Ethiopia Historical Route – By Air

Day 1:  Arrival in Addis Ababa

 The name of the capital city of Ethiopia in Amharic (the national language of Ethiopia) means “New flower”. Addis, which was founded in 1886 by Menelik II, is located at 2,500 meters above sea level in one of the highest parts of Entoto mountain chain (3,000 meters above sea level). It enjoys an excellent climate all year round, with an average temperature of 25şC. Addis Ababa is a pleasant city with side avenues of jacaranda Trees, interesting museums and one of the largest open-air markets in Africa, known as the “Merkato”. It also has a good number of restaurants, hotels and discotheques. On your arrival, you will be welcomed by our staff then transfer to your hotel for overnight, Ghion Hotel.

 Day 2:  Addis Ababa – Lalibela  

In the morning, transfer to Airport to leave for Lalibela which used to be called Roha until the end of 12th century. Lalibela is located at an altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level. Today the little town of Lalibela embraced the remarkably excavated 12th century eleven rock hewn churches that are registered as one of the world wonders. Once you checked into your hotel with a short time rest and you start visiting the first group (consisting of 6 churches) of the incredibly hewn out churches that symbolizes the New Jerusalem and the city itself. NB. While entering to each church, you are kindly requested to take off shoes and dress modestly. This behave should be applied to all the churches in Ethiopia.

 Day 3:  Lalibela 

After breakfast, we go on foot or riding on mules to visit some rock-churches outside the city (about a 3-hours walk). In the afternoon we will proceed visiting the second group of churches. As the city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the twelfth century and carved out of the pink granite rock; each church has a Unique architectural style: all are superbly carved and most of then are decorated with well-preserved paintings. The entire city may be described as a sculpture dedicated to the glory of God. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel: in the evening you may attend a show featuring traditional dance.

 Day 4- Lalibela - Axum  

Early morning you will have the option to attain the every day mass that would takes place from 06:00 to 7:00 in every church. Then go to the hotel for breakfast before you take the airport transfer to fly to Axum. While in Axum, you visit the Archeological museum, the Zion Cathedral where the original Arc of the covenant is still found, the stele park where the magnificent single block of stones erected since the 3rd century, the ruin palace and Bath of Queen Sheba who was the mother of king Menelik I of the 950 BC and tombs of the early century Kings. O/n Yeha hotel

 Day 5: Axum - Gondar  

Gondar was the first capital city of the Ethiopian empire, which began in 1632 with the reign of Fasilidas. In the city, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more European than African and also has Islamic influences. In the afternoon, we visit the palaces, residences and baths of Fasilidas; afterwards, we visit the church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity), which is located at the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls. The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos. Dinner and overnight stay are in a hotel with a splendid panoramic garden, Goha Hotel.

 Day 6:  Gonder - Bahir Dar 

In the morning transfer to Gonder Airport to fly to Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara National Regional State. Upon arrival transfer to Tana hotel, this is situated, in center of the city just nearby the Market place. Then drive to the waterfalls of the Blue Nile: 100m wide, the water plunges for 45 meters, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. Those who wish may descend to the base of the falls, climb back up the other side and cross the Nile in a papyrus boat (traditionally known as a “Tankwas”) in order to return to the point of departure (about an hour’s walk).

 Day 7:  Bahir Dar 

There are 37 islands on the lake and 30 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. The morning set for a boat trip on the lake to explore some of the islands and a walk is organized on one of them like that of Ura Kidanemihret, Kibran Gebriel, and Azewa Mariam to see mural paintings, crowns, crosses etc. On the way back to Bahir Dar see place where the Blue Nile River and Lake Tana join. In the afternoon visit the Market and the palace of former Emperor Haile Selassie Overnight Tana Hotel

 Day 8:  Bahir Dar – Addis 

After relaxing in the morning, transfer out to the airport and fly to Addis Ababa. Depend on your arrival; you will have a short time city tour of Addis Ababa or shopping in a Grand Market called Merkato. After a fare well dinner party in a traditional restaurant & folklore house, you will be transferred to the Airport. End of the tour!!