HISTORIC ROUTE BY SURFACE:
Day
1:
Drive northwest through the Mugger Valley, visit the 13th century Debre Libanos
monastery and the 17th century Portugeses Bridge. Further north you reach the Blue Nile Gorge which winds down 1000 meters
from the plateau to the river that bisects the gorge. Here, you will have take a picnic and have time to enjoy the picturesque
scenery. You proceed to Bahir Dar crossing beautiful country on the way. Overnight in Tana Hotel.
Day 2:
After breakfast Boat trip over
Lake Tana to visit the medieval monasteries located on the islands and Zeghe Peninsula. Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia
some 3600 square km in area. Lake Tana harbors many old monasteries some of which are decorated with frescoes. In the afternoon,
drive south of Bahir Dar to see the spectacular Blue Nile Falls locally known as TISS ISSAT (water that smokes). Overnight
in Bahir Dar in Tana Hotel ***
Day 3:
Morning drive to Gondar through the mountainous country and city tour in Gondar.
In this tour, you will see the royal enclosure-the palace that was built by Emperor Fasiledes in 1636 that is similar with
that of Europe. The Portuguese soldiers that numbered 400 led by Don Christopher Da Gama, who came in 1541 to assist the christians
in the war against the muslims influenced ethiopian architecture of the medieval period. You can also, see the bath palace
of Fasiledes, the Quesquam enclosure, and the decorated church of Debre Birhan Sellasie (light of Trinity)decorated with wonderful
murals.Overnight in Gondar in Goha Hotel***
Day 4:
Drive to the marvellous Semien Mountains. You will have a short stop at Kossoye
some 35 km away from Gondar. All arrangements will be made at Debark 100 km away from Gondar to go into the park. Having scouts
and park guides, you can drive to the spectacular Semien Mountains for full day drive to the extent of Bwahit, which is 4430
meters above sea level, the second pick to Ras Dashen. Overnight in Debark at Semien Park hotel.
Day 5:
Morning drive from Debark to Axum through
the beautiful Lima Limo terrain. Crossing the Tekezze River, drive to Axum some 264 km from Debark. Overnight in Axum Yeha
hotel***
Days 6:
Day
tour of the Stele Park, the ancient tombs of Axumite kings, the bathe and the palace of Queen Sheba, the 17th century Cathedral
of St. Mary Zion built by Emperor Fasiledes of Gondar and the new Cathedral built in 1965 by His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie.
Here, the holy relic of the Ark of the Covenant believed to have been brought from Israel by Menelik I, the son of King Solomon
of Jerusalem and Queen Sheba of Ethiopia, is kept it in a secret place. Overnight in Axum Yeha hotel***
Day 7:
Morning drive to Mekele
through Adigrat. On the way visit Adwa a battlefield where the Ethiopians achieved a great victory over the Italian colonial
force in 1896; and the Temple of Yeha predating the Axumite period. In 6th century A.D. the Ethiopian Orthodox church replaced
the Temple of Yeha and St.Mary Church was built near to it. Visit the first and the oldest monastery of Debre-Damo,this flat
topped plateau was serving as a royal prison to the kings of Axum and later was used as a monastery since 6th century A.D.
Between Adigrat and Mekele visit the churches of Abraha- we-Atsebaha and the historical mosque of Negashi. The first followers
of Prophet Mohammed who were exiled to Ethiopia fearing the persecution of the Quayrish rulers stayed in the town of Negash.Overnight
in Mekele in Axum Hotel.
Day 8:
Day
drive from Mekele to Lalibela through Korem-Sekota mountainous road. Overnight in Lalibela in Roha Hotel***
Day 9:
Day visit of Lalibela.
Lalibela is the site of eleven remarkable rock hewn monolithic churches, believed to have been built by King Lalibela in the
late 12th or 13th century. These notable structures are carved inside and outside of solid rock, and are considered among
the wonders of the world. Overnight in Lalibela in Roha Hotel***
Day 10:
Drive from Lalibela to Dessie on the way visit Haik Estefanos Monastery or Genet
Mariam semi-monolithic churches. Overnight in Dessie in a Hotel.
Day 11:
Drive through the eastern escarpment and through a series of small towns back to
Addis Ababa.
Overnight at Ghion Hotel. ***
Day 12:
Sightseeing of Addis Ababa, which includes visiting the Trinity cathedral, National
museum, Ethnographic museum, Entoto hilltop to see the panoramic view, Mercato-the largest open market for shopping and also,
the modern quarters of the city.
N.B Our company (ENTTO) will provide for you a farwell party at the end of the
tour at the traditional Crown Hotel, where you can see traditional dancing and taste the traditional food and drinks as well
