Portugues Bridge

After early breakfast, you will drive out to Bahir Dar, enroute you will visit the ancient 16th century Portuguese bridge and birds of prey, you cross the bridge to enjoy the great scenery of the pretty Jemma River Gorge. Debre Libanos is right place for bird watching and home to an endemic Gelada baboon, it is rewarding to see a group of Gelada baboons around the bridge.Before stopping for lunch in Debre Markos, you will enjoy the scenic views of the magnificent Blue Nile Gorge, and it is comparable in scale to American’s Grand Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa.

Accommodation: Jacaranda hotel.
Accommodation upgraded options: Blue Nile Resort
Meals: Breakfast

Portuguse Bridge

After breakfast, you will walk to Lake Tana (the largest Lake in Ethiopia) for a boat trip and visit some of the peaceful monasteries. It is about 1 hour by boat to Zeghe Peninsula where we visit the most famous UhreKidane Mehret monastery. We enjoy a walk on the forested peninsula to the other churches and might meet monkeys and beautiful birds on the way.On the other side of the peninsula the boat is waiting and takes us to Kibran Gabreil island (unfortunately women are not allowed to enter).
After lunch, go for a drive to one of Africa’s most spectacular Blue Nile Falls. The falls create large volume of spray that is known in Amharic as “Tis Abay” mean smoking water or ’”Tis Isat”(water that smokes).

Accommodation: Jacaranda hotel.
Accommodation upgraded option:Blue Nile Resort
Meals: Breakfast

Today we drive to Gondar, the drive will take through rural Amhara villages, offering very good insight into the Amhara culture and the traditional agriculture systems still in use today. After this we will head to Gondar to see the well-preserved Fasil Gebbi in Gondar(“ Camelot of Africa“).Now known as the Royal Enclosure,this was founded in 17the century and built by Emperor Fasilides as his home, but successive emperors and rulers added to his blueprint. The buildings include Libraries, two Lion Houses, Royal baths, and a Women’s Vocational School built by Menntewab, the Empress of Ethiopia. And then proceed to see Fasiladas Bath (Still used for Timket/Epiphany Celebration) and the fascinating Debre Berhan Selassie church with the most famous selling in Ethiopia.

Accommodation:In Gondar at Goha Hotel
Accommodation upgraded option:Gondar Hills Resort
Meals: Breakfast

Early in the morning, depart Gondar for the stunning Simien Mountains (UNESCO’s World Heritage Site), continue driving by stop in Debark, check in at the headquarters of Simien Mountains National park ticket office. Here you will meet scout and local guide. The jagged mountains and the deep valleys lend spectacular views to these mountains, home to the many endemic animal species of Ethiopia including Gelada Baboon("Bleeding Heart Monkey''),Walia Ibex and Ethiopian wolf .We will discuss option for interesting day excursion in the park. Options include hiking Sankabar to Jenbar Valley and waterfalls for stunning views and soaring birds of prey and hiking excretions around Chennek campsite, the best place for Walia Ibex viewing.

Accommodation: Simien Lodge.
Accommodation upgraded option: Limalimo Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Walia Ibex

After early breakfast, you will drive down the valley on the zigzagging Limalimo road (built by Italian) to Axum, enjoying the final panoramic views of the Simien Park. And you will have lunch at Adi Arki town and then proceed driving through the Tekeze River Gorge, the scenery is fascinating. Axum is the home for the ancient Axumite Empire, the Queen of Sheba; the rumour has it that the lost Ark of Covenant is in the church of St. Mary of Zion.

Accommodation: Sabean hotel.
Accommodation upgraded option: Atranos Hotel and Spa
Meals: Breakfast

Today is a full day visiting for the historical and archaeological sites of Axum including the ancient Stelae/Obelisk;some of the 4th century AD granite structures rise over 23 meters
, tombs of kings,Queen of Sheba's Bath,Museum and St.Mary of Zion Churches(the old church is not open for women). Many more sites are available to visit or you might take a couple of hours at leisure to think about your overwhelming experience of Ethiopia.

