Northern Ethiopia Historical Tour

Arrival, beginning of the tour in Addis Ababa. In the afternoon visit the third highest capital City in the world Addis Ababa
– Mt. Entoto with a nice view over the Capital
-National Museum – in addition to displaying a replica of Lucy (an early hominid 3.2 million old) there are different kind of samples the country´s historical, cultural and archeological heritages
-Trinity Cathedral – one of most decorated modern Ethiopian Orthodox Cathedral. It is also the burial place of prominent figures of the country, including the last emperor, Haile Selassie, his wife Empress Menen and other highly honored patriots

Fly to Axum, transfer hotel to check-in. then visit Axum
– the mysterious Steles
-St. Mary of Tsion church
The alleged resting place of the biblical Ark of the Covenant.
– Palace of Queen of Sheba, and different archeological sites.

Drive to Hawzien. Through the Adwa Mountains, which are very popular not only for their beauty but also for their historic significance. It was here that the gallant Ethiopians defeated the Italian colonizers in 1896 and protected the country from any sort of colonialism making Ethiopia the only country in Africa that has never been colonized. Drive to Yeha to witness a civilization, which existed long before Axum. Here the centuries old Temple Yeha stands from since the 5th c BC.

Visit the Tigray rock-hewn churches. Excursion to one of the most destinations in the Gheralta region, Daniel and Mariam Korkor. A nice trekking through a narrow step path takes you all the way up to where the two old and small churches are. There is a breathtaking view from the to all direction of Gheralta

Enjoy the beauty of this amazing area before you leave.
Drive towards Mekele, the capital city of Tigray (one of the nine Regions). On the way visit one of the best rock-hewn churchs of Tigray, which are numbered to be more than 120. Abrha We Atsbeha or Wukro Cherkos church is considered to be one of the finest of all the rock-hewn churchs of Tigray, and believed to date back to the 4th C AD

It will be an interesting drive. After the attractive assent from the plains of Alamata to Korem, where there is the beautiful crater lake of Hashenge, continue to Maichew. Maichew was one of the battles between Ethiopians and Italians in 1936. This drive fully up and down, twist and turns, passes through the Tigray and Amhara regions. You will also enjoy the marvelous view of the Lasta mountains

Full day visiting the famous Rock-hewn churchs of Lalibela; those are built in 12th centuries. Lalibela is called also “Second Jerusalem”
Rock hewn Church Group I and group II

fly to Lalibela and drive towards North to the Semien Mountains National park.
Enjoy the short drive via Debark to the National park. After check-in and depend on the time you may have a short trek. The national park lies between 1800 m – 4600m high. The highest mountain in Ethiopia Mt. Ras Dashen 4620 m high lies here. This and other mountains let Ethiopian to be called the Roof of Africa.

Trekking in the famous and beautiful national park Semeien Mountains National Park. It is the home of Walia Ibex, Gelada Baboon, Ethiopian Wolf, among the endemic mammals of Ethiopia.
enjoy the trekking on about 3200m high

Drive back to Gondar. In the Afternoon visit Gondar
Visit the castle´s compound the so called “African Camelot” and Bath, Debre Birhan Selassie church with wonderful murals.

Morning drive to Bahirdar, with very nice views and Amhara people villages. Afternoon boat trip on Lake Tana to admire the beautiful monasteries over the lakes islands. Zegie Peninsula is one of them with some beautiful monasteries as Azua Mariam and Ura Kidane Mihret

Morning an excursion to admire the Blue Nile falls with a short trekking. In the afternoon have a time to enjoy one of the most beautiful city in Ethiopia Bahirdar with its Lake Lake Tana, a fantastic view from a hill called Bezawit hill.

Fly back to Addis Ababa, do a sightseeing for example visit Merkato, biggest open air market in Africa, shopping
Have a day use room available.
After a fare well dinner in traditional restaurant with folkloristic dances late evening departure home