Visit Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Tour the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Make a short drive to Entoto Hills for a view of the city and visit Maryam Church. En-route, stop at Sheromeda traditional cloth market. Visit the Mercato or the Sholla Market, two of Addis Ababa’s main markets.

Fly to Bahar Dar on Ethiopian Airlines. Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula. We will visit two of the following monasteries: Ura Kidane Mehiret, Azwa Maryam, Mehal Zege Giorgis, and Bete Maryam. End the day with a sunset visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile River.
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Depending on the season, morning drive to see the Blue Nile Falls. Return to Bahar Dar for lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Gondar, north of Lake Tana, stopping at the village of Awra Amba.

Depending on the season, morning drive to see the Blue Nile Falls. Return to Bahar Dar for lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Gondar, north of Lake Tana, stopping at the village of Awra Amba.

Visit the remote ruins of Kuskuam, built for Empress Mentewab in the 1700’s.  After lunch, tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African Empire.  Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.  

Drive to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Enjoy some light hiking in the afternoon in the park and spot wildlife such as the endemic Gelada baboon. 
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Take a scenic drive to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Frequent stops at viewpoints along the way.  Arrive in Axum late afternoon.
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Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years.  Note the tallest standing (24 meters)  obelisk which is supported by cables.  During the invasion by Benito Mussolini this stone was cut into sections and shipped to Rome were it was reassembled in the city center.  Italy returned this national treasure to Axum in 2005.  Next to the stelae fields,  visit the impressive Archeological Museum.  See St. Mary Tsion Church, which houses the Ark of the Covenant according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (no one is allowed to see the Ark.) Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits.

Fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines.  Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  This group of eleven monolithic churches were carved directly into the stone mountainside at least 800 years ago.  This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings.  In the late afternoon, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and learn the process for baking injera (a staple food for much of Ethiopia.)

For the morning we have two options: Take a morning hike with mules to the 13th century rock-hewn monastery of Mount Asheton.  The walk provides wonderful views of Lalibela and the surrounding countryside.  – OR – Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Following either option above continue with tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon.   

Fly to Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines.  Visit either the Ethnographic Museum or the National Museum, home of the 3.18 million year old skeleton “Lucy.”  Optional souvenir shopping in the afternoon.   Farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups.  Transfer to airport for late night departure if needed.