The Northern Historic Circuit​

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The Northern Historic Circuit

Day 1: Welcome to Addis Ababa
  • Morning: Arrive at Bole International Airport and check into your hotel.
  • Afternoon: See the 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil “Lucy” at the National Museum of Ethiopia.
  • Evening: Enjoy a traditional dinner with live cultural music and coffee ceremonies at Yod Abyssinia. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Day 2: Fly to Bahir Dar & Lake Tana Boating
  • Morning: Catch an early morning 1-hour flight to Bahir Dar.
  • Afternoon: Take a private boat tour across Lake Tana to visit centuries-old island monasteries like Ura Kidane Mehret.
  • Evening: Walk along the palm-lined avenues of Bahir Dar at sunset. [1]
Day 3: Blue Nile Falls & Drive to Gondar
  • Morning: Drive to the majestic Blue Nile Falls (locally called Tis Abay) for a scenic hike.
  • Afternoon: Take a 3-hour scenic drive north to the royal city of Gondar.
  • Evening: Dine at the unique, round-stone Four Sisters Restaurant. [1]
Day 4: The Castles of Gondar
  • Morning: Tour the 17th-century fortified compound of Fasil Ghebbi, often called the “Camelot of Africa.”
  • Afternoon: Visit the stunning ceiling of angels at the Debre Berhan Selassie Church and Fasilides’ Bath.
  • Evening: Relax and pack a small daypack for your upcoming mountain trek. [1, 2]
Day 5: Wilderness Trekking in the Simien Mountains
  • Morning: Drive 2 hours north to Debark, the gateway to Simien Mountains National Park.
  • Afternoon: Hike through dramatic clifftops and spot large troops of friendly, endemic Gelada monkeys.
  • Evening: Sleep at a cliffside eco-lodge or camp under the stars at Sankaber Camp. [1]
Day 6: Return to Gondar & Fly to Axum
  • Morning: Take a final morning nature walk, then drive back down to Gondar Airport.
  • Afternoon: Fly northward over the jagged peaks straight into the ancient city of Axum.
  • Evening: Unwind at your hotel and sample traditional Ethiopian tej (honey wine). [1, 2]
Day 7: The Ancient Kingdom of Axum
  • Morning: Marvel at the giant, 2,000-year-old monolithic granite stelae at the Northern Stelae Field.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, the rumored resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
  • Evening: Walk through the ruins of the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. [1, 2, 3]
Day 8: Fly to Lalibela
  • Morning: Board a short domestic flight over the valleys to Lalibela.
  • Afternoon: Check into your hotel and catch your first breathtaking views of the rugged Lasta Mountains.
  • Evening: Watch the sunset from the futuristic, architectural Ben Abeba restaurant. [1, 2]
Day 9: Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
  • Morning: Explore the Northwestern Cluster of churches, entirely hand-carved underground out of solid volcanic rock.
  • Afternoon: Stand above Biete Ghiorgis (Church of St. George), the famous, perfectly preserved cross-shaped monolithic church.
  • Evening: Participate in a local, slow-poured traditional coffee roasting ritual. [1]
Day 10: Mountain Monasteries & Southeastern Cluster
  • Morning: Hike or ride a mule up to the high-altitude, cliff-side monastery of Asheten Maryam.
  • Afternoon: Discover the Southeastern Cluster of subterranean churches, exploring their dark interconnecting tunnels.
  • Evening: Celebrate your final night in the historic circuit with a traditional honey-wine toast. [1]
Day 11: Return Flight to Addis Ababa
  • Morning: Take a morning flight from Lalibela back to Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport.
  • Afternoon: Shop for hand-woven textiles and local coffee beans at the sprawling Merkato marketplace.
  • Evening: Head back to the airport for your international flight home.
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