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| Northern Ethiopia: Historical Sites |
History and and natural beauty like no other in Africa. Ethiopia’s sovereign history has left its very diverse and fertile lands filled with historical and cultural treasures, ranging from the ancient tombs, and obelisks of Axum to 17th century castles, to the incredible rock-hewn churches around Lalibela.
From 3,000 BC part of the northern country of what is now Ethiopia, has had connections with upper nile countries, text and bas-reliefs describe Egyptian expeditions to the region of Nubia in search of incense, ivory and spices and gold. Empire of Queen of Saba ( Sheba) who started the famous Axumite dynasty. It has been the center of power for the Ethiopian empire and church for millennia, known to the ancient Greeks as the sanctuary of the gods and mentioned by both Homer and Herodotus the land has changed little and evidence of it's once majestic past is till evident.
Christianity which arrived at the end of the 3rd century had and still has, strong presence of the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Church which played a great part in preserving their ways during times of invasion and wars by using the natural caves and plateaus of the highlands, for building monasteries and churches that can be accessed only by some dodgy climbing on Cliff faces till this day. This ancient and beautiful country is a historical treasure not to be missed be amazed by the thundering Blue Nile Falls and enjoy a boat trip on the splendid Lake Tana.
Aside from the awe-inspiring sites, you'll be able to take in a fine blend of scenic delights and natural history (birding watching is great along this route) and you'll get to know the charming northern Ethiopian people, who add that much more quality to any visit of their country.
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Ethiopia tour with pangeans : pangeansafari@gmail.com
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Day 1 Arrive in Addis Ababa and start the drive to Dessie, and overnight in 4* hotel.
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Day 2 Dessie - Lalibela overnight hotel.
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Day 3 Lalibela - home to a spectacular collection of 12 century churches a UNESCO heritage site, that is hewn out of single rock, it is believed to be the work of St George and the most famous church Bet Giorgis is dedicated to him. overnight hotel.
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Day 4 Drive to Mekele, the capital of Tigray an intresting drive of winding roads in the highlads of Tigray.
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Day 5 Drive to Axum : The mountain scenery is of out standing beauty, on our way stop to visit the oldest monastery in Ethiopia, built between 5 - 6 century AD, on a high plateaux of Amba, traditions says the 9 monotheistic monks of Syrian or Roman origin, fleeing prosecution from the central power of the Byzantine empire arrived in Axum and started the isolated hermit life style in difficult to reach areas, one of them being Debre Damo. The lifestyle followed by these monks gave rise to the popularity of Christianity and hermit like existence, that continue till this day Overnight hotel.
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Day 6 Axum - a once great city that was under the center of the Axumite empire of the Queen of Sheba and the beginning of the modern Ethiopian history It is a mecca of archaeological and historical remains, like the Moon God temple at Yeha, the unusual collection of stelae dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries and keepers of the the Ark of the covenant.
Tour of Axum, and visit the stelae, Queen Sheba's palace, Mariam of Zion church and the Axum museum, Overnight hotel
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Day 7 Make our way to Gondar and the Simien Mountains National Park. A UNESCO Heritage site, this area is characterized by enormous chasms and gorges, a wild beauty like no other in Africa. We'll take a short trek to Sankaber, where we camp for the night.
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Day 8 Drive to Gondar- a city built on a volcanic plain surrounded by forests and crossed by two rivers that form a gate way to Lake Tana.The medieval center of Ethiopia for some 200 years, it still reflects it's once past grandeur of baths, castles and churches. Overnight hotel.
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| Day 9 Then it is off to Bahir Dar, a pleasant and warm city and take a boat ride on the historic Lake Tana and visit the 3rd century monasteries on the islands, Overnight hotel. |
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Day 10 Bahir Dar - Continue our tour of this wonderful city and drive to the Blue Nile falls
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Day 11 Bahir Dar to Addis Ababa, Check into hotel till departure
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NOTE : If arrival is after 11 am then the tour will begin the next day, there will be a tour of Addis Ababa and overnight Hotel *
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