14 Days/13 Nights Historic Route With Simien Mountains, Tigray Churches And Danakil Depression

ADDIS ABABA ARRIVAL AND FLY TO MEKELE
Up on your arrival in Addis Ababa you will be met at the airport and start your city tour of Addis. Today you will visit the National Museum, home of Lucy and other hominid skeleton dating back 3.2 million years andMerkato, the biggest open air market place in Africa. After lunch transfer to the airport for your flight to Mekele. Up on arrival in Mekele transfer to your hotel for rest and overnight.Overnight in Mekele.( B,L,D)

MEKELE –  HAMEDELA – ERTALE
In the morning drive towards Ertale via Hamedela along sandy tracks. Picnic Lunch. In the late afternoon start trekking towards the mountain of Ertale which may take about 2-3 hours to Ertale.Overnight in Tent.( B,L,D)

ERTALE  – HAMEDELA
Early morning trek back for about 2-3 hours towards the cars. Upon arrival have breakfast and depart to Hamedela. Expected arrival at Hamedela in the late afternoon.Overnight in Tent.( B,L,D)

HAMEDELA – DALOL – HAWZIEN
On this day go on an excursion to visit the Dalol area you will see the unique formations of colors that are formed with the interaction phosphorus, salt, sulfur and various other chemicals and the salt miners that extract the salt minerals and transport them through their caravan of camels. These salt bars that are extracted were once used as the medium of exchange. Back to Hamedela and proceed to Hawzien.Overnight inHawzien.( B,L,D)

HAWZIEN -AXUM
After breakfast drive towards Axum along the way visit the Yeha Pre-Christian temple of the moon which dates to the 5th century B.C. If you also wish to visit the monastery of DebreDamo which is only accessible by the climbing to the mountain using ropes which are approximately 16 meters, a very interesting monastery which dates to the 6th century, however this monastery only allows men to visit it. After which proceed to Axum, lunch will be had in a local restaurant.Upon arrival in Axum restand dinner.Overnight in Axum.( B,L,D)

AXUM- LALIBELA
Today you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Lalibella, Upon arrival you will start your sightseeing. Visit YemrehaneKirstos, an old built-up church within a large carven. This exquisite church lies 42KM northeast of Lalibela and is situated at around 2700m. It is a masterpiece of Axumite wood and stone construction and is renowned for its interior decoration. Its beautiful wooden coffer ceiling inlaid with hexagons and medallions with both figurative and geometric motifs. You will have the chance to visit a local school.Overnight in Lalibela.( B,L,D)

LALIBELA
In the morning after breakfast you begin your visit with the first group of the Rock Hewn Churches namely; Bet MedhaneAlem, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghil, Bet DebreSina and Bet Gologota. Return to your hotel for lunch and in the afternoon proceed with your visit of the second group of Churches namely; Bet Gabriel, Bet Ruffael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanuel and Bet Abba Libanos. In the late afternoon return to your hotel for rest, dinner and overnight in Lalibela.Overnight in Lalibela.( B,L,D)

LALIBELA – GONDAR – SIMIEN MOUNTAINS
In the morning transfer to the airport for flight to Gondar. Up on arrival in Gondar drive to theSimienMountainsNational Park. The road passes over mountainous areas of wild beauty, drawing close to the Simien Massif (in Amharic, Simien means north). In the park, many of the mountain peaks exceed 4,000 m (13123 ft); the highest is RasDejen, at 4,543 m (1905 ft) above sea level. These mountains consist of volcanic masses that have been eroded away by centuries of rain. Today they have amethyst-colored peaks and deep gullies, which have been further deepened by rivers. The crevices play host to the Walya, the ibex. In the afternoon we will have about 4 hours trekking in the first campsite area of Sankaber , where we can see the Gelada Babboons and also, if we are lucky, the Walya ibex.Overnight Simien Park.( B,L,D)

SIMIEN MOUNTAINS
From Sankaber you will begin hiking following the ridge and look out over the foothills 800m down. From the ridge you will descend down into the valley and be able to view the Jinbar River plunging into the Geech Abyss. The area is also a great spot to see the Gelada Baboons.Overnight Simien Park.( B,L,D)

DRIVE BACK TO GONDAR
In the morning drive back to Gondar. Gondar was the first capital city of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more European than African and also has Islamic influences. In the morning we visit Fasilidas’ Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one, too! We continue on to the bath of Fasiledes and Quskuam Church. In the afternoon we visit the Church Of DebreBerham Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior of this church is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings. DebreBerham Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant. After this, we will visit the colorful market of Gondar.Overnight in Gondar.( B,L,D)

GONDAR – BAHER DAR
In the morning drive to Gorgora to cross Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, here we visit DebreSina Church.Today we will cross through the largest lake in Ethiopia (3000 sq. meters), home to thirty seven islands, of which twenty shelter churches of significant historical and cultural interest. The islands are easily reached by boat. The nearest monastery UraKidaneMeheret is the best known of the monasteries and has an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries A.D. Late afternoon visit Blue Nile Fall.Overnight in Bahir Dar.( B,L,D)

BAHIR DAR
Today we will visit Bahir Dar, the capital   City of Amhara region. For centuries it has been a place of commercial importance, due to papyrus canoes, and boats made by the Woyto people who live alongside Lake Tana. It is known for two main attractions – the Blue falls and Lake Tana.In afternoon visit Blue Nile Fall.Overnight in Bahir Dar.( B,L,D)

FLY BACK TO ADDIS ABABA AND DEPARTURE
Today you will be transferred to take your flight to Addis Ababa, where upon arrival you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing.Start your city tour looking down on Addis Ababa from Entoto Mountain, the capital of Ethiopia before Addis Ababa.  Here you will have panoramic views of the city with fresh air from the eucalyptus forests. After the visit, proceed down to Addis Ababa via ShiroMeda, the city’s largest market for traditional clothes. This evening you culminate with a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant with traditional music and dances transfer to the airport for departure.