Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa Museum - Depending on your arrival time in Addis, after checking into your hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel or preferred location to start your tour at the National Museum. This museum is considered one of the most significant in Sub-Saharan Africa. Among its renowned exhibits are the 3.2 million-year-old bones of our ancient ancestor, Lucy. Visitors are captivated by a rich collection of imperial and ecclesiastical insignia, costumes, and weapons. The oldest artifacts include rock sculptures and inscriptions from the era of Queen Saba, discovered near Aksum and in present-day Eritrea.

Ethnological Museum - Following your visit to the National Museum, you will walk to the Ethnological Museum, located within the University. This museum was established and is managed by Polish scientist Professor Stanisław Chojnacki. The most fascinating part of the exhibition is the collection of crosses and icons. Folklore instrument enthusiasts will find the museum’s collection impressive. After spending an hour here, you will continue to Mount Entoto Mariam to see Menelik II’s palace.

Entoto Maryam Church - After lunch, you will ascend Entoto Hill, situated 3,200 meters above sea level. A new park with an observation deck offers panoramic views of Addis Ababa. This location was once the capital of Ethiopia before Menelik II relocated it to Addis Ababa. The king’s palace still stands, and the local museum displays crowns belonging to royalty and the church, along with costumes and insignia. Visiting this site will take about an hour.

Mercato Market - The day’s final attraction in Addis Ababa is a visit to Merkato, reputed to be the largest marketplace in Africa and the most colorful. Depending on your interest, you can extend your stay, but it typically takes about an hour. Afterwards, you will be taken to a delightful traditional restaurant where you can enjoy traditional dancing and music with traditional instruments.

Fly Addis Ababa-Bahir Dar

Lake Tana - On this day, you will wake up at 6:00 am to travel to the airport for a short flight to Bahir Dar. The flight departs at 7:00 am and arrives at 8:30 am. You will be picked up at Bahir Dar airport at 8:30 am, and it’s only a 10-minute drive to the city. After checking into your hotel, you will be picked up at 9:30 am for a boat trip to explore the monastery lakes.

Lake Tana has 37 islands, with 30 hosting churches and monasteries of significant historical and cultural interest. You will visit the monastery churches at the outlet of the Blue Nile, including Ura Kidane Mihiret and Azwa Mariam. Ura Kidane Mihiret is renowned for its collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries, while Azwa Mariam is famous for its paintings, and there will be time to visit the small museum. You will be in Bahir Dar around 1:00 pm, and after lunch at 2:00 pm, you will drive to the Blue Nile Falls.

Blue Nile Falls - After lunch at 2:00 pm, you will drive for an hour to reach the Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tissisat (smoking water). The water cascades 148 feet (45 m), creating steam clouds and rainbows. You will descend to the base of the falls for a close-up view and then ascend the other side. The round-trip walk takes about an hour. Afterwards, you will cross the Blue Nile by boat. Around 5:00 pm, you will drive back to Bahir Dar, arriving around 6:30 pm, and at 7:00 pm, you will go for dinner.

Bahir Dar-Gondar

Fasil Ghebbi - On this day, you will wake up at 6:30 am, and after breakfast at 7:30 am, you will drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar, a journey of 2.5 hours. You will arrive in Gondar around 12:30 pm, and after some rest, you will be picked up at 2:00 pm to visit the royal Fasil Castle, Debre Brehane Selassie churches, and the swimming pool, among other sites. The tour concludes around 6:30 pm, and after dinner, you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Gondar-Simien Mountains National Park

Simien Mountains National Park - After breakfast at 7:30 am, you will be picked up for a 2-hour drive to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ethiopia’s scenic centerpiece is a mountainous central plateau covering half of its surface area and supporting the majority of its population. It is the largest contiguous block of fertile land on the eastern side of Africa. The elevated plateau stands almost entirely at altitudes above 6,500 feet (2,000 m) and includes numerous peaks above 13,000 feet (4,000 m), including Ras Dashen, the fifth-highest mountain in Africa at 14,905 feet (4,543 m).

The road to the mountains traverses areas of wild beauty, approaching the Simien Massif (in Amharic, Simien means north). You will likely encounter troops of the endemic gelada baboons, often referred to as the bleeding heart baboon or the lion monkey due to its shaggy, lion-like coat.

You will return to Gondar around 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

Fly Gondar-Lalibela

Lalibela - At 9:00 am, you will be transferred to Gondar airport to catch your flight to Lalibela. Upon arrival at Lalibela airport at 1:30 pm, you will be taken directly to the Lalibela rock-hewn churches, which will take about 5 hours to explore. Around 7:00 pm, you will be taken to a fine restaurant, marking the end of the trip.

• Boat transport
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Government tax
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Breakfast
• Airport and departure taxes
• Guide
• All entrance fees as per program

• Gratuities
• Domestic flight

Embark on a 5-day journey through Ethiopia, where ancient history, vast landscapes, artistic treasures, and delectable cuisine await. Begin in Addis Ababa, where you will encounter ‘Lucy’, one of the oldest human skeletons ever discovered. Venture further to explore the remarkable churches of Lalibela and Gondar, and visit Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile. Discover Simien Mountains National Park, home to some of Africa’s highest peaks. It’s easy to see why Ethiopia is known as the ‘Land of Origins’.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.