n Addis
Day 2 :
Addis- Mekelle - Gheralta Churches
Early in the morning ,Hike to the best and remarkable Gheralta Churches of Mariam korkor and Daniel Korkor then back to hawzen town for lunch. Afternoon, proceed to see the beautiful Mariam Papasit church after a lovely short walk.
O/n Hawzen
Day 3 :
Hawzen - Axum
After breakfast , drive to Axum via Adigrat through the remarkable tigray magic mountains en route to see the ancient monastery of Debre Damo built in the 6thc and accessible by rope . After a beautiful tour , continue to Yeha temple to see the pre - Axumite civilization. In between we stop for lunch at Enticho town. Finally , drive to Axum via the Adwa mountains and the battle fields .
O/n Axum
Day 4 :
Axum City tour
To day , Embark on a historical tour in the ancient city of Axum and its main attractions ; the giant obelisks of Axum , underground tombs , Ezana inscriptions , tombs of king Kaleb and G/meskel , St.Mary of zion church and attend the eve of St. Mary celebration.
Overnight in Axum
Day 5 :
Attend the Hidar Tsion Celebration(St. Mary)
In the morning , you go to the church for the colorful ceremony of "Hidar Zion" and this day is associated with the presence of the Ark of the Covenant in Axum and the belief that the Ark itself is a symbol of her womb. Falling on 30th November every year, this festival is attended by thousands of people from foreign countries and all over Ethiopia, making it one of the most blissful annual pilgrimages in the country, the "Blessed city of the Ethiopians".
Afternoon , continue west of Axum for a short hike to see the quarry of the giant obelisks and the Lion of Gobo Dura as well as the unfinished steleas .
O/n Axum
Day 6 :
Flight to Lalibela
In the morning, transfer into the airport to fly to the legendary Ascetic Mountain town of Lalibela. After check-in to the hotel, full day visits the 12th c. Rock-Hewn Churches; Lalibela is famous for its rock hewn churches and these brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often referred to as the 8th wonder of the World. There are many rock churches in Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves.
Overnight in hotel
Day 7 :
Flight to Gondar
Today you fly to Gondar, Gondar was one of the hidden cities of the foreign trade area in the 17th century AD, Gondar is the site of ancient castles building palaces of different emperors constructed in the European middle age architectural style. After check-in to hotel visit the curious symbiosis of Ethiopian and Portuguese architectural representation of the royal enclosure which is also known as” the Camelot of Africa``, the iconic church of Debre Birhan selassie, bath of king Fasilides which still in use for the colorful celebration of Ethiopian epiphany/Timket .
O/n Gondar
Day 8 :
Drive to Bahir Dar
After breakfast,continue to Bahir Dar and it takes a four-hour drive through rural villages, offering wonderful insight into the Amhara culture . Afternoon, drive 34 km south of Bahir Dar to see the blue Nile falls , on the way back stop at a view point where you can actually see the magical city of Bahir Dar.
Overnight , Bahir Dar
Day 9 :
Excursion to Lake Tana Monasteries
After breakfast, take a boat ride on Lake Tana. On Lake Tana time has still stood and dominated by an archaic, dating from early Christian mysticism and the religious interpretations of African art are characterized by Ethiopian Christianity, and the world’s Old Testament is still practiced. Visit Azua Mariam and Ura kidane Mihret monasteries which are rich in icon painting.
Overnight in hotel
Day 10 :
Fly back to Addis
Upon arrival at Bole international airport and meet by our representative and transferred to the hotel. After checking in to the hotel, begin a city tour of Addis. Which includes national museum- the home of complete hominid fossil remain of Lucy dates 3.2 million years back, mount Entoto- the panoramic view from the highest point of Addis with an altitude of 3200 meter above sea level, trinity cathedral- beautiful church with a baroque style of European architecture unique to both Ethiopia and Africa, ethnographic museum and Merkato (the largest open air market in Africa).
Evening attend a welfare program at a traditional restaurant with music and dancing then transfer out to Bole airport to depart home.
