Grand Historical Route: Explore Northern Ethiopia

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Our ‘Discovering the Grand Historical Route’ tour package ensures you visit all the major historical cities in the North, many of which are registered as World Heritage Sites. Additionally, you’ll have a fantastic opportunity to delve into the cultural aspects of Northern Ethiopia.

Duration: 9 days

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Arrive Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa - Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be greeted at the airport and taken to your hotel. Founded in 1886 by Menelik II, Addis Ababa is situated at an elevation of approximately 2438 meters, making it the third highest capital city in the world. Your sightseeing tour will begin with a visit to the National Museum, which houses some of the country’s historic treasures, followed by the Ethnographic Museum and the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and the resting place of the last emperor, Haile Selassie.

National Museum of Ethiopia - The National Museum houses some of the country’s historic treasures, including a collection of fossils and bones of early hominids discovered in Ethiopia, such as the 3.5 million-year-old remains of ‘Lucy’, the oldest hominid ever found.

Holy Trinity Cathedral - The Holy Trinity Cathedral is Ethiopia’s main cathedral and the final resting place of the last emperor, Haile Selassie.

Flight from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

Lake Tana - Early in the morning, you will fly to Bahir Dar. You will take a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore the secrets held by the monasteries and churches on the islands. We will visit the Ura Kidane Mihret church on the Zeghie peninsula. In the afternoon, we will visit Tississat Falls, known in Amharic as ‘water that smokes’, located about 32 km south of Bahir Dar.

Blue Nile Falls - In the afternoon, we will visit Tis Abay Falls, known in Amharic as ‘water that smokes’, located about 32 km south of Bahir Dar. Due to a nearby hydroelectric power scheme, the waterfalls may not always be at full force.

Drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar

Fasil Ghebbi - This morning, you will drive for 3 to 4 hours (185 km) north to Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia. Gondar has become one of Ethiopia’s largest and most impressive cities, with its walled Royal Enclosure. Gondar’s most famous monuments are its exceptionally well-preserved 17th-century castles.

Debre Berhan Selassie Church - This afternoon, we will also visit the Debre Birhan Selassie church (Light of Trinity) with its stunning angelic ceiling and murals.

Drive from Gondar to Simien Mountain National Park

Simien Mountains National Park - After breakfast, you will drive to Debark on the edge of the Simien Mountains. In the late morning, you will drive up into the mountains for some spectacular views of this unique ecosystem. We will take an optional 1.5-hour walk, mostly flat or downhill, and hope to see the endemic Gelada baboons, Klipspringers, Lammergeyer vultures, and bushbuck.

Drive from Simien Mountain National Park to Axum

Axum - After breakfast, continue on the rugged road for a full day’s drive to the ancient city of Axum via the lowlands of the Simien Mountains and Tekeze River gorge.

Visit Axum UNESCO World Heritage Site

Axum - Axum was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Axum, once one of the most powerful kingdoms in the ancient world. Located at the center of trading routes between the Mediterranean and India, and near the great port of Adulis on the Red Sea, it was economically, politically, and technically advanced, at times controlling both sides of the Red Sea. Axum is also the origin of Christianity in Ethiopia and is believed to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. You will visit the famous monolithic stelae of Axum, with the tallest one still standing at over 21 meters and the largest one, once 34 meters high, now toppled on the ground. It remains the largest monolith ever erected by man.

Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion - Axum is also the origin of Christianity in Ethiopia and is believed to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The old church of St. Mary of Zion was the first church built in Sub-Saharan Africa around 330 AD. Its ruins can be seen in the church compound.

Flight from Axum to Lalibela

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela - In the morning, you will fly to Lalibela. In the afternoon, you will start visiting the first cluster of Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches. Lalibela, the ‘New Jerusalem’, is thought to have been constructed around 800 years ago by King Lalibela. Although rock-carved churches are found in other parts of the world, those in Ethiopia are particularly fascinating.

Visit Lalibela - Rock-Hewn Churches

Church of St. George - In the afternoon, you will visit the remaining rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, including the churches of Bete Gabriel and Rafael, Mercurous, Emanuel, and Abba Libanos. Bete Emanuel is the best in this group and is exceptionally carved with unique Axumite building features.

Flight from Lalibela to Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa - On this day, you will fly back to Addis Ababa. In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants, featuring traditional music and live dances from different ethnic groups of the country. Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure home.

What's Included