Arrival Bole International Airport
Extraordinary Ethiopia Tours will meet all clients arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, you may begin your tour the following day.
Day 01: Arrive Addis Ababa
You will take a city tour of Addis Ababa, which includes the National Museum, one of the churches in Addis Ababa, the Piassa, the Mercato, and the view from Mount Entoto.
Overnight Jupiter hotel, Addis Ababa
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 02: Addis Ababa, Bahar Dar
In the morning, drive to Bahar Dar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with a stopover at various small towns like Dejen, Chancho, and Goha Tsion.The Blue Nile Gorge is a majestic and enormous river gorge that has a magnificent, alluring natural beauty. It is referred to by many as “the Grand Canyon of Ethiopia”. It’s one of the most captivating gorges in Africa.
Overnight Jacaranda hotel, Bahir Dar
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 03: Lake Tana, Blue Nile Falls, Bahir Dar
In the morning, we will take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th century island monasteries of Lake Tana. The 37 islands of Lake Tana shelter 20 monasteries — surviving remnants of an old, contemplative tradition. After lunch we will drive 35 km to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls.
Overnight Jacaranda hotel, Bahir Dar
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 04: Bahir Dar, Gondar
After breakfast, we will drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery of Fogera to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime. Founded by Emperor Fasiledas around 1635, Gondar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its many medieval castles and the design and architecture of its churches. Debre Berhan Selassie represents a masterpiece of the unique Ethiopian school of traditional art.
Overnight Goha hotel, Gondar
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 05: Gondar, Simien Mountains National Park
After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Simien Mountains National Park. Driving from Gondar up to Simien Mountains National Park, you will be stunned with the spectacular scenery that awaits at the top of the massif. The rest of the day we will trek among troops of endemic Gelada Baboons to explore the surrounding area of Sankaber, part of the Simien Mountains National Park.
Overnight Simien Lodge Simien Mountain
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 06: Simien Mountains National Park, Axum
After breakfast, we drive to Axum through the beautiful scenery of the Simien Mountains, to the Limalimo Lodge in the Tekeze River Gorge. While driving from the Simien Mountains to Axum, you will stop briefly in different parts of the park for the best views. You will have a picnic lunch under the shade of the trees past the Tekeze River Gorge and enjoy the beautiful Simien Mountains scenery from a distance. Then, continuing drive to Axum.
Overnight Sabean hotel, Axum
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 7: Axum, Yeha
After breakfast, we visit the ancient city of Axum. This is the birthplace of the Ethiopian civilization and the last resting place of the Holy Ark of the Covenant. This morning we visit the ancient city of Axum and explore the ancient steles and the ruins of the palace of Queen of Sheba and its major attractions. In the afternoon, we take an excursion to the pre-Christian temple of Yeha.
Overnight Sabean hotel, Axum
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 8: Axum, Lalibela
After having an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Axum Airport for your flight to Lalibela. After checking into the hotel, we will drive to the site of some of Ethiopia’s most famous rock-hewn churches, often referred to by many as one of “the living wonders of the world”. These churches are, and they have been for at least 900 years, an active Christian shrine — the spiritual center of the country’s religious life. The monolithic churches were carved out of a 2,600-square-meter natural rock terrace in the 12th century AD by King Lalibela.
Today, we will visit the first group of rock-hewn churches. In the evening, there will be a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony for the group prepared at a local house.
Overnight Roha hotel, Lalibela
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 9: Asheten Mariam, Lalibela
In the morning, take a mule ride, and/or walk to the top of Asheten Mariam Monastery. This is very famous for its 12th-century monastery church and beautiful view at 3300 m above sea level. After having lunch and resting at the hotel, you will continue your journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous history with a visit to other of Lalibela’s remarkable churches. Their architecture and artistry must be seen to be believed!
Overnight Roha hotel, Lalibela
Meals (B.L.D)
Day 10: Lalibela, Addis Ababa, Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. Here, you will have a city tour if you didn’t have one on the first day.
Flight schedule permitting, there will be a special Ethiopian farewell dinner party with a traditional buffet and local drinks. There will also be a live cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country.
Meals (B.L.D)
…. END OF TOUR