Itinerary

1. Day 1: Drive from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

   • Drive to Bahir Dar while enjoying the beautiful countryside on the way to your destination.

2. Day 2: Visit Lake Tana monasteries and Blue Nile Falls

   • Go on a morning boat trip to two of the monasteries found on the island of Lake Tana, then return to Bahir Dar.
   • In the afternoon, drive 37 kilometres to see the Blue Nile Falls, crossing one of the oldest bridges over the Blue Nile River built in the 16th century by the Portuguese.

3. Day 3: Drive to Gondar and go for a half-day city tour

   • Depart for the historic city of Gondar. After arriving, go for an afternoon visit to the Royal Enclosure, consisting of 17th and 18th-century royal castles (UNESCO world heritage sites). 
   • Also, visit the Debre Birhan Selassie Church, one of Gondar's historic churches known for its beautiful paintings on its walls and ceilings.

4. Day 4: Excursion to Simien Mountains National Park

   • Take an excursion to Simien Mountains National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the amazing landscapes consisting of a chain of mountains and high elevations.
   • Also, see the area's endemic mammals like the Gelada Baboon, the Menilik Bushbuck and the Walia Ibex. However, you are likely only to spot Gelada baboons on a day trip. 
   • Hike through some picturesque viewpoints before driving back to Gondar for an overnight stay.

5. Day 5: Full day drive from Gondar to Lalibela

   • Drive for a full day to Lalibela, passing by the beautiful countryside where you can take several photographs.

6. Day 6: Visit the churches in Lalibela

   • Visit the most amazing churches carved out from a single rock found in the small town of Lalibela, which was once ruled by a set of rulers of the Zagwe Dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries. 
   • In the morning, see the first group of six churches found in adjacent courtyards. 
   • Continue your visit in the afternoon to the second group, including the most beautiful church in Lalibela - St George. 
   • Later, you can visit a local bar in the town to enjoy the traditional dance and music while testing the locally made honey wine named ‘tej’.

7. Day 7: Head to Kombolcha

   • Leave for Kombolcha, a town found roughly halfway between Lalibela and Addis Ababa, and visit the ancient monastery of Hayk Estifanos (St. Stephen) on the way.

8. Day 8: Return to Addis Ababa and transfer to airport

   • Drive back to Addis Ababa, visiting any markets on the way. 
   • After arriving,  you can go shopping at the souvenir shops.
   • In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner party in one of the cultural restaurants in the city, and see the dances of different ethnic groups in Ethiopia while enjoying the wonderful Ethiopian cuisine. 
   • Transfer to the airport for your flight back home—end of the tour.