After airport pickup and hotel check-in, begin your city tour of Addis Ababa. Drive up Mount Entoto for panoramic views, then explore Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa. Continue to the National Museum, home to the famous fossil "Lucy," and the Ethnographic Museum, housed in Emperor Haile Selassie’s former palace. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner with live music and cultural dance performances.

Depart north towards Bahir Dar, stopping first at the Debre Libanos Monastery, a revered spiritual site, and the nearby Portuguese Bridge, believed to be the oldest bridge in Ethiopia. After lunch in Debre Markos, continue through the dramatic Blue Nile Gorge, arriving in Bahir Dar by late afternoon.

Begin with a boat trip on Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake, to visit hidden 14th-century monasteries on the Zege Peninsula. In the afternoon, head to Tis Isat for a short hike to the majestic Blue Nile Falls, known as Tis Abay ("The Smoking Water"). End your day with a sunset viewpoint from Bezawit Hill, overlooking the lake and town.

Drive through the lush Amhara highlands to Gondar, the 17th-century royal capital. In the afternoon, explore the Royal Enclosure, home to Fasilidas' Castles, and visit Debre Birhan Selassie Church, renowned for its angelic ceiling frescoes. You’ll also see Fasil’s Bath, still used during the annual Timket festival.

Take a full-day excursion to the spectacular Simien Mountains National Park. Enjoy sweeping vistas, dramatic cliffs, and encounters with gelada baboons, Walia ibex, and, with luck, the Ethiopian wolf. Take light hikes to scenic lookouts before returning to Gondar.

Fly to Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and spiritual heart of Ethiopia. After lunch, begin your tour of the Northern Cluster of 11 medieval rock-hewn churches, including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, and Bete Golgotha, all carved into solid rock. Conclude with a visit to Bete Giyorgis (St. George’s Church), the most iconic of them all.

This morning, explore the Southern Cluster of churches: Bete Gabriel-Rufael, Bete Amanuel, Bete Merkorios, and Bete Aba Libanos. After lunch, drive through the highlands to visit Yimrehanna Kristos, a rare pre-Lalibela church built in the Axumite style inside a cave, featuring wooden and stone layers and hidden burial chambers.

Fly from Lalibela to Addis Ababa, then connect to Dire Dawa. Upon arrival, drive to Harar, the 4th holiest city in Islam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, witness the Hyena Man feeding ritual—a surreal and thrilling tradition just outside the old city walls.

Spend the day immersed in the colorful chaos and rich culture of Harar Jugol, the fortified old city with over 82 mosques and 100+ shrines. Visit the Harari Cultural Museum, vibrant local markets, and traditional homes. Explore the Arthur Rimbaud Cultural Center, named after the French poet who once lived here.

In the morning, visit any final sites in Harar before transferring to Dire Dawa Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your flight time, enjoy final shopping or museum visits. In the evening, enjoy a farewell cultural dinner with traditional food, local drinks, and Ethiopia’s famed coffee ceremony. Later, transfer to Bole International Airport for your departure.