11-Day Tour Of Ethiopia's Monasteries, Tombs & Palaces from Addis Ababa

City views

Highlights

Marvel at Debre Libanos Monastery and the Castle of King Fasilides

Visit the Debre Birhan Silassie church and Queen of Sheba’s Bath

Pay a visit to the tomb of King Bazen

Offer your prayers at St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept

Walk around the historical ruins of Yeha

Addis Ababa, Aksum, Gondar, Mekele, Lalibela, Bahir Dar

architectural, archaeological, historical

Private Tour

11 Days

Easy

English

Description

Embark on a journey of Ethiopia exploring the prominent monuments & attractions like Debre Libanos Monastery and Castle of King Fasilides. Visit the Debre Birhan Silassie church, Queen of Sheba’s Bath and marvel at the tomb of King Bazen. Enjoy a traditional meal & a folk dance after paying your respects at St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. Also, see the ruins of Yeha, thought to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum.

Itinerary

Day 1: Addis ababa - Bahir dar
- Drive to Bahir Dar via Debre Markos. On the way, visit the Debre Libanos Monastery and the Portuguese Bridge, the first bridge in Ethiopia.
- Pass through the spectacular Blue Nile Gorge after lunch.
Overnight stay in Bahir Dar (Hotel).
Day 2: Bahir Dar
- Take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the island monasteries, such as Kibran Gabriel (which does not allow entry for women.), Azwa maritime and Ura Kidanmihert.
- Drive to the Blue Nile Falls in the afternoon
- Drive to Bahir Dar for your overnight stay.
Day 3: Bahir Dar - Gondar
- Drive to Gondar after breakfast.
- Visit the Castles of King Fasilides and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia.
Overnight stay in Gondar (Hotel).
Day 4: Gondar - Axum
- Drive to Axum in the morning and enjoy spectacular views of the Simien Mountains.
- Stop for lunch at Adarky.
- Proceed with a drive through the Tekeze Valley to Axum, home of the ancient Axumite Empire, the Queen of Sheba, and the Ark of the Covenant.
Overnight stay in AXUM (Hotel).
Day 5: Axum
- Enjoy a full day by visiting various sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was just erected after being returned from Italy), the Queen of Sheba’s Bath, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace.
- Pay your respects at the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. Men only are allowed to enter the old church.
Overnight stay in Axum (Hotel).
Day 6: Axum - Mekele
- Drive to Mekele after breakfast.
- En route, visit the ruins of Yeha, dating from the 8th to 5th centuries BC, and thought to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum.
- Afterwards, pay your respects at the Debre Damo monastery, where the men must climb up a 15-m rope to enter.
Overnight stay in Mekelle (Hotel).
Day 7: Mekele – Lalibela
- Drive to Lalibela after breakfast.
Overnight stay in Lalibela (Hotel).
Day 8: Lalibela
- Enjoy a full-day visit to the 11 rock-hewn churches of the remarkable King Lalibela.
Overnight stay in Lalibela (Hotel).
Day 9: Lalibela
- Explore some of the churches outside Lalibela town.
Day 10: Lalibela - Kombolcha
- Drive to Kombolicha in the morning.
- En route, visit Lake Hayq, and the monastery dotted there.
Overnight stay in Kombolicha (Hotel).
Day 11: Kombolcha - Addis Ababa
- Drive to Addis via Tarmaber túnel, Gamesa Bedel viewpoint, where you can see the Great Rift Valley's low and high land parts.
- Then, proceed to south of Addis. In the evening before departure, enjoy a farewell dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants where you will see the folkloric dances of the people of Ethiopia and taste the variety of Ethiopian meals.

What's Included

Accommodation as per the program

All transfer in and transfer out services

Ground transportation by 4 WD Toyota Land Cruiser

All fuel expenses and Lubricants Expense

Local guides and scouts where needed

Boat trip on Lake Chamo

Bed and Breakfast

Experienced Ethiopian driver, driver allowance

English speaking professional Ethiopian guide

Local guides and scouts where needed

All entrance fees, Village and elders payments

What's Excluded

International flight

Any alcoholic drinks

Any videographer or camera fee needed

Laundry service

Any expense of personal items like Internet, fax, telephone

Know Before You Go

Travel Information

Topography

With an area of 1,194,000 square kilometres, Ethiopia is the tenth-largest country in Africa. It is approximately two times the size of Kenya or five times the size of the UK. From the north and running down the center are the Abyssinian highlands. To the west of the mountain range, the land drops to the grasslands of Sudan, to the east to the deserts of the Afar depression. The Rift valley Lakes dominate the South of Addis Ababa, the land. The principal rivers are the Blue Nile, the Tekezze, the Awash, the Wabe Shabelle, the Omo, and the Baro. The capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa which lies in the heart of the country at an altitude of 2300 m.

