Classic Historical Route – 12 Days, flying
Price per person, starting at US $2846 per person. Single room supplement: US $380.
This trip features visits to the classic historical sites of Ethiopia. Flying allows travelers to spend less time on the road and more time soaking in the sights.
Day 1: Arrive at Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa) where you will be met by Dinknesh Ethiopia Tour representative and transfer to Sheraton or Hilton hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar. In the afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Lake Tana to visit the famous ancient island monasteries. Overnight Tana Hotel, Summer Land or Papyrus hotel.
Day 3: Early morning visit the majestic Blue Nile falls. After lunch visit of the Bahir Dar town’s most popular open-air market and the viewpoint by the late Emperor’s palace. Overnight Tana, Summer Land or Papyrus hotel.
Day 4: Transfer to the Airport for your flight to Gondar visit the 17th C castles, the Bath of Fasilades, the monastery of Quskuam and the icon- rich church of Debre Berhan Silassie. Overnight Goha or Embassy Hotel. (World Heritage Site)
Day 5: Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. Visit the magnificent rock-hewn churches built by king Lalibela in the late 12th and early 13th century A.D. Overnight Roha or Jerusalem Hotel. (World Heritage Site)
Day 6: Half-day morning excursion by mule to Asheton Mariam to visit the Church that lies on the top of the mountain. The Church itself is similar in style to other rock churches, but the panoramic view of the surroundings is spectacular from the mountaintop. Return to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon spent visiting more of the rock churches in Lalibela town. Overnight Roha or Jerusalem Hotel.
Day 7: Transfer to the airport for your flight to Axum. Visit the St. Mary church where the original Arc of the Covenant is still said to be found, visit the Archeological museum (displays: artifact, coins, stone inscriptions written in three language-Ge’ez, Sabaean and Greek, pottery with sophisticated design) , the Stelaes Park, tombs, and ruined palace of Queen of Sheba (10th century BC). Overnight Yeha or Remhai Hotel. (World Heritage Site)
Note: Here archaeologists have unearthed the remains of what was once a massive palace with finely mortared stone walls, deep foundations and its own impressive drainage system. The floor of a large throne-room has been discovered intact and, although the upper level and roof have long since fallen in, it is not difficult to imagine the rulers of ancient Axum holding court there.
The stelae to the north of the town, perhaps 2,500 years old, are early examples of an art-form that came into its own in Ethiopia around the time of the birth of Christ and that flourished until the fourth century AD. Although found in all parts of Axum, the obelisks achieve their peak of perfection on a pleasant grassy site near the churches of St. Mary of Zion. Here, amongst a number of plainer stelae, there are also three finely carved monuments which, because of their size and the intricacy of their beautifully proportioned execution, astonish the beholder. Only one of these amazing monuments is still standing.
A number of underground galleries and chambers roofed and walled with massive granite blocks fitted together with an almost supernatural precision, lie beneath the fortress. Local tradition identifies these catacombs as the tombs of Emperor Kaleb (514-542 AD) and of his son Gebre- Meskal. Each tomb is approached down a steep stone stairway, while at the entrance to the underground baults a vestibule leads into three separate chambers with doorways carved to resemble those decoration the great stelae.
Day 8: Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis. Overnight Sheraton or Hilton Addis Ababa Hotel.
Day 9: Flight to Dire Dawa. Up on arrival drive to Harar- City with in a city and it is considered the 4th Islamic holiest city in the world. Visit the “Hyena Men”* at night. Overnight Belayneh or Ras Hotel. (World Heritage Site)
Note: ‘Hyena Men’ who, as evening falls, set themselves up at points along the outskirts of the city. These men make their living by laying on a remarkable show, throwing meat, offal, and bones to packs of wild hyena that come down from the surrounding hills, apparently answering to names which the Hyena Men chant hypnotically...Debebe, Taferra, Umar. One by one, they appear out of the darkness, their eyes glowing and jaws slavering savagely. The ‘scavengers’ have become a tourist attraction and so have the fearless men who feed the hyenas at night, allowing these hungry carnivores to grab chunks of meat from their mouths- a bizarre kind of nocturnal amusement.
Day 10: After an early breakfast, city tour of Harar that includes: Marvelous encircled wall Harari house, Museums, colorful market, Arthur Rambau’d house, and ancient mosques. In the late afternoon drive to Dire Dawa for Overnight Ras Hotel. (World Heritage Site)
Day 11: Morning city tour of Dire Dawa. Afternoon transfer to the Dire Dawa airport for flight back to Addis. Overnight at Sheraton or Hilton Addis Ababa Hotel.
Day 12: Morning sightseeing tour of Addis and in the evening farewell dinner party with cultural entertainment and then transfer to the airport for your departure back to home.
*Please contact us for information on pricing for single travelers.
