9-Day Lalibela, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Simien Mountains, and Axum Combined Itinerary
Early in the morning, after breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival, you will be met by your SET staff and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, embark on a scenic boat cruise on this beautiful highland lake to visit the monastic churches of Ura Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam, which are accessible to both genders. Under the thatched roofs of these monasteries, you’ll discover distinctive and colorful frescoes depicting religious scenes, along with an impressive display of illuminated Bibles written in “Geez,” the ancient religious language from which Amharic is derived. In the afternoon, take a scenic 32 km drive to the small town of Tiss Abay and walk for approximately twenty minutes to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls. The falls are locally known as Tiss Isat, meaning “Water that smokes.” Those who wish to descend to the base of the falls can climb back to the other side and cross the Blue Nile by boat to return to the point of departure.
Overnight: Hotel in Bahir Dar
After breakfast, drive approximately 180 km to Gondar. Embark on a tour of Gondar, often referred to as the “Camelot” of Africa. Nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking Simien Mountains National Park in the northwestern part of the country, Gondar served as the 17th and 18th-century capital city of Ethiopia. Founded by Emperor Fasiladas (1632–1667), it was home to numerous emperors, warlords, courtesans, and kings who constructed several castles and palaces throughout the area. Your visit will include the oldest and most impressive Gonderine structure, the magnificent castle compound, including the two-storied palace of Emperor Fasiladas, built of roughly hewn brown basalt stone held together with mortar. You’ll also see the fantastically decorated Debre Berhan Selassie Church (Light of Trinity), the bath (now a baptismal place during Ethiopian Epiphany on January 19) of King Fasiladas, and the ruined palace of Queen Mentewab at Qusquam, where the Scottish explorer James Bruce once resided.
Optional Activity: Awra Amba Community – This Ethiopian community of about 400 people is located 73 kilometers east of Bahir Dar in the Fogera woreda of Debub Gondar Zone. It was founded in 1980 with the goal of solving socio-economic problems through mutual assistance in an environment of egalitarianism, a marked contrast to the traditional norms of Amhara society. Founded by Zumra Nuru, who currently serves as co-chairman of the community, with 19 other people who shared his vision, Awra Amba had approximately 400 members as of 2007 and is lauded as a model for alleviating poverty and promoting gender equality in a country where women are generally subservient to men.
Overnight: Hotel in Gondar
Early in the morning, depart for the Simien Mountains. Drive to Debark, 100 km from Gondar, which serves as the headquarters of the Simien Mountains National Park. Proceed to Sankaber, an additional 37 km, which will be your first trekking starting point at 3250 meters above sea level. Spend the day trekking around the campsites. Lunch will be served with lunch boxes at a viewpoint, where you may spot some endemic Ethiopian birds like the Wattled Ibis and mammals such as the Gelada Baboon.
Overnight: Hotel/Lodge/Camping in Simien Mountains National Park
Early in the morning, after breakfast, drive through the Simien Mountains National Park escarpments to Axum, via one of Ethiopia’s most scenic roads and the Tekeze River gorge. This journey is challenging but highly rewarding for those who appreciate exceptional scenery.
Overnight: Hotel in Axum
Enjoy a full day visiting Axum, the cradle of Ethiopian culture and Christianity, and the first capital of Ethiopia until the 9th century A.D. On this day, you will visit the small but rich archaeological museum, the famous Stele Park, where magnificent single blocks of stone were erected as early as the 3rd century. Visit the Saint Mary of Zion Cathedral, where the original Holy Ark of the Covenant is believed to be sheltered; however, only one guardian priest is permitted to enter the sanctuary where the Ark is kept. Continue your visit to include the subterranean tomb of King Kaleb and his son King Gebre Meskel (6th Century AD), the trilingual inscription of King Ezana, and finally, the ruin palace and bath of the Queen of Sheba, who was the mother of King Menelik I (circa 950 B.C.).
Overnight: Hotel in Axum
Morning after breakfast, drive from Axum to Mekelle. En route, visit the 8th-5th Century Temple of Yeha, believed to be the oldest standing building in the country. Proceed to the 6th-century famous Monastery of Debre Damo, established by Abune Aregawi, one of the Nine Saints who arrived in Ethiopia in the 6th century during the reign of King Kaleb to spread Christianity in different parts of the country. (Please note: The monastery is only for men and is accessed by climbing a rope.) If you are not interested in the monastery or if it’s not accessible to you, it’s possible to visit the rock-hewn churches of Tigray (Teka Tesfa cluster) instead. Arrive in Mekelle.
Overnight: Lodge in Mekelle
Morning after breakfast, embark on a full day drive from Mekelle to Lalibela, passing through outstanding chains of mountains via Weldia. Admire the stunning landscapes and the people you encounter along the way. A picnic lunch will be served.
Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela
Spend a full day in Lalibela, exploring the brilliant feats of engineering and architecture often referred to by many as the “8th Wonder of the World.” It is truly exceptional to find eleven rock-hewn churches of such master craftsmanship in one place. In the morning, you will visit the first cluster of churches among the eleven remarkable rock-hewn churches built by King Lalibela in the late 12th and 13th centuries A.D., representing the earthly Jerusalem. After a lunch break, you will visit the second cluster of churches, which represents the heavenly Jerusalem. Finally, visit the most beautiful and fascinating monolithic cruciform church of Saint George. In the late afternoon, enjoy an Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony and honey wine.
Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, you’ll have some free time for last-minute shopping. In the evening, head to a farewell cultural dinner party at one of the traditional Ethiopian restaurants, featuring dances from different ethnic groups. Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure.
END OF THE TOUR
