5 Days Historic Route

Day 01   Addis Ababa – Bahar Dar

Flight from Addis to Bahirdar, Take a boat trip on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula. We will visit two of the following monasteries: Ura Kidane Mehiret, Azwa Maryam, Mehal Zege Giorgis, and Bete Maryam. End the day with a sunset visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile River.

​Day 02   Bahar Dar – Gondar

Drive through the countryside to Gondar.  Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian kings beginning in the early 17th century.  Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty empire.  Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.

Day 03   Gondar – Lalibela

Flight from Gondar to Lalibela, Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  These groups of eleven monolithic churches were carved directly into the stone mountainside at least 800 years ago.  This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings.

Day 04   Lalibela – Axum

Fly to Axum on Ethiopian Airlines. Tour the ancient stele fields, standing for 2000 years.  Visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum.  See St. Mary Tsion Church, which houses the Ark of the Covenant according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (no one is allowed to see the Ark.) Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits.

​Day 05   Axum – Addis Ababa

Fly to Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines.  Visit either the Ethnographic Museum or the National Museum, home of the 3.18million year old skeleton “Lucy.”  Farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups.  END OFSERVICE