The journey starts with a flight to Mekele, followed by a visit to Wukro’s rock-hewn church. The next day, travelers hike the Gheralta Mountains, visiting Mariam Korkor, Daniel Korkor, and Abune Yemata Gughe.
They then drive to Axum, stopping at the Adwa Mountains and Yeha Temple.
In Axum, they explore ancient sites and the Church of St. Mary of Zion. After returning to Addis, they fly to Bahir Dar, visit Lake Tana’s monasteries and the Blue Nile Falls, then continue to Gondar’s castles and Simien Mountains.
Finally, they visit Lalibela’s famous rock-hewn churches before returning to Addis Ababa.
Day 1: Flight to Mekele
We will take an early morning flight to Mekele. Upon arrival, we will drive to Wukro, where we will visit the church of Abraha We Atsbeha. After the visit, we will continue to Hawzen for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Hiking Gheralta Mountains
Today, we will hike to the Gheralta Mountains. Reaching the summit will take about two hours. The hike involves narrow paths and steep landscapes, but the view from the top of the mountain offers breathtaking sights of the Tigray region.
We will also visit the rock-hewn churches of Mariam Korkor and Daniel Korkor. After descending, we will have lunch.
In the afternoon, we will do another hike to Abune Yemata Gughe. This hike also takes about two hours but is more physically demanding than the morning hike. To reach the summit, we will have to climb a steep 10-meter-high rock, and the local guides will assist us with ropes.
Day 3: Drive to Axum
After breakfast, we will leave Hawzen and drive to Axum. Along the way, we will stop at the Adwa Mountains, a historic site where Ethiopians defeated the Italians in an attempt to colonize the country. Ethiopia remains the only African nation that was never colonized.
We will also visit the Yeha Temple, believed to have been built over 2,500 years ago using Sabean architecture.
Day 4: Axum – The Beginning of Ethiopian Civilization
Axum is a small but ancient town in northern Ethiopia, located at an altitude of about 2,100 meters above sea level. The history of Axum dates back about 3,000 years to the peak of the Axumite civilization. There are many signs of both pre-Axumite and post-Axumite civilizations.
This town is considered sacred by many Ethiopians. The Ethiopian Orthodox community believes that the Church of St. Mary of Zion houses the Ark of the Covenant, which contains the Ten Commandments.
Day 5: Drive to Mekele, Then Flight Back to Addis Ababa
After an early breakfast, we will start our four-hour drive to Mekele. Upon arrival, we will take a flight back to Addis Ababa.
Day 6: Flight to Bahir Dar
In the morning, we will take a flight to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival, we will check into our accommodation and take a boat cruise on Lake Tana.
We will visit two old monasteries, Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam, which are known for their medieval-style paintings. After the monastery visits, we will drive back to Bahir Dar.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Blue Nile Falls, a famous landmark along the course of the longest river in the world.
Day 7: Drive to Gondar (Camelot of Africa)
We will drive about 190 kilometers to Gondar. Along the way, we will stop in the Amhara region. Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia during the 17th and 18th centuries and is also the gateway to the Simien Mountains.
We will visit the castles in Gondar and learn about the emperors who lived there. Later in the day, we will visit the site of the annual Timkat festival, a famous celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ.
We will also visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church, known for its beautifully painted ceiling.
Day 8: Explore Simien Mountains National Park
Today, we will visit Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive offers spectacular scenery.
This area is home to the endangered Gelada baboon and endemic bird species such as the thick-billed raven and wattled ibis. The park also has diverse vegetation, including Hypericum woodlands, Afromontane grasslands, and Afro-alpine moorlands.
We will do a short hike in search of endemic baboons and birds before returning to Gondar for the night.
Day 9: Drive to Lalibela (Eight Wonders of the World)
In the morning, we will drive to Lalibela, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the northern part of the country.
Lalibela is known as the “New Jerusalem” and is famous for its rock-hewn churches, which are considered the Eighth Wonder of the World. The eastern cluster of churches includes Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael, and Bet Golgotha.
Day 10: Visit the Lalibela Churches, Then Fly Back to Addis Ababa
We will explore the eight churches built by King Lalibela. We will then head south to visit the eastern cluster churches, including Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael, and Bet Golgotha.
We will also visit the famous Church of Bet Giyorgis, built in honor of St. George.
After the visit, we will drive back to Addis Ababa for our flight home. Before heading to the airport, we will stop for lunch to enjoy Ethiopian cuisine and local cultural entertainment.
