• Visit the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history.

• Go to the Mercato, one of Africa's largest outdoor markets, and Trinity Cathedral, the resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.

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• Fly to Bahar Dar on Ethiopian Airlines.

• Visit the marketplace in Bahar Dar with your Ethiopian guide.

• Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient island monasteries.  

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• Drive through the countryside to Gondar.

• Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African Empire.

• Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art, especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.

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• Drive to Sankabar, the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• Enjoy some light hiking in the afternoon in the park.

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• Take a scenic drive to Axum, the capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Make frequent stops at viewpoints along the way.  

• Arrive in Axum late afternoon.

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• Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years.

• Visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum.

• See the other tombs and archaeological sites as time permits. 

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• Drive to the Hawzein, passing the Adwa battlefield, the site of Emperor Menelik II's 1895 victory over the invading Italians.

• Visit the 2,500-year-old ruins of Yeha, an ancient moon temple.  

• Continue past Adigrat and visit Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos, two of the Tigray region's oldest and finest rock churches.

• On this day, you will pass the 6th-century monastery of Debre Damos, which is perched atop a remote plateau. The monastery is only accessible using a rope, and the monks will help pull visitors up the 20 - 25 meter cliff. However, it is only recommended for physically fit individuals. Women are not allowed on the grounds of the monastery, and therefore, it is not part of the regular tour itinerary. However, you can stop here for those on a custom or private tour.

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• Visit more of Tigray's remote and ancient rock-hewn churches: Abraha Atsbeha, dating from the 10th century; the beautiful Wukro Chirkos; and  Medhane Alem Kesho.  

• Drive to Mekele.

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• Meet support vehicles and drive to Ahmedela via Berhaile.

• Make camp and see camel caravans passing against a backdrop of dramatic sunsets. 

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• Excursions to Lake Asale and Dallol. 

• Visit Lake Asale and watch the salt workers cut salt bricks from the lake bed. The bricks are then sold on the market and loaded on camel caravans for transport to the highlands.

• Proceed to Dallol and view the dramatic and colourful geological formations caused by the hot springs rich in sulfur, potash, and salt. 

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• Drive to Dodom.

• Trek 15 kilometres to the Erta Alle volcano lake, 613 meters above sea level.

• Arrive at Erta Alle around midnight and walk to see the spectacular volcanic eruption.

• Set up camp and rest. 

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• Return trek to Dodom.

• Drive to Mekele. 

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• Drive on a scenic road to Lalibela.

• Arrive at your hotel late afternoon and enjoy the sunset from the terrace. 

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• 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 mountainside stone at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. 

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• Fly to Addis Ababa.

• Visit the National Museum, home of the 3 million-year-old skeleton "Lucy."

• Do optional souvenir shopping.

• 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 if needed.

(B, L, D)