Holiday Types

Arrive into Bole International Airport where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. After checking in and freshening up, drive into town to visit the National Museum, where you can meet the famous fossil "Lucy", who is 3.2 million years old. Visit the local Ethnographic Museum, the Entoto St. Mary Museum, St.Trinity Cathedral church, and Merkato market which is the largest open-air market in Africa. 

SIGHTSEEING

• The National Museum of Ethiopia
• Holy Trinity Cathedral
• Ethnographic Museum of Ethiopia
• Merkato Open Air Market

Early in the morning, enjoy the scenic drive to Bahir Dar. En-route, take the chance to visit the Blue-Nile Gorge and the Debre Libanos monastery. Situated 210 km north of Addis Ababa and being about one mile wide and deep, the Blue Nile Gorge is one of the most spectacular gorges in the world. Later in your journey, explore the renowned monastery of Debre Libanos which was founded in the 13th century within a magnificent 700m-deep canyon.

SIGHTSEEING

• Blue Nile Gorge
• Debre Libanos Monastery

In the morning enjoy a boat trip on Lake Tana, on which there are 37 islands and 32 of them are home to churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. Visit the monastery church of Ura Kidane Mihret, which is the best known of the monasteries and houses an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries.

In the afternoon drive to the Blue Nile Falls, this is known locally as Tissisat (smoking waterfall). At 100m (328 ft) wide, the water plunges for 45m, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. Then drive back to Bahir Dar and finish the day with a lovely sunset overlooking Lake Tana. 

SIGHTSEEING
Lake Tana and its island monasteries
Blue Nile Gorge

Spend the morning at rest to explore your local surroundings. After lunch visit Gondar, the first capital city with the reign of Fasilides. In Gonder, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. You might find that the city seems more of European than African origin. In the afternoon, visit Fasiladas' Palace, possibly the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and definitely the oldest one! Continue onto the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings.  

SIGHTSEEING

• Royal Enclosure of Gondar
• Debre Birhan Selassie Church

En route to the National Park, pass through the foothills of the Simien Mountains, with carefully tended fields, open pastures for grazing horses and distant rocky peaks. At the high point of the road, enjoy the superb views across the uniquely eroded foothills of the range and you may also spot your first Lammergeiers and Gelada Baboons of the trip. 

SIGHTSEEING

• Stunning Landscapes
• Wildlife and Local Lifestyle

Set off for Axum from the Simien Mountain National Park and stop off at the fascinating river basin of Tekeze, one of the biggest rivers in Ethiopia.

SIGHTSEEING
Incredible zig zag route through the mountains
Tekeze River

Early afternoon, drive to Debre Damo monastery at the top of a cliff. The monastery itself is accessible only by a 15 meter long rope and women are not allowed to enter. Then head on to Mekele for your overnight stay.

SIGHTSEEING

• St. Mary Zion Church
• Debre Damo Monastery
• Wukro Cherkos
• Negash Mosque

Enjoy a scenic, beautiful drive which takes you to the highlight of your visit to Ethiopia. If the day goes smoothly you may have time to visit the Yemrehanna Kristos church en route before your arrival in Lalibela. 

SIGHTSEEING

• Yimrhane Kirstos Church
• Some small towns on the way

Explore the Rock-Hewn Ethiopian orthodox Christian churches of Lalibela, among some of the most beautiful and well preserved in the world. This collection of churches, some connected by fascinating internal channels, feature hermit holes which tell the history of hundreds of generations that went before us. The connecting walls are full of religious symbols. 

The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century. Some are beautifully painted inside. Visit the first and the third group of churches, which include seven rock churches. After lunch visit the second group of four rock churches.  

After dinner, visit local houses and be entertained with Ethiopian traditional music and culture into the evening. 

SIGHTSEEING

• Bet Medhane Alem(House of the world savior)-The largest monolithic church on Earth
• Bet Giyorgis(House of St. George) - Known for its unique architecture.
• Nine more rock hewn churches

After a relaxed breakfast, drive to Dessie. On the way, you will see small towns of South Wollo and head across Lake Hike to its island monastery.

SIGHTSEEING

• Small Towns on the way
• Lake Hyke and its island monastery

Today your return drive to the capital city departs after breakfast. On the way, visit towns known for fruit production. Arrive into Addis Ababa late in the afternoon depending on your interest and available time, visit the local gift and traditional clothing shops. Enjoy an evening farewell dinner party and then transfer to airport for your night departure. 

SIGHTSEEING

• Towns of North Shewa
• Fruit Production farms

• Sample price based on 2 sharing.
• Full board package
• Ethiopian Airlines flights from London included
• Transfers included