Population

With a population of about 100 million people, Ethiopia is the second most populated country in Africa. After the downfall of Derg (the military regime), the country has now a federal Republic government made up of 9 regions based on ethnicity; with regional administrations. Additionally, Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa are under federal administration.

Economy

The country's economy is based on agriculture, and about 85% of the population is subsistence farmers. Coffee (the word originates from the name of the province of kaffa, in the south-west of Ethiopia) provides the foreign currency earnings of about 50 %, the export of livestock and skins chat, oilseeds, textiles, pulses, flowers and animal feed makes up the rest of Ethiopia's foreign currency earnings.

When to come

This can depend on where you are going. In most of the country, the primary rainy season runs from June to the end of September, with short rains in March. In Southern Ethiopia, the Omo and Mago parks, the seasons are different from the main rains from March to June and shorter rains in November. (However, it is not possible to be definitive about the rains – in recent years, unseasonable rains have made sections of the Omo impassable, for example). With upgrading the airports along the Historic Route (Axum, Lalibela, Gondar, and Bahir Dar ), it is now possible to visit the north even in the rainy season. For travellers who do not mind waiting out a downpour (usually followed by brilliant sunshine ), there are certain rewards – a green countryside full of crops and flowers and the sites primarily to yourselves.

Climate and clothing

Because of the elevation, temperatures rarely exceed 250C in most of the country, although it can get considerably hot in some of the lower-lying areas (Awash, Omo and Mago parks ). Pack light clothes for the daytime, a jacket or sweater for the evenings, and a good pair of walking shoes even if you are not going trekking –pathways around historic sites are usually uneven and stony. In the Simien and Bale Mountains, Trekkers will need warm clothes, waterproofs, and 3-4 season sleeping bags. On a cultural note – Ethiopians are generally modest dressers, and visitors should be sensitive about going underdressed (shorts, tank tops, and barebacked) into places of worship. Shoes must permanently be removed before entering churches and mosques-for getting around sites like Lalibela and many churches.

Health

Visitors must have a valid health certificate for yellow fever before entry. If a visitor transited or visited cholera reported area within six days before arrival in Ethiopia, vaccination against cholera is required.

Currency exchange

Official currency: 1 birr cents

Bank Hours: open from 08:30 in the morning to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and half-day on Saturdays. However, banks at Addis Ababa Hilton and Sheraton Hotels are open daily, including holidays from 0600-2300 hours. You can also cash visas & Master Card at the banks or use the ATM inside the hotels.

Traveller’s' cheque is best taken in US Dollars or pounds sterling, and cash is best taken in US dollars or Euro.

Some credit cards such as Visa, Master Card, American Express and Dinners club are accepted at major hotels.

Time and electricity

Ethiopia is three hours ahead of GMT(+3 GMT).

The electric supply is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC.

CALENDAR

Ethiopia follows its calendar, "13 months of sunshine,” consisting of 12 months of 30 days each. And the 13th month of 5 or 6 days in a leap year. The Ethiopian Calendar is seven years and eight days behind the Gregorian calendar. The country also has its way of telling time.

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 80% of the tour price.

Price

Adult
1 to 4	/person
Child
1 to 4	/person
This is a private tour

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11-Day Tour Of Ethiopia's Monasteries, Tombs & Palaces from Addis Ababa

Highlights

Locations Covered

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: Addis ababa - Bahir dar

Day 2: Bahir Dar

Day 3: Bahir Dar - Gondar

Day 4: Gondar - Axum

Day 5: Axum

Day 6: Axum - Mekele

Day 7: Mekele – Lalibela

Day 8: Lalibela

Day 9: Lalibela

Day 10: Lalibela - Kombolcha

Day 11: Kombolcha - Addis Ababa

What's Included

What's Excluded

Know Before You Go

Cancellation Policy

Price

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11-Day Tour Of Ethiopia's Monasteries, Tombs & Palaces from Addis Ababa

Highlights

Locations Covered

Description

Itinerary

Day 1: Addis ababa - Bahir dar

Day 2: Bahir Dar

Day 3: Bahir Dar - Gondar

Day 4: Gondar - Axum

Day 5: Axum

Day 6: Axum - Mekele

Day 7: Mekele – Lalibela

Day 8: Lalibela

Day 9: Lalibela

Day 10: Lalibela - Kombolcha

Day 11: Kombolcha - Addis Ababa

What's Included

What's Excluded

Know Before You Go

Cancellation Policy

Price

Check Availability Hide

Starting from

Can't Find the Perfect Tour? Tailor Your Dream Trip!

Create your own adventure!

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