Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

   • Arrive at Addis Ababa Airport and meet your guide.

   • Transfer to your hotel and check in.

   • Depending on your arrival time, embark on a half-day or full-day city tour.

   • Visit sites such as the Ethnographic Museum, National Museum, Trinity Cathedral, Mercato Market, or Entoto Hills.

   • Return to the hotel and rest overnight.

2. Day 2: Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

   • Take an early morning flight to Bahir Dar.

   • Check in at your hotel.

   • Embark on a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore the beautiful island churches.

   • Visit Ura Kidane Mehret church on Zeghe Peninsula.

   • Walk through the forested peninsula, observing monkeys and birds.

   • Continue by boat to Kibran Gabriel Island (note women are not allowed).

   • Sail to the source of the Blue Nile, spotting water birds and possibly hippos.

   • If time permits, visit Blue Nile Falls or Bezawit Hill for panoramic views and sunset.

   • Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

3. Day 3: Bahir Dar to Gondar

   • Depart Bahir Dar and drive to Gondar.

   • Check in at your hotel.

   • Spend the afternoon visiting Gondar’s highlights: the Royal Enclosure, Fasilidas Bath, and Debre Birhan Selassie Church with its painted angel faces.

   • Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

4. Day 4: Gondar to Axum

   • Take a flight to Axum in the morning.

   • Explore Axum’s archaeological sites, including the famous stelae fields.

   • Visit the Maryam of Tsion Church (note the old church is not open to women).

   • Learn about the history of Queen of Sheba and Emperor Ezana.

   • Return to your accommodation and rest overnight.

5. Day 5: Axum to Lalibela

   • Take a short morning flight to Lalibela.

   • Check in at your hotel.

   • Spend the afternoon exploring the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

   • Visit several of the 12th-century churches inspired by King Lalibela’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

   • Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

6. Day 6: Full Day in Lalibela

   • Visit the remaining rock-hewn churches in Lalibela during the morning.

   • Choose optional activities such as visiting Yemrehane Kristos Church or hiking to Asheton Maryam Church.

   • Experience the Saturday market if visiting on that day or enjoy leisure time in town.

   • Return to the hotel and rest overnight.

7. Day 7: Lalibela to Addis Ababa and Departure

   • Take a morning flight back to Addis Ababa.

   • Use a day-use hotel room for rest and freshening up.

   • Visit a cultural restaurant to enjoy traditional Ethiopian cuisine accompanied by music and dance from across the country.

   • Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.