Overview
The Historic Route is one of the greatest treasures of Ethiopia. Nowhere else in the world can you
see riches of man’s past such as those in the northern part of Ethiopia most of them are registered
by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. A history that stretches back to the time of prehistoric man the
5th century B.C pagan temple of Yeha, Debre Damo monastery to more than 3000 years old history
of Axum with the rock Churches of Tigray just prior to their cousin in Lalibela dated back from the
6th-10th, the 12th-century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the UNESCO heritage walled city of Harar,
the medieval castles of Gonder, the famous Blue Nile fall with the 13th-century painting monastery of
Lake Tana at Bahir Dar has spectacular scenery, peoples, customs landscape Riches that cover the
history of Ethiopia From the 1st early beginnings to the modern day, riches are set among some of the most stunning scenery in Ethiopia and where our people work today, just as their ancestors have done for generations. As scholars say “Lalibela represents the supreme wonder and mystery of Ethiopian civilization, Gonder it’s pride, Bahirdar is natural bounty and Harar its exotic mosaic culture and Axum stands as the fountain head of all this where civilization born and fertile.
Day 1- full day drive – Addis – Bahir Dar
The morning after breakfast meets with SET staffs (driver and guide) at your preferred departure point and time, at 7.00 am, and start drive to northward passing through the Entoto hills, after driving hundred km detour to visit the 13th century monastery of DEBRE LIBANOS established by Teklehaymanot and a visit to the 16th century bridge of Portuguese. Continue drive and pass through the amazing Blue Nile gorge, lunch break at Debre Markos, continue to drive through the beautiful flat farming land late afternoon arrival at Bahirdar, overnight hotel
Day 2- Full Day Bahir Dar- boat trip and blue Nile water fall
Morning after breakfast boat cruise on this beautiful highland lake to see the monastery church of
the beautifully decorated Ura Kidanmihret, and Azwa Mariam that allows both genders. Under the
thatched roof of the monastery, there are some distinctive colorful frescoes of religious scenes an
impressive display of illuminated bibles written in “Geez” the religious language from which Amharic
is derived then afternoon will take a scenic drive of 32 km to the little town of Tiss Abay and walk for
about twenty minutes to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. The falls is locally known as Tiss Isat
meaning, “Water that smoke”. Those who may wish to descend to the base of the falls must be climb
back to the other side and cross the Blue Nile in a boat in-order to back to the point of departure,
overnight hotel.
Day 3- DRIVE Bahir Dar – Gonder
After breakfast drive to Gonder 180 km to conduct tour of Gonder known as the “Camelot” of Africa,
nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Semien Mountains National Park in the northwestern part
of the country was the 17th and 18th century capital city of Ethiopia, which was founded by
Emperors Fasiladas (1632 – 1667) and was home to a number of emperors & warlords, curtsies and kings who built several castles and palaces around the area. Visit the oldest and the most
impressive Gonderine structure, the magnificent castle compound including the two storied palace of
emperor Fasiladas, built of roughly hewn brown basalt stone held together with mortar, the
fantastically decorated Debre Brehan Silassie Church (light of Trinity),the bath (now baptismal place during Ethiopian epiphany, January 19) of king Fasiladas and the ruined palace of Queen Mintiwab
at Qusquam, were the Scottish explorer James Bruce used to reside for sometimes, overnight hotel.
Optional Activities Awra Amba community- is an Ethiopian community of about 400 people, located
73 kilometres east of Bahir Dar in the Fogera woreda of Debub Gondar Zone. It was founded in
1980 with the goal of solving socio-economic problems through helping one another in an
environment of egalitarianism—in marked contrast to the traditional norms of Amhara society.
