Cultural · Luxury · Private
The Historic Route
Four UNESCO sites and three former capitals, linked by short domestic flights rather than long drives.
The Journey
10 nights, designed around the hours that matter
The classic northern circuit, reordered around light and liturgy instead of road distance. Private access at the churches, boutique lodges along the way, and no day longer than it needs to be.
Places
- Lake Tana
- Gondar
- Simien Mountains
- Lalibela
- Axum
Tailor-made journey
Priced to your plans
Quoted individually once we know your dates, lodges and group size.
- Duration
- 11 Days · 10 nights
- Best season
- Oct – Mar
- Group size
- 2 – 8 guests
- Style
- Cultural · Luxury · Private
Final pricing depends on season, room category and group size. No deposit is taken until the itinerary is right.
Day by Day
The itinerary, as it usually runs
A working draft rather than a fixed schedule — we move days around for weather, festivals and how you are feeling.
Day 1
Arrive Addis Ababa
Private airport transfer and a welcome dinner of tibs and tej with your trip coordinator, who walks through the days ahead.
Days 2 – 3
Bahir Dar & Lake Tana
An early flight north, then a private boat out to the island monasteries ahead of the day crowds, and Tis Issat falls in the afternoon light.
Days 4 – 5
Gondar
The royal enclosure at opening hour, the painted ceiling at Debre Berhan Selassie, then Kuskuam palace as the light turns gold.
Days 6 – 7
Simien Mountains
Two escarpment walks among habituated gelada troops, returning each evening to a lodge fire on the rim.
Days 8 – 9
Lalibela
The northern church cluster at dawn, the connecting trench to Bete Golgotha, and a climb to Asheton Maryam for the valley view.
Day 10
Axum
The stelae field, the Chapel of the Tablet from the permitted threshold, and the palace ruins attributed to the Queen of Sheba.
Day 11
Addis & Departure
One last coffee ceremony, a day room to rest before your flight, and an evening departure.
What Is Included
- All domestic flights within Ethiopia
- Private vehicle with a senior driver-guide throughout
- Specialist local guides at Lalibela, Axum and Gondar
- Handpicked boutique lodges at every stop
- Breakfast daily, most lunches and dinners
- A dedicated trip coordinator reachable around the clock
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa fees
- Travel insurance (required)
- Gratuities and personal spending
Enquire
Make The Historic Route yours
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability, quote precisely, and suggest the two or three changes we would make if it were our own trip.
Runs Oct – Mar · 2 – 8 guests · priced to your plans
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Speak With a Designer
Questions before you enquire?
Altitude, road time, how hard the walking really is, whether the children will cope. Ask us anything — a designer will answer honestly.
Or call us directly on +1909-450-7246