Spend the day on a city tour, exploring Addis Ababa. First stop is at the magnificent Trinity Cathedral. Continue to the National Museum, close to the University of Addis Ababa Graduate School, which houses numerous antiquarian relics and archaeological artifacts. Continue to St. George’s Cathedral, dedicated to the national saint of Ethiopia. Ride to the top of Entoto Mountain. Here you will find a panoramic view of Ethiopia’s capital spread out below through towering eucalyptus trees. Your afternoon is at leisure to discover Addis on your own or relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner and get your first taste of Ethiopian cuisine. Overnight at the HILTON HOTEL.

Fly north to the third largest city in Ethiopia, Bahir Dar, located on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile. Upon arrival, you’ll drive to the Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tiss Falls. For centuries people wondered where the source of water for the great Nile River was. Today you will have the opportunity to visit this once mysterious source. Overnight at the KURIFTU RESORT & SPA.

To avoid the strong waves, you will cross Lake Tana this morning when the lake is placid. You will visit the monasteries of Ura Kidane Miheret, and Azwa Mariam located on the peninsula of Zegue; the churches at this peninsula are a pleasant surprise, not only because of the paintings but also because of the age of the buildings and the unique style of decorations. In the afternoon, you will have time to explore some parts of the city which is distinctly known for its wide avenues lined with palm trees and a variety of colorful flowers. The city was awarded UNESCO Cities for Peace Prize for managing to address the challenges of rapid urbanization. Overnight at the KURIFTU RESORT & SPA.

Continue your exploration with a drive to Gondar (approximately 4 hours), an important town for over two centuries, a thriving center of religion, art and culture. Arrive in Gondar just in time for an authentic Ethiopian lunch. After lunch, a full afternoon of Gondar culture and history await you! First stop will be Fasilidas Palace. The palace stands in a compound filled with juniper and wild olive trees, amid Enqulal Gemb, or Egg Castle, named after its domed roof, the royal archive, many impressive churches, and monasteries and a stable. These exemplify architecture that is marked by both Hindu and Arab influences, subsequently transformed by the Baroque style that the Jesuit missionaries brought to Gondar, and have earned the city the nickname “The African Camelot”. Continue with a tour of Debre Berhan Selassie, one of Ethiopia’s most beautiful churches. Located on the summit of a hill and surrounded fortified walls, the breathtaking inner sanctuary features stunning frescos, which represent a masterpiece of the Gondarene School of Art. Overnight at the GONDAR HILLS RESORT.

Enjoy a full day excursion to the Simien Mountains a stunning mountain range, alive with exotic plant and animal life. The highest mountain here 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 Simien Mountains are considered the wildest and most beautiful sites of all Ethiopian landscapes and serve as home to many endemic animals like the highly endangered Ethiopian wolf, Waliya ibex, and Gelada baboons, and plants like the Giant Lobelia. The scenery and the variety of wildlife will leave you speechless. Return to Gondar in the evening, after a fascinating day of discovery.
Overnight at the GONDAR HILLS RESORT.

This morning’s flight brings you to the mountain village of Lalibela (driving distance from the airport to the village of Lalibela approximately 10 miles~ 30 minutes on asphalt road), one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities. You’ll spend the next two days exploring these architectural marvels. You will also meet with the clergy and have a brief discussion about the history of the churches. Overnight at the MEZENA LODGE.

Fly to Axum, a town of legends offering a glimpse to a truly remarkable past. It is littered with the ruins of palaces, underground tombs, mysterious monolithic stelae carved from single piece of granite and many historical relics. This is also the site where one of the most important churches and pilgrimage place in all of Ethiopia is located, where the Ark of the Covenant is reputed to be located – the Church of Our Lady, Mary of Zion.

In the afternoon visit the amazing sites of Axum, including its collection of ancient stelae, the bath and the palace of the Queen of Sheba, the museum, St Mary of Tsion Church- which legend says is where the Ark of the Covenant is located, the tomb of former emperors of King Kaleb & Guebre Meskel & the chapel (allowed for men only). Overnight at the SABEAN INTERNATIONAL HOTEL.

Today you’ll catch a short flight back to Addis. You have the rest of the day to explore the capital on your own and do some last-minute shopping. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with traditional Ethiopian food, music, and dance. A dayroom is provided for you at the HILTON HOTEL. Your tour of Ethiopia concludes with a drop-off at the airport for your flight home, arriving the next day.

Extend your adventure to Harar, an ancient walled city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. For centuries, it has been a major commercial center, linking trade routes to the rest of Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. Harar has 368 alleyways weaving through only one square kilometer, making it more reminiscent of Fez in Morocco, than any other town in the Horn. Enjoy a full tour of this wondrous city. Visit Dhakata Valley, better known as the Valley of Marvels. This region of desolate, red earthed landscape is filled with low acacia scrubs, forbidden cacti and tall chimney-like termite mound. Meet with the Argoba people in the village of Koromi. You cannot miss them as they stroll through the countryside wearing colorful robes, beaded jewelry and braided hair.