PTT 0102 - HISTORIC ROUTE (14 DAYS/13 NIGHTS)

Day 1:
Arrive in Addis Ababa to a warm welcome by PTT staff at the airport, and then
transfer to your hotel. Morning will be free. Afternoon, start your sightseeing tour
of Addis Ababa, starting your tour from the Trinity Cathedral, visit to the
National Museum (archaeological and historical), which has the best collection of
Ethiopian antiquities and archeological discoveries, including the famous oldest
hominid “Lucy”; then drive up to Mt. Entoto, the highest part of the capital, where
you will have a panoramic view over the town of Addis Ababa; a visit to the adjacent
church of St. Mary; a drive down to the biggest open air market in East Africa
called Mercato.
Drive back to the hotel for overnight.

Day 2:
Start your journey to Bahir Dar via Debre Libanos, a 13th C monastery, passing through the Blue Nile Gorge. You will have lunch on the way from lunch boxes. Overnight will be at Shebel Hotel in Debre Markos.

Day 3:
Drive to Bahir Dar in the morning and have lunch at Tana Hotel. In the afternoon, drive to Tisissat (45 minutes) to get to the water fall, which is 35km away from Bahir Dar. At Tisissat, you get to see the “smoke of the Nile” from the usual vantage points. Afterwards, you will drive back to Bahir Dar.
Overnight will be at Tana Hotel.

Day 4:
Today is a full day boat excursion on the largest highland lake, Lake Tana. Take a boat ride to the Centre of the lake and visit the remarkable church of Narge Silasse. On your way back, visit Zege peninsula and the 14th Century island monasteries with their colorful canvas painting. Lunch will be served from lunch boxes on the boat, and in the afternoon, you will visit the outlet of the Blue Nile River from Lake Tana, which harbors hippos.
Overnight will be at Tana Hotel.

Day 5:
Journey to Gonder, 180 Km away, in the morning. On arrival, check in at Goha Hotel, and visit the very interesting basilica church of Debre Brehan Silassie, which goes back to the 17th C. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Castle compound, which has six different palaces, and continue to the bath of King Fasiledes, which was used as a bath during his time. Finally, visit the church of Qusqam Mariam, the retired palace of the Queen Reagent of Mintwab.
Overnight will be at Goha Hotel.

Day 6:
Today you will have a long wonderful journey to the fist capital of Ethiopia: Axum. The journey starts early in the morning. Around 6 Km away from the hotel, you will stop over at the black Jewish village Welaka. Back on the road, you will be rewarded by the magnificent, dramatic and unusual sight of the Simien Mountains, and the fabulous Tekeza Gorge. Lunch will be served in lunch boxes, and late in the afternoon, you arrive at Axum.
Overnight will be at Rahmai Hotel or Yeha Hotel.

Day 7:
After breakfast, visit the first capital of Ethiopia. Sites to be visited include: the Archeological Museum of Axum; the holy church of St. Mary of Tsion, which is a repository of the original Arc of the Covenant; the Stella’s filed; the royal tomb of king Kaleb and his son King Gebre Meskel; the inscription of the Axumite Kings; and the bath of the Queen of Sheeba.
Overnight will be at Rahmai Hotel or Yeha Hotel.

Day 8:
Drive from Axum to Mekele and on your journey visit the 5th Century monastery of Debre Damo, which is only accessible by rope. Entry to this monastery can only be granted to males (animals and humans). No female specie is allowed in. Later, drive to the rock hewn churches of Tigray. On this day you will visit Abreha We-Atsbeha, Dugum Sielasse and Workro Cherchos. In the afternoon, visit the palace of Yohannes the 4th and the open air Market of Mekele.
Overnight will be at Hiltop Hotel or Axum Hotel.

Day 9:
Drive from Mekele to Lalibela via the Sekota massive. Lunch will be on the way the way from lunch boxes. Late in the afternoon, arrive at Lalibela.
Overnight will be at Roha Hotel.

Day 10:
Today is a full day visit in Lalibela. Today you encounter the world’s 8th wonders (the Lalibela rock hewn churches). You will be taken to see the first group of churches (6 of the total of 11). In the afternoon, visit the rest of the churches in Lalibela- the second and the third group of the rock hewn churches.
Overnight will be at Roha Hotel.

Day 11:
In the morning, take a mule excursion to Asheton Mariam, which is situated on the mountain. On arrival, you will rewarded by the best panoramic view of the town of Lalibela. Visit the semi-monolithic church of Asheton Mariam, and then trek to the town of Lalibella. In the afternoon, visit the cave churches of Nakuto Le’ab. Overnight will be at Roha Hotel.

Day 12:
Drive from Lalibela to Kombolcha, and admire very stunning views en route. Overnight will be at Tekele or Meron Hotel.

Day 13:
Drive from Kombolcha to Addis Ababa (if it is Sunday, on the way back you will see the very interesting Sembete market of the Afar, Argoba, Oromo and Amhara people). Late in the afternoon, arrive in Addis Ababa.
Overnight will be at the hotel.

Day 14:
Departure.