LLT012 - Historic Route Bus Tour
Duration: 13 night/14 days
Day 1:
Saturday, Arrival to Addis Ababa. Addis Ababa, this is the world’s third highest capital city. Meet our local tour guide at the airport. After checking in at the hotel, set out a sightseeing tour of the city of 4 million people, taking in the Trinity Cathedral and excellent National Museum, with its archaeological discoveries including the famous hominid “Lucy”. Drive up Mt Entoto, the highest part of the capital, for the panoramic view, and then explore the Mercato, the largest open-air market in East Africa, Back to hotel. Overnight Ghion Hotel.
Day 2:
Sunday, Early in the morning drive from Addis Ababa to Kombolcha on the route you will visit the weekly Sunday Market at Sembete, afternoon enjoy the scenery on your journey late in the afternoon arrive at Kombolcha.. Overnight at Kombolcha Sunnyside Hotel.
Day 3:
Monday, Morning drive to the Heyk Estifanos monastery then proceed to Bati the biggest market in the north of Ethiopia here you will see the different ethnic group coming form different part the surrounding area. Afternoon drive to woldia. Overnight Woldia Lal Hotel.
Day 4:
Tuesday, Morning drive to Lalibella, on your journey you will encounter the mountainous route to the Northern Ethiopia. Afternoon arrive at Lalibela to see its remarkable 12th century churches which King Lalibela had excavated out of solid bedrock – 11 of them, and now officially registered as world wonders. “Truly, the wonder of Africa”. Overnight Lal Hotel.
Day 5:
Wendsday, Morning after breakfast visits the first group (consisting of 6 rock-hewn churches to the north); as the churches are still in use, shoes have to be removed, and dress modest. afternoon, make a visit to the second group of Lalibela churches (consisting of 4), and the third group consisting of only one, but the most beautiful (“Lalibela’s masterpiece”) - the monolithic cruciform church of Bet Giyorgis (St. George); “It is a 15m-high three-tiered plinth in the shape of a Greek cross”. Overnight Lal Hotel.
Day 6:
Thursday, Early in the morning drive from Lalibela to Mekele on the way passes though the Sekota massive. One of the best mountainous scenery in Ethiopia. Overnight Mekele Hitop Hotel.
Day 7:
. Friday, Today you will have a long journey from Mekel to Axum on your journey will visit the 6th Century Debre Damo monastery which is allowed for male only then proceed to Yeha temple the oldest temple in the Ethiopia late in the afternoon arrive at Axum. Consular HOTEL.
Day 8:
Saturday, To Axum, one of the oldest cities in the world. (World Heritage sites by UNESCO in 1980 the city founded by the Axumites more than 2500 years ago, and one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient world. It reached its peak around 200 BC, and was Christianized by Greek missionaries (Saints) in the 4th century. In a busy morning of sightseeing, explore the tombs of various emperors (1st to 6th centuries AD), see the extraordinary obelisks (or Stelae) brought from a quarry 4 km away, the biggest one weighing 517t, and visit the Church of St Mary of Zion in which the Arc of the Covenant is deposited. After lunch in the hotel, drive to Gugit to see the rock carved lion and visit the ruins of the Palace of the Queen of Sheba. Stay 1 night: Consular Hotel, Axum. (B, L, D).
Day 9:
Sunday, Drive from Axum to Gondar via Tekeze Gorge on the route you will see dramatic Semien Mountains from the view points (World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1978) Lunch will be served in lunch boxes on top of the main view point late in the afternoon arrive in Gonder. Overnight. Overnight Taye Belay Hotel.
Day 10:
Monday Morning tour in Gonder (World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979), population 210,000, at 2210m. start the exploration of the 17th century city which was the country's capital dating from the Reign of Fasiledes from 1632; at that time Gonder had become the second largest city in Africa after Cairo. Impressive medieval castles and palaces were built by various emperors over the course of 236 years and have given Gonder the title of the “Camelot of Africa”. Visit the palaces, residences and baths of Fasiledes which became UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1979. Then visit the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity), which is located at the summit of a hill; “this is one of the most stunning churches in the nation” (LP). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos. A high stone wall with 12 round towers, representing the 12 Apostles, surrounds the church compound. Lunch will be in Gonder then drive to Bahir Dar for Overnight. Overnight Summerland Hotel.
Day 11:
Tuesday, Morning travel by coach to the village of Tisissat about 35 km away, to see the “Smoke of the Nile”, the famous Falls of the Blue Nile which flows out of Lake Tana. “The gentle river pours over the side of a sheer chasm and explodes into a melange of mists and rainbows before continuing on its tumultuous path to Khartoum where it finally gets to kiss the White Nile” (LP); the falls are 400 metres wide, and drop 42 metres, and they are the largest falls in Africa after the Victoria Falls in SW Africa. Lunch at Bahir Dar Afternoon Boat trip on Lake Tana lake Tana, start a half day boat journey on the way to Bahir Dar on your route you will visit the church of Urakidane Mehret, Mahal zeghie Gyorgis, Asua Mariam. Then back Hotel for Overnight. At Summerland Hotel.
Day 12:
Wednesday: Morning visit the twon of Bahri Dar then dirve to Debre Markos for overnight on the way visit the interesting area of the Zengena Lake. Overnight Debre Markos Noc hotel.
Day 13:
drive from Debre Marekos to Addis on the way visit the Blue Nile gorge on of the longest Gorge in Ethiopia also you will visit the Debre Libanos monastery late in the afternoon arrive at Addis Ababa. Overnight Ghion Hotel.