DAY 1: Arrival at Addis Ababa

On your arrival at Addis Ababa bole international airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide from Landmark Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. After a rest and refresh at the hotel, in the afternoon your guide will take you around the highlights of Addis. Founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu, Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world at an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate. The tour starts with a visit to the National Museum to view a replica of the famous, 3.2 million-year-old fossilized hominid remains known to the rest of the world as “Lucy”. The visit also includes Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, the Holy trinity cathedral and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air on top of Mount Entoto and end the tour with the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market. Overnight- Hotel in Addis Ababa.

 

DAY 2: Addis Ababa → Axum (Flight)

In the morning, transfer to Addis Ababa bole airport to fly to Axum. Axum. According to Ethiopian belief, Aksum was once the home of the legendary Queen of Sheba and is the current resting place of the Ark of the Covenant also recorded in UNESCO lists as a World Heritage Site. Your exploration Commences at the area’s most recognizable icons, the great stelae. Attributed to Various Axumite kingdom rulers from the 3rd century AD, these immense granite Obelisks exceeding 100 feet in length and with an estimated weight of over 500 tones. The tour continue with the Visit to the St. Mary of Zion church (house the Ark of Covenant) and archeological museum, the ruined palace of queen of Sheba and the 6th century tombs of king Kaleb and Gebre Meskel. They are a great example of the sheer sophistication of Axumite architecture and building techniques. Overnight- Hotel in Axum.

 

DAY 3: Axum → Adigrat

Today you will drive to Adigrat via Adowa. Adwa is an important historical place in Ethiopian and African history because it is on the mountains surrounding this town that Emperor Menelik II defeated the conquering Italian army in March 1896. On the way you visit the temple at Ethiopia’s earliest known capital city of Yeha which is considered as the birthplace of the country’s earliest civilization. Another possible excursion is to Debre Damo monastery (only accessible for men). The Debre Damo Monastery is built on the flat- topped mountain of Debre Damo. The monastery is only accessible by climbing a rope which hangs down from a perpendicular rock, an adventure in itself. Then continue to Adigrat. Overnight- Hotel in Adigrat.

 

DAY 4: Adigrat → Wukro

Today, first you will Visit Petros Paulos rock church. it is a semi-rock hewn church and known by its delightful old murals. Then visit Mikael Milahazangie church which is known by its carved ceiling and domes. after visiting Adikusho Medhanialem church you will continue driving to Wukro town to visit Wukro Cherkos rock church. Overnight- Hotel in Wukro.

 

DAY 5: Wukro → Hawzen

After breakfast drive to Visit Rock Church of Abreha Atsbeha said to be built by Ezana and Saizan (two brother kings of Ethiopia) about 10th century. Then stop at Yohannes Maqudi rock church. This rectangular chapel has six pillars which support a ceiling curved with geometrical designs. It is known by well preserved wall murals. Overnight - Gheralta Lodge.

 

DAY 6: Hawzen

Today you will visit two rock churches. First Visit Degum Selassie which has beautifully carved ceiling above the maqdas (sanctuary) and Debre Tsion (Abune Abraham) which has rectangular shape and Known by bas-reliefs and carved crosses on the walls and ceiling. Overnight- Gheralta Lodge.

 

DAY 7: Hawzen

Another day to explore the rock churches of Tigray. First Visit Mariam Korkor church. this is cross-shaped and known by its decoration, carving (columns, arches and cupolas) and fine frescoes. Abune Yemata, another important and most famous for its well preserved frescoes. It is challenging to climb and takes about one hour. Overnight-Gheralta Lodge.

 

DAY 8: Hawzen → Wukro

Visit Michael Imba 9 kms south of Astbi cluster churches. It has lovely vaulting and good view from top. Then, drive to Mekele. Overnight-Hotel in Wukro.

 

DAY 9: Wukro

Visit Debre Selam Michael which is ’church with in a church’ and Michael Barka cross shaped small church and dated about 13th century. Overnight- Hotel in Wukro.

