In the morning, fly ET 126 (07:00 – 08:00) north to Bahir Dar and take a 45 minutes boat ride on Lake Tana (Ethiopia’s biggest lake and the source of the longest river on the globe – the Blue Nile) to visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam which both date back to the 14th Century AD and are famous for their beautiful hand painted wall and ceiling paintings from the 16th Century. After lunch at Bahir Dar, drive 32 km to Tis Isat to visit the Blue Nile Falls. O/N – Abay Minch Lodge Read more

Bahir Dar for one night

After breakfast, head 185 km north to Gondar – the 17th and 18th Century AD Capital of Ethiopia. Along the way stop at one of the villages of the Amhara people to see how Ethiopians prepare Enjera (the country’s national bread), and viewpoints to see landscape of the area. In the afternoon, have a sightseeing tour of Gondar to visit the six castles in the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar (16th Century AD and UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Bath of Fasiladas (Founder of Gondar), and the beautiful old Church of Debre Birhan Sillassie which is famous for its hand painted wall and ceiling paintings. O/N – Goha Hotel Read more

Gondar for one night

Today, we will drive to the Simien Mountains National Park – the only natural site of the country included in the UNESCO World Heritage sites list. Stop on the way at Weleka which was the village and the synagogue of the Felasha or the Ethiopian Jews before it was abandoned when they were airlifted to Israel in the beginning of the 1990s for the last time. In the afternoon, drive to and walk for about an hour in the Simien Mountains National Park to see the breathtaking scenery of the park and see one of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia – the Gelada Baboon or also known as “the Bleeding Heart Baboon” after its red patch in the heart. O/N - Simien Lodge Read more

Simien Mountains NP for two

With your packed lunch from the hotel, set out for walking along the walkways and driving to the best outlooks in the Simien Mountains NP to see the other two endemic mammals of Ethiopia - The Simien Fox (or the Ethiopian Wolf) and the Walia Ibex (a mountain goat which is the national animal of the country), and to see the breathtaking scenery of the area. Please note that the Simien Fox may be not found at times. O/N - Simien Lodge Read more

Simien Mountains National pa

After breakfast head north to the most ancient capital of Ethiopia - Axum enjoying the scenery of the Lima Limo Mountain Range, and crossing the Tekeze River Gorge. Along the way stop at one of the villages of the Tigre people. O/N - Yeha Hotel

Axum for two nights

Full day sightseeing tour of Axum to visit the Stele Park (4th Century AD and UNESCO World Heritage Site), the church of St. Mary of Zion (the last resting place of the Original Ark of the Covenant), the Archaeological Museum of Axum, the ruin palace and tomb of the Queen of Sheba(9th Century BC), and the ruin palace and tomb of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel(5th and 6th Century AD). O/N - Yeha Hotel Read more

Axum

Fly to Lalibela and after lunch visit the incredibly hand carved rock churches of King Lalibela (13th Century AD and UNESCO World Heritage site). This afternoon, you will be visiting the First Group of Churches of Lalibela. O/N - Mountain View Hotel

Lalibela for two nights

In the morning, make an excursion to the old interesting cave built up church of Yemrehane Kirstos which predates the churches of Lalibela by at least a century and famous for its unique Axumite wood and stone architecture of construction. After lunch visit the Ne’akuto Le’ab (13th Century AD) church which was founded by the nephew and successor of King Lalibela. And, in the afternoon, visit the remaining churches of the Second and Third Group. O/N - Mountains View Hotel Read more

Lalibela

Fly ET 120 (10:40 – 11:40) back to Addis Ababa and have a short city tour of Addis Ababa to visit the National Archaeological Museum of Ethiopia (to see the fossil remains of Lucy (3.18 mil years old), Merkato market which is the largest outdoor market in Africa, drive to Mount Entoto(3,200 meters above sea level) to have a panoramic view of Addis Ababa and drive on the main streets of Addis to see the historic monuments of the capital and its major landmarks such as the buildings of HQ of the African Union, the HQ of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. In the evening, you will be my guest at one of the best traditional Ethiopian restaurants of the city where you will taste varieties of delicious Ethiopian meals and see LIVE dances of the different people of Ethiopia. End of tour Read more