9-Day Historical Tour of Northern Ethiopia with UNESCO Sites

You will be welcomed by your guide upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and transferred to your hotel.

O/N - Intercontinental or similar hotel

Fly from Addis to Bahir Dar and visit the Blue Nile Falls before lunch.

In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Ethiopia's largest water body - Lake Tana (3,600 sq km) - to visit the island monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret.

O/N at hotel

Drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar, the 17th-century capital of Ethiopia.

In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bath of Emperor Fasiladas, the 17th-century church of Quskuam Mariam, the residence of Empress Mintwab, and the church of Debre Birhan Sillassie, which is famous for its wall and ceiling paintings.

O/N - Goha or similar hotel

Drive from Gondar to Debark, the headquarters of the Simien Mountains National Park. After checking in at your hotel in Debark, continue 36 km farther into the Simien Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here, visit one of Ethiopia's endemic mammals, the Gelada Baboon, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Simien Mountains.

O/N - Simien Lodge

Drive to Axum, the earliest capital of Ethiopia, crossing the Tekezze Gorge.

O/N - Consular or similar hotel

Have a sightseeing tour of Axum, including the Archaeological Museum of Axum, the famous Stele Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the church of St. Mary of Zion, which is believed to be the last resting place of the original Ark of the Covenant.

You will also visit the palace and tomb of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel from the 6th century AD, as well as the bath and ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba from the 10th century BC.

O/N - Consular or similar hotel

In the morning, fly to Lalibela, home of the 12th-century AD rock-hewn churches of King Lalibela.

In the afternoon, visit the second and third groups of the churches of King Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

O/N - Roha or similar hotel

In the morning, enjoy a mule-back ride to the hilltop semi-monolithic church of Asheton Mariam, dating from the 13th century AD.

Reaching the top of the hill rewards you with great and unforgettable scenery of the area.

In the afternoon, visit the remaining second and third groups of the churches of Lalibela.

O/N - Roha or similar hotel

Fly back to Addis and enjoy a half-day city tour of Addis Ababa, including the National Museum of Addis Ababa, where Lucy was found, Merkato - the largest open-air market in Africa - and a drive to Mt. Entoto (3,200 meters) to visit the former palace of Emperor Menelik II, the founder of Addis, and take in a panoramic view of the capital.

In the evening, you will be invited to a farewell dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis, where you will see folkloric dances of the Ethiopian people and taste a variety of meals.