11 Day Tours of Historical Sites in Northern Ethiopia including Lake Tana Monasteries, Lalibela & Simien Mountains
Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa
· Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
· Meet your guide and transfer to hotel
· City tour: National Museum (see Lucy skeleton), Ethnographic Museum
· Mount Entoto for panoramic city views
· Traditional dinner with cultural dance show
· Overnight in Addis Ababa
Day 2: Fly to Bahir Dar
· Morning flight to Bahir Dar
· Check into hotel overlooking Lake Tana
· Afternoon boat trip on Lake Tana
· Visit Ura Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam monasteries
· Sunset cruise to see Blue Nile source
· Overnight in Bahir Dar
Day 3: Blue Nile Falls & Drive to Gondar
· Morning visit to Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat)
· Scenic drive to Gondar (3-4 hours)
· Afternoon visit to Fasilidas’s Bath
· Explore Debre Berhan Selassie Church
· Overnight in Gondar
Day 4: Gondar Royal Enclosure
· Full day exploring Gondar’s castles
· Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi) – UNESCO site
· Kuskuam Palace (Empress Mentewab’s residence)
· Traditional coffee ceremony experience
· Overnight in Gondar
Day 5: Simien Mountains National Park
· Morning drive to Simien Mountains (2 hours)
· Check into lodge with mountain views
· Afternoon trek to Sankaber area (3-4 hours)
· Spot Gelada baboons and Walia ibex
· Spectacular sunset views
· Overnight in Simien Mountains
Day 6: Simien Mountains Trekking
· Full day trek to Geech Camp via Jinbar Waterfall
· Visit traditional villages along the way
· Encounter wildlife including Ethiopian wolves
· Picnic lunch with breathtaking views
· Return to lodge for overnight
Day 7: Drive to Axum via Limalimo
· Scenic drive through dramatic landscapes
· Stop at Limalimo viewpoints for photos
· Continue through Tekeze Valley to Axum
· Check into hotel in Axum
· Overnight in Axum
Day 8: Axum Historical Sites
· Explore ancient Axum – UNESCO World Heritage site
· Visit St. Mary of Zion Church (claimed Ark of Covenant home)
· See ancient obelisks (stelae) and royal tombs
· Queen of Sheba’s Palace and Bath
· Axum Archaeological Museum
· Overnight in Axum
Day 9: Fly to Lalibela
· Morning flight to Lalibela
· Check into hotel with mountain views
· Afternoon visit to first group of rock-hewn churches
· Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, and Bet Maskal
· Traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony
· Overnight in Lalibela
Day 10: Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches
· Morning visit to second group of churches
· See famous St. George’s Church (Bete Giyorgis)
· Afternoon: Option to visit Asheton Maryam Monastery
· Attend evening religious ceremony (if available)
· Farewell dinner in Lalibela
· Overnight in Lalibela
Day 11: Return to Addis & Departure
· Morning flight back to Addis Ababa
· Last-minute souvenir shopping at Merkato
· Day room for refreshment (if needed)
· Transfer to airport for international departure
