13 Nights & 14 Days Classic Historic Circuit
TITLE: CLASSIC HISTORIC CERCUIT: HARAR, NORTH HISTORIC AND SIMIEN MOUNTAIN HISTORY, CULTURE AND NATURE
DURATION: (13 nights/14 days).
TRANSPORTATION: BY FLIGHT AND DRIVE
Day 01: Arrive Addis Ababa
Arrive Addis Ababa Bole international airport meet our staff at exit gate and assist to transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel of your choice.
Day 02: Addis Ababa
AM We exploring Addis Ababa beginning with a visit to the National Museum, one of the most important sub- Saharan museums in all of Africa. The museum is home to the fossilized humanoid Lucy, as well as an amazing collection of artifacts, royal items and art. We then visit the Ethnological Museum, which was the former palace of Haile Selassie.
PM we take time in St. George Cathedral, built in 1896 by Emperor Menelik and then continue on to Holy Trinity Cathedral. Holy Trinity Cathedral is the largest Orthodox Church in Ethiopia and has survived through many historical periods, as its interesting architecture can attest to. The Cathedral contains the thrones and the tombs of the emperor and some of the royal family. Visit Merkato, the largest open air market in Africa. Overnight at hotel of your choice.
Day 03: Addis Ababa / Bahir Dar (Flight)
This morning we take a 55 minute flight to north, to Bahir Dar. Bahir Dar is a pleasant city located on the shores of Lake Tana which is the meaning of the name city itself, the largest lake in Ethiopia. After checking into our hotel,
AM we driving to the Blue Nile Falls, which is known locally as Tisisat (smoking water) falls: 400 m wide, the water plunges for 45 m, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. We climb down to the base of the falls for an up-close look and then ascend to the other side. This round trip will take about 1hour walking. Then we cross the Blue Nile by boat to return to the point of departure. PM we explore the city of Bahir Dar, including the market and the Bezawit Palace (formerly the Palace of Haile Selassie). A short drive from our hotel, we visit a Weyto Village, where we will see the production of the papyrus boats known as Tankwas. Overnight: Tana Hotel or Summer Land Hotel, Bahir Dar.
Day 04: (WED): Gondar Drive
AM drive to Gondar through the beautiful and fertile countryside on the Lake Tana side on new paved road, it takes 2:30hours to Gondar on the way visit the villages along the road, meet people at their field and photo stop for beautiful scenery then proceed to Gondar and Check in hotel.
PM our visiting the city will begin from Fasiladas Gibi, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more European than African and also has Islamic influences. We will visit Fasiladas' Palace which is probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one, too! We continue on to the bath of Fasiladas. Then we continue to visit the Church Of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior of this is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings. Debre Berhan Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Later on, we will visit the colorful market of Gondar. Overnight at Goha/ Taye Balay/Qwara hotel at Gondar.
Day 05: Gondar / Simien Mountains (Drive)
Today we drive to the jagged panorama of the Simien Mountains National Park, famed for its exclusive landscape, afro-alpine vegetation and unique wildlife, where you may spot the endemic Wallia Ibex, Gelada Baboon troops, Bushbuck, Klipspringer. However, as we stay for one night we will enjoy the dramatic scenery and a troop friendly Gelada Baboon at very close distance and Birds such as Chestnut-napped Francolin, Mountain Thrush, Thick-billed Raven, Lammergeyer, White-collared Pigeon and Ankober Serin just to name a few. Arrive to the lodge check in, have lunch, after short rest, for those who interest in hike/Trek we will trek for about 2-3 hrs on the edge and beautiful escarpment to view the beautiful and green valley, wondering the long day eating and grooming of Gelada Baboon families and then trace back to the Lodge. Overnight Semien Lodge.
Day 06: Axum
Continuing on to Axum the capital of the Axumite Kingdom, who accepted Christianity at the beginning of 4th century and where the 'Moses' Ark of covenant is found. Driving the zigzag roads to Adi Arkay village leading into the Tekeze Valley with its Baobab trees, birds such as Hunterfs Sunbird, Nile Valley Sunbird, Rock Buntings, Superb Starling and more can be found.Overnight Yeha/Remhai Hotel at Axum.
Day 07.
Axum, the legends narrated in the Kebre Nagast (Book of Kings) recount how the city of Axum as early as the 10th century B.C was already the city in which the Queen of Sheba resided. It is recounted that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant to Axum and it remains there to this day, preserved in a sanctuary. Famous long before the time of Christ, Axum was the capital of the long Axumite reign, one of the oldest African empires, and represented a crucial connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. A visit is organized to the steles: granite monoliths dating from pre-Christian times and decorated with symbolic engravings. In ancient times, there were seven stelaes, the one in Rome – Mussolini brought it there during Italyfs occupation of Ethiopia was return to Axum and re-erected in its original place in 2004 . There is also a visit to the church of Saint Marry of Zion (Tsion), which contains the crowns of Ethiopian kings and other treasures.
