5 Days Historic Tour to Ethiopia
Duration: 04 Nights/ 05 Days
Transportation: Flight and Surface
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly Addis Ababa to Lalibela
Þ After breakfast fly to Lalibela. The town of Lalibela, lies among the Lasta Mountains at 2630 m above sea level and remains until today a place of pilgrim and devotion for Ethiopian Christians.
Þ The construction of the eleven rock hewn churches is attributed to King Lalibela of the Zagwe dynasty. Some of the 12th century churches are monolithic, carved from a sloping mass of red volcanic scoria underlaid by dark grey basalt and connected by a maze of tunnels and passages with openings to hermit caves and catacombs. Some are of the basilica type, having archaic features and imitating architectural elements from earlier periods, yet they differ in design and style.
Þ Visit the first group of six churches which lie in rock cradles one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mika’el, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel and Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem, the largest one, is built like a Greek temple and its stone floor is so polished by the countless numbers of visitors that it reflects shafts of light. In a corner are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Hotel
Day 2: Visit the surrounding rock hewn churches of Lalibela
Þ After breakfast take a mule ride to the 13th century rock hewn monastery of Asheten Maryam and Yemrehane Kirstose. The churchs are situated on the top of a mountain at an altitude of 3150 metres. Hotel
Day 3: Fly Lalibela to Axum
Þ After breakfast fly to Axum and visit the historical and Archaeological sites. The 16th century cathedral St. Mary of Zion, the holiest church in Ethiopia, is said to host the original Ark of the Covenant. The churches and monasteries of Axum are richly endowed with icons and crowns of ancient emperors.
Þ The ancient city marks the location of the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the kingdom of Axum was the most powerful state between the eastern Roman empire and Persia. Visit also the Archaeological Museum, the monolithic steles and obelisks, the tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskal, the legendary bath of Queen Sheba and the ruins of her palace. Hotel
Day 4: Drive to Mekele to visit the most astonishing rock churches found on the way.
Þ On this day, you drive long to Mekele but the gigantic ups and downs of the landscape are nice to experience as well as the magnificent scenery. En route visit the rock hewn churches Abraha Atsbeha and Wekro Cherkos .Hotel
Day 5: Fly Back Mekele to Addis Ababa, Evening departure
Þ After breakfast fly back to Addis Ababa.
Þ The rest of the day for short Addis Ababa sightseeing and Souvenir shopping.
Þ Moreover in the evening around 06:30PM you will be our guest for a farewell dinner in one of Ethiopian traditional restaurants with folkloric dance.
Þ Evenings get transferred to the airport for your flight back to your home country.
……………….. End of the Historic Tour to Ethiopia arrangement…………
