Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival in Addis Ababa
Arrival in Addis Ababa
You will visit Trinity Cathedral, the resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. You will then tour the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. You'll make a short drive to the Entoto Hills for a view of the city and visit Maryam Church. En route, you will stop at Sheromeda traditional cloth market. You will visit the Mercato or the Sholla Market, two of Addis Ababa's main markets.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Best Western Plus Pearl Addis
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Fly Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar
Fly Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar
You will fly to Bahir Dar on Ethiopian Airlines. You'll enjoy a boat to visit Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula. You will visit two of the following monasteries: Ura Kidane Mehiret, Azwa Maryam, Mehal Zege Giorgis, and Bete Maryam. You will end the day with a sunset visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile River.
- Main Destination:
- Bahir Dar (City)
- Accommodation:
- Sky Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Drive Bahir Dar - Gondar
Drive Bahir Dar - Gondar
You will drive through the countryside to Gondar. Then, you'll 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 empire. You will visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.
Day 4
Fly from Gondar - Lalibela
Fly from Gondar - Lalibela
You will fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines. There, you'll tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic churches was carved directly into the stone 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. In the late afternoon, you will enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and learn the process of baking injera (a staple food for much of Ethiopia.).
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Tabor Hotel Lalibela
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Visit Lalibela
Visit Lalibela
For the morning, you have two options: Take a morning hike with mules to the 13th-century rock-hewn monastery of Mount Asheton. The walk provides wonderful views of Lalibela and the surrounding countryside. -OR- Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will allow you to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Following either option above, you will continue with the tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon.
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Tabor Hotel Lalibela
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Fly to Axum
Fly to Axum
You will fly to Axum on Ethiopian Airlines. You will tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. You'll visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum. You will see St. Mary Tsion Church, which houses the Ark of the Covenant according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (no one is allowed to see the Ark.) You will visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits.
- Main Destination:
- Axum (City)
- Accommodation:
-
Brana Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Fly Back to Addis Ababa
Fly Back to Addis Ababa
You will fly back to Addis Ababa. You will visit the National Museum, home of the 3 million-year-old skeleton “Lucy.” There is an optional souvenir shopping in the afternoon. You'll transfer to the airport for a late-night departure if needed.
- Main Destination:
- No major destination visited
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
