Day 01: Addis Ababa–Arrival-Addis Ababa City Tour
Meet My Ethiopia Tours representative at the airport. Transfer to your hotel. Take a refreshing-break before embarking on the city tour of Addis Ababa, which is an excellent Introduction to Ethiopia.
– Start by sightseeing of the city street, significant landmarks. Drive up to Mount Entoto. Have a gorgeous panoramic view of the city. A Local Tour Guide will explain History, culture, and facts about the city and Ethiopia.
– The National Museum: see archeological discoveries, Artifacts, Art, and cultural Items Lucy and other Hominids human ancestors’ fossil.
-Merkato: Explore the Colorful and the biggest Market in Africa
-The Trinity Church: see Tomb of the Last Emperor of Ethiopia H.I. M Haile Silase
-In between have Ethiopian lunch and Coffee
Overnight Hotel
Day 02: Addis Ababa—Bahardar (drive)
Early In the morning drive to Bahirdar. It has a lengthy drive but through the breathtaking scenery of Ethiopia countryside.
Stops and Visit
– Debre Libanos: to see the Portuguese Bridge and gorgeous view of the Jema Valley.
-Blue Nile Gorge: A beautiful Gorge comparable with The Grand Canyon of US with 1000 M in depth.
Overnight Bhardar-Hotel
Day 03: Excursion on Lake Tana (Lake Tana & Blue Nile falls)
After breakfast, we walk to the Port of Lake Tana and a boat trip to one of the Oldest Monasteries on the island (or Peninsula).
Visits
– Visit Ura Kidane Mihret Monastery. Walkthrough a lush green forest and coffee plantation. The church wall is adorned, with Very Colorful paintings. It depicts stories from the Bible and historical circumstances.
-we see Hippos, Pelicans and water Birds on the outlet of the Blue Nile river on Lake Tana.
-Lunch on the Shores of Lake Tana
– Blue Nile Falls: After Lunch we drive 30 KM to see the thundering Blue Nile Falls. There is not enough water in the waterfall during the dry season.
Overnight Hotel
DAY 04: BAHIR DAR—GONDAR (Gondar City Tour)
In the morning we drive to Gondar and checking in to your hotel. Gondar was a capital and a trade route in the north part of Ethiopia. the city of Gondar still Command a big Role in History, religion, and culture of the country.
Visits
-The Castels of Gondar: is a Royal Enclosure where successive Kings and Queens built the Only Castles and Buildings around in the 17th century in the compound. It is also the only Castle built in the Southern part of Africa.
-Debre Berhan Selassie Church: means Mount of Light Trinity Church. This church is one of the few Buildings that survived the destruction of Mehadist Invasion from Sudan. The church is renowned for its Ethiopian styles of murals, paintings.
– The Royal swimming pool: or bath of King Fasil. Who thinks they don’t deserve a swimming pool?. Here the Kings were used to swim under enormous Ficus trees.
DAY 05: GONADR—Simien Mountains National Park
After breakfast, drive to Simien Mountain. Admiring the landscape and countryside.
Stops and Visit
– Felasha Village: this village is used to be the village of Ethiopian black Jewish people. They used to make a living by Clay Making Blacksmith and weaving traditional clothes. Still, there are some Jewish and Christians in the village who continue the skills.
– Kosoye: it is a stunning view Point to see west of the Siemien mountain valley.
Arrive at the Simien Mountains National Park Office collect Entrance Ticket, scouts, local Guide. Drive in to the park.
-Siemien Mountain Trekking: Walk along the escarpment. Enjoy the spectacular beauty of the mountain and the lowland Valley. The Siemen Mountain is renowned for its majestic scenery, afro-alpine grassland, unique flora, and wildlife. We will have an up close encounter of a Troop of Gelada Baboon. A beautiful endemic Mammal only found in Ethiopia.
Overnight Hotel or Camping
Day 06: Siemen Mountain National park–Axum
In The Early Morning After breakfast Drive to Axum. Leaving the beautiful Siemen Mountains but don’t worry, you will not be disappointing. You will pass through the Tekeze River Valley, the Great Lima Limo road noted for its curvy, and viewing the Siemen Mountain from a distance all are Amazing. Arrive in Axum.
