Northern Ethiopian
The north of Ethiopia holds some of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Learn more about the historical and natural attractions of this country below.
Lalibela
Lalibela has been a place of pilgrimage since it was built nearly 1000 years ago. Still today, this holy city brings thousands of faithful Ethiopians and tourists from all over the world to wonder at the unimaginable feat of King Lalibela and his people, who carved these 11 churches from the bedrock using only crude hand tools.
The Danakil Depression The Danakil Depression, with its other-worldly landscapes, offers a rewarding experience for those who venture out. This is the land of the Afar nomads, who trek over barren lands with their camel caravans transporting blocks of salt mined from large salt flats for sale in the larger towns.
Lalibela
Lalibela has been a place of pilgrimage since it was built nearly 1000 years ago. Still today, this holy city brings thousands of faithful Ethiopians and tourists from all over the world to wonder at the unimaginable feat of King Lalibela and his people, who carved these 11 churches from the bedrock using only crude hand tools.
The Danakil Depression The Danakil Depression, with its other-worldly landscapes, offers a rewarding experience for those who venture out. This is the land of the Afar nomads, who trek over barren lands with their camel caravans transporting blocks of salt mined from large salt flats for sale in the larger towns.
TOUR PROGRAM/ GETTING AROUND ETHIOPIA 8 DAYS
8 Days
Day itinerary as follows:
DAY 1- Addis Abeba – We will have a city tour of Addis Abeba with the visit of the national museum. We are also going up Entoto mountain and enjoy the view of Addis. Depending on time we will spend some time at Merkato – Africa’s biggest open market. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 2- In the morning we will take a flight to Bahir Dar. We will relax during a boat trip on Lake Tana that will take us to the islands Zege and Ura Kidanemariam. Lake Tana consist of a variety of inhabited islands. Most of those islands hold very old medieval period monasteries and church treasuries that can be visited. Most churches have very interesting and beautiful paintings. The locals move around in papyrus boats on the lake that are loaded with wood and other daily needed goods for the market. Lake Tana is Ethiopia’s largest lake. If we are lucky we will be able to see hippos. After enjoying lunch next to the lake we will drive to Gondar. It is a 180 km drive that takes around three hours through very nice landscapes. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Goha.
DAY 3- Gondar After breakfast we will visit the famous castle-site of emperor Fassilidas as well as the Debrebrihan Selassie church (“Trinity at the Mount of Light”) that is well known for the painting of its sealing. The buildings are a mixture of Ethiopian, European and probably also Indian style constructor. The interior of the caslte of emperor Fassilidas is told to have been very luxurious, decorated with gold, ivory and precious stones. After lunch we will head to the bath of emperor Fassilidas – another UNESCO world heritage site of the city. In the late afternoon we are going to learn about Ethiopian cooking at the Four Sister Restaurant where we will enjoy dinner at as well. Overnight at Hotel Goha.
DAY 4- Simien Mountains – Gondar After breakfast we will start a day excursion to the Simien Mountains National Park. We will receive our permission from the headquarters in Debark and collect our obligatory scout there. We will enjoy the scenery while driving through the park and do a light trek for about 2-3hrs with views of the beautiful and green valley. The Park is known for its exclusive landscape, afro-alpine vegetation and unique wildlife, where we may spot the endemic Wallia Ibex, Gelada Baboon troops, Bushbuck, Klipspringer. Afterwards we will drive back to Gondar. Overnight at hotel Goha.
DAY 5- Gondar – Lalibela We will fly to Lalibela early in the morning where we will be picked up and driven to the Mountain View Hotel. After lunch we will visit the first group of the 11 magnificent rock hewn churches – one of the UNESCO world heritages. The churches are carved out of living volcanic tuff. We will enjoy our dinner with a fantastic panoramic view at the Ben Abeba Restaurant. Overnight at Mountain View Hotel.
DAY 6- Lalibela fly back to Addis After breakfast we will visit the second group of the churches including the most famous one “Bete Giorgis” (the house of George). Historians conclude that this church was carved after the masons have developed their skills into extraordinary perfection through carving the other ones. In the afternoon we will take a flight back to Addis Abeba where we will visit a few more sights and spend the night.
DAY 7- Addis Abeba- Dorze We will depart early heading south from Addis Abeba via Butajira. On the way we will stop by to visit the village of the Gurage tribe. Afterwards we proceed to the Dorze Village set in the highlands of Arba Minch. The Dorze ethnics are unique for their elephant-beehive-like houses and their cotton weaving. We will visit their village and learn about their culture and their everyday life. We will spend the night in traditional Dorze huts with shared toilet facilities.
DAY 8- back to Addis Ababa Our traditional breakfast will be served by the locals. Afterwards we will depart to Arba Minch for a boat trip on Lake Chamo where we will visit the “crocodile market”, hippos, birds as well as other animals and enjoy the nature of the lake. After lunch we will fly back to Addis Abeba where we will arrive around 5pm.