Fly to Bahir Dar, a pleasant city on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, at an altitude of 5,900 feet. There are 37 islands on Lake Tana and 30 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. Drive directly to the Blue Nile Falls: 328 feet wide, the water plunges 148 feet, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. Next morning, cross Lake Tana by boat, taking advantage of the tidal pattern that sees serene mornings on the lake, but tumultuous, wavy afternoons and evenings. Visit the monastery of Ura Kidane Miheret and Azwa Mariam, located on the Zegue Peninsula. The churches at this peninsula are a cultural delight, with unique décor and striking artwork and iconography. In the afternoon, explore some parts of the city, known for its wide avenues lined with palm trees and a variety of colorful flowers. This city was awarded UNESCO Cities for Peace Prize for managing to address the challenges of rapid urbanization. KURIFTU RESORT.

Continue your exploration with a drive to Gondar, the capital of the Ethiopian empire under the reign of Emperor Fasilides (1632-1667.) Arrive in Gondar in time for lunch, and afterwards resume your drive to the Simien Mountains, a stunning mountain range, alive with exotic plant and animal life. In the park, the highest mountain is Ras Dashen at 14,905 feet above sea level, and proudly carries the local moniker ‘The Roof of Africa.’ These spectacular segments of the Semien Mountain are considered the wildest and most beautiful sites of all the Ethiopian landscapes and serve as home to many endemic animals like the highly endangered Ethiopian wolf, Waliya ibex, and plants like Giant Lobelia. The massive 13,000-foot-high table of rock offers immensely rewarding trekking along the edge of a plateau that falls sheer to the plains far below. The scenery and the variety of wildlife will leave you speechless. The days are dedicated to exploring in the mountains. LIMALINO LODGE.

After an early camp breakfast, drive to Geech and continue on foot towards Chenek. On the way, catch sight of the strange and beautiful Giant Lobelia plant and spot some Gelada baboons. Return to Gondar, set in a landscape of incomparable beauty. Here, visit the Castle, one of the most intricate and ornate buildings erected by Emperor Fasilides and his heirs. Later, proceed to the incredible Debre Birhan Selassie Church, a massive work of art covered wall-to-ceiling with intricate and jewel-colored paintings, featuring scenes of Biblical and medieval historical significance from the Gonderian period. GONDAR HILLS HOTEL.

Your flight takes you to Lalibela, located at 8,530 feet above sea level and home to 11 monolithic churches that were built in the twelfth century, distinct because they are carved out of the sparkling pink granite rock known to the region. Classified as one of the wonders of the world, each church has a unique architectural style; all are superbly carved and most of them are decorated with well-preserved paintings. The entire city may be described as a sculpture dedicated to the glory of God. After lunch, visit the first group of the rock hewn churches and explore the city itself. Next day, drive to a small village to visit Yemrehanna Kristos Church, built inside a cave on the commission of King Zagwe. The walls of the building were constructed with wooden beams and white plaster and Axumite windows. Over the centuries, many Christians came here to die, and their remains rest in the cave behind the building. MEZENA LODGE.

Take a short morning flight to Axum, the ‘city of legends,’ a city of immense history and lore, littered with the ruins of palaces, underground tombs, mysterious monolithic stelae, and many historical relics. The founding of the Empire of Axum in the 5th century BC is often taken as the starting point of the Ethiopian civilization. Axum is renowned for its cathedral of St. Mary Zion, where, as legend has it, the original Ark of the Covenant is housed. YARED ZEMA HOTEL.

Your drive this morning takes you via the ruin of Yeha Temple, believed to be the oldest standing building in the country, to Gheralta, nature’s most magnificent natural setting. Gheralta is home to a quarter of the rock churches, some famous for their stone workmanship, ancient paintings and old manuscripts, and others known for their stunning views and difficult assent and time will be spent exploring Gheralta and visiting the marvelous houses of worship that dot this remote and inspiring landscape. A visit will be organized to the churches of Dugem Selassie, Mariam Korkor, and Daniel Korkor, some requiring stamina and physical ability to reach them. GHERALTA LODGE.

It’s time to venture to one of the most visually arresting places on Earth as you drive to Wukro your base for your next excursion – the Danakil Depression, an eye-popping neon kaleidoscope of reds, teals, blues, yellows, and greens, home to active lava lakes, hot springs, and natural salt deposits. Gaze into the heart of a dead volcano, watch active explosions, and witness locals from their camel caravans in the salt mines. WUKRO LODGE.

Today you drive to Mekele where you’ll catch a short flight back to Addis. You have the rest of the day to explore the capital and do some last-minute shopping. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with traditional Ethiopian food. Your tour of Ethiopia concludes with a drop-off at the airport for your flight home, arriving the next day. DAYROOM AT THE SHERATON HOTEL.

End your journey exploring the vanishing tribes of Ethiopia as you travel to the south. Visit the agricultural Ari, the dominant group in the Omo region, and the Mursi, known for their decorative lip plates. Admire the ornamental body art of the Karo, the colorful dress of the Hamer, the scarification of the Dessanech – the southernmost people in the country, whose name means ‘People of the Delta,” and buy some of the weavings of the Dorze.