Ethiopia's Historic Route (with Tigray and Simiens)

Visiting Axum, Gondar, Lalibela, Lake Tana, Tigray and the Simien Mountains

Ethiopia's Historic Route (with Tigray and Simiens)

This 2-week itinerary offers a comprehensive overview of Ethiopia's Historic Route - including Axum, Gondar, Lalibela, Lake Tana and Addis Ababa - as well as remote Tigray and the Simien Mountains.

Outline Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Arrival Addis Ababa

    You will be met on arrival at Bole International Airport and driven approx. 20 mins to your hotel in central Addis Ababa, the Saro Maria.

  2. Day 2: Addis Ababa to Tigray

    Transfer to the airport after breakfast to catch the morning flight to Mekele, where you will be met on arrival by your guide and driver. Your tour of Tigray begins with a visit to the dramatic Church of Michael Imba, an early cruciform and semi-monolithic church that is typical of the churches found in the region.

  3. Day 3: Exploring Gheralta region

    After breakfast at Gheralta Lodge, drive and walk to several nearby rock churches, including Debre Maryam Korkor and Abune Yemata (optional).

  4. Day 4: Gheralta region and on to Yeha and Axum

    After breakfast at Gheralta Lodge, depart with your guide and driver for Axum, stopping en route to visit the ancient Temple of Yeha.

  5. Day 5: Axum

    Embark on a full-day tour of Axum in the company of a knowledgeable local guide. Ethiopian tradition holds that the royal city of Axum was founded in the 10th-century BC as the royal seat of the Queen of Sheba.

  6. Day 6: Axum - Lalibela

    This morning, catch the early flight from Axum to Lalibela.

  7. Day 7: Lalibela

    This morning you visit the monastery of Asheton Maryam - a small and, in its interior, somewhat nondescript church, but one with an incredible setting, carved into the cliff-face in the high mountains overlooking the town.

  8. Day 8: Gondar

    Leave Lalibela on the late morning flight to Gondar, arriving early afternoon. After lunch, begin your tour of the medieval city.

  9. Day 9: Simien Mountains Excursion

    Wake for an early breakfast, and then begin your drive into the Simien Mountains, stopping for coffee en route. The drive time from Gondar to the Simiens is approximately two hours but may vary depending on the weather and traffic.

  10. Day 10: Simiens to Gondar

    This morning there will be time to further explore the escarpment, before returning to Gondar in the afternoon.

  11. Day 11: Bahir Dar

    This morning you will visit the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church, then drive to Bahir Dar.

  12. Day 12: Lake Tana

    This morning, enjoy a half-day boat trip on Lake Tana to explore some of its iconic island monasteries.

  13. Day 13: Bahir Dar - Addis Ababa

    After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the morning flight to Addis Ababa.

  14. Day 14: International Departure

    Transfer to the airport to catch your return flight home.

Price guide

Price based on two travellers in shared double/twin accommodation and subject to availability at the time of booking.
Pricing

14 days from £3095pp

Pricing

14 days from £3095pp

Ethiopia - Historic Route & Harar

Our guide was fantastic – the best guide we have had in 5 trips to Africa and many guides.

Leonie

A successful Kilimanjaro climb

Not sure when my next trip to Africa will be, but when that happens I'll definitely be in touch once more!

Terence