Tour Code: ATTA 005
Duration: 16 Days and 15 Nights
Means of Traveling: By Flight
Tour Program of the Northern Historical Sites with Siemen Mountains, Tigray Rock Hewn Churches and Danakil Depression (15Nights and 16 Days) by Surfaces
DAY 02: ADDIS-- GONDAR
Early morning flight to Gondar and after your arrival in Gondar transfer to your hotel for check-in. After breakfast, you will see the church of Debre Birhan Selassie which is painstakingly decorated by a local monk and historical sites such as The Royal Palace of Emperor Fasiledes, The Quesquam Enclosure, and The Bath Palace of Emperor Fasilades. In the afternoon drive to Fellasha Villages and Scenic view and then drive back to Gondar for overnight stay. O/N Goha hotel or similar.
DAY 02: ADDIS--GONDAR--Siemen Mountains National Park (Sankaber)
In the morning drive 100km (asphalt) to Debark town then 37km (gravel) to the marvelous Semien Mountains. You will have a short stop at the breath taking scenery of Kossoye before reaching Debark. At Debark (which is 100 km away from Gondar), you will collect the entrance fees, a park guide and park ranger to drive further into the inner part of the park. From Chinkwanit, where the spectacular scenery begins, you will start your first day trekking following the abyss. You will enjoy the views and the herds of unique GeladaBaboons. Then, drive to Chenek to see the endemic Walia Ibex and the breath-taking scenery of Enatye and Imet Gogo. Here, the elevation is 3600 meters above sea level and the flora and the fauna is becoming unique. Continue driving further to Buahit to VIEW the majestic Ras Dashen-the highest pick of Ethiopia (4620meters above sea-level). You will be dropped with guides and hike for about 3 hours before you reach the lodge. O/N Semien lodge in Sankaber (3200m ASL).
Day 03: Siemen Mountains National Park (Chenek) ------SANKABER
In the morning drive to Chenek (3600masl) to see the endemic mammal, Walia Ibex and herds of Gelada baboons. You enjoy viewing the stunning landscape of Semien Mountains. Then drive back to the lodge. O/N at Semien Lodge.
Day 04: SANKABER ---AXUM
Drive to Axum through the amazing Tekezze Rift Valley en route making many stops to see the Semien Mountains from the lower valley which is really “ The Roof of Africa”. O/N at Sabean hotel or similar.
Day 05: AXUM
Sightseeing of historical sites in Axum such as the stele park, tombstones of King Kaleb, King Gebre Meskal and King Bazen and the Churches of Mary Zion, the archaeological museum and the bath and the Palace of Queen Sheba. O/N at Sabean hotel or similar.
Day 06: AXUM—ADIGRAT--HAWZIEN
Drive to Adigrat en route visiting the ancient Temple of Yeha (5th. C.BC) and farther drive to the cluster of the Tigray rock hewn churches of Petros Paulos, Mikael Milay Hazengie, Adikesho Medhanialem, Wukro Kirkos and Abrha we Atsbeha . O/ N Gheralta Lodge.
Day 07: HAWZIEN ---MEKELLE
Morning drive to Visit the Easter cluster of rock hewn churches of Michael Imba; Debre Selam Michael and Mikael Barka from the Atsbi cluster. O/N Mekelle at Axum hotel or similar.
Day 08: MEKELLE—HAMEDELA
Early morning drive to the Dalol Depression with Land Cruisers. Therefore, we will have one Land Cruisers for you and one extra for the cook, armed rangers and for road guides. You will pick two armed rangers and one road guide at Berhaile and en route will have a chance to meet the salt Caravans. O/N camping at Hamdela.
Day 09: HAMEDELA—ERTALE
Drive to Kursewad. In the late afternoon, trek to Ertale to see the bubbling magma in the night. If the group unable to trek by themselves, they can hire a Camel by themselves. The group will pass the night at the hill top to observe the active volcano. In the morning at 5:00 am, they will trek down to Kursewad. O/N Camping at Ertale.
Day 10: ERTALE—HAMEDELA
Drive back to Hamdela crossing 90 Km desert sand road. O/N Hamdela Camping.
Day 11: HAMEDELA ---MEKELLE
Morning drive to Lake Asale where you meet people extracting the bar salt from the salt plain. Bar Salt used as a currency in the 18th C. Ethiopia and Asale was the center for curving bar salt as equal to minting coins. In the afternoon, drive to the Dalol Depression which is the lowest depression on Earth and the landscape covered by colorful phosphate. Then drive to Mekele along the scenic route and enjoying the Caravans on the road. O/N Mekelle at Axum hotel or similar.
Day 12: MEKELLE—LALIBELA
Drive to Lalibela through the scenic country side through Woldiya town . O/N at Mountain View hotel or similar.
Day 13: LALIBELA
Full day Visit of Lalibela brings you to yet more wonder – The 3 group rock-hewn churches (12 rock-hewn churches). O/N Roha Hotel or similar.
Day 14: LALIBELA (Excursions @ Asheten Mariam or Naacute Leab Church)
OPTION I
In the morning, after an early breakfast trek (half way mule or horse ride) to the 13th c rock hewn monastery of Asheten Mariam (over 9,800 feet or 3000 meters high). It is about 8km from Lalibela. The road is very steeply looked like a twisted rope hugged on the wall but very beautiful scenery with a rewarding experience. You hike from 1 - 1 and half hours or on horse ride. O/N Roha hotel or similar.
OPTION II
In the morning drive 6km outside of Lalibela town to visit the cave (rock-hewn churches) of Na acute Leab church. The monastery is named after its constructor, the nephew and successor of King Lalibela. Then drive back to Lalibela town then drive back and visit the city and livelihood of the Lalibela people. O/N Roha hotel or similar.
DAY 15: LALIBELA---KOMBOLCHA
Drive to Kombolcha via Woldia and Dessie, en route visiting Genete Mariam Rock Hewn Church. O/N at Sunny Side Hotel or similar.
DAY 16: KOMBOLCHA —ADDIS
Drive to Addis Ababa through the eastern Mountain ranges and reach in Addis. O/N Addis Ababa.