 

DAY 10: Wukro → Mekele

Drive to Abi Adi church. After that, continue visiting Aba Yohanni (only for men) 15 kms and 1 km walk from Abi Adi and also needs short climb with footholds. Gabriel Wuken is 16kms north of Abi Adi. It features well-carved, interesting freestanding pillars. Overnight- Hotel in Mekele.

 

DAY 11: Mekele → Addis Ababa (Flight) & Departure

Fly back to Addis Ababa. Time for shopping at the souvenir shops. Then in the evening you will have fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian cultural restaurant with tasty Ethiopian food and cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home. The tour ends here.

On your arrival at Addis Ababa bole international airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide from Damat Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. After a rest and refresh at the hotel, in the afternoon your guide will take you around the highlights of Addis. Founded in 1887 by Emperor Menelik II and Queen Taitu, Addis Ababa is the third highest capital of the world at an altitude of 2300-2500 m. with a pleasant climate. The tour starts with a visit to the National Museum to view a replica of the famous, 3.2 million-year-old fossilized hominid remains known to the rest of the world as “Lucy”. The visit also includes Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, the Holy trinity cathedral and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air on top of Mount Entoto and end the tour with the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market. Overnight- Hotel in Addis Ababa.

In the morning, transfer to Addis Ababa bole airport to fly to Axum. Axum. According to Ethiopian belief, Aksum was once the home of the legendary Queen of Sheba and is the current resting place of the Ark of the Covenant also recorded in UNESCO lists as a World Heritage Site. Your exploration Commences at the area’s most recognizable icons, the great stelae. Attributed to Various Axumite kingdom rulers from the 3rd century AD, these immense granite Obelisks exceeding 100 feet in length and with an estimated weight of over 500 tones. The tour continue with the Visit to the St. Mary of Zion church (house the Ark of Covenant) and archeological museum, the ruined palace of queen of Sheba and the 6th century tombs of king Kaleb and Gebre Meskel. They are a great example of the sheer sophistication of Axumite architecture and building techniques. Overnight- Hotel in Axum.

Today, first you will Visit Petros Paulos rock church. it is a semi-rock hewn church and known by its delightful old murals. Then visit Mikael Milahazangie church which is known by its carved ceiling and domes. after visiting Adikusho Medhanialem church you will continue driving to Wukro town to visit Wukro Cherkos rock church. Overnight- Hotel in Wukro.

After breakfast drive to Visit Rock Church of Abreha Atsbeha said to be built by Ezana and Saizan (two brother kings of Ethiopia) about 10th century. Then stop at Yohannes Maqudi rock church. This rectangular chapel has six pillars which support a ceiling curved with geometrical designs. It is known by well preserved wall murals. Overnight - Gheralta Lodge.

Another day to explore the rock churches of Tigray. First Visit Mariam Korkor church. this is cross-shaped and known by its decoration, carving (columns, arches and cupolas) and fine frescoes. Abune Yemata, another important and most famous for its well preserved frescoes. It is challenging to climb and takes about one hour. Overnight-Gheralta Lodge.

Visit Michael Imba 9 kms south of Astbi cluster churches. It has lovely vaulting and good view from top. Then, drive to Mekele. Overnight-Hotel in Wukro.

Visit Debre Selam Michael which is ’church with in a church’ and Michael Barka cross shaped small church and dated about 13th century. Overnight- Hotel in Wukro.

Drive to Abi Adi church. After that, continue visiting Aba Yohanni (only for men) 15 kms and 1 km walk from Abi Adi and also needs short climb with footholds. Gabriel Wuken is 16kms north of Abi Adi. It features well-carved, interesting freestanding pillars. Overnight- Hotel in Mekele.

Fly back to Addis Ababa. Time for shopping at the souvenir shops. Then in the evening you will have fare well dinner in one of the Ethiopian cultural restaurant with tasty Ethiopian food and cultural dances from the different ethnic groups. Then transfer to the airport for flight back home. The tour ends here.