Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. After refreshing, start your city tour with a scenic drive up Mount Entoto for panoramic views of the capital. Continue to the National Museum, home of the famous Lucy fossil and ancient artifacts. Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, built during World War II, and the Ethnographic Museum, located inside the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. Wrap up the day with a walk through Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar, a peaceful town on the shores of Lake Tana. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and begin your exploration with a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the Ura Kidane Mihret Monastery, known for its colorful murals and round, thatched-roof church. In the afternoon, drive to Tis Isat Village to witness the famous Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tis Abay—“The Smoking Water.” (Note: water levels may vary seasonally.)

After breakfast, drive through the scenic Amhara countryside to Gondar, the 17th-century capital of Ethiopia. In the afternoon, visit the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO site with several castles and palaces built by Emperor Fasilidas and his successors. Continue to Debre Birhan Selassie Church, famed for its angel-covered ceiling and vibrant frescoes. You’ll also visit Qusquam Church, where Empress Mentewab once resided.

Today, drive to Buyit Ras, the gateway to the Simien Mountains, often described as the “Roof of Africa.” These jagged highlands are home to dramatic cliffs, sweeping views, and endemic wildlife like the Gelada baboon. Enjoy short hikes and scenic lookouts within the UNESCO-listed Simien Mountains National Park, a true natural wonder.

After breakfast, catch your flight to Lalibela, Ethiopia’s holiest city and one of the world’s most astonishing pilgrimage sites. After check-in and lunch, begin exploring the Northern Cluster of the 11 rock-hewn churches, carved entirely out of red volcanic rock in the 12th century. Highlights include Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, Bete Golgotha, and the iconic Bete Giyorgis (St. George’s Church), shaped like a Greek cross and sunk deep into the earth.

This morning, take a short drive and scenic hike to visit the 12th-century Yemrehanna Kristos Church, built in a natural cave with a layered stone-and-wood construction and thousands of mummified remains lining the back wall. Return to Lalibela for lunch, then explore the Southern Cluster of churches: Bete Gabriel-Rufael, Bete Merkorios, Bete Emmanuel, and Bete Aba Libanos. Each has its own architectural and spiritual significance, showcasing the ingenuity of medieval Ethiopian Christianity.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy some last-minute shopping or a museum visit. In the evening, celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner at a traditional cultural restaurant, featuring Ethiopian music, dance performances, national dishes, and the famous coffee ceremony. Afterwards, transfer to Bole International Airport for your onward departure.