Itinerary

1. Day 1: Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

   • Fly to Bahir Dar on the Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa.

   • Arrive and meet your local tour guide at the airport for pick-up and transfer.

   • Visit the marketplace in Bahir Dar.

   • Take a boat excursion on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile.

   • Climb to the ancient island monasteries with your Ethiopian tour guide.

   Overnight stay at hotel in Bahir Dar.

2. Day 2: Gondar

   • Drive through the countryside to Gondar with your Ethiopian tour guide.

   • Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site and see the five castles built by a successor of Ethiopian Kings during the beginning of the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War II, the castles stand as a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African Empire.

   • Visit the Church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious arts and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.

   Overnight stay at hotel in Gondar.

3. Day 3: Lalibela

   • Fly to Lalibela on the Ethiopian Airlines.

   • 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 of the largest monolithic church in the world and consists of a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs and fabulous examples of icon paintings.

   Overnight stay at a hotel in Lalibela.

4. Day 4: Axum

   • Fly to Axum on the Ethiopian Airlines.

   • Traverse through the ancient stelae fields, standing for more than 2000 years.

   • Visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum along with other tombs and archeological sites as time permits.

   Overnight stay at a hotel in Axum.

5. Day 5: Return to Addis Ababa

   • Fly to Addis Ababa on the Ethiopian Airlines.

   • Visit the Ethnographic Museum or the National Museum, home of the 3.18 million-year-old skeleton "Lucy."

   • An optional activity of souvenir shopping can be done in the afternoon.

   • Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups.

   • Transfer to the airport for late-night departure.