Tour Details
Day 01: Addis Ababa.
Tour the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Visit the Mercato, one of Africa's largest outdoor markets. Trinity Cathedral. Overnight Hotel.
Day 02: Addis Ababa - Bahar Dar.
Fly to Bahar Dar. Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and visit ancient island monasteries. Overnight Hotel.
Day 03: Bahar Dar - Gondar.
Visit the Marketplace in Bahar Dar. Learn about village life and observe the process of weaving papyrus boats. Drive through the countryside to Gondar. Overnight Hotel.
Day 04: Gondar.
Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African Empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels. Overnight Hotel.
Day 05: Gondar - Simien Mountains.
Drive to Sankabar in the Simien Mountains, a world heritage site. Overnight Lodge.
Day 06: Simien Mountains - Axum.
Take a spectacular drive to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and a world heritage site. Overnight Hotel.
Day 07: Axum.
Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum. Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits. Overnight Hotel.
Day 08: Axum - Lalibela.
Fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines 700. Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. Overnight Hotel.
Day 09: Lalibela.
Take a morning hike with mules (optional) to Mount Asheton, with its 13th century rock-hewn monastery and great views of the town. After lunch, drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that actually predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Overnight Hotel.
Day 10: Lalibela - Addis Ababa.
Fly to Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines. Visit the National Museum, home of the 3.18 million year old skeleton "Lucy." Optional souvenir shopping in the afternoon. Farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups.