Day 1 – Arrival in Addis Ababa & City Tour

Pick up from Bole International Airport and transfer to your hotel. After check-in, begin a guided Addis Ababa city tour. Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia, home of the famous hominid fossil “Lucy”. Continue to Entoto Mountain (3,000 meters above sea level) for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, and explore Merkato Market, the largest open-air market in Africa.

Overnight: Addis Ababa Hotel

Day 2 – Fly to Bahir Dar & Lake Tana Monasteries

Fly to Bahir Dar on Ethiopian Airlines. Visit the local marketplace and enjoy a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, exploring ancient island monasteries.

Overnight: Bahir Dar Hotel

Day 3 – Bahir Dar to Gondar

Morning drive (approximately 2 hours) to Gondar. After hotel check-in, explore the historic castles and churches of Gondar. Sightseeing includes the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Gibi), Debre Birhan Selassie Church with stunning murals, King Fasiladas’ Bath, Qusquam Monastery, and Empress Mentewab’s Palace.

Overnight: Gondar Hotel

Day 4 – Gondar to Simien Mountains National Park

Depart after breakfast for a 3–4 hour drive to Simien Mountains National Park. Explore the dramatic landscapes and spot endemic Gelada Baboons, birds, and unique flora. Visit local Amhara villages and enjoy spectacular mountain views.

Overnight: Debark / Simien Lodge

Day 5 – Simien Mountains to Axum

Drive to Axum via the breathtaking Tekeze Gorge. Although a long drive (approx. 280 km), the journey offers magnificent scenery across the Simien Mountains and deep gorges.

Overnight: Axum Hotel

Day 6 – Axum Historical Tour

Full-day tour of Axum’s archaeological and historical treasures, including the Stelae Park, Tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskel, the Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and ruins of the ancient palace. Visit the old and new Cathedrals of St. Mary of Zion and the sanctuary said to house the Ark of the Covenant.

Overnight: Axum Hotel

Day 7 – Fly Axum to Lalibela

Morning flight to Lalibela. After hotel check-in, begin exploring the world-famous rock-hewn churches. Visit the first and third groups of churches, separated by the symbolic River Jordan.

Overnight: Lalibela Hotel

Day 8 – Lalibela Churches & Excursions

Continue exploring Lalibela. In the morning, visit Ashetan Mariam Monastery by mule or vehicle. Then visit the cave church of Yemrehane Kristos. After lunch, explore the second group of Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches.

Overnight: Lalibela Hotel

Day 9 – Lalibela to Dessie / Kombolcha

Drive from Lalibela to Dessie, passing through magnificent mountain scenery and traditional Amhara highland villages. Optionally visit Haik Crater Lake and the 13th-century Istifanos Monastery, where local fishermen use reed boats.

Overnight: Dessie / Kombolcha Hotel

Day 10 – Dessie / Kombolcha to Addis Ababa

Full-day drive back to Addis Ababa (approx. 400 km), passing lowland Oromo camel regions, the Debre Sina escarpment, and high plateau villages.

Arrival: Addis Ababa

End of Tour