Ethiopia's Historic Route; 16 Days / 15 Nights

Tour Itinerary HN15

Arrival Bole International Airport
Awaze Tours will meet all clients arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, you may begin your tour the following day.

Addis Ababa's Ethnographic Museum

Day 01 Addis Ababa
Visit the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Tour the Mercato, one of Africa's largest outdoor markets, and Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.
Overnight Hotel - (B, L, D)

The Blue Nile Falls near Bahar Dar

Day 02 Addis Ababa - Bahar Dar
Drive to Bahar Dar via the Blue Nile Gorge, the "Grand Canyon" of East Africa. Stop at the historically important Monastery of Debre Libanos, rebuilt since it was razed by the Italians during the 1930’s.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Island monastery on Lake Tana.

Day 03 Bahar Dar
Visit the Marketplace in Bahar Dar. Continue with a boat tour of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and visit ancient island monasteries.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Gondar.

Day 04 Bahar Dar - Gondar
Depending on the season,morning drive to see the Blue Nile Falls. Return to Bahar Dar for lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Gondar, north of Lake Tana, stopping at the village of Awra Amba.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Debre Birhan Selassie

Day 05 Gondar
Visit the remote ruins of Kuskuam, built for Empress Mentewab in the 1700’s. 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.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Simien Mountains National Park

Day 06 Gondar - Simien Mountains
Drive to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take in the spectacular scenery and spot wildlife.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Gelada in Simien Mountains National Park

Day 07 Simien Mountains - Axum
Take a scenic drive to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Frequent stops at viewpoints along the way. Arrive in Axum late afternoon.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

The north Stele field in Axum.

Day 08 Axum
Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum. Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Saturday basket market in Axum

Day 09 Axum - Hawzein
Drive to the Ghiralta Lodge passing the Adwa battlefield, site of Emperor Menelik II's 1895 victory over the invading Italians. Visit the 2,500 year old ruins of Yeha, an ancient moon temple. Continue past Adigrat and visit Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos, two of the Tigray region's oldest and finest rock churches.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Tigray Ethiopia

Day 10 Hawzein - Mekele
Visit more of Tigray's remote and ancient rock-hewn churches: Abraha Atsbeha, dating from the 10th century; the beautiful Wukro Chirkos; and Medhane Alem Kesho. Drive to Mekele..
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

A tunnel connects two groups of churches in Lalibela

Day 11 Mekele - Lalibela
Drive on a scenic road to Lalibela. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the sunset from the terrace.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Monolithic church in Lalibela.

Day 12 Lalibela
Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi- monolithic structures were 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.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Painting of Jesus, Lalibela

Day 13 Lalibela
For the morning we have two choices: Take a morning hike with mules to Mount Asheton, with its 13th century rock-hewn monastery and great views of the town; - OR - Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Following either option above continue with tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

A merchant at the Dire Dawa market wears a traditional sun screen lotion

Day 14 Lalibela - Addis Ababa - Dire Dawa
Fly to Dire Dawa via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines. Visit Dire Dawa’s very large and vibrant market.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Mosque inside Harar's walled city.

Day 15 Harar
Drive to Harar. Stroll through the 16th century walled city of Harar, the fourth most important city in the Islamic World. See the home of Arthur Rimbuad, renowned French poet who worked and lived in Harar as a "gun- runner" during the 19th century. Visit the National and Harari museums; the house of Ras Mekonnen (father of Haile Selassie); and a traditional Harari home. In the evening see the "Hyena Man” feeding the hyenas that gather nightly outside the town.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 16 Harar - Addis Ababa
Morning visit to the colorful Islamic Market. Drive from Harar to Dire Dawa with optional stop at Ethiopia’s largest “chat” market. From Dire Dawa, fly to Addis Ababa. Enjoy a Farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure if needed.
(B, L, D)

End of Tour
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.)

For Information and Pricing: HN15