Arrive in Addis, be welcomed and transferred to your hotel (early check in). Rest and refresh at the hotel, perhaps having a treatment at the spa or a swim in the pool. There are many restaurants at the hotel including an Oriental restaurant with flavours of Asia, a Levantine restaurant, a pool bar and a coffee lounge. If you would like to go out to see the sites of Addis, or to visit an art gallery, or anything else, our guide and driver are available for you.
Spend the day seeing the sites of Addis. Highlights include the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral and spectacular view of Addis Ababa from Entoto Mountain. Finish the day with dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant.
Fly from Addis to Bahir Dar, where you will be welcomed and transferred to your resort on the shores of Lake Tana. Spend the evening relaxing at the resort looking out over the lake.
Spend the morning cruising across Lake Tana by boat, stopping off at the exquisite monasteries on the peninsular and islands of the lake. Stop at the source of the Blue Nile where you're likely to see hippos and aquatic birds. In the afternoon, either relax at the resort or take a walk around the town to visit the market then drive up to Bezawit Palace for a lovely view of the town and lake.
Lake Tana is dotted with islands, some of which have monasteries containing the remains of ancient Ethiopian emperors and treasures of the Ethiopian church. The artwork inside the monasteries is remarkable for having been created from paints made from local plants and natural items, and on the walk to the monasteries – a gentle shaded climb of less that 1km through coffee plantations – locals demonstrate the making of these natural paints.
Enjoy the morning at your resort, then drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar.
Spend the day at the castles of Gondar. Established as the capital by Emperor Fasiladas in 1636, Gondar was the Royal Capital of Ethiopia until the 1860s. The castles and palaces built during these years have led Gondar to be referred to as the Camelot of Africa, and to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Drive from Gondar to to Debark, the headquarters of Simien Mountain National Park, and check into your lodge. Options for the afternoon include game drives, bird walks or relaxing at the lodge.
Formed before the formation of the Rift Valley, the Simian Mountains were created by an outpouring of lava after a volcanic eruption between 40 and 25 million years ago, while the dramatic escarpment was created by an extended up-thrust that could have happened as much as 75 million years ago. The mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Full day in the Simien Mountains. Options include climbing to one of the peaks, visiting the waterfall, game watching, bird spotting, and gazing over the mountains from the lodge's lovely veranda.
The highest peak, Ras Dashen, stands at around 4,500m, and several of the surrounding peaks are over 4,000m, making this the highest mountain range in Ethiopia. The stunning scenery that includes summits, cliffs, waterfalls and rivers has several jaw-dropping viewpoints. Rare or endangered species found here include Walia Ibex, Ethiopian wolf and Gelada baboons; around 180 species of birds have been recorded here including the huge lammergeier that soars over the escarpments and is the only vulture to live entirely on a diet of bones.
Spend the morning at the lodge, then drive from the SImien Mountains to Gondar.
Fly from Gondar to Lalibela and visit some of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. During the day, you'll also stop for an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
The most famous site in Ethiopia, and the one that arguably no visitor should miss, is Lalibela. Sometimes called the Eighth Wonder of the World, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities, visited as a pilgrimage site by many Ethiopian Orthodox Christians.
In the morning, do an excursion to outlying churches in the countryside such as Yemrehane Christo. In the afternoon visit the rest of churches in Lalibela.
According to legend, Saint Gebre Mesqel Lalibela’s mother knew he was to be Emperor of Ethiopia after a swarm of bees surrounded him at birth. After the young saint’s time in Jerusalem, he returned to Ethiopia keen to build a New Jerusalem.
Full day in Lalibela. Options include relaxing at the resort, visiting some churches in town, or doing an excursion to one of the many churches in the surrounding hills.
Fly from Lalibela to Addis. Options for the afternoon include seeing any of the sites of Addis you didn't see during your previous visit, visiting a museum, visiting an art gallery, shopping in the markets or malls, or perhaps enjoying the spa at the hotel.
Return to Bole International Airport for your international departure.
