Northern Historic

Meet your guide in the morning visit Addis founded in 1886 by Menelik II, and situated between 2200-2500m asl which makes it the third highest capital city in the world. Begin with the National Museum: a collection of fossils and bones of early hominids discovered in Ethiopia including the 3.2 million-years-old remains of ‘Lucy’, the oldest hominid ever found and other displays to familiarize you with Ethiopia. Lunch and visit the church of the Holy Trinity, one Ethiopia Ethiopia’s main cathedrals with a special burial chamber of the last Emperor, King Haile Selassie. And discover Ethnographic Museum inside the old palace of King Haile Selassie on the premise of the first-ever Ethiopian university.  

Dinner and overnight – Hotel at Addis Abeba

Morning flight to Bahar Dar, the regional capital of Amharan people - Boat excursion (2 hrs. boat trip) to Zeghe Peninsula - Navigate the biggest lake of Ethiopia, Lake Tana: host several important historical monasteries of Ethiopian orthodox church, built in 13th and 14th century's when the region had been served as a capital to the medieval Ethiopian kings. Aquatic birds like Cormorant, Pelican, and Eagret’ Ibis would be another flavor of the lake – Walk in between small households and the sacred, temperate, wild forest with coffee plantations which makes the area UNESCO’s biosphere since 2015 and visit the astonishing church of Ura Kidane Mihret: adored by Gonderian style church paintings, narrates the passion of Jesus and his holy mother. Discover the «mysterious» outlet of Blue Nile at the eastern shore of the lake. Dinner and  overnight – Hotel at Bahir Dar

Morning drive (180km – 3hrs.) to Gondar, served as a political center of Ethiopia for about 200 years. Gondar has now become one of Ethiopia’s largest and most impressive cities, with its walled Royal Enclosure. Lunch and visit Gondar’s most famous monuments and exceptionally well-preserved 17th-century castles. The largest and best is that of King Fasilidas. It is a stone-built construction with round turrets and wooden balconies. The king also built a remarkable bath a mile or so outside of town known as the ‘Pavilion of Delight’. The Bathhouse of Fasil at which thousands of Ethiopians celebrate Timkat festival every January. This afternoon we’ll also make a visit to the Debre Birhan Selassie church adorned with attractive Ethiopian traditional architecture and the finest masterpieces of church wall paintings, particularly the beautiful angel paintings on the ceiling.

Dinner and overnight – Hotel at Gondar

This morning we drive from Gondar to Debark- the head quarter of Simien Park, to start our 10 days trek in the famous Simien Mountains National Park. En route we’ll stop for picnic lunch on the escarpment, admiring the wonderful views of the highest mountain chain in Africa – hopefully, we will get to see Lammergeyer vultures, Gelada Baboons, and bushbuck. After lunch, we’ll take a short introductory trek to Sankaber Campsite through the breathtaking beauty of these mountains via Buyit Ras. Our days in the Simiens will be spent walking between the altitudes of 3500m & 4000m.

At Sankabar we pack up our gear and meet our muleteers before commencing the trek to Geech. After about 1 and a half hours, we see and cross the Jinnbar River and falls( particularly the impressive falls after the rainy season). After crossing the river, we travel along the escarpment before dropping down to get views of the spectacular Geech Abyss. The scenery is wonderful, and heard of the endemic Gelada Baboon can be seen on our way.

Overnight - Camping at Geech Campsite (3600m).

A spectacular day – in the morning we walk to Imet Gogo (3,926m). Situated at the end of a long ridge, which disappears on either side to the lowlands below, there are outstanding views of the gorge and mountain range. It is possible to see a vast expanse of lowlands and gain some perspective of this incredible mountain range. After a short stay here continues to walk to Seha, the other terrific viewpoint in the National park. We will have our picnic lunch and we continue to the last viewpoint, Qedadit. After some stay, we walk back to Geech campsite. The most common animal in this area is the Gelada baboon, unique to Ethiopia. Klipspringers and grey duikers may also be seen in this area but it is usually only a glimpse as they nimbly spring across the rock face. If we are lucky we might have the chance to see mammals like the Simien wolf and Walia Ibex - Ethiopia’s endemic species. We return to the same camp and enjoy an afternoon at rest.

Overnight - Camping at Geech Campsite (3600m).

We continue trekking the length of the escarpment to Chennek, which is bounded by a semi-circular ring of cliffs. After picnic lunch, we walk on the edge of Enatye escarpments (4070m. above sea level), which is another breathtaking view in the national park. These dramatic views continue all the way down to our camp at Chennek, which is the best place to see the endemic Waliya Ibex and more Gelada Baboon. Also noted for cliff-nesting birds of prey, particularly the large and powerful Lammergeyer. These birds have a wingspan of almost 3 meters and are frequently seen performing beautiful flights to get the best view of any leftover bones on the ground.

Overnight - Camping at Chenek (3600m).

