Day 1: Addis Ababa City tour

Welcome to Ethiopia! Arrive at Addis Abeba Bole International Airport. Here you will be greeted by your tour guide or driver from Ecotravel Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to the hotel. If your arrival is early morning, after a leisurely morning rest and relax you will spend the afternoon sightseeing in Addis Abeba. Established by Emperor Menelik II in 1887 Addis Abeba or ‘New Flower’ in Amharic, is a relatively young city full of contrasts. This city tour includes The National Museum which houses the country’s historic treasures & the famous ‘Lucy” " the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Ethiopian main cathedral, and home to the remains of the last emperor: Drive up to Mount Entoto to have a panoramic view of the city. You will visit the newly established Entoto Park.

Overnight: Golden Tulip Hotel

Day 2: Fly to Bahir Dar

Upon arrival at Bahir dar, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Then embark on a boat trip to Lake Tana. Covering 3,600 sq. kms, Ethiopia’s largest lake and home to 37 islands. 20 of these islands house some of the country’s most venerated monasteries, which many of them believed to date back to the 13th& 14th century and feature superb ecclesiastical art. you will visit the monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret, Betre Mariam monastery and then the boat will return to Bahir Dar via the source of the Blue Nile. In the afternoon, continue visiting the beautiful city of Bahir Dar. including Fish Market, a one-table fish market in the mud-hut deacon’s village behind St George’s Church, Palace of Haile Selassie, two-and-a-half kilometers south of the Martyrs Memoria.

Overnight: Avanti Blue Nile Resort

Day 3: Drive to Gondar

After a delicious breakfast, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely morning around the stunning Lake Tana. Take a peaceful stroll through the picturesque roads of Bahir Dar, immersing yourself in the natural beauty and tranquility of the surroundings. Explore the local flora and fauna, and perhaps even stop by some charming lakeside cafes to savor the serene atmosphere. After that, you will enjoy a scenic 4-hour drive to Gondar, where you can take in the breathtaking views of the northern highlands along the way. Upon arrival in Gondar, you will be transported back in time to the imperial capital of Ethiopia, a city steeped in history, culture, and tradition. You will check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking views of the mountainous surroundings of Gondar right from the comfort of your hotel.

Overnight: Haile resort

Day 4: Drive to Simien Mountains

Following breakfast this morning, continue traveling to the Simien Mountains. After two hours, the scenic drive stops at the town of Debark, where the park headquarters are located, to fulfill park regulations and get a local guide and park scout. Then you will drive into the Simien Mountains National Park to start a short hike (1-2hrs) through the breathtaking scenery. Today, we will have a chance to see the endemic Ethiopian Gelada Baboons and klipspringers. The simien mountains range lies north of Gondar and many of the peaks rise above 4,000 meters, with the highest point of Ras Dashen at 4,620 meters absl. The park is home to some of the world’s most elusive animals, like walia and Ethiopian Wolf.

Overnight: Simien Lodge

Day 5: Drive back to Gondar

Leaving the Simien Mountains this morning and driving to Gondar through the northern highlands. Then, you will visit sites in Gondar. Located on the high plateau, Gondar was the imperial capital for 200 years and famed for its medieval castles and churches. Spend the afternoon visiting the city’s Royal Enclosure home to dramatic 17th century castles built by different emperors. These whole complexes of buildings are unique in Ethiopia and never found elsewhere in Africa and known as the Camelot of Africa. After the castles stop by the famous church of Debre Berhan Selassie, one of the finest in Ethiopia. The biblical scenes are vividly remarkable and the interior paintings cover the walls and ceilings in richly applied red, blue and golden hues. With the help of your guide, the church provides a stunning visual synopsis of important biblical stories.

Overnight: Haile resort Gondar

Day 6: Fly to Lalibela for the rock-hewn churches

In the morning, take a short Scenic flight to Lalibela. Upon arrival at Lalibela airport, you will meet your Guide and transfer to your accommodation. The 11 rock churches of Lalibela are believed to have been built 900 years ago by Saint King Lalibela. These elaborate edifices are each carved by hand entirely out of a single block of living granite rock and considered as ‘8th Wonders of the World’, ‘Jerusalem of Africa’, and ‘Petra of Africa’. It is a deeply spiritual place and a UNESCO World Heritage site. These churches are divided into groups. The first and third groups of churches are a great starting point for your visit and contain some of the most beautifully painted interiors. You will be amazed at the level of detail and artistry that went into creating these structures

Overnight: Mezena Lodge

Day 7: Na’akuto La‘ab Monastery

After breakfast, we will have an excursion to Na’akuto La‘ab Monastery, 7 km from central Lalibela, which is found inside a natural cavern in the highlands surrounding the town. A wonderful monastery that pre-dates the more popular churches in the center of the town. Inside, there are various artifacts believed to have belonged to Na’akuto La’ab, including crowns, gold-painted drums, crosses, a large painted canvas depicting ancient kings and an old, illuminated Bible. Intriguingly, the monastery has some ancient stone receptacles that gather the water that drips from the cave’s roof, thought to be holy water. Afternoon, drive back to Lalibela for lunch and you will proceed to visit the remaining groups of the church. Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George.

Overnight: Haile Resort

Day 8: Fly Back to Addis Ababa

In the early morning, you will attend a church service where you can witness the locals parade, pray, and participate in the mass. One of the advantages of getting up early is the opportunity to see priests dressed in colorful robes and to experience the large processions. Every morning, Mass is held in various locations throughout Ethiopia as a part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. After breakfast, you will visit the remaining group of rock-hewn churches. Following this, you will transfer to Lalibela Airport and take a flight (ET 121, 13:20-14:35) Addis Ababa. Later this evening, You will be invited to a memorable farewell dinner at one of Addis Ababa’s traditional restaurants, where you can enjoy cultural songs, dances, and traditional food. Following the dinner, you will be transferred to Bole International Airport for your departure.