Founded by Zumra Nuru, who currently serves as co-chairman of the community, with 19 other
people who shared his vision, as of 2007 Awra Amba has some 400 members, and is lauded as a
model to alleviate poverty and promote gender equality in a country where women are generally
subservient to men)
Day 4- DRIVE goder – simien mountain national park-HIKING
Early in the morning Trip to Simien Mountain drives to Debark, 100Kms from Gonder, the
Headquarter of the Simien Mountains National Park. Proceed to Sankaber, 37Kms farther, which is
your first trekking starting spot, 3250 ms above sea level. Spend the day trekking around the camp
sites. Lunch will be served by lunch boxes on top of the view point; here you will see some endemic
Ethiopian Birds like wattle Ibis, and some mammals like the Gelada Baboon, overnight hotel/ Lodge/
Camping
Day 5- DRIVE simien mountain national park- Axum
Early in the morning after breakfast drive through the Semien Mountains National Park escarpments
to Axum, via one of the most scenic road of Ethiopia and the Tekeze river gorge. This trip is a trying
one, but it is the most rewarding for those who love exceptional scenery, overnight hotel
Day 6- Full day VISIT Axum-BIRTH PLACE OF ETHIOPIAN
CIVILIZATIONS
Full day visit of Axum, a place where the cradle of Ethiopian culture Christianity and the first capital
of Ethiopia until the 9th century A.D., On this day you will visit the small but rich archaeological
museum, the famous stele park, where the magnificent single block of stones erected since
3rd century, the Saint Mary of Zion Cathedral, where the original Holy Ark of the Covenant is still
sheltered, however except one guardian (priest) no one is allowed to enter in to the sanctuary where
the ark is stayed. Continuing your visit which includes the subterranean tomb of king Kalbe and his
son king Gebremeskel, 6th Century AD, the trilingual inscription of king Ezana and finally visit the
ruin palace and bath of Queen of Sheba who was the mother of king Menilik I of the 950 B.C,
overnight hotel
Day 7- Axum- HAWZEN/ GERALTA- ON THE WAY TIGRAY ROCK
CHURCHES
Morning after breakfast drive Axum- Geralta on the way visit the 8-5BC Temple of Yeha. The temple
is believed to be the oldest standing worship building in the country dedicating to god of Moon called
Almuqa, then Proceed to the 6th century AD famous Monastery of Debre Damo established by
Abune Aregawi one of the nine Saints came to Ethiopia in the 6th century in the reign of King Kaleb
to spread Christianity and introduce monastery life in different parts of the country, particularly to the
northern region. The monastery is only for men and is accessed by climbing rope to the top of the
plateau ) if you are not interested with the monastery since it is only for men and need physical
capability it is possible to visit rock churches of TIGRAY (TEKA TESFA CLUSTER) arrival to
Hawzen, overnight Lodge
Day 8- DRIVE GERALTA- mekelle-ON THE WAY TIGRAYR ROCK
CHURCHES
Morning after breakfast head to the Geralta cluster to visit the rock churches of Tigray dated back
from the 6-9th century established by the nine saints who came from Syria during the time of Kaleb
and Gebremeskel kings of the Axum dynasty, the rock churches are carve on the top of mountain
façade today you will visit the rock churches namely Mariam Korkur in the morning and afternoon
ABUNE YEMATA – The most difficult to ascend but worth to see the surrounding mountains from
the top of the cliff, after that continue drive to Mekelle on the way more rock churches of Abrehawe
Atsbha and finally to Wekro Cherkos. Finally drive to Mekelle, overnight Hotel
Day 9- FULL DAY DRIVE mekelle- LALIBELA
Morning after breakfast drive Mekele- Lalibela a full day Drive to Lalibela passing through
outstanding chains of Mountain via Weldia admiring the landscape and the people on the way picnic
lunch will be served, overnight hotel
Day 10- Full DAY EXPLORE THE 8TH WONDERS OF WORLD
LALIBELA
Full day at Lalibela visiting the brilliant feats of engineering and architectures, are often by many
referred as the “8th wonder of the world” which is exceptional to find eleven rock hewn churches of
such master craftsmanship in one place. In this morning among the eleven remarkable rock hewn
churches built by king Lalibela in the late 12th and 13th century A.D, you will visit the first cluster of
churches that represents the earthly Jerusalem. After lunch break you will visit the second cluster of
churches, which represents the heavenly Jerusalem, finally visit the most beautiful and fascinating
monolithic cruciform church of Saint Gorge, late afternoon Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony and
honey wine, overnight hotel
Day 11 – DRIVE LALIBALA- kombelcha
Morning after breakfast drive Lalibela- Kombelcha After an early breakfast, leave Lalibela en route
visit the monastery of Nakutolab- a cave church and proceed to Kombelcha on the way visit HIKE
STEPHANOS monastery again open only for men with an outstanding lake side view of the
monastery, overnight hotel.
Day 12- DRIVE kombelcha- AWASH- PM GAME DRIVE
Early morning after breakfast drive Kombelcha to Awash via scenic landscape of North Shewa
where you can see the northern rift valley escarpment, possibly depending on the day visit the Bati
market on Monday with the Afar, Amhara, Argoba and Oromo tribes’ late afternoon arrivals at Awash
National Park and Some Game Drive, overnight hotel/ lodge/ camping
DAY 13- DRIVE AWASH – HARAR ON THE WAY AWEDAY CHAT
MARKET
Early morning more game drive in the park for more wildlife and enjoy the waterfall then, start driving
eastward to Harar passing through eastern green highlands – beautiful countryside and peoples
carry their goods on the head, on the way Awaday CHAT market before arriving to Harar. Late
afternoon arrival at Harar, overnight Hotel
DAY 14- FULL DAY EXPLORE THE UNESCO WALLED CITY OF
HARAR
Morning after breakfast start exploring the 16th century UNSCO registered wall city of HARAR.
Including the colorful local market and the famous museums and holy shrine, you will enjoy visit of
the colorful market in Harar and early evening attend the very interesting Hyena man performance
where a person feed a wild spotted hyena with his hand and mouth- if you are interested we suggest
you to experience this activity, overnight Hotel
DAY 15- DRIVE HARAR- Addis Ababa – departure
Morning after breakfast start drive back to Addis Ababa passing through the Afar and Kereyu ethnic
group then drive back late afternoon arrival to Addis, Finally cultural dinner with live cultural dance
performance in one of the best Ethiopian traditional restaurants. Then transfer to the airport for your
departure.
