Ethiopia
Ethiopia Historic Route
7 days
Take yourself on an amazing journey through one of the world's oldest countries and be enchanted by the ancient wonders revealed along the way.
Begin at Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile and reknowned for its monastaries and churches. Among them is the Ura Kidana Meret, a Greek Orthodox church, where more than 100 murals grace the round walls of the church. The site of more than 44 churches, Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia for more than two hundred years.
The Axumite Kingdome was one of the most influential powers of the first century and a visit to Axum will reveal some of the huge monoliths in the Northern Stelae Park.
And then there is Lalibela, with its churches hidden in deep trenches or set in caves with some of the most intricate architecture you will lay eyes on. UNESCO named this a World Heritage Site in 1978 and you will be amazed as you explore churches that have been in continuous use since they were built in the 12th century.
This is a voyage of discovery not to be missed. Visit Ethiopia as a single destination, or add a safari in
Kenya or
Tanzania to make it even more special.
Visiting
- Addis Ababa
- Bahir Dar
- Gondar
- Axum
- Lalibela
This Tour Includes
- Luxury hotel in Addis Ababa; best available in all other cities
- Breakfast daily in Addis Ababa; lunch and dinner daily when outside Addis Ababa
- Boat ride at Lake Tana
- Mule ride at Lalibela
- All ground transportation by motor coach or similar with English speaking local guides
- All arrival and departure transfers
- All entrance fees, service charges and hotel taxes
- UTG Safari Delay Protection
- UTG Personalized Itinerary booklet and Take Me With You Kit
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa
Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Bole International Airport you will be met and transferred to the Global Hotel, where the evening is at leisure to rest and recover from your journey.
Overnight: Global Hotel
Day 2: Bahir Dar
Fly to Bahir Dar on Lake Tana. Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile and is famous for its many monasteries, including the Ura Kidane Meret monastery with its renowned painted maqdas. Travel across the lake to the monastery islands. Due to strict genders regulations governing access to monasteries, women will visit Entos and the men will visit Kibran Gebreael monasteries. Continue on to Weyto village, known for the skillful production of traditional papyrus reed boats.
Overnight: Kurifta Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Gondar
Depart by motor coach for Gondar, capital of Ethiopia for two hundred years. Gondar was a center of great commerce, trading with wealthy lands south of the Blue Nile, west to the Sudan, and north-east to the port of Massawa along the Red Sea. The city is known for its medieval castles and finely adorned churches. Upon arrival in Gondar, visit the Royal Enclosure, the Bath of King Fasilides, and the Debre Birhan Selassie Church, with its extensive murals of angel faces. Check into the Goha Hotel situated on a hill above the town center.
Overnight: Goha Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Axum
Fly to Axum, one of Ethiopia’s most intriguing sites. The Axumite Kingdom grew to be a great trading power in the first century A.D. and thrived for over one thousand years. The area is rich in important archeological sites. Walk among the huge monoliths in the Northern Stelae Park. Visit the St. Mary of Zion Churches, the oldest of which is said to contain the Ark of the Covenant (not open to view), and Dungur, a preserved Axumite building once thought to be the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. Also visit the Axumite Tombs and the new Archaeological Museum which features finds from current archaeological excavations in and around the city.
Overnight: Yeha Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Lalibela
This morning, fly to Lalibela – The impressive churches of Lalibela, constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries, are carved out of soft red volcanic tuff on which they stand. The mysterious churches where some lie completely hidden in deep trenches and the others standing in quarried caves are complex in architecture and concept and undoubtedly are the most famous in all of Ethiopia. Lalibela was designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. These churches have been in continual use since their construction! The most unique include Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Mokael, Bet Danaghel, and Bet Golgotha.
Overnight: Mountain View Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Lalibela
A morning mule ride to Asheton Mariam (Built in 13th century AD) the ride alone will inspire you with its breathtaking landscape and scenery. The monastery lies at an altitude of almost 4000 m on Abuna Yoseph, the high mountain overlooking Lalibela. This monastery is also associated with King Nakute La´ab. The church is carved out of a cleft into a cliff face, and the execution is rougher than that used at most other churches around Lalibela. Afternoon explore the most elegant of Lalibela’s churches, Bet Giyorgis, located in an isolated part of the village on a sloping rock terrace. This is said to be one of the most finely executed and best preserved of the churches.
Overnight: Mountain View Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Addis Ababa-Depart
Return by air to Addis Ababa. Situated at over 7,000 feet where the Great Rift Valley crosses Ethiopia’s mountain range, Addis Ababa is a large sprawling city of over five million people. Visit Entoto Mountain, the site from which Addis Ababa’s founder Menelik, descended down to the plains. Visit the two churches he built and his palace, which displays 19th-century royal attire, weaponry, furniture, and intricately designed crosses made with precious metals. Also enjoy expansive views of the city and the Entoto Mountain Range. Take a city tour of Addis Ababa, visiting the National Museum. It is home to the skeleton of Selam, who like Lucy, is an Australopithecus afarensis. Often nicknamed Lucy’s baby, Selam actually lived nearly 150,000 years before Lucy. Continue on to the Ethnographic Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, located in a palace of former Emperor Haile Selassie. See precious pieces of Ethiopian Christian art. Also, if time available have a brief tour of craft shops along Churchill Road before being dropped off at the airport for departure.
Dates & Prices
Prices Available On Request