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 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 Sheromeda traditional cloth market. Visit the Mercato or the Sholla Market, two of Addis Ababa's main markets.

Overnight Hotel - (B, L, D)

The Blue Nile Falls near Bahar Dar

Day 02 Addis Ababa - Debre Markos
Drive to Debre Markos via the Blue Nile Gorge, the "Grand Canyon" of East Africa. You will pass many farms in these highlands growing "tef," a grain that is the key ingredient of injera. Stop at the historically important Monastery of Debre Libanos, rebuilt since it was razed by the Italians during the 1930's. Near the turnoff to to Debre Libanos, look for "Geladas." Marked by the bright red patch on their chest, these primates are endemic to Ethiopia.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Island monastery on Lake Tana.

Day 03 Debre Markos
Continue driving to Bahar Dar. Following lunch in Bahar Dar, take an excursion to the Blue Nile Falls (“Tis Abey.”)

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Gondar.

Day 04 Bahar Dar
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. View hippos and Lake Tana’s tremendous variety of birdlife. In the afternoon visit the Bahar Dar Market. End the day with a sunset visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile River.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Debre Birhan Selassie

Day 05 Bahar Dar - Gondar
Drive 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.)

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. The park has some of the highest peaks in Africa (Ras Dashen - 4,550m - is the fourth highest on the continent). Hike in the park at your own pace accompanied by a National Park guide and scoutn. While taking in the spectacular scenery look for wildlife such as the Gelada, a primate endemic to Ethiopia with bright red markings on the chest.

Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)

Gelada in Simien Mountains National Park

Day 07 Simien Mountains - Axum
Take a scenic drive from the Simien Mountains to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire which included much of present day Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen. Axum is where Christianity was first introduced to Ethiopia in the 4th century and proclaimed the official state religion in 330AD. Axum was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. 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. Note the tallest standing (24 meters) obelisk which is supported by cables. During the invasion by Benito Mussolini this stone was cut into sections and shipped to Rome were it was reassembled in the city center. Italy returned this national treasure to Axum in 2005. Next to the stelae fields, visit the impressive Archeological 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 archeological sites as time permits.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Saturday basket market in Axum

Day 09 Axum - Hawzein
Drive to the Hawzen 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. In the late afternoon, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and learn the process for baking injera (a staple food for much of Ethiopia.)

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 - Harar
Fly from Lalibela to Dire Dawa via Addis Ababa. Continue by vehicle to Harar (50 minutes drive) stopping at a coffee plantation and the area’s largest “chat” plantation en route.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Mosque inside Harar's walled city.

Day 15 Harar
Stroll through the 16th century walled city of Harar, the fourth most important city in the Islamic World. See the home of Arthur Rimbaud, 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. This is a centuries old tradition to help preserve the town’s wellbeing.

Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 16 Harar - Addis Ababa
Morning visit to the colorful Islamic Market. Drive from Harar to Dire Dawa. Fly to Addis Ababa. 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 airport for late night departure or additional hotel night booked upon request.

(B, L, D)

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

Inclusions

Entrance fees for all sites and parks mentioned in the itinerary
All excursions listed on the itinerary
Experienced, multilingual tour guides and guides' expenses
Ground transportation via tour vehicle (including driver and fuel)
All domestic flights listed on itinerary (actual flight number/schedule may change)
All meals mentioned on itinerary
Lodging for each night on tour
All hotel/airport transfers during the tour

Exclusions