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TRAVEL ON REMARKABLE HISTORY THAT DATED BACK FROM 3000 YEARS
Description About the Destination
BAHIRDAR
The largest city and most of the essence tourist center, which lies on the southern lake shore close to the Nile outlet. 560KM north of Addis Ababa and is connected by regular flight to Addis Ababa. Major tourist attraction Lake Tana, set at an altitude of 1,830m. Lake Tana is the largest Lake in Ethiopia, which a surface area of 3673km2 and it is also a source of Blue Nile. In addition to being an attractive city in its own right, Bahirdar serves as the obvious base from which to explore the region’s other main attractions: the Blue Nile Falls and monasteries dotted around the lake. The island and peninsulas of Lake Tana collectively more than 20 monastic churches, many of which were founded during the 14th century. Many of Lake Tana’s monasteries have fascinating treasure houses. With tourist amenities that are among the best in the country, Bahirdar is an excellent place to settle into for a few days.
GONDAR
Gondar is probably the most immediately impressive of Ethiopia’s major ex-capital. The city was founded in 1635 by Emperor Fasilidas (often abbreviated to Fasil). This fourth-largest city in Ethiopia, 740km far from Addis Ababa, It takes one and half days by car or there is availability of direct flight from Addis Ababa. Gondar’s most important tourist attraction is the Royal Enclosure, a walled compound of 17th century castles and buildings lying in the city center. It is well preserved and definitely warrants a half day’s exploration. Also of interest in the castle is Fasilidas’s Bathing Pool. It registered as a world Heritage Site UNESCO in October 1979. Of several old churches dotted around Gondar, the most beautiful is the lavishly decorated Debre Brihan Selassie Church, 1km from the city center, and regarded by some experts to contain the finest art of its period anywhere in Ethiopia. Also well worth a visit is Kuskuam Mariam, set on a hill 5km from the city center: the church itself is modern and undistinguished. Although the ideal way to explore the Semien Mountains is over several days hiking or trekking, the new road into the national park makes a full-day from Gondar a realistic and increasingly popular excursion. A more affordable alternative is the half-day trip to Kosoye viewpoint 32km from town along the semine road.
SEMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
The national park is situated about 100km north of Gondar. The entire range was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in September 1978. The dramatic mountainous landscape of the Semien National Park is home to some of the rarest animals on earth, including the Semien Fox, the Gelada Baboon and the Walia Ibex. The jagged mountain reach a height of over 4,000m, plunging down into deep gorges and leveling off into grassy plateau where it is possible to catch sight of the lion-like gelada Baboon.
AXUM
Located 260km far from Semien Mountain National Park, Axum was the center of one of the world’s most powerful kingdoms from the 1st to 7th centuries AD, converting to Christianity in the 4th century, had been served as a political and religious center of Ethiopia. Axum is widely identified and very popular with its famous monolithic stele. Axumite steles are the largest example of monolithic stone cutting known from ancient world. The granite obelisks, some of which once reared over 30m into the sky, represent huge tombstones. Some are also believed to have been used in ancient forms of pagan sun worship. The stele range from simply slabs to intricately carved and decorated the obelisks. It designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in September 1980. From the stele field you’ll probably move on the compound of the Cathedral of Tion Mariam (St. Mary Zion), where a church of that name was constructed above an old pagan sherine by King Ezana in the 4th century. Ethiopia’s first church, the original Mariam Tion church, which consisted of 12 temples, has been destroyed, most probably by the 16th century Muslim leader Ahmed Gragn. The oldest-functioning church in the compound today resembles the castle of Gondar – not surprising, as Gondar’s founder, Emperor Fasilidas, built it. There are some good paintings and musical instruments inside the church. Axum’s most famous religious artifacts, the Tabot or supposed Ark of the Covenant, are kept in a sanctified outbuilding within the compound. But there is not much chance of being allowed to see it and the entrance of the church is forbidden for women.
YEHA
Of main interesting to those interested in Pre-Axumite Sabean culture, Yeha cannot compare to nearby sites like rock-hewn churches near Hawzien. Yeha’s most remarkable antiquity is well-preserved stone temple that stands 12m high, consists of up to 52 layers of masonry, and built at least 2,500 year ago. Yeha also had a fertility cult of sorts and was once decorated by large statues of plump, deadlocked women, but these statues are now mostly housed in the National Museum in Addis Ababa.
MEKELLE
Mekelle is of little historical importance by comparison with many smaller Tigraian towns. The premier attraction in Mekelle is the Yohannis IV Museum, sited in the palace built for the Emperor by a European architect, and described by the British envoy Francis Herrison still architecturally impressive. Other relics of the Yohannis era in Mekelle are the churches of Tekle Haymanot, Medhane Alem and Kidane Mihret all of which were built by the Emperor in the 1870s. In addition to be attractive of the city there is Mekelle’s legendary market, situated a couple of blocks west of the city center, is the urban terminus of the traditional salt caravans route from the Danakil Desert. Also could have nice excursion tour to Eyasus Hintsa Rock-hewn Church, located 60km south of Mekelle, this rediscovered church devoted to Jesus has recently been refurbished with the assistance of the UK-based Eyasus Hintsa Trust. Carved out of sandstone, most likely during the 14th century, Eyasus Hintsa is impressive both for its size and unique design features. The exterior façade features five larger than round windows which are reminiscent of the portholes of a modern ship. Inside, the church is elaborately carved in the style of Axumite architecture, with six massive stone pillars topped by arched and a large domed ceiling.
