Addis Ababa

National Museum of Ethiopia - Begin your journey at the National Museum or another museum of your choice (see options below). The National Museum is Ethiopia’s oldest museum, renowned for its exhibit “Lucy,” a 3.5 million-year-old skeleton discovered in 1974, which provided evidence that bipedal hominids evolved much earlier than previously believed. The museum also showcases numerous other paleontological and archaeological artifacts, along with ethnographic and contemporary art displays.

Holy Trinity Cathedral - Following the museum visit, there is an opportunity to explore the Holy Trinity Cathedral, constructed to honor Ethiopia’s liberation from Italian occupation. The cathedral is a significant center for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, second only to the Church of Our Lady Zion in Axum (where the original Ark of the Covenant is thought to be kept). The Cathedral also features its own museum with fascinating artifacts from the history of the Ethiopian Church. Alternatively, you may choose to visit Entoto Mountain or St George’s Cathedral instead of Holy Trinity.

Mercato Market - Next, explore the Mercato, reputed to be Africa’s largest market. The Mercato serves as the commercial heart of Addis Ababa, with a tightly-knit grid of streets filled with stalls, kiosks, and shops. You can purchase almost anything here, but be ready to negotiate! Alternatively, you can visit Shero Meda, a more traditional market, or discover Addis’ finest souvenir shops.

Tomoca Coffee | Atlas Branch | ቶሞካ ቡና | አትላስ - Conclude the afternoon with either a traditional coffee ceremony or a visit to Tomoca, Ethiopia’s most renowned coffee shop, before heading to your hotel around 6:30 pm.

Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

Bahir Dar - The journey to Bahir Dar will occupy most of the day, offering a wonderful opportunity to observe the changing landscapes of the highlands and witness daily life in rural Ethiopia.

Bahir Dar

Lake Tana - In the morning, embark on a boat cruise on Lake Tana, stopping to explore some of the island churches and monasteries that house relics and frescoes dating back to the 16th century.

Blue Nile Falls - In the afternoon, visit the Blue Nile Falls at Tisisat, meaning “smoking water” in Amharic. The breathtaking falls are 100 meters wide and plunge 45 meters, sending mist high into the air. A short walk and a trip across a 17th-century bridge provide an excellent close-up view of the falls.

Bahir Dar to Gondar

Gonder - From Bahir Dar, it’s approximately a 3-hour drive to Gondar, where you’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. Gondar is a historic settlement with an air of mystery, offering views that stretch across the surrounding farmland back to Lake Tana. Founded by Emperor Fasilidas around 1635, Gondar has grown into one of Ethiopia’s largest and most impressive cities.

Fasil Ghebbi - Gondar is renowned for its walled Royal Enclosure, which contains several well-preserved, medieval-looking castles dating from as early as 1650. The castles are unique for the Horn of Africa, drawing architectural inspiration from the Moors and the Portuguese.

Debre Berhan Selassie Church - Gondar boasts numerous churches, but the most significant is Debre Berhan Selassie (Trinity Church of the Mountain of Light), which occupies an impressive hilltop location. The priest will share the stories behind the many paintings and carvings inside the church.

Gondar to the Simien Mountains

Debark - Departing Gondar, enjoy a scenic 2 to 3-hour drive to Debark, a small market town at an altitude of 2,700 meters, on the edge of the Simien Mountains National Park.

Simien Mountains National Park - After lunch, venture into the park to witness the stunning landscapes that earned it a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. There will be opportunities to stretch your legs, take in the views, and possibly spot some endemic wildlife before returning to Debark for the night.

Simien Mountains to Lalibela

Lalibela - Enjoy a scenic day of driving to the city of Lalibela, with the spectacular Ambalage mountains as a backdrop.

Lalibela

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela - Spend a full day sightseeing in and around Lalibela. Lalibela is one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities and a pilgrimage center for much of the country. It was constructed in the 12th century to be the ‘New Jerusalem’ following the capture of Jerusalem by Saladin and was designed to resemble that city. Lalibela is most famous for its rock-hewn churches, which, like those of Tigray, are literally carved out of the surrounding rock. In total, there are 11 ‘rock churches’.

Bete Giyorgis of Lalibela - Bete Giyorgis (the Church of Saint George) in the Western group is the most renowned and impressive. Often described as the eighth wonder of the world, the church is carved in the shape of a cross and stands 12 meters high in a square-cut ‘hole’ in the rock outcrop from which it is carved.

Lalibela to Kombolcha

Kombolcha to Addis Ababa

Yod Abyssinia Cultural Restaurant | Karl Square | ዮድ አቢሲኒያ የባህል ምግብ ቤት | ካርል አደባባይ - The tour concludes with dinner at a cultural restaurant in Addis Ababa, where you can savor local dishes and enjoy vibrant traditional dances from across the country.

• Private transportation
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast

• Gratuities
• Alcoholic beverages

On this trip, you’ll see the spectacular “Smoking Water” of the Blue Nile Falls and take a boat trip to the famous island monasteries of Lake Tana. You can enjoy the breath-taking scenery of the Simien Mountains National Park and spot endemic Gelada baboons and other wildlife. You’ll also explore the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, carved over 800 years ago, and admire the mediaeval castles of Gondar, described as Ethiopia’s “Camelot”.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.