Historical Tours

Program: Historical Tour
Code: MELODY_T 003
Duration: 13 days and 12 nights
Transport: surface

• Day 01: sightseeing of Addis Ababa. Arrival at Bole International Airport Warm reception by your guide and Transfer to hotel for check-in. City tour of Addis Ababa.
• Day 02: Drive from Addis Ababa to Bahr Dar 570 km from capital on the way you will visit. The Portuguese bridge, the monastery of Debre libanos and the Blue Nile gorge….Overnight stay in Bahr Dar on the shores of Lake Tana where the longest river in the world. The Blue Nile starts its journey crossing through the Sudan, Egypt and finally joins the Mediterranean.
• Day 03: In the morning you will visit the 3 ancient monastery on the islands Lake Tana (by boat) after lunch break you will drive 35km from Bahr Dar and half hour trekking you will to see the fascinating gorge of Blue Nile falls. Overnight stay in Bahr Dar
• Day 04: You will drive180 km from Bahr Dar to Gonder after a lunch break you will explore the royal enclosure which contains several stone-built castles of different emperors. The most impressive building is Fasilidas castle. He was the emperor who established Gonder as a powerful cultural and religious center at 16th century. Overnight stay in Gonder
• Day05: In the morning you will drive from Gonder to Simyen Mountain the Simyen national park is register as a UNESCO world heritage site the highest mountain in Ethiopia Ras Dashen is also found in the semen national park. The park is home of mountainous and wild animal species like the Walya Ibex and chelada baboon which are endemic in Ethiopia this is an ideal place to do some trekking to the most beautiful place with panoramic views. Overnight stay in semen lodge
• Day 06: In the morning you will have short trekking in the national park after break Drive from to Axum the road passes through mountainous regions of wilds beauty running alongside the simian massif. Overnight stay in in Axum
• Day 07: Full day visit historic sites it was once the capital of the Ethiopian kings and the oldest ancient civilization in the world and represented a connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand year. Some of the archaeological sites can give you an idea of the former high standard of civilization. Visit the famous steles, see the churches of St. Mary of Zion which contain the crowns of Ethiopian kings and other treasures and the tomb of king Kaleb. Overnight stay in Axum
• Day 08: Drive from Axum to Mekele through the state of Tigray to explore same of the less visited rock hewn churches of Ethiopia same of the most popular churchus are Abuna Yemata Guh those in the Gheralta cluster. Continue to Mekele for overnight stay at Geralta lodge
• Day 09: Drive from Mekele to Lalibela passing through the dramatic landscape of the Ethiopian highland overnight stay in Lalibela
• Day 10: In the morningexcursion to visit the first group of the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are carved out of living volcanic tuff with super architectural skill that the world has never seen, yet elsewhere. UNESCO registers these churches as world heritage. Among churches of this group Bete Medahine Alem (house of the redeemer) is the largest with 5 aisles, 72 pillars, vaulted dome and molding decoration. Bete Mariam (house of St. Marry) is the most decorated among the rock hewn churches .overnight stay Lalibela
• Day 11: In the morning excursion to Yemerhane Kirstos cave church outside of Lalibela through beautiful mountainous land scape of last region. Back to the hotel for lunch and after noon visit the second group of the rock-hewn churches; Bete Emanuel (house of Emanuel) is architecturally the finest. Bete Giorgis (the house of George) is the finest of all the churches in Lalibela for which reason art historians conclude that this church is carved at the end of the cluster,. Overnight stay Lalibela
• Day 12: Drive from Lalibela to kombolcha via woldia stopping for a visit in the town of Hayke to visit the lake and the local monastery overnight stay at kombolch
• Day 13: Return driving to Addis Ababa via Debere Berihan on the way you will pass the mezezo escapement with a good chance to see the endemic Gelada baboon also if this day is a Monday there will be short tour in the morning to stop in Bati for one of largest market in the country, including the interesting camel market. Evening Have a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis where you can taste the variety of Ethiopian meals, and see the folkloric dances of the Ethiopians.
• Then, be transferred to the airport for your departure. End of Tour.