North (historic routes): Axum, Lalibela, Gondar, and Bhir Dar
AXUM
Axum was the ancient political and religious capital of Ethiopia.
As legend says Queen Sheba, who reigned around 1000 B.C. had Axum as her royal capital. Axum is also known to be the home of the Ark of the Covenant.
The area of Axum is a home to steles, all decorated in the same style, with doors and windows and astral imagery at the top.
Lalibela
Lalibela in Ethiopia is one of the sacred sites in Ethiopia where it consists of the eleven rock-hewn churches, each carved entirely out of a single block of granite.
To reach the entrance of each church, people have to descend through a steep channel cut from the rock, or pass through a tunnel from a neighboring church.
The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are located in a remote and mountainous area of northern Ethiopia.
Gondar
Gonder was founded by King Fasiledes in 1636; it was the capital of Ethiopia for nearly 200 years. Gondar is known for its seventeenth century Royal Enclosure including: The palace of Emperor Fasil, which is built roughly hewn brown basalt stones held together with lime mortar. The architecture has Indian, Portuguese and Axumite influences; the library of emperor Yohnes I (1667 – 1682) a nearby chancellery; the saddle shaped castle of emperor Iyasu I (1682-1706); the large hall or house of song of emperor Dadwit III (1716-1721), in which many ceremonies took place informer days; the long V-shaped reception and banqueting hall of Bakaffa(1722-1730), and the two storied palace of the latter’s redoubtable consort, empress Mentewab.
The Church of Debre Birhan Selassie "Trinity Mountain of Light" was built by Emperor Eyasu. The church is famous for the mural paintings on the ceiling.
Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar is the capital of the Amhara Region situated at the shores of Lake Tana.
Bahir Dar is a base to explore the surrounding areas like Blue Nile Falls, Lake Tana and the churches and monasteries on Lake Tana.
6 days / 5 nights in the North (Historic Routes) by plane
In north, you will visit history, culture, nature, archaeology, & architecture.
Day 1: Arival Addis Ababa
On arrival from International flight Marvelous Ethiopia Tour representative will be waiting at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for hotel transfer.
Depending on time of arrival, you will have city tour of Addis Ababa if you have time.
- Overnight in a hotel
Day 2: Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar / flight
In the morning flight to Addis Ababa after check in to hotel, you will have boat trip on Lake Tana, the largest water body in the country to visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret which is built in the 14th century and having beautiful paintings of scene of the biblical lore of the Ethiopian Copts and the church treasures.
After having your lunch, excursion to Blue Nile Falls situated about 30 km outside Bahar Dar town. If you are interested may hike the full route over the bridge to main viewing area, and then descend to the base of the falls and cross the Nile River by small motor boat.
- Overnight in a hotel
Day 3: Bahir Dar – Gondar (180 km) / surface
In the morning, you will drive to Gondar; in the afternoon, you will have city tour of Gondar town.
The city tour of Gondar includes the royal castle compound where different castle built by different emperors, and Debre Birhan Silassie church which is set up in the 17th century and having 80 angels on the ceiling and Bath of Fasil, found North West of the city center. In Gondar the annual celebration commemorating Christ’s baptism in the river Jordan, “TIMKAT”, the most important religious holiday in Ethiopia, is held here on January 19).
- Overnight in a hotel
Day 4: Gondar – Lalibela / Flight
In the morning flight to Llaibela after check in to hotel, you will visit the first group of the remarkably excavated churches of Lalibela that represent the earthly Jerusalem and the most beautiful church of St George said to be the symbol of Noah arc. In the afternoon, you will visit the remaining second group of the churches, which represents the heavenly Jerusalem.
- Overnight in a hotel
Day 5: Lalibela – Axum / flight
Fly to Axum, after check-into the hotel, full day sightseeing of Axum which includes: the famous stele fields, the archaeological museum, the bath of Queen Sheba, king Ezana inscriptions, the tombs of king Kaleb and his son Gebre Meskel, St. Marry Zion church where the original arc of the covenant is said to be housed, the museum, the ruined place of Queen Sheba, and Gobo Durra area where you will visit the unfinished stele which is some 4 km from Axum to the Gondar direction.
- Overnight in a hotel
Day 6: Axum -Addis Ababa / flight.
In the morning flight to Addis Ababa, in the afternoon shopping or city tour. In the evening, you will be guest of Marvelous Ethiopia Tours in one of the traditional restaurants of Addis Ababa to taste the variety of Ethiopian people cuisines and to see their folklore dances. After the dinner, you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight.