LALIBELA
Lalibela is located 642km from the capital, with daily flight by Ethiopian Airlines. Through not much more than a village now, Lalibela is internationally renowned for its Rock-Hewn Churches dating back to the 12th century, which are sometimes called the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ and registered as a world Heritage Site UNESCO on September 1978. The town was originally known as Roha, but was renamed after King Lalibela who commissioned the churches. These amazing edifices were not of solid rock. With only hammers and chisels, the feat is so incredible that legend has it angels worked on the churches at night. Lalibela’s churches are divided into two clusters, separated by the Lalibela returned from Jerusalem. The northwest cluster comprises seven churches: Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael (Debre Sina), Bet Golgotha and Bet Selassie chapel. The southeast cluster consists of five churches: Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Abba Libanos, Bet Lehem and Bet Gabriel-Rafael. One of the most spectacular churches is that of Bet Giyorgis which has been excavated 12 meters down, and stands discrete from the two main clusters.
DESSIE
Situated in the northeastern highlands some 400km from Addis Ababa, the Dessie area boasts several interesting possibilities for excursion. The most accessible of these is Lake Hayk, noted for its prolific birdlife and the historic male- only monastery of Hayk Istifanos, and situated practically alongside the woldia road lass than 30km north of Dessie. Of interest to the historically minded traveler is the renowned monastery at Gishen Mariam and Emperor Tewodros’s former capital at Mekdala Hill, both of which lie along side roads west of Dessie.
Tour Code: RST/012
Title: Travel on remarkable history that dated back from 3000 years
Mode of transport: Surface
Tour Duration: 14Day/13Night
Day 1: ADDIS ABABA
Arrive Addis Ababa and transfer to selected hotel. Then visit National Museum (there is replica of Lucy, is estimated to have lived 3.2 million years ago. The specimen was discovered in 1974 at Hadar in the Awash Valley of Ethiopia's Afar Depression), Ethnography Museum in Addis Ababa University, Holy Trinity church known in Amharic as ‘Kidist Selassie”, is the highest ranking Orthodox Cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Then toy visit Merkato (biggest open market in Africa), Entoto St. Mary Church, Palace and Museum. Overnight: @ Hotel
Day 2: BAHIRDAR
EARLY IN THE MORNING Drive to Bahirdar which is about 560km far from Addis Ababa. Overnight: @ Hotel
Day 3: BAHIRDAR
Take a scenic drive of 35 km to the little town of Tiss Abay and walk for about twenty minutes to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. Visit forest around and Boat trip on Lake Tana and visit Islands of monastery of “Kibran Gebreal”, “Intos Mariam” & “Ura Kidanemihret” churches. Overnight: @ Hotel
Day 4: GONDAR
Drive 180km to Gondar in the morning and visit famous Royal Enclosure, (a walled compound of 16th century’s castles and buildings), king Fasiledes bath and historical famous “Debre Birhan Selassie church. Return to hotel
Day 5: SEMIEN
Drive to Semien mountains national park which is 122kms from Gondar, up on arrival we try to explore the nearby gorges and escarpments make a short walk around also to see one of the endemic mammals(Gelada baboon). Overnight: @ Semien Lodge
Day 6: AXUM
Drive 260km from Semien to Axum alongside the Semien Mountains range with spectacular scenery. Overnight: @ hotel
Day 7: AXUM
Visit the site seeing of the stile field, archeological museum and Saint Mary of Tsion (Zion) church which was founded in the 4th century. And visit the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Return to Hotel.
Day 8: GERALTHA
Drive to Geraltha which is about 195km far from Axum and takes about 6 hours. Then visit Yeha temple (5th c.) the oldest in Ethiopia. Meet the Tigray people, visit their village and houses.
Overnight: @ Geraltha lodge
Day 9: MEKELLE
Drive to Mekelle situated about 90km to Geraltha of about 3 hours journey. Visit some of the famous rock churches in Tigray. Overnight: @ Hotel
Day 10: LALIBELA
Drive to Lalibela which is about 360km far from Mekelle via Korem. And visit Beautiful mountain scenery and Meet the Amhara people; visit their village and houses. Overnight: @ Hotel
Day 11: LALIBELA
On this day, you will visit Rock-Hewn church of Lalibela. In the morning visit the first group of Rock-Hewn churches. This group consists of seven churches Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael (Debre Sina), Bet Golgotha and the Selassie Chapel. Return to Hotel
Day 12: LALIBELA
Early in the morning start visiting the other cluster consists of four churches (Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Abba-Libanos and Bet Gabriel-Rafael) And after lunch drive 7 km to visit Neakuto le ab, which is a built up cave church. Return to Hotel
Day 13: DESSIE
Drive to Dessie which is about 300km far from Lalibela. Then visit Beautiful scenery, mountain ranges all along the way and Boat trip on Lake Hayek for the 13th c monastery on island. And drive a few Kilometers to Konbolcha City. Overnight: @ hotel
Day 14: ADDIS ABABA
Drive 400km back to Addis Ababa. And before Debre Sina we stop for top view of the Great Rift Valley Depression.
