Tour overview
This 7 days trip will start and end in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia and center for the African continent. This is a great itinerary that visits the very best of the Northern Ethiopia Historic Circuit whilst offering hidden treasures and includes several UNESCO world heritage sites.Travel to Ethiopia and discover a beautiful country and explore the hidden treasures. It’s an incredible combination of history, tradition, culture and nature. You will discover fascinating places and beautiful scenery on this journey across the heart of Ethiopia’s countryside. Ethiopia is a land of spectacle, of amazing natural scenery and wildlife as well as impressive man-made structures.
This trip takes you deep into human history. The discovery begins in Addis Ababa with a panoramic escape to Mt. Entoto and an important stop at the National Archaeological Museum, home of the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy, the world’s oldest hominid. Continue to the north and first to the giant obelisks that rise out of Axum, also home of the Ark of the Covenant and a place to discover archaeological treasures ; The amazing rock-hewn churches, hidden crypts and grottoes in Lalibela (which is considered to be the 8th wonder of the world), The 500-year-old monastery islands of Bahirdar on Lake Tana and taking in views of the Blue Nile and its fall; The elegant castles of Gondar; The majestic geological formations of the Simien Mountains (meeting red-chested Gelada baboons). You’ll be sure to taste the country’s famous coffee and delectable cuisine, and meet the genuine and friendly people along the way. This is an adventure like no other.
Download pdf brochureDay 1:- Arrive in Addis Abeba Ethiopia & City Tour
Welcome to Ethiopia! Arrive at Addis Abeba bole international airport. Here you will be greeted by your tour guide or driver from Memento Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to hotel. If your arrival is early morning, after a leisurely morning rest and relax you will spend the afternoon on a site seeing of Addis Abeba. Established by Emperor Menelik II 1887 Addis Abeba or ‘New flower’ in Amharic, is relatively young city full of contrasts. This city tour includes, The National Museum which houses the country’s historic treasures & the famous ‘Lucy”, The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Ethiopian main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor: Drive up to Mount Entoto to have a panoramic view of the city and end the tour with Merkato, one of the largest open air markets in Africa.
Overnight: Addis Abeba.
Day 2:- Fly to Aksum & Discover the Ancient Capital of the Aksumite Kingdom
This morning after breakfast catch a flight to Aksum, the birth place of Ethiopian civilization, and discover the incredible historical and Archaeological sites of this ancient city. Aksum was once the capital of the kingdom of Aksum, Africa’s oldest empire, which lasted from 1 AD to 700 AD and grew to rank among the most powerful and civilized kingdoms of the ancient world. Today first you will visit the famous monolithic Stelae filed of Aksum. The filed is home to over 100 stelas, which, the largest one measuring 33 meters & weighing 517 tones, are carved from a single piece of granite and are often elaborately decorated. Then visit the church of St. Mary of Zine, which is believed to be the first church to be built in Sub-Saharan Africa and home to the original Ark of the Covenant. You will also visit the Archaeological Museum, the Ruined Palace of Queen of Sheba and different Toms of Kings.
Overnight: Aksum
Day 3: Fly from Aksum to Lalibela & Explore the 11 Rock Churches of King Lalibela
In the morning transfer to Aksum airport for a short Scenic flight to Lalibela. Up on arrival at Lalibela airport you will meet your Guide and transfer to your accommodation. You will spend the day exploring one of the world’s most remarkable historic sites. The 11 rock churches of Lalibela are believed to be built 900 years ago by Saint King Lalibela. These elaborate edifices are each carved by hand entirely out of a single block of living granite rock and considered as ‘8th Wonders of the World’, ‘Jerusalem of Africa’ and ‘Petra of Africa’. It is a deeply spiritual place and UNESCO world heritage site. These churches are divided into two groups. The first group symbolizes Earthly Jerusalem while the second represents Heavenly Jerusalem.
Overnight: Lalibela.
Day 4: Flight from Lalibela to Gondar & Explore the Imperial Capital
After breakfast you will take a short flight towards Gondar. Arrive in Gondar and check in to hotel. After lunch start your visit of the medieval royal capital. Located on the high plateau, Gondar was the imperial capital for 200 years and famed for its medieval castles and churches. Spend the afternoon visiting the city’s Royal Enclosure home to dramatic 17th century castles built by different emperors. These whole complexes of buildings are unique in Ethiopia and never found elsewhere in Africa and known as the Camelot of Africa. After the castles stop by the famous church of Debre Berhan Selassie, one of the finest in Ethiopia. The walls and ceilings covered with stunning ancient murals. End the tour with the visit to the remarkable Bath of Emperor Fasil known as ‘the pavilion of delight’.
Overnight: Gondar
Day 5: Excursion to the Simen Mountains National Park & Hike
Following breakfast this morning, start a day trip to the Simen Mountains. After two hours scenic drive stop at the town of Debark, where the park headquarter located, to full fill park regulations and get local guide and park scout. Then you will drive in to the Simen mountains national park to start short hike (2-3hrs) through the breathtaking scenery. Late in the afternoon return back to Gondar for overnight stay. Today you might have a chance to see the endemic Ethiopian Gelada Baboons and klipspringers. After finishing your hike spent the night in the lodge or drive back to Debark town. The Simen mountains range lies north of Gondar and many of the peaks rise above 4,000 meters, with the highest point of Ras Dashen at 4,620 meters absl. Being the fourth highest in Africa. The striking towers and formations have been described as ‘the chess pieces of the gods’. The park is home to some of the world’s most elusive animals, like the Walia Antelope and Ethiopian Wolf.
Overnight: Gondar.
Day 6: Drive from Gondar to Bahirdar & Visit the Famous Blue Nile Fall
In the morning Continue on your journey through northern Ethiopia and drive to the city of Bahirdar, a beautiful city located next to Lake Tana and capital to Amhara regional state.Enjoy a 4 hours scenic drive through the northern highlands. Arrive in Bahirdar and check in to your hotel. After lunch break at the lake side, enjoy an hour scenic drive to the famous and stunning Blue Nile fall. The fall known as “the water that smokes” in Amharic, is located about 32kms south of Bahirdar. The Blue Nile Fall measure over 400 meters wide and descends 48 meters in full flood. You can take a longer scenic walk (1.5kms) or a short walk to reach the foot of the falls. Then cross the Nile River with a boat to reach to your car and drive back to Bahirdar.
Overnight: Bahirdar.
Day 7: Visit Monasteries on Lake Tana & Flight back to Addis & Return Home
In the morning embark on a boat trip of Lake Tana. Covering 3,600 sq. kms, this is Ethiopia’s largest lake and home to 37 islands. 20 of these islands house some of the country’s most venerated monasteries, which many of them believed to date back to the 13th& 14th century and feature superb ecclesiastical art. First you will visit the monastery of Ura Kidane Miheret on the Zege Peninsula famous for its incredible wall paintings and collection of cross and crowns.Continue to Betre Mariam monastery and then the boat will return to Bahirdar via the source of the Blue Nile. Transfer to the airport to catch a fight that takes you back to Addis Abeba. Arrive in Addis in the afternoon. Then transfer to hotel to rest and get settled before your night flight or you can do last minute shopping. In the evening enjoy final farewell dinner at a well-known local Ethiopian restaurant with cultural danses. Later this evening you will be transferred to Addis Abeba Bole International Airport for your return flight back home. Your vacation ends here.
