"15-Day Northern Ethiopia: A Journey Through Time"

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
explore city tour in Addis abeba
1 stop
1
Mount Entoto
01: Addis Ababa. Visit Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Tour the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Make a short drive to Entoto Hills for a view of the city and visit Maryam Church. En route, stop at the Sheromeda traditional cloth market. Visit the Mercato or the Sholla Market, two of Addis Ababa's main markets
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Addis Ababa fly - Bahar Dar
1 stop
2
Lake Tana
Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula. We will visit two of the following monasteries: Ura Kidane Mehiret, Azwa Maryam, Mehal Zege Giorgis, and Bete Maryam. End the day with a sunset visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile River.
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Fly Bahar Dar to Gondar.
1 stop
3
Fasil Ghebbi
Through the countryside to Gondar. After lunch, tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels. Tour the baths of King Fasilides, which still serves as a baptismal pool during Timkat (Epiphany celebrated every January in the Ethiopian Orthodox liturgical calendar).
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Gondar - Simien Mountains National Park
1 stop
4
Sankaber
Morning departure to Debark (100 km from Gondar), where the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park is located. Meet the scout, mountain guide, and others on the trekking team. Continue driving to Sankabar (31 km from Debark) and the first campsite of the National Park. On this drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, possibly spotting wildlife such as the endemic Gelada Baboons and the “bone breaker” bird Lammergeyer. Camp at Sankabar (3200 m.)
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Simien Mountains National Park Trek Sankaber - Geech
1 stop
5
Geech
3,600m elevation), which will take between 5-7 hours. After one and a half hours, see the Jinnbar River and falls, which you will cross later in the day. After crossing the river, ascend for about 2 hours to Geech. The scenery is wonderful, and a herd of Gelada Baboons can be seen on the journey. Camp at Geech (3600 m.)
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Trek Geech - Imet Gogo - Kedadit - Seha - Geech.
1 stop
6
Imet Gogo
Trekking Simien Mountains National Park Trek Geech - Imet Gogo - Kedadit - Seha - Geech. Trek to some of the best viewpoints in the National Park. Imet Gogo boasts spectacular views in every direction. Possible wildlife sightings on this 4-5 hour trek include the Simien Wolf, the Walia Ibex, and Klipspringers.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 7
Trekking Simien Mountains National Park Trek Geech. - Chenek.
1 stop
7
Chenek
(3,620m elevation); trek along the 4,000-meter breathtaking Enatye escarpment before descending to Chenek. Walia Ibex and Gelada Baboons are routinely spotted.Overnight
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 8
Trekking Simien Mountains National Park Trek to Ambiquo
1 stop
8
Chenek
Trekking Simien Mountains National Park Trek to Ambiquo campsite 3,200m) for approximately 9 hours via Mt. Buhit (4,430m); cross the Mesheha River before reaching Ambiquo.
9 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 9
Trekking Simien Mountains National Park Trek Ambiquo - Ras Dashen
1 stop
9
Ras Dashen
Early morning departure to the summit of Ras Dashen, at 4,543 meters, Africa’s fourth highest peak. Trek up the valley from your campsite to the small village of Mizma. From here, a steep climb brings you to an impressive amphitheater made up of three major buttresses of expanded rock. It is then an easy scramble to the summit. To reach the summit can take up to 6 hrs. Return to Ambiquo camp
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 10
Trekking Simien Mountains National Park Trek Ambiquo - Chenek
1 stop
10
Chenek
Trekking Simien Mountains National Park Trek Ambiquo - Chenek to Chenek, bypassing Mt. Buhit on the return. Overnight Camping
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 11
Simien Mountains National Park - Gondar.
1 stop
11
Gonder
Simien Mountains National Park - Gondar. Meet with vehicles and return to Gondar. Relax and recover from the trek.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 12
Gondar - Lalibela Fly to Lalibela
1 stop
12
Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Early moring fly to lalibela On Ethiopian Airlines. Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures was carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. In the late afternoon, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and learn the process for baking injera (a staple food for much of Ethiopia)
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 13
Lalibela Drive to Nakuto Làabe Cave Church.
1 stop
13
Early in the morning, we had breakfast at 8:00 am and drove 5 km from the town of Lalibela to visit the Na'akuto La'ab Monastery, one of a collection of ancient churches and monasteries found in the highlands that encircle Lalibela. We spent 3 hours there during our visit and later drove to Nakuto Làabe for a panoramic view, taking a walk for 5 minutes to refresh.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 14
Lalibela - Axum Fly to Axum
1 stop
14
Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Visit the new and impressive archaeological museum. See St. Mary Tsion Church, which houses the Ark of the Covenant according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (no one is allowed to see the Ark). Visit other tombs and archaeological sites as time permits
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 15
fly Axum - Addis Ababa
1 stop
15
National Museum of Ethiopia
Visit the National Museum, home of the 3 million-year-old skeleton “Lucy.” Optional souvenir shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to the airport for a late-night departure if needed.
3 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

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