Overnight at Yeha/Remhai hotel.
Day 08: Drive to Mekelle
Today we drive to Mekele the capital of the province of Tigray, stopping on the way at Adwa historic mountains, Debre Damo Monastery is closed to women, Adigrat, Abreha-Wa Atsbeha Rock Hewn church and the Negashi Mosque, oldest and considered the first in Ethiopia. At Myshinkurti it may be possible to spot the endemic Harwood’s Francolin, Erlanger’s Lark, Cisticolas, Fiscals and more. Overnight Axum Hotel at Mekelle.
Day 09: Drive Lalibela via Korem- Sekota
Drive to Lalibela through beautiful mountain scenery via Korem-Sekota on the way visit the cave Church of Yemrehane Kristose Cave Church which is believed that had been built by the Elder brother of Lalibela and was the first church in that area and visit the Agaw and Amhara people at their village. Arrive at Lalibela Overnight Roha/Mount View/Tikul hotel at Lalibela.
Day 10: Lalibela full day church visiting
The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century and are carved out of the pink tuff rock; they have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each church (Bet) has a unique architectural style; all are superbly carved and most of them are decorated with well-preserved paintings. The entire city may be described as a sculpture dedicated to the glory of God.
AM is dedicated to visiting the first group of churches, known as the Northern Group of Churches. Bet Medihan Alem is the largest, supported by 72 pillars and houses the 7kg (15 lbs) gold Lalibela Cross. We go through a tunnel from Bet Medihan Alem to Bet Mariam, in which there is a pillar; it is said that Jesus Christ leaned against this pillar when he appeared in a vision to King Lalibela. Bet Mariam also contains fabulous carvings of various birds and animals. We also visit Bet Danagel; a chapel built in honor of martyred nuns. Bet Golgotha and Bet Mikael are twin churches and many believe that a visit to Bet Golgotha. The twin churches also contain many important religious items and some of the best examples of early religious art in the country. The last church we visit today is Bet Georges, one of the more recent churches and best preserved. We walk back to our hotel and on the way back if time allows, we will have stops at the souvenir shops and around the city center.
PM we will visit the Eastern Rock Churches. Bet Amanuel is one of the most beautifully carved churches in Ethiopia in the Axumite style. Bet Merkorios has a wonderful painting of The Three Wise Men, which dates back to the 15th century A.D. We also stop to see Bet Abba Libanos and Bet Gebrieal-Reafael, which might have once been the home of the royal family before becoming a church. This afternoon, we visit the Nakuto La'ab Rock Hewn Church, built under a natural cave. Tonight, we have a special treat, participating in The Coffee Ceremony, a ceremony of hospitality in Ethiopia.
Overnight Roha/Mount View/Tikul hotel at Lalibela.
Day 11: Lalibela / Addis Ababa (Flight)
we take a flight back to Addis Ababa this morning. After lunch, we enjoy a free afternoon; you may want to visit one of the many museums or the interesting Merkato or have a free time for shopping.
Overnight at hotel of your choice
Day 12: Addis Ababa / Dire Dawa (Flight)
Today we fly from Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa, then drive to Harar (50Km) in Dire Dawa. We will visit the railway that links Addis Ababa to Djibouti, which was built at the beginning of the 20th century with the co-operation of the French government. Then we drive to Harar where the road and the surrounding fertile lands rise up the Den ego Mountains (3,000 meters above sea level), offering magnificent panoramas. The women of this region wear very bright colored clothes. Soon we begin to see crops of echatf, a bush whose leaves are chewed because they provide light stimulation. En route we will visit the Awoday chat market. Afterwards we arrive in Harar.
Overnight: Plaza/ Ras Hotel at Harar
Day 13: Dire Dawa
Located at an altitude of 1,800 meters, Harar is a labyrinth of small streets surrounded by old city walls. Its architecture reflects a strong Islamic influence. We take a walk through the old city and visit the house where Rimbaud lived. Harar was the poetfs favorite city and he established quarters there in order to trade in arms destined for the emperor Menelik. It is largely 16th century and later, but some of the mosques were founded as early as the 13th century. It was a centre for learning Koran and propagation that convert the surrounding Oromo Ethnic group in Islam and some scholar even claim that Harar was the biggest Islamic centre in the Horn Africa. Our visit will include some of these as well as some of the traditional old houses of Harar. The main sights are: the city walls and gateways, the Friday Mosque, the Museum, the Ras Mekonen House and the supposed house of Rimbaud. This evening before dinner there is a visit to the hyena men (the men who feed the hyenas). e Plaza/Ras Hotel at Harar.
Day 14: Dire Dawa / Addis Ababa (Flight)
Morning after breakfast drive to Dire Dawa and the way visit the Qat or Chat market at Awaday and then proceed to Dire Dawa visit Kefira Colorful market if time allowed you and check airport fly back to Addis Ababa, today. Afternoon is free for relaxation or last minute shopping. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner and a traditional show transfer to Bole international airport fly back home.