Itinerary

1. Day 1: Addis Ababa - Bahir dar - Blue Nile Falls

   • Early in the morning arrive at the domestic terminal of Addis Ababa Bole Airport, check-in and fly to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival, directly transfer to the hotel.

   • After breakfast, take a boat trip on Lake Tana and visit two of the most accessible and representative of the monasteries with very beautiful well painting from medieval time still serving their original function, Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam.

   • Ride back to Bahir Dar. On the way, see the outlet of the famous Blue Nile the longest river in the world as it departs from the lake.

   Break for lunch.

   • In the afternoon, a drive to the Blue Nile Falls, (the water amount of the fall is depending on the rain), but the drive and walking by its self is great and enjoyable. 

   Overnight stay at hotel.

2. Day 2: Bahir dar - Gonder – Camelot of Africa

   • After breakfast, drive to Gonder (180 km) for a tour of Gondar known as the “Camelot of Africa", settled in the foothills of the breathtaking Semien Mountains National Park in the northwestern part of the country. It was the 17th and 18th-century capital city of Ethiopia. It was founded by Emperors Fasiladas (1632 – 1667) and was home to a number of emperors & warlords, curtsies and kings who built several castles and palaces around the area.

   • Visit the oldest and the most impressive Gonderine structure, the magnificent castle compound including the two-storied palace of Emperor Fasiladas, built of roughly hewn brown basalt stone held together with mortar, the fantastically decorated Debre Brehan Selassie Church (Light of Trinity), the bath (now baptismal place during Ethiopian Epiphany, January 19) of King Fasiladas and the ruined palace of Queen Mintiwab at Qusquam, where the Scottish explorer James Bruce used to stay.

   Overnight stay at hotel.

3. Day 3: Gonder- Axum

   • Early morning after breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight further north takes you to the oldest city in Ethiopia, Axum.

   • Go for an eight-kilometre drive to the Town and check-in at your hotel.

   • Start exploring Axum, a place that was the cradle of Ethiopian culture, Christianity and the first capital of Ethiopia until the 9th century A.D. On this day, you will visit the small but rich archaeological museum, the famous Stele park, where the magnificent single block of stones erected since 3rd century, the Saint Mary of Zion Cathedral, where the original Holy Ark of the Covenant is still sheltered, however except one guardian (priest) no one is allowed to enter into the sanctuary where the ark stays.

   • Continuing your visit which includes the subterranean tomb of king Kalbe and his son king Gebremeskel, 6th Century AD, the trilingual inscription of king Ezana and finally, the ruin palace and bath of Queen of Sheba who was the mother of king Menilik I of the 950 B.C. 

   Overnight stay at the hotel.

4. Day 4: Axum - Lalibela

   • After breakfast, transfer to the airport to fly to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lalibela - the Jerusalem of Ethiopia, in a fitting finale to your Ethiopian adventure. 

   • Explore the first group of the monolithic red-Tuff churches incredibly carved into the rock. Your Ethiopian tour guide will lead you through the network of crevices and tunnels linking each of the churches. The churches are still in use today. 

   • Finally, walk to the separately standing, uncovered and beautiful Saint Georges Church down to narrow path to the church; step inside and you will see a robed priest going about his timeless business.

   • Late afternoon, drive back to your hotel. 

   Overnight stay at the hotel.

5. Day 5: Lalibela – Addis Ababa - Departure

   • Early morning after breakfast, a quick visit to the eastern (second) group of rock churches that are comparatively smaller in size. These are no less impressive, with intricate carvings and many dark tunnels to explore.

   • Transfer to the airport to fly back to Addis Ababa.

   • Upon arrival, more free time for shopping.

   • In the evening, head to the farewell evening cultural dinner party in one of the traditional Ethiopian restaurant with dances from the different ethnic groups.

   • Transfer to the airport for your departure.