Day 1: On arrival Addis Ababa Kasina Tours representative will meet you at Bole international Airport and you will visit the diplomatic capital of Africa, headquarters of the Africa union starting from Holy Trinity Cathedral (The church is constructed in 1955 for the 25 years anniversary of Emperor Haileselassie and painted richly with remarkable biblical and other saint’s story), National museum (home of Lucy hominid skeleton dating back to 3.2 million years) .In the afternoon after lunch you will visit Ethnological museum, which was the former palace of Haile Selassie then proceed to Mountain Entoto for panoramic view of Addis Ababa. Overnight hotel
Day 2 Early in the morning drive to Bahir Dar through the rolling plains of the Shewan plateau on the way the landscape along the route visit the ancient monastic centre of Debre Libanos, founded in the 15th century Portuguese bridge near the Monastery and Blue Nile gorge by crossing the bridge and continue to Bahir Dar is a decidedly attractive town with palm-lined avenues and pretty lakeside vistas; South eastern shore of Lake Tana Ethiopia’s largest lake. Nearby Lake Tana, 1,800 meters above sea level, is one of the long hidden sources of the Nile; Overnight hotel
Day 3: Drive to admire the Blue Nile falls. The Tissiat falls (meaning water that smokes) are 30 kms from where the Blue Nile leaves the lake heading towards Khartoum. Afternoon visit Lake Tana by boat trip Lake Tana’s 3600 sq. kms surface is dotted with more than 36 islands, many of which are the sites of monasteries and churches, some dating from the 14th century in the reign of Emperor Amde Tsion; about 3-4 hours on Lake Tana to admire the beautiful monasteries over the lake’s islands; Overnight hotel
Day 4: In the morning drive to Gondar, visit Gondar, Ethiopia’s thirdcapital in the 17th and 18th century, located at the foot of the Semien Mountains. The city’s unique imperial compound contains a number of castles built 1632 to 1885 by the various Emperors who reigned during this period. These dramatic castles, unlike any other in Africa, display richness in architecture that reveals the Axumite traditions as well as the influence of Arabia; the church of Debre-Berhan Sellassie (Light of the Trinity ), which located at the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls. The interior is decorated with its unique murals. Other treasures of Gonder include the 18th century palace of Ras Beit, the Bath of Fasildas, the ruined palace of the Queen Mentiwab Kuskuam church and the swimming pool of King Fassik which is used to baptize Christians during Ethiopia n Epiphany on 19th of January every year; Overnight hotel
Day 5: Early in the morning drive to Semien Mountains, on the way visit Felasha village the vacated Bete Israel village including Synagogue at the ex-settlement site of the Ethiopia Jewish community, admiring spectacular views over the Semien Mountains National Park.Semien Mountains majestic scenery where you stop at different sites before enter into the Semien Mountains National Park as far as Sankaber (World heritage site )to visit its superb scenery, the endemic fauna like the Gelada Baboon, birds like Lammergeyer and flora such as the Abyssinian wild rose. Process to Chenek at 3620 meters, Chenek is home to the endemic Ethiopia Wolf, Walia Ibex as well as the Klipspringer and bushbuck. Your route today takes you along the edge of the escarpment, descending at one point into an open, grassy valley absolutely filled with 3-4 meter tall Giant Lobelias. At all times, the cliff edge is close on your left-hand side and there are ever-changing views and glimpses of the valley below, often through narrow clefts between spurs. Drive to debark forOvernight hotel
Day 6: Drive to Axum again the Semien Mountains admiring spectacular views over. Beginning of civilization in Ethiopia (history of more than 3,000 years), the winding road follows the spectacular canyon of the river Tekeze, one of the principal rivers of Ethiopia Followed by the adventurous road of Loma-limo; Overnight hotel
Day 7: Full day visit steles register by UNSCO, different archeological sites, the bath and the palace of Queen of Sheba, tomb of Kings and churches, among which in the church of St. Mary of Zion (where legend says is deposited the Ark of Covenant, brought here from Israel by King Menelik I);Overnight hotel
Day 8: Axum HIDAR ZION, ST. MARY OF TSION (ZION) CELEBRATION IN AXUM
The 16th Century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion was probably built on an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest church in Ethiopia. In its sanctuary is said to lest the original Ark of the Covenant and the belief that the Ark itself is a symbolism to Her Womb. It is celebrated on November 30 and attended by tens of thousands of religious people from all over Ethiopia, making it one of the most Joyous annual pilgrimages in Axum, the “Sacred City of the Ethiopians”;Overnight hotel
Day 9: Then drives to Adigratenjoy the landscape visit Debre Damo monastery church & the first temple of Ethiopia Yeha temple and Medehane Alem Kesho; Overnight hotel
Day 10: Visit to Tigray churches as Degum Selassie, Debre Mariyam Korkor and Abreha We Atsbeha and then drive Mekele forOvernight hotel
Day 11: Drive to Lalibela, admiring spectacular views Lake Ashengi. On the way visit Yemereha Kirstos church the first church of Lalibela; Overnight hotel
Day 12: Lalibela visit the first group of Lalibela rock hewn churches built in the 12th century and attributed to king Lalibela. (There are no less than 1000 churches in the Lasta region of Lalibela some hidden in enormous caves, but it is exceptional to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one local; Overnight hotel
Day 13: Morning visit one of the churches out of the town, we propose an excursion by mules to the Asheten Mariam church or by car to the cave church of Naktule’ab with very nice view through villages. Back to Lalibela for lunch, afternoon continue visiting the 2nd group of churches; Overnight hotel
Day 14: Drive to Kombolcha on the way to the cave church of Naktule’ab with very nice view through villages and visit ancient monastery church Estifanos church on the Lake Hayk; Overnight hotel
Day 15 : Drive to Addis, the road crosses the western edge of the escarpment of the Ethiopian Rift Valley, with its vast expanses of cultivated. Have day use room. Kasina Tours dinner invite you in a traditional restaurant with folkloristic dances. After dinner transfer to Bole International Airport for your departure.
***END OF OUR SERVICES, ENJOY YOUR TRIP***