In the morning, fly north to Axum which is the earliest capital of Ethiopia, and have a sightseeing tour of Axum to visit the Stele Park (4th Century AD and UNESCO World Heritage Site). Here we will see about 50 steles (obelisks) cut out of a single piece of granite stone the tallest of which measures 33 meters. Then, visit the archaeological Museum of Axum, St. Mary of Zion church which is the last resting place of the Original Ark of the Covenant, and the ruin palace of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel (5th and 6th Century AD). Late in the afternoon, visit the ruin palace and tomb of the Queen of Sheba (9th Century BC). O/N - Yeha Hotel Read more

Axum for two nights

Day around Axum to visit Aba Penteleon Monastery (6th Century AD), the Stone Inscriptions of King Ezana (4th Century AD) which relates the victories King Ezana (the one who claimed Christianity a state religion) carved in three languages - Greek, Sabean and Ge'ez, and also visit the quarry where the rough blocks for the steles is carved at and transported from. O/N - Yeha Hotel Read more

Axum for two nights

Drive to Hauzien visiting the beautiful and historic Adwa Mountains. These mountains are where Ethiopians win the Fascist Italians in 1896 during the Scramble for Africa and made Ethiopia the only African nation which was not surrendered to the European powers. Along the way visit the incredible Yeha Temple (5th Century BC) and Aba Afse Monastery (6th Century AD). Then, drive to Hauzien for overnight. O/N - Geraltha Lodge Read more

Hauzien for three nights

Day visiting the ancient rock churches of Tigary around Hauzien. Today you will visit the incredible hand carved rock church of Dugem Sillassie and Abuna Abraham Debre Tsion which both are said to be from the 4th Century AD according to locals and from the 10th Century AD according to historians and archaeologists. O/N - Geraltha Lodge Read more

Hauzien for three nights

Today, you will have a a trekking of about 2 hours one way to visit the interesting rock church of Mariam Korkor which is noted for its unique location in the cliff edge, and beautiful paintings dating back from the 4th Century AD. And, have a leisure afternoon enjoying the great scenery of the Geraltha Mountains. O/N - Geraltha Lodge Read more

Hauzien for three towns

Drive to Mekelle - the regional capital of the Tigre people. Along the way visit the rock churches of Abreha Atsbeha (4th Century AD) and Wukro Cherkos (10th Century AD). O/N - Axum Hotel

Mekelle for one night

Crossing the scenic Lasta Mountains and visiting the villages of the Amhara people whose language is the official language of the country, drive to Lalibela - home of the 11 hand cut churches of King Lalibela (13th Century AD) whom the town is named after. O/N - Mountain View Hotel

Lalibela for three nights

Today, enjoy the full day sightseeing tour of Lalibela visiting the eleven churches of Lalibela (UNESCO World Heritage Site) which are cut out of a single piece of rock in the 12th and 13th Century AD. These churches are divided into three groups – visit first and third group in the morning, and visit the churches of the second group in the afternoon. O/N – Mountain View Hotel Read more

Lalibela for three 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. Then, attend a typical Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony to see how Ethiopians enjoy their cups of coffee starting from washing the beans, roasting it on iron pan, offering the smoke for guests to smell as a sign of respect and being a happy host, pounding it by hand, and drinking three rounds of cups of coffee. Ethiopia is a great place to enjoy one of the best coffees you ever had as it is the source (birth place) of coffee. O/N – Mountain View Hotel Read more

Lalibela for three nights

After breakfast, drive to Bahir Dar crossing the beautiful Lasta mountains and the fertile Fogera plains. Bahir Dar is one of the biggest cities in the country and the regional capital of the Amhara people whose language is the official language of the country. O/N - Abay Minch Lodge

Bahir Dar for two nights

After breakfast, 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 two nights

Fly back to Addis Ababa in the morning and after lunch 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