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This itinerary explores the Historical route with emphasis on
the Axum
Zion Festival in Axum. It covers all the sites in the historical
route
together with a touch to the Simien Mountains.
Duration = Nov 21 – Dec 07, 2012
Route= Historic Route
Price= USD 2,650 per person
Day 1 – Nov 21 - Arrive in Addis
Arrival at Addis Ababa, meet your guide and transfer to hotel.
O/N – Global or similar 4* Hotel
Day 2- Nov 22 - Addis
Full day in Addis visiting the National Archeological Museum of
Addis
Ababa- where the fossil remains of the oldest hominid (Lucy -
3.25 mil) is
kept, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Merkato - the largest open-air
market in
Africa, and driving to Mt. Entoto (3,200 meters) to have a
panoramic view
of Addis.
O/N – Global or similar 4* Hotel
Day 3- Nov 23 - Addis - Debre Markos
Drive from Addis to Debre Markos visiting the remarkable Blue
Nile Gorge,
and the largest monastery in Ethiopia - Debre Libanos Monastery
(13th
Century AD).
O/N - Shebel Hotel
Day 4 – Nov 24 - Debre Markos - Bahir Dar
In the morning drive from Debre Markos to Bahir Dar, and in the
afternoon
make a city tour of Bahir Dar which includes visiting the
popular
cultural market of Bahir Dar, and driving to Bezawit Hill to
have a
panoramic view of the town of Bahir Dar, Lake Tana, and the
outlet of the
Blue Nile River.
O/N – Tana or similar Hotel
Day 5 – Nov 25 - Bahir Dar
In the morning, drive 32 Km south of Bahir Dar to the famous
Blue Nile
Falls and in the afternoon have a boat trip on Ethiopia’s
largest water
body - Lake Tana(3,600 Km Sq) to visit the island monasteries of
Ura
Kidane Mihret(14th Century AD) and Azwa Mariam(14th Century AD).
O/N – Tana or similar Hotel
Day 6 – Nov 26 - Bahir Dar - Gondar
In the morning drive 185 km to Gondar - the 17th century capital
of
Ethiopia. And in the afternoon, visit the Imperial Castle
Compound of
Gondar, the Bath of Emperor Fasiladas and the church of Debre
Birhan
Sillassie that is famous for its wall and ceiling paintings.
O/N – Goha or similar Hotel
Day 7 – Nov 27 - Gondar - Simien Mountains National Park -
Debark
Drive from Gondar to the Simien Mountains National Park and
visit the
endemic mammal of Ethiopia - the Gelada Baboon, and the
breathtaking
scenery of the Simien Mountains. Then drive back to Debark for
overnight.
O/N – Emet Gogo or Simien Park Hotel
Day 8 – Nov 28 - Debark - Axum
Drive to Axum - the earliest Capital of Ethiopia, crossing the
Tekeze
Gorge and visiting the Lima Limo mountain ranges.
O/N – Remahai or similar Hotel
Day 9 – Nov 29 - Axum
Visit of Axum which is known for its huge stele cut from granite
stones.
The visit includes, the Archaeological museum of Axum, the
famous stele
park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the church of St. Mary of
Zion which is
believed to be the last resting place of the original Ark of the
Covenant,
the palace and tomb of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel (6th Century
AD), and
the ruin palace of the Queen of Sheba (9th Century BC).
O/N - Remahai Hotel
Day 10 – Nov 30 - Axum
Celebrate the colorful festival of the Annual memorial day of
St. Mary.
O/N - Remahai Hotel
Day 11 – Dec 01 - Axum - Mekelle
Drive from Axum to Mekelle visiting the Yeha Temple (5th Century
BC), and
the rock-hewn churches of Abreha Atsebeha (4th Century AD) and
Wukro
Cherqos (10th century AD).
O/N - Axum Hotel
Day 12 – Dec 02 - Mekelle - Lalibela
Drive from Mekelle to Lalibela through the scenic Wollo
Mountains visiting
the Amhara people. O/N – Lasta or similar 3* Hotel
Day 13 – Dec O3 - Lalibela
Morning visit of the first group of churches of King Lalibela
and in the
afternoon make an excursion trip to the nearby Cave built up
church of
Ne’akuto Leab.
O/N – Lasta or similar 3* Hotel
Day 14 – Dec 04 - Lalibela
In the morning, mule ride to the hill top semi-monolithic church
of
Asheten Mariam which rewards with very nice scenery around. And
in the
afternoon, visit the second and third group of churches of
Lalibela.
O/N – Lasta or similar 3* Hotel
Day 15 – Dec 05 - Lalibela - Dessie
Drive from Lalibela to Dessie visiting through the Wollo
Mountains.
O/N - Fasika Hotel
Day 16 – Dec 06 - Dessie - Addis
Drive back to Addis. In the evening, you will be taken to one of
the best
traditional restaurants of Addis where you can taste variety of
the
cultural meals of Ethiopian meals watching the folkloric dances
of the
Ethiopian people.