5 Days Tour To The Source Of The Blue Nile And Crossing Lake Tana

Itinerary

Day 1: ly to Bahir Dar - Gish Abay

Stop At: Blue Nile Falls, Amhara , Region Ethiopia
After breakfast drive 165km towards to southern part of Bahir Dar to the source of the Blue Nile, Sekela woreda. Along the way take off at lake Zengena and the proceed to visit the St. Michael/Abune Zerabiruk church which is located on the source of the Blue Nile River. As it’s mentioned in the holy bible (“and the name of the river is Gihon: the name it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. Genesis 2: 13”) it’s among the greatest rivers and longest river in world. Coming Back contunue to the blue Nile falls. overnight Hotel

What to see and Experience

Visit creater lake
Discover the source of and Blue Nile fall
Drive to southern Bahir Dar
meet local people
Visit Abune Zerabiruk Church at the bigining of the Blue Nile river

Adational information

The sourch of the Blue Nile is also known as Felege Ghion in Ge'ez, the liturgical language of Ethiopia. Felege Ghion consists of three small springs found within a diameter of about 20 meters. These waters are believed to have a healing power and considered holy by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
The first European recorded as having visited the source of Blue Nile at Gish Abay is Pedro Páez, a Spanish missionary, who arrived at these springs 21 April 1618. In the 18th century, the culture and religion of the local people of Gish Abay was chronicled in detail by the 18th century explorer, James Bruce. The British Consul Robert Cheesman was one of the later discoverers who published a geographical description of the area.
A more recent expedition is made by a group of American navigators who navigate the river from its source at Gish to the Mediterranean Sea, led by geologist Pasquale Scaturro, whose adventure was related in the film Mystery of the Nile.
About 100 meters north of the source of Abay is the church of Gish Abay Felege Ghion Abune Zerabruk Monastery, which has been one of the most respected centers for church education over the past centuries. Although local inhabitants believe the monastery was founded in the 17th century by a local saint called Abune Zerabruk, whose memory is honored with a celebration at the church each year on Tir 13 (January 20), Cheesman speculated that the name of the saint is a corruption of the explorer James Bruce.[2] There is also another church in the town, dedicated to Saint Mary, with considerable spiritual significance. Together with other sites in Sekela woreda, like Fasildes Castle and Lake Gudera, Gish Abay is now identified as a notable tourist destination in Gojjam.
Gish Abay town is originally founded in a place called Yideb, a mountainous area where Italian occupation forces fortified during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. During the war, the Italian fort was under constant attack from the local Arbegnoch groups, most notably Dejazmach Zelleke Desta, and the Italians left the fort before the arrival of Haile Selassie and British forces. Then, the area was used as a base for the liberation forces, which attracted the local people to settle at Yideb. The settlement led to the foundation of Gish Abay which soon became an important market center for cereals and cattle. Its development continued until the lack of suitable space on the mountainous area of Yideb limited further expansion, and led in 1987 to the town being re-established at a location much closer to Mount Gish and the source of Abay.
Modern education was introduced in 1952 with the opening of Dejazmach Zelleke Desta Elementary School. Now there are other two schools serving the town: the Gish Abay Elementary and Junior High School, and the Abay Minch Secondary and Preparatory High School. The town is connected by a 39 km gravel road to Tilili, which is located on the main Addis Ababa-Debre Marqos-Bahir Dar road. Another road, which will connect Gish Abay to Adet is also under construction, which will make the distance with Bahir Dar less than 100 km.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel

Day 2: Bahir Dar - Awra Amba Community

Stop At: Lake Tana, Ground floor from Blue Nile Hotel, Bahir Dar 1000 Ethiopia
At 8:00am drive to Awra Amba community through Hamusit city and afterwards make city tour including Emperor Haile Silassie palace (not open for everyone but has great views to watch Lake Tana, Bahir Dar city, Blue Nile River, island monasteries and surroundings). Overnight Hotel
What to see and experience:
• Unique community belief and practices
• Watch Bahir Dar’s view point
• Visit Emperor Haile Silassie’s palace (outside)
• Explore cattle and open-air markets
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel

Day 3: Bahir Dar - Crossing lake Tana

Stop At: Lake Tana, Ground floor from Blue Nile Hotel, Bahir Dar 1000 Ethiopia
Early Morning our guide will pick you up from your Hotel and then proceed to the outlet of the Blue Nile River for some chance to see hippos, and visit fishermen with Tankwa (vessel boat that made out of Cyprus papyrus plant). Later on you will have long reed to Narga Silasie monastery. After Narga Silassie heading to Gorgora. Overnight Hotel
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel

Day 4: Gorgora - Gondar

Stop At: Gorgora Ferry Terminal, Gorgora, Ethiopia
Early morning walk along the Lake and later Visit the beautiful Debresina Mariam church and before lunch drive to Gondar. After check in and had luch proceed to siteseeing including Fasil castl, king's swiming pool and Debre Birhan Silassie church.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel

Day 5: Departure

Stop At: Fasil Ghebbi, Gonder Ethiopia
After breakfast transfer out to airport and end of the tour.
Duration: 4 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.