Northern Ethiopia Historical Tours by Land – 16 Days

• Arrive at Bole International Airport

• Meet your Wisdom Ethiopia Tours representative and transfer to your hotel

• Rest and prepare for your journey ahead
  Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa

• Visit Entoto Mountains for a panoramic city view

• Explore the National Museum (home of “Lucy”)

• Visit St. George Cathedral

• Browse Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market
  Overnight: Jupiter Hotel

• Visit the historic Debre Libanos Monastery, founded in the 13th century

• Stop at the Portuguese Bridge and enjoy stunning gorge views

• Descend into the Blue Nile Gorge, Africa’s version of the Grand Canyon
  Overnight: Tilq Hotel, Debre Markos

• Travel through the fertile Gojjam region, known for teff farming

• Visit Tis Issat Falls (“Smoke of Fire”) on the Blue Nile

• Enjoy scenic walks and birdwatching around the falls
  Overnight: Homeland Hotel, Bahir Dar

• Travel through the fertile Gojjam region, known for teff farming

• Visit Tis Issat Falls (“Smoke of Fire”) on the Blue Nile

• Enjoy scenic walks and birdwatching around the falls
  Overnight: Homeland Hotel, Bahir Dar

• Drive through beautiful scenery to the 17th-century royal city

• Visit the Royal Enclosure and its castles

• Explore Fasiladas’ Bath and Debre Berhan Selassie Church

• Optional: Visit the Qusquam Complex, a palace built by Empress Mentewab
  Overnight: Florida Hotel, Gondar

• Drive to Debark (100 km), the gateway to Simien Mountains National Park

• Complete park registration, then drive 20 km into the park

• Take a short trek to spot Gelada baboons and enjoy dramatic views
  Overnight: Simien Lodge (inside park) or hotel in Debark

• Take the spectacular Limalimo road, descending into the Tekeze Gorge

• Enjoy one of the most scenic drives in Ethiopia
  Overnight: Sabean Hotel, Axum

Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites including:

• The Axumite Stelae Field

• St. Mary of Zion Church (where the Ark of the Covenant is believed to rest)

• Queen of Sheba’s Palace

• Tombs of King Kaleb & Gebre Meskel
  Overnight: Sabean Hotel, Axum

• Visit Yeha Temple, Ethiopia’s oldest standing structure (pre-Christian era)

• Optional: Trek to Debre Damo Monastery (men only), accessible via rope climb
  Overnight: Gheralta Lodge, Hawzen

• Visit one or two rock-hewn churches:

  • Abuna Yemata Guh (requires steep hike)

  • Maryam Korkor or Abreha We Atsbeha

• Continue to Mekelle and visit Emperor Yohannes IV Palace Museum
  Overnight: Axum Hotel, Mekelle

• Scenic drive through highlands and remote villages

• Arrival in Lalibela, the “New Jerusalem”
  Overnight: Mountain View Hotel, Lalibela

• Visit the remarkable UNESCO-listed rock churches

• Explore the first and third clusters, separated by the symbolic River Jordan
  Overnight: Mountain View Hotel

• Mule trek or drive to Asheton Maryam Monastery

• Optional excursion to Yemrehanna Kristos Church (45 km)

• Visit the second cluster of Lalibela churches in the afternoon
  Overnight: Mountain View Hotel

• Enjoy scenic mountain views along the way

• Visit Lake Hayq and the 13th-century Istafanos Monastery (men only)
  Overnight: Sunnyside Hotel, Kombolcha

• Return to Addis Ababa with stops for lunch and souvenirs

• Visit art galleries or Churchill Road for shopping

• Farewell dinner before airport transfer for your international flight
  Overnight: N/A (Departure)