$1,540 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival – Addis Ababa
Arrival – Addis Ababa
Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s political, cultural, and geographic center. Unlike many African capitals, Addis Ababa was never colonized and retains a unique historical identity.
One of the city’s most famous attractions is the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to “Lucy,” a 3.2-million-year-old hominid discovered in 1974. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an optional city tour including the National Museum and the Ethnographic Museum, located within the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner with fellow travelers. Overnight at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Sun View Addis Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Flight to Bahir Dar
Flight to Bahir Dar
After breakfast, take a morning flight to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel before embarking on a boat trip on Lake Tana. Visit two of the most accessible and representative monasteries Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam renowned for their beautifully preserved medieval wall paintings and continued religious use.
On the return journey, observe the outlet of the Blue Nile, the world’s longest river, as it flows from Lake Tana. After lunch, drive to the Blue Nile Falls. While water levels depend on seasonal rainfall, the walk and surrounding scenery provide a rewarding experience. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3
Drive to Gondar
Drive to Gondar
Drive 185 km to Gondar through the scenic landscapes of the Amhara region, passing farmlands along the way. En route, stop at Awra Amba community, a unique egalitarian society where men and women share equal rights and responsibilities. Continue to Gondar, once the imperial capital of Ethiopia during the 17th and 18th centuries and now known as the “Camelot of Africa.” After lunch, visit the royal castles where Ethiopian emperors built their palaces. Continue to the Bath of King Fasilidas, still used during the annual Timkat festival celebrating the baptism of Jesus. End the day at Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for its angelic ceiling paintings—an enduring symbol of Ethiopian art. Overnight at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Gondar (City)
- Accommodation:
- AG Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Flight to Lalibela
Flight to Lalibela
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often referred to as the “New Jerusalem.” Lalibela is renowned for its extraordinary rock-hewn churches, carved directly from solid rock and regarded as one of the great architectural achievements of the world. Begin exploring the Northwestern Cluster of churches, including Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael, and Bet Golgotha. Conclude the visit with Bet Giyorgis, the most iconic church, carved in the shape of a perfect cross and dedicated to Saint George, Ethiopia’s patron saint. Overnight at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Tabor Hotel Lalibela
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Flight to Addis Ababa – Departure
Flight to Addis Ababa – Departure
After breakfast, visit the Southeastern Cluster of Lalibela churches, including Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Emanuel, and Bet Abba Libanos. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, enjoy free time for shopping before attending a farewell cultural dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, featuring music and dances from various ethnic groups. Later, transfer to the airport for your international departure.
- Main Destination:
- No major destination visited
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
