Description
Program : Historical tour and Harar
Code: LTT 014
Duration: 13 days and 12 nights
Transport: surface and air
Day 01: sightseeing of Addis Ababa. Arrival at Bole International Airport. Warm reception by your guide and Transfer to hotel for check-in. after break you will have City tour of Addis Ababa.
Day 02: Drive from Addis Ababa to Bahr Dar 570 km from capital on the way you will visit. The Portuguese bridge And the Blue Nile gorge, Overnight stay in Bahr Dar on the shores of Lake Tana where the longest river in the world. The Blue Nile starts its journey crossing through the Sudan, Egypt and finally joins the Mediterranean Sea.
Day 03: In the morning you will visit the 3 ancient monasteries on the islands lake Tana (by boat) after lunch break you will drive 35km from Bahr Dar and half hour trekking you will to see the fascinating gorge of blue Nile falls. Overnight stay in Bahr Dar
Day 04 You will drive 180 km from Bahr Dar to Gonder after a lunch break you will explore the royal enclosure which contains several stone-built castles of different emperors. The most impressive building is Fasilidas castle He was the emperor who established Gonder as a powerful cultural and religious centre at 16th century. Overnight stay in Gonder
Day 05 In the morning you will drive from Gonder to Simyen Mountain the Simyen national park is registered as a UNESCO world heritage site. The highest mountain in Ethiopia Ras Dashen is also found in the semen national park. The park is home of mountainous and wild animal species like the Walya Ibex and chelada baboon which are endemic in Ethiopia. This is an ideal place to do some trekking to the most beautiful place with panoramic views Overnight stay in simyen lodge
Day 06. After short trekking in the national park you will Drive to Axum the road passes through mountainous regions of wilds beauty running alongside the simian massif. Overnight stay in Axum
Day 07 Full day visit historic sites it was once the capital of the Ethiopian kings and the oldest ancient civilization in the world and represented a connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand year. Some of the archaeological sites can give you an idea of the former high standard of civilization. Visit the famous steale, see the churches of St. Mary of Zion, which contain the crowns of Ethiopian kings and other treasures and the tomb of king Kaleb. Overnight stay in Axum
Day 08 Drive from Axum to Mekele through the state of Tigray to explore same of the less visited rock hewn churches of Ethiopia same of the most popular churchus are Abuna Yemata Guh those in the Gheralta cluster. Continue to Mekele for overnight stay
Day 09 Drive from Mekele to Lalibela passing through the dramatic landscape of the Ethiopian highland overnight stay in Lalibela
Day 10 Full day visit the magnificent 11 rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are carved out of living volcanic tuff with super architectural skill that the world has never seen yet elsewhere. UNESCO registers these churches as world heritage. Overnight stay in Lalibela
Day 11: Lalibela-Addis Ababa-Dire Dawa. Fly Lalibela to Addis Ababa. After lunch fly Addis to Dire Dawa. Upon arrival drive to Harar and at night visit the Hyena Men who feed the hyenas every night just outside the walls of the city. You can even give a try at feeding the hyenas – with your mouth! Overnight in Harar.
Day 12: Harar. Today is a full day dedicated to explore the walled city of Harar. With its colourful markets, countless mosques and shrines, and unique Harari people and houses, you’ll have a full day wandering around the city of Harar. Overnight in Harar.
Day 13: Harar-Addis Ababa-Departure .In the morning, visit the last places of interest in Harar including the Arthur Rimbaud Cultural Center, named after the famous poet and traveller who resided in Harar for a portion of his life.
Transfer to Dire Dawa airport and fly back to Addis Ababa. Evening Have a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis where you can taste the variety of Ethiopian meals, and see the folkloric dances of the Ethiopians.
Then, be transferred to the airport for your departure. End of Tour.
