8 Days Northern Ethiopia

You will have an early breakfast and your first visit in Addis Ababa will be the National Museum. It houses numerous antiquarian relics and archaeological artifacts (most famous exhibit is the 3.5 million year old skeleton of Lucy). Then you will continue to visit Mount Entoto (3,200 above sea level. The Church of St Mary (1885) and Emperor Menelik II Palace. The Entoto Museum, with its historical exhibits is well worth a visit. Lunch at Lucy Restaurant.

After lunch you will visit Trinity Cathedral. It was constructed by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1947 (ornamented with carvings and mosaic and other artistic works such as paintings of saints and the apostles on the stained glass) and visit Merkato, the largest open market in Africa. In the evening, you will have dinner at the hotel and you will rest.

In the evening, we will host you at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis where you can see the folk dances of the Ethiopian people and taste Ethiopian variety of meals. Overnight stay in Hilton Hotel.

Fly to Bahir dar and Visit Lake Tana Island Monasteries & Blue Nile Falls

Early morning, a short flight will take you to Bahir dar. Upon arrival, you will be met by our tour guides, drive to a hotel where you will check and rest for few minutes.

Your first visit will be to Lake Tana on a boat ride where you will visit to the medieval period island monasteries (beautiful mural paintings, religious books & sacred) on Lake Tana such as: Kibran Gabriel (only for men), Entos and on the Zegien peninsula visit Ura Kidan Mehiret, Azuwa Mariam, Mahal Giorgis.

After lunch, you will drive (some 30 Km) and visit to the Blue Nile Falls. In the evening, you will have dinner and stay the night at the hotel. Overnight stay in Kuriftu Resort and Spa, Bahir Dar.

Drive to Gondar and Visit the Fassiladas Castles

You will be driven to Gondar (185 Km) right after breakfast. Then you will check into a hotel and after a brief break, you will have lunch. Then, you will visit to the Royal Castles & the Bath of Emperor Fasiledes (the bath is filled with water for the important Timkat (epiphany) ceremony once a year. You will continue your visit to

Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Trinity at the Mount of Light), the Castle of Empress Mintewab, and Kuskwam Complex which is a royal compound built by the Empress Mentewab. Early in the evening, you will visit ‘AzmariBet’ at Traditional Music Houses after which you will have dinner at the hotel and stay there for the night. Overnight stay in Goha hotel.

Early morning, a short flight will take you to Axum where you will check into a hotel. After a short break, you will visit to the Steale of Axum, the Inscription of Ezana, Queen Sheba’s Palace, the Famous St. Mary of Zion Church, Ruins of Ancient Palaces (built until 4th Century A.D.), all day with lunch break in between. In the evening, you will get back to the hotel and spend the night there. Overnight stay in Consular or Berhana hotel.

After breakfast, another short flight will take you to Lalibela. Upon arrival, you will be met by our tour guides, drive to a hotel where you will check and rest for few minutes. Your first visit will be to the eleven Rock-hewn Monolithic (carved from a single rock) Churches of Lalibela (UNESCO World heritage site, with magnificent architecture & paintings inside the churches). In the evening you will get back to the hotel, rest, have dinner and relax. Overnight stay in Mountain View hotel.

One more day to explore the Lalibela Rock-hewn Churches

Right after breakfast, an early morning drive will take you to historical churches around Lalibela like the Hill Church of Asheton Mariam (on the back of a mule or on foot), Yimerhane Kirsotos, Nakute LeAb or Genete Maryam. Overnight stay in Mountain View hotel.

Flight back to Addis Ababa and departure

After a relaxed breakfast, a short flight will bring you back to Addis Ababa. You will arrive in Addis Ababa midday/early afternoon where you will do some shopping for souvenirs.

Finally you will be taken to a farewell dinner depending on your scheduled flight; you will be transferred out to Bole International Airport for return flight back home.