We walk to Ambiqo climbing Buhit (4430m asl) Mountain, 2^nd highest peak next to Ras Dashen in Semien Mountain ranges, giving excellent views over the whole area. A memorable and enjoyable walking but hard day’s trekking of ascents and descents. After refreshment at the summit of Buhit, we descend towards Chiro Leba crossing the Mesheha River, we will reach Ambiqo and resting for the night here, before the big day to Ras Dashen.

Overnight - Camping at Ambiquo – (3200m).

In the early Rasdejen and this trek will be probably the most challenging day of our trekking in the Semien. To reach the summit, it can take up to 6 hrs. You will head up the valley from the campsite to the small village of Mizma, from where you will climb steeply upwards, eventually reaching an impressive amphitheater made up of three major buttresses of expanded rock, one of which is your goal, Ras Dashen, which is the fourth highest peak in Africa (4543m). After taking in the impressive views descend to our campsite at Ambiko.

Overnight - Camping at Ambiquo – (3200m).

We walk back to chenek and its campsite offers great views and let’s have again an opportunity to spot some Walia Ibex and Geladas in a near distance.

Overnight Camping at Chenek.

This morning after breakfast, we will walk to the parking sire and drive to Debark – lunch and continue to Gonder. Dinner and overnight,  Gonder.

A short morning flight to Axum - ancient capital of the Kingdom of Axum, which was once one of the most powerful civilizations in the ancient world. Located at the center of major trading routes between the Mediterranean and India, and it’s an important port of Adulis on the Red Sea, Axum had dominated the economic, political, and religious aspects of the region and controlled both sides of the Red Sea. Axum is also the origin of Christianity in Ethiopia and is believed to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The old church of St Mary of Zion was the first church to be built in Sub-Saharan Africa around 330AD. Its ruins can be seen in the precinct of the church compound. Visit the famous monolithic stelae of Axum, the tallest one still standing and around 21 meters high and the tallest one 34 meters, now lies toppled on the ground. However, it is still the largest monolith ever erected by humankind. The subterranean tombs, stone inscriptions of ancient Axumite kings and the small archaeological museum are also living witnesses of the ancient Axumite history. We will also visit the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba who is said to have given birth to Menelik the First, King Solomon’s son: and founder of Ethiopia’s ruling family until the late Emperor Haile Selassie. Dinner and overnight, Hotel.

A short morning flight to Axum - ancient capital of the Kingdom of Axum, which was once one of the most powerful civilizations in the ancient world. Located at the center of major trading routes between the Mediterranean and India, and it’s an important port of Adulis on the Red Sea, Axum had dominated the economic, political, and religious aspects of the region and controlled both sides of the Red Sea. Axum is also the origin of Christianity in Ethiopia and is believed to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The old church of St Mary of Zion was the first church to be built in Sub-Saharan Africa around 330AD. Its ruins can be seen in the precinct of the church compound. Visit the famous monolithic stelae of Axum, the tallest one still standing and around 21 meters high and the tallest one 34 meters, now lies toppled on the ground. However, it is still the largest monolith ever erected by humankind. The subterranean tombs, stone inscriptions of ancient Axumite kings and the small archaeological museum are also living witnesses of the ancient Axumite history. We will also visit the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba who is said to have given birth to Menelik the First, King Solomon’s son: and founder of Ethiopia’s ruling family until the late Emperor Haile Selassie. Dinner and overnight, Hotel.

Breakfast and ride a mule (or on foot/car) to the mountain of Asheton Maryam, along small villages and farm fields. The church Asheton Maryam (3050m) built by another king of the Zagwe dynasty. In addition to an exciting mule ride that passes by the farming field, small traditional villages, and superb views of the surroundings, the church is a treasure box for traditional ancient church manuscripts and processional crosses. Ride back to Lalibela and lunch at Lalibela. Continue to visit the second group churches or the celestial heaven: Beate Raphael, Beate Gebreal, Beate Merkerios, Beate Emanuel and Beate Aba Libanos.

Overnight and Dinner – Hotel at Lalibela

A short flight to Lalibela.  Thanks to the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the small city of Lalibela, named after the church’s founder in the 12th C. king Lalibela, became one of the important tourist hubs of Ethiopian tourism. The church is the second holiest place of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and is divided into first and second group churches. Your visit will begin at the first group churches of Lalibela which includes Beate Medani Alem, Beate Maryam, Beate Meskel, Beate Denagil, Beate Golegota and Beate Sinay, and are symbolized by earthly heaven.   Lunch at one of the good local restaurants and continue the visit to the iconic church St. George, a complete monolith church in form of the Greek cross.

Overnight and Dinner – Hotel at Lalibela

Fly back to Addis. Lunch and depending on the time of arrival you will have a chance to visit Merkato: an open Ethiopian market – drive around the city and shop. Cultural dinner with a traditional dance performance before your departure to the airport.