Accommodation: Sabean International hotel.
Accommodation upgraded option: Yared Zema International Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to explore the imposing ruins of Yeha Temple built about 5th century BC pre-Christian period .Yeha is Ethiopia's oldest town perhaps predating Axum by 1000 year.The temple was founded by Sabeans from the South Arabian kingdom of Saba.Next we visit ' hidden treasure ' lies on distinctive flat-topped mountain in the Tigray region:the ancient Monastery of Debre Damo, difficult to reach(must climb up a 15 meter rope to enter) , but most rewarding for any man( Women are not allowed to enter).The monastery dates back to early Axumite period and possess the Ethiopian's oldest existing church. Then drive to Gheralta.

Debre Damo Monastery

Accommodation: Gheralta Lodge.
Accommodation upgraded option: Korkor Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Today you have hiking and excursions to the rural community for Mariam Korkor and or Abuna Yemata Guh churches of Tigray, Gheralta Cluster.The rock churches of Tigray are built high into the cliff face some of these churches are only accessible through climbing the vertical cliff,and yet they are still used by local Ethiopians for all ages. The views from the inside churches are extraordinary. The view as the sunsets behind the mountains and sky illuminates in dark reds,yellows and oranges is so amazing.On your way to Mekel you will visit the two fascinating Medhane Alem AdiKisho and Mikael Melekhayzenghi churches.

Accommodation: Axum Hotel
Accommodation upgraded option: Planet International Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Today you will drive from Mekel to Lalibela, passing through dramatic landscapes of the northern Ethiopian highlands. The highlights of your day will be the ascent from Woldia to the stunning ascending to mount Abune Yosef.

Accommodation: Sora Lodge
Accommodation upgraded option: Mezena Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Bete Giorgis church

After breakfast, you will commence the sightseeing of the famous, monolithic rock- hewn churches of Lalibela(UNESCO'S World Heritage Site), carved by hand out of rocks in the 12th and 13th centuries.Today You will explore the first group (Northwestern Cluster)churches:Bete MedhaneAle, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel,Bet Denaghel,Bet Mikael and Bet Golgotha (Entry is not allowed for women to this church).After lunch, we drive for a half day trip to Asheton Maryam Church located at about 3100 meters high above mean sea level. You are rewarded with scenic views of Lalibela town and the surrounding valleys. Drive back to Lalibela town.

Accommodation: Sora Lodge
Accommodation upgraded option: Mezena Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

YemrehannaKristos Cave church

In the morning, we drive out to a rural area to explore the Yemrehanna Kristos Cave church (2700m) high, set in a spectacular landscape on a hill. This church is the most popular church outside Lalibela, it was built in the late - Axumite Style,with the layers of granite and wood. Drive back to Lalibela town.

After lunch visit the second (Southeast Cluster) Group churches including: Bet Gabriel-Rufael,Bet-Merkorios,Bet Amanuel and Bet Abba Libanos.Finally, visit the most famous of all churches Bet Giyorgis,a huge monolith in the shape of a Cross and constructed in honor of St.George, the patron saint of Ethiopia.

Accommodation: Sora Lodge
Accommodation upgraded option: Mezena Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Next day after breakfast, you drive from Lalibela to Dessie, detour to Visit Hayk Estifanos Monastery. The monastery is the most important for Ethiopians Orthodox Church between 13 and 15 centuries. And it is an excellent place for birding.

Accommodation: Hotel Time and Spa
Accommodation upgraded option: Golden Gate Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Bati Market(add batti market)

After breakfast you drive to Addis Ababa through Debre Brehan town. If this day is Monday, there will be a short detour and stopping in Bati market one of the largest markets in the country after Merkato; attracts more than 11,000 thousand people of Afar,Oromo and Amharas from all round, including the interesting Camel and colorful market, continue driving to Addis Ababa.

Accommodation: None
Accommodation upgraded option: None
Meals: Breakfast

In the evening/afternoon, farewell party with free cultural dinner and traditional music to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks. After the farewell part, transfer to Bole international airport for international departure. End of tour.