Historic Route and Siemen Mountains Trekking Tour 13 days

Day 1 Addis Baba - Blue Nile Gorge - Bahir Dar

Leave Addis Ababa for Bahir Dar town, driving 525 km with the possibility of stopover at Portuguese bridge, the first bridge in Ethiopia made over river Nile and have a glance of Blue Nile gorge.

Overnight: Bahir Dar – hotel

Day 2 Lake Tana

Head to Lake Tana identifying the Abay river path by its muddier water compared to the waters of Tana. Harbour at 3 of the 37 Island monasteries and explore the Ethiopian Orthodox church treasures of Holy Icons and admire the church as it is the main habitat for Ethiopian biodiversity, bird life and aquatic animals including hippo which are easily seen there. Finish the day with the sunset over the lake.

Overnight: Bahir Dar – hotel

Day 3 Blue Nile Falls - Gondar

Drive 30 km to the town of Tis Abay that means ”Smoking Abay (Nile river)” to see the gigantic Blue Nile river waterfall. It becomes 400 meter wide in rainy seasons. Drive back to Bahir Dar to stay overnight in Gonder town revising the city tour of Bahir Dar. Visit the Ethiopian Jewish (Falashas) in Gonder in the afternoon.

Overnight: Gonder – hotel

Day 4 Gondar

Full day wander in Gonder town wondering the UNESCO registered world wonders of royal castles with the bath of king Fasiledes. After lunch break walk to Debre Berhan Selasie church known by its roof paintings and the Qusquam St.Mary complex.

Overnight: Gonder – hotel.

Day 5 Siemen Mountains

Drive 100 Km to Debark town to base hiking to Semien Mountains on the next day(s). Drive to the first camp site Sanka ber admire the sceneries, wildlife and birds.

Overnight: Sankaber – camping/ lodges

Day 6 Siemen Mountains

Drive to Chenek, and then trek to Buhait Ras. Observe the endemic animal Walia Ibex and Gelada baboon with their outstanding habitat.

Overnight: Second camping site – Chenek – camping

Day 7 Siemen Mountains - Axum

Drive to Axum city from Debark heading over the zigzag escarpment of Semien Mountain, viewing the amazing scenery of limalimo and Tekeze Valley.

Overnight: Axum – hotel

Day 8 Axum

Full day visit the town of Axum stelae field with the museum that tells you from the ancient Ethiopian history to present. You see stone inscription of King Ezana that states how the king and people converted to Christianity in the 4th Century and His Successors tomb of Kaleb and Gebre Meskel in the 6 century are must see places to visit of the archeological sites. After lunch break continue visit to St. Mary cathedral museum and the Sheba palace and swimming pool.

Overnight: – Axum – hotel

Day 9 Debre Damo - Mekelle

Morning drive to Mekelle capital city of Tigray region a base if you hike to Danakil Depression for next day(s). On the way divert 5 km to visit the Debre Damo monastery (only men) climb a rope to reach the monastery dated back to the 6th century, after lunch detour to Yeha small settlement to visit the 5th century B.C pagan temple dedicated to moon.

Overnight: Mekelle – hotel.

Day 10 Lalibela

Drive to Lalibela town with churches carved from rock in the 12 Century. Visit the first half of the 11 churches in the afternoon.

Day 11 Lalibela

Finish visiting the remaining rock hewn churches and transfer to airport to fly back to Addis Ababa on the way to airport visit the cave monastery of Nakuto’leab, in Lalibela and end the visit in Ethiopia attending Ethiopian cultural music & traditional food and drink at Yod Abyssinia Traditional restaurant close to the air port in Addis Ababa.

Overnight: Addis Ababa – Bole Airport to return back to your country.

Or

Overnight: Lalibela – hotel

Day 12 Desse

Drive to Addis Ababa via Desse from Lalibela over land and stay one night in Desse town to head to Addis the next day visiting Ayteyef Musuem in Desse in the afternoon.

Overnight: Desse – hotel

Day 13 Addis Ababa

Drive to Addis Ababa, go shopping and end the visit in Ethiopia attending Ethiopian cultural music & traditional food and drink at Yod Abyssinia traditional restaurant close to the air port in Addis Ababa. Then fly abroad or

Overnight: Addis Ababa – hotel