Tour Highlights
- Explore the UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the castles of Gondar.
- Witness the permanent lava lake of Erta Ale and the colorful sulfur springs of Dallol.
- Discover the ancient Axumite Empire and the 3,000-year-old Temple of Yeha.
- Scale the cliffs of the Gheralta Mountains to visit the remote church of Abune Yemata Guh.
Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Addis Ababa City Tour
Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the National Museum. Drive to Entoto Hills for a panoramic view of the capital and stop at the Sheromeda traditional cloth market.
Day 2: Bahir Dar and Lake Tana Monasteries
Fly to Bahir Dar and take a boat tour on Lake Tana. Visit the ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula and end the day with a sunset visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile.
Day 3: The Royal Enclosure of Gondar
Drive to Gondar to tour the UNESCO World Heritage royal enclosure featuring 17th-century castles. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its angelic ceiling art.
Day 4: Simien Mountains Wildlife Excursion
Drive to Simien Mountains National Park to view the jagged mountain panorama. Spot endemic wildlife such as the Walia Ibex and Gelada baboons before returning to Gondar.
Day 5: The Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela to tour the eleven monolithic churches. In the afternoon, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and learn the process of baking injera.
Day 6: Asheton Maryam or Yemrehanna Kristos
Choose between a mule hike to the 13th-century Asheton Maryam monastery or a drive to the beautiful cave church of Yemrehanna Kristos.
Day 7: Fly to Semera
Depart Lalibela for Addis Ababa and take a connecting flight to Semera, the gateway to the Danakil Depression.
Day 8: Into the Danakil Depression
Drive to Hamedila, stopping for lunch at Lake Afdera. Experience one of the lowest points on the planet and enjoy a night of open-air camping under the stars.
Day 9: Dallol and Erta Ale Volcano
Visit the colorful salt landscapes of Dallol. In the afternoon, drive to Erta Ale and trek to the edge of the volcano to witness the boiling lava lake.
Day 10: Hot Springs and Return to Addis Ababa
Take a sunrise walk on the volcano before driving to Semera. Stop at Lake Afdera for a swim in the hot springs before flying back to the capital.
Day 11: Ancient Axum City Tour
Fly to Axum to visit the Stelae Field, the Queen of Sheba’s Palace, and the Church of St. Mary of Zion, which is said to house the Ark of the Covenant.
Day 12: Temple of Yeha and Gheralta
Visit the 3,000-year-old Temple of Yeha and the rock-carved monastery of Debre Tsion. Continue to Yohannes Makudi via a narrow sandstone cleft.
Day 13: Trekking the Korkor Mountains
Trek through the Gheralta range to visit the 3rd-century monastery of Mariam Korkor and the nearby Abba Daniel’s Prayer Room.
Day 14: Abune Yemata Guh and Mekele
Scale the vertical cliffs to visit the stunning paintings of Abune Yemata Guh. Drive to Mekele and fly back to Addis Ababa in the evening.
Day 15: Departure
Enjoy free time for shopping or relaxation before your final transfer to the airport for departure.
Includes
- Bed and Breakfast meal plan.
- Domestic flights for the specified sectors.
- All ground transportation and fuel.
- All entrance fees for sites and villages.
- Professional English-speaking local guides.
Excludes
- International air tickets.
- Meals and beverages not specified.
- Tourist insurance and photography fees.
- Tips and items of personal nature.
