Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

Morning:

• Arrive at Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa.
• Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Afternoon: Addis Ababa City Tour

• Visit the National Museum to see the fossil of Lucy and artifacts spanning Ethiopia’s history.
• Explore the Ethnological Museum to learn about Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic groups.
• Stop at Trinity Cathedral, known for its stained glass and royal tombs.
• Visit Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market.

Evening:

• Dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with cultural music and dance performances.
• Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Day 2: Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

Morning:

• Take an early flight to Bahir Dar (1 hour).

Afternoon: Lake Tana Boat Tour

• Boat ride on Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake.
• Visit the Ura Kidane Mehret Monastery on Zege Peninsula, known for its colorful murals and manuscripts.
• Observe hippos and abundant birdlife near the lake.

Evening:

• Relax and enjoy the sunset over Lake Tana.
• Overnight in Bahir Dar.

Day 3: Blue Nile Falls and Drive to Gondar

Morning:

• Drive (45 minutes) to visit the Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat), known as “The Water that Smokes.”
• Enjoy a short hike to stunning viewpoints and a boat ride across the Nile.

Afternoon: Drive to Gondar (3 hours)

• Arrive in Gondar, check into your hotel.

Evening:

• Free evening at leisure.
• Overnight in Gondar.

Day 4: Gondar City Tour

Morning:

• Explore the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring castles and palaces from the 17th century.
• Visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for its angelic ceiling paintings.
• Stop at Fasilides Bath, where the annual Timkat celebration takes place.

Afternoon:

• Stroll through Gondar’s vibrant local markets.

Evening:

• Overnight in Gondar.

Day 5: Gondar to Simien Mountains National Park

Morning:

• Drive to Simien Mountains National Park (2–3 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Afternoon: Guided Hiking Tour

• Enjoy stunning views of dramatic landscapes, jagged peaks, and deep valleys.
• Spot endemic wildlife like Gelada baboons, Walia Ibex, and Ethiopian wolves.

Evening:

• Overnight at a lodge in the Simien Mountains or return to Gondar.

Day 6: Gondar to Lalibela

Morning:

• Take a flight to Lalibela (40 minutes) or drive for 7 hours.

Afternoon: First Group of Rock-Hewn Churches

• Visit the famous 11 Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, carved out of solid rock in the 12th century.
  • Explore Bete Medhane Alem, the largest monolithic church, and Bete Maryam.
  • Admire Bete Giyorgis, shaped like a cross.

Evening:

• Traditional dinner and overnight in Lalibela.

Day 7: Lalibela – Yemrehanna Kristos & Local Experience

Morning: Visit Yemrehanna Kristos

• Drive to see Yemrehanna Kristos Church, a beautiful cave church with unique wood and stone architecture.

Afternoon: Cultural Immersion

• Join a local family for a coffee ceremony and cooking demonstration. Learn to prepare Ethiopian dishes like injera and doro wat.

Evening:

• Overnight in Lalibela.

Day 8: Lalibela to Axum

Morning:

• Take a flight to Axum, the ancient capital of the Aksumite Empire.

Afternoon: Axum City Tour

• Visit the Stelae Field, home to giant obelisks that date back to the 4th century.
• Explore St. Mary of Zion Church, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant.
• Visit the ruins of the Queen of Sheba’s Palace and King Ezana’s Inscription.

Evening:

• Overnight in Axum.

Day 9: Axum to Mekele

Morning:

• Drive to Mekele, the gateway to northern Ethiopia and the Afar region.

Afternoon: Mekele Exploration

• Visit the Emperor Yohannes IV Palace and Museum, which highlights the history of this northern region.

Evening:

• Overnight in Mekele.

Day 10: Mekele to Addis Ababa

Morning:

• Take a flight back to Addis Ababa.

Afternoon: Explore Entoto Hills

• Drive to Mount Entoto, offering panoramic views of Addis Ababa.
• Visit Entoto Maryam Church and Emperor Menelik II’s palace.

Evening:

• Explore local artisan markets for souvenirs and traditional crafts.
• Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Day 11: Day Trip to Adadi Mariam and Tiya Stelae

Morning: Drive to Adadi Mariam

• Visit the rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam, similar in style to the churches of Lalibela.

Afternoon: Tiya Stelae Field

• Explore the UNESCO-listed Tiya Stelae Field, an archaeological site featuring mysterious stone stelae with carvings.

Evening:

• Return to Addis Ababa for a farewell dinner at a cultural restaurant.

Day 12: Departure

Morning:

• Transfer to Bole International Airport for your departure flight.