Overnight Hotel
DAY 07: Axum
After breakfast, explore the city of Axum. Axum was the ancient Capital of Ethiopia from around the 1st C., a very rich and powerful kingdom in the world. Axum is the Holiest place in Ethiopia as The Ark of the Covenant Is kept inside of a chapel.
Visit
-The stelae (obelisks) field, the impressive Stelae erected to Mark the Tomb of Kings. They decorate the biggest with a plan of high rising buildings with a window and Doors.
– Underground Tomb of King Bazen’s
– Queen of Sheba’s Place and Bath
– St. Mary of Zion church, Where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. They allow no one to see it. Only one monk go inside the chapel.
-Stone Inscriptions of the Kings
-Local Market, if Market Day
Overnight Hotel
Day 08: Axum Geharlta
After breakfast drive to Gheralta pass by the Gorgeous Adwa Mountains.
Stop and Visit
-Yeha Temple, Yeha was a religious center of the kingdom before Axum. It has Archeological sites and a 2500 years old The Yeha Temple. A newer church built near the temple.
After lunch, the city of Adwa continues driving to Gheralta.
– We may visit one rock-hewn church based on our time.
Day 09: Gheralta Mekele
The Gehralta Massive hides the most inaccessible rock-hewn churches in Ethiopia. These churches are on a vertical cliff. It may need climbing and trekking to reach. Based on your strength, we can cover the most beautiful and accessible to you.
This trip is not only about the churches but also about one of the most scenic landscapes in Ethiopia and a recommended experience.
Visits
We visit one or two of places considering the time and your fitness
– Abune Yemata: is the most inaccessible church and framed as a church in the sky by BBC. The church is from the 6ht c. and it is small, with wonderful wall Paintings. The visit to Abune Yemat Guh is not about the church, it is about the climbing experience, the Adrenaline it requires, and the Stunning view. It is a lifetime experience.
– Mariam Korkur and Daniel Korkur Church are on Top of the Gheralta Mountain Massive. It takes 1:30 hrs. Long trekking. The church is one of the biggest and beautiful in the Gheralta region. It has a striking view of the surrounding area and mountains.
– Abrah we Astibeha Church: the Biggest and beautiful Rock hewn church of Tigray and accessible. It is built by King Ezan, and his Twin Brother in the 4th century.
Drive to Mekelle
Overnight Mekelle Hotel
Day 10: Mekele-Lalibela
Day In the morning after breakfast Drive from Mekel to Lalibela. We stop some times for photos on the way. Seeing beautiful people and farmlands until we reach Lalibela.
Day 11: Lalibela
The Story of the church says the King is a Saint who built 11 Rock Hewen church. by chiseling it out from a single Volcanic bedrock without mortar, joints, or attachments. He wants to replicate Jerusalem. As it is occupied by Ottomans and difficult for pilgrimage. Lalibela was used to be the capital of Ethiopia. It is also called the second Jerusalem.
Visits
-In the morning explore the North-western Cluster of churches – Bet Medhanealem, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danagel, Bete Mikael & Bet Golgotha
In the afternoon after lunch Afternoon
-Visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches-Bete Gabriel, Bete Rafael, Bete Merkorios, Bete Amanuel, and Bet Abba Libanos.
-Bet Giyorgis or House of St. George: Named after St. George, is the patron saint of Ethiopia. It is sperated from the two groups. The Iconic Cross shape and Mater Piece of all churches. It is carved from outside to inside to become the House of God.
Overnight in Lalibela
Day 12: Yimrehane Kirstos
In The Morning After breakfast we drive to the valley of Lalibela towards Sekota, Viewing the local’s farmers’ houses to reach Yimrehane Kristos. It predates the churches of Lalibela but different as it is made with layers of wood and granite. The church shows the continuity of the style of Axumite Architecture.
Overnight Lalibela.
Day 13 Lalibela- Desse
In the Morning Depart from Lalibela to Desse, stopping at Weldia for lunch and stops on the way for photos.
Overnight Desse.
Day 14: Desse-Addis Ababa-departure
In The morning continue the drive to Addis Ababa. On the way, you pass through the lowland going up to the highland. Seeing the change of environment and landscape.
On the way, we look for local markets in villages and small towns. On market days.
Arrival Addis Ababa. In the evening, we will have a farewell Cultural Dinner with cultural, Dance, Music, and Ethiopian food before transfer to the airport for your departure.
End of tour.