Ethiopia Tours and Travel

Day 1 – Addis Ababa

• Arrival at your convenience in Addis Ababa.
• Be greeted at the airport by our driver and dropped off at your hotel.
• Dinner and overnight in Addis Ababa.

Day 2 – Addis Ababa

Morning

• After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll begin exploring Addis Ababa.
• Begin a scenic drive up to the highest peak of Mount Entoto – here you’ll be able to overlook the city with its panoramic views. Beyond its scenic charm, Mount Entoto remains a peaceful retreat and a deeply spiritual place for many Ethiopians.
• Visit the National Museum and meet Lucy – the world-famous 3.2-million-year-old ancestor who offers a fascinating glimpse into human evolution.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local spot.
• Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral – the official seat of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Addis Ababa. A significant landmark to one of the most important religious sites in Ethiopia.
• Explore the bustling Merkato – the largest open-air market in Africa, where we can get a taste of coffee, spices, and local snacks.
• As you move through the city, you’ll pass by key monuments such as Meskel Square, the Lion of Judah, and the Yekatit 12 Memorial, each offering insight into Ethiopia’s resilience, independence, and national identity.
• Dinner and drinks at a traditional restaurant.
• Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Day 3 – Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer to the airport to board your 1-hour flight to Bahir Dar.
• Drop off your bags at the hotel and then head to Lake Tana for a scenic boat ride to explore the Zeghie Peninsula – home to some of Ethiopia’s most iconic monastic treasures.
• Visit the Azwa Mariam Monastery, nestled within a peaceful forest and known for its vibrant religious murals and traditional Ethiopian church architecture.
• Your second stop is Betre Maryam Monastery (AKA “House of Mary”) – one of the oldest and most striking churches on the peninsula.

Afternoon

• Return to Bahir Dar for lunch and then take a round-trip drive (about 70 km) to Tississat – home of the Blue Nile River, the lifeblood for the Sudanese and Egyptians.
• A short 30-minute walk brings you close to the powerful Blue Nile Falls.
• Return to town and enjoy dinner and drinks.
• Overnight in Bahir Dar.

Day 4 – Bahir Dar – Gonder 

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Begin making your way to Gonder and stopping on the way at Guzara Castle – built on a once strategic hill, where we can admire the beautiful landscape and views.
• Check into your hotel to refresh before heading out for lunch.

Afternoon

• Visit the Royal Enclosure – an ancient home of kings and queens.  You’ll visit the medieval castles of King Fasilidas, King Yohannes, King Eyasu, King Dawit, King Bakafa, and Queen Mentewab.
• Explore the Debre Birhan Selassie Church – an important cultural and historic monument that plays an important role during the Ethiopian festival of Timket.
• Dinner and overnight in Gonder.

Day 5 – Gonder – Simien Mountains – Gonder

Morning

• After breakfast, you’ll hit the road toward Simien Mountains National Park, one of Africa’s most dramatic landscapes, often called the “Roof of Africa”. The Simien Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for their jagged peaks, deep valleys, and unique wildlife.
• You’ll stop by a village once home to the Ethiopian Jews, originating in the Amhara and Tigray regions of northern Ethiopia. They were historically spread out across more than 500 villages.

Afternoon

• Lunch and then spend your afternoon hiking around Sankaber Camp to enjoy the views of the cliffs and the Jimbar Waterfalls.
• Along the way, you may encounter Gelada Baboons grazing on the highland plateaus, and with some luck, catch a glimpse of the rare Walia ibex.
• Return to Gonder.
• Dinner and overnight in Gonder.

Day 6 – Gonder – Lalibela

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport in Gonder.
• You’ll board a flight to Lalibela, a town famous for its incredible rock-hewn churches carved directly into the mountainside.
• On arrival, transfer to your hotel to check in and enjoy a local lunch.

Afternoon

• Begin your exploration of Lalibela with a visit to the first group of rock-hewn churches. Your tour starts at Bieta Medhane Alem (Chapel of Holy Savior), the largest of all churches. And then continue to Bieta Maryam (Chapel of Mary), a beautifully designed, three-aisled church featuring mural paintings and a mysterious, covered pillar believed to contain inscriptions foretelling the end of the world.
• Visit the Bieta Danagel (Chapel of the Virgins) and Bieta Meskel (Chapel of the Cross), both smaller but rich in spiritual and historical significance. Conclude with the impressive double church of Debre Sina and Bieta Golgotha. Please note that Bieta Golgotha is not accessible to women, as it is believed to house the remains of King Lalibela and contains the Tabernacle of the Holy Trinity.
• Dinner and overnight in Lalibela.

Day 7 – Lalibela

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Start your day hiking up to Asheton Mariam Monastery, perched high in the mountains above Lalibela. The trail itself is a scenic climb through rugged terrain and traditional villages, providing both a cultural and natural experience. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views and a visit to one of Ethiopia’s oldest monasteries.
• Return for a well-earned lunch in town.

Afternoon

• Explore the second group of Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches. Begin with Bieta Gabriel and Raphael, then continue to Bieta Mercurios, Bieta Emmanuel, renowned for its striking Axumite architecture style, and Bieta Abba Libanos, believed to have been built by King Lalibela’s wife, Queen Meskel Kebra.
• Conclude the day with the most iconic of all – Bieta Ghiorghis (House of St. George). This stunning cruciform church is carved entirely from solid rock.
• Dinner and overnight in Lalibela.

Day 8 – Lalibela – Addis Ababa

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Transfer to Lalibela Airport to board your 1-hour flight back to Addis Ababa.
• Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, head straight to the Ethnological Museum – a public institution dedicated to ethnology and culture. The museum houses anthropological, musicological, and cultural objects that can take you across time and visualize the life of Ethiopian people.

Afternoon

• Transfer to the airport for departure.