Special Packages

This Northern Historic Route trip will show you the ancient civilization of Ethiopia dating back to 3000 years in Axum to the medieval civilization of the Gondarian castles. Among the 10 world heritage sites in Ethiopia, which registered by UNESCO, 4 are worth to be visited in this route. The Lalibela Rock churches (the 8th wonder of the world), the 17th century Gonderian castles (Camelot of Africa), single standing stele of Axum and the Semien Mountains National Park are acknowledged by UNESCO as a world heritage. 

Duration - 13 Days/ 12 Nights 

Dec 28: Addis Ababa 
Up on arrival at Bole international air port and met by Ghion Travel and Tours representatives and transfer to hotel. After check in to hotel, city tour of Addis. Which includes; National Museum, the home of the famous complete hominid fossil remain of Lucy dates 3.2 million years back, Mount Entoto, panoramic view point at the highest peak in Addis with an altitude of 3200 meter above sea level, Trinity Cathedral, a beautiful church with a baroque style of European architecture unique to both Ethiopia and Africa, Ethnographic Museum and Merkato (the largest open air market in Africa). Overnight in kaleb hotel

Dec 29: Addis- Bahir dar 
In the morning, drive to Bahirdar. On the way, visit Debre Libanos Monastery and the Portuguese Bridge. After check-in to hotel, journey by sympathetic African plains eventually leads to the mighty Blue Nile fall commonly known as “Tis Isat” (water that smokes). After hiking the cataracts drive back to Bahir dar. Overnight in your hotel.

Dec 30: Bahirdar 
After breakfast, boat rides on Lake Tana. On Lake Tana time has still stood and dominated by an archaic, dating from early Christian mysticism and the religious interpretations of African art are characterized by the Ethiopian Christianity, and the world’s Old Testament is still practiced. Visit Azua Mariam and Ura kidane Mihret monasteries which are rich in icon painting. Overnight in your hotel

Dec 31: Bahir dar- Gondar 

After breakfast, drive to Gondar, which was one of the hidden cities of the foreign trade area in the 17th century AD. Gondar is the site of ancient castle building palaces of different emperors constructed in the European middle age architectural style. After check-in to hotel visit the curious symbiosis of Ethiopian and Portuguese architectural representation of the Royal Enclosure which is also known as” the Camelot of Africa”, the iconic church of Debre Birehan selassie, bath of king Fasilledes which still in use for the colorful celebration of Ethiopian epiphany (Timket). Overnight in your hotel 

Jan 1: Gonder- Semien Mountains National Park- Gonder 
After breakfast, drive from Gondar to Semen mountains national park which is the most marvelous of all Abyssinian landscapes. Semen Mountain National Park constitutes many summits above 4000masl and culminates at Ras Dashen, the highest peak in Ethiopian and it is the home of the endemics gelada baboon, Ethiopian wolf and Walya ibex. After visit drives back to Gonder and overnight your hotel 

Jan 2: Gonadr - Axum 
On this day, you drive long (280kms) but enjoying very beautiful and spectacular landscape along the Semien Mountains and Tekeze Gorge. The road descends from 3100 meters through hairpin bends down the mountain side to 1400 meters in just 40kms! The drive down and back up to Adi Arkay showcases not only the immensely beautiful Simien Mountain massifs but also the people who eke out an existence in this unforgiving countryside. The drive continues through the Tekeze valley, crossing the Tekeze River, and onto Axum in the far north. Overnight in your hotel

Jan 3: Axum 
The ancient city of Axum is found close to Ethiopia's northern border. It marks the location of the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Axum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The archaeological and historical attractions in Axum include: the archaeological museum, monolithic steles, the tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskal, and the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of ancient palace of Queen Sheba. You also visit the new and the old Cathedral of St Mary of Zion and the sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the covenant. The 16th Century Cathedral of St Mary of Zion was probably built on an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest church in Ethiopia. In its sanctuary is said to rest the original Ark of the Covenant. Overnight in your hotel

Jan 4: Axum- Mekele 
After breakfast, drive through the historical town of Adwa, this is the major African battlefield. Drive to the very small town of Yeha to visit the 5th century B.C imposing ruins of Yeha’s temple. It was a large pre-Christian temple consisting of a single oblong chamber. The temple is believed to be the oldest standing building in the country. You will also visit the 6th century A.D church of Aba Afse –the church, sharing the same compound with the temple, is rectangular in shape. Continue driving to Mekele-the capital of Tegray region en route visit Rock church of Wekro Cherkos. Overnight in your hotel

Jan 5: Mekele - Lalibela 
On this day, you will have the longest drive through the rough nature of road but nice to experience along with the magnificent scenery (gigantic, ups and downs landscape). You will have a chance to visit Lake Ashenge and good for birding. Proceed to Lalibela for dinner and overnight in your hotel 

Jan 6: Lalibela 
Full day sightseeing tour of Lalibela. Lalibela, famous for its Rock Hewn churches dating back 800 years. There are no less than 1000 churches in the Lasta Region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves, but it's exceptional to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one local. This magnificent architecture often referred to as the "Eighth wonder of the world". The afternoon is also spent exploring the atmospheric subterranean complex of passages and the 11 remarkable rock-hewn churches. Overnight in your hotel 

Jan 7: Lalibala 
After breakfast, attend the very colorful Chrismas procession performed by beautifully dressed priests and deacons chanting at the edge of the rock hewn churches and the whole procession is one of the incredible event that world has to see Afternoon Visit some of the churches. Overnight in your hotel 

Jan 8: Lalibela – Kombolcha 
After breakfast drive through the highland area of Delb where you can see the dramatic Ethiopian Landscape. Stop over at Hayk to visit the 13th C monastery of Hike Istifanos on the island of Lake Hike. Proceed to Kombolcha for dinner and overnight in your hotel. 

Jan 9: Konbolcha-Addis Ababa-Departure 
After breakfast we drive to Addis Ababa. Evening we will have a fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian restaurants for cultural dinner and dances from the different ethnic groups. Then, transfer to the airport for flight back home where the tour ends.