After breakfast, a domestic flight whisks you to Axum, the legendary seat of the Aksumite Empire(approx. 100 AD – 940 AD)  and a place where myth and history intertwine. Your local guide will introduce you to the Obelisks of Axum, towering monoliths carved from a single stone, then escort you to St. Mary of Zion Church, believed by many to house the Ark of the Covenant. Discover ancient tombs and mysterious inscriptions, walk in the footsteps of emperors, and dive into tales of the Queen of Sheba whose legacy lingers in every stone. In the evening, settle into Sabean Hotel, where the echoes of Ethiopia’s imperial past whisper through the breeze.

Accommodation: Sabean Hotel

Start your day with a scenic flight to Gondar, the “Camelot of Africa,” before embarking on a spectacular road journey into the Simien Mountains National Parka geological wonder sculpted over 40 million years. En route, enjoy a picnic lunch amid dramatic escarpments and highland pastures, where you may spot Gelada baboons and soaring eagles. Upon reaching Simien Lodge, perched high in the misty mountains, breathe in the crisp air and soak in views that stretch across the UNESCO-listed wilderness. The setting invites reflection and reconnects you with nature’s grandeur.

Accommodation: Simien Lodge

After a nourishing breakfast, you set out on a guided trek into the majestic folds of the Simien Mountains. The terrain tells a million-year-old story—sharp cliffs softened by clouds, ancient plateaus brushed by the wind. As you walk these high-altitude trails, the rhythm of your footsteps falls in tune with the hush of nature, where gelada baboons graze and the air smells of wild thyme.

A packed lunch offers sustenance amid panoramic vistas—each bite a pause to absorb the gravity of the landscape. You return to Simien Lodge in the late afternoon, awash in golden light, where silence blankets the ridges and your spirit soars higher than the peaks themselves.

Accommodation: Simien Lodge

With a final breath of the crisp mountain air, begin your descent toward Gondar, the former royal capital. The changing scenery is a masterclass in contrasts—from craggy altitudes to the graceful rhythm of rolling farmland and fertile valleys.

In Gondar, walk amidst stone castles and royal courtyards within the UNESCO-listed Fasil Ghebbi (built in the 17th century), a fortress city carved in history. Step into the spiritual splendor of Debre Berhan Selassie Church, its ceiling painted with countless angelic eyes watching over you. As the sun dips, visit the Women’s Ploughshare Project, where community stories are sewn into handmade craft. Evening invites peace at Goha Hotel, perched high above the city, where the lights of Gondar flicker like memories beneath the stars.

Accommodation: Goha Hotel

As your journey winds through the scenic highlands between Gondar and Bahir Dar, you'll pause for an enriching visit to Awramba, a remarkable village known for its egalitarian values and progressive way of life. This short stop offers a rare cultural encounter with a self-sustaining community that defies traditional norms—where gender equality, education, and cooperative living are central to daily life.

Upon arrival, a local guide warmly welcomes your group and shares the inspiring story of Awramba’s founding and philosophy. Clients will tour the village’s communal weaving workshops, where men and women work side by side creating intricate textiles. They’ll engage with residents to learn about their unique social practices, including conflict resolution without violence and a shared commitment to supporting the elderly and orphans.

Accommodation: Jacaranda Hotel

Begin your day gliding across the tranquil waters of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake and the source of the Blue Nile. Visit the island monastery of Ura Kidane Mehret, adorned with 14th–16th century murals,its walls cloaked in ancient Christian murals and its air scented with candle wax and incense. On the Zege Peninsula, walk through primeval coffee forests, serenaded by birdsong and shaded by trees whispered to be centuries old.

In the afternoon, journey to the legendary Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Abay—“the Smoking Water.” Trek to its edge and watch in awe as a curtain of white thunder plunges into the riverbed below. Rainbows dance above the mist, and time briefly forgets to move. Return to your hotel, changed by the sheer power and grace of water.

Accommodation: Jacaranda Hotel

Drive to Lalibela, whose 11 rock-hewn churches were carved during the reign of King Lalibela in the late 12th to early 13th century, a sacred city perched in the Lasta Mountains. Upon arrival, check in at Sora Lodge, a haven that mirrors the soulful elegance of its surroundings.

As twilight descends, become part of something eternal. Walk through candlelit paths with pilgrims wrapped in white shawls, gathering at Bete Mariam for the Genna Eve celebration. Hymns echo against stone walls, drums call out across centuries, and stars flicker above as if joining the vigil. This is more than ceremony—it is devotion carved into time.

Accommodation: Sora Lodge

Before dawn, return to Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches. At Bete Emanuel, stand among thousands of worshippers as sunlight pierces the silence, and priests emerge robed in color and incense, bearing crosses and sacred relics. The Genna morning Mass is a crescendo of faith, sound, and spirit, rooted in over 800 years of uninterrupted celebration.

In the afternoon, travel to Yemrehane Kristos Church, nestled in a remote cave cloaked by forest. Its wooden-beam architecture and buried saints’ tombs speak with a quiet power. Return to your lodge reflecting on the balance of grandeur and grace that defines Lalibela.

Accommodation: Sora Lodge

Delve deep into the city’s soul with a full day exploring both clusters of Lalibela’s sacred churches. Witness the architectural wonder of Bete Giyorgis, hewn in the shape of a cross, and descend into tunnels, chapels, and colonnades that radiate mystery. Every wall, every carved cross bears witness to devotion built stone by stone. You are not just observing history—you are walking through it.

As evening descends, the red cliffs glow in the sunset, and a sense of spiritual fulfillment settles over you like the evening mist.

Accommodation: Sora Lodge

Fly from Lalibela to Addis Ababa, where modern energy intertwines with ancient pride. Explore Unity Park and the Jubilee Palace(both optional), places that tell Ethiopia’s evolving national story in gardens, galleries, and grandeur.Before departure, stop at curated souvenir shops offering traditional textiles, handcrafted crosses, basketry, and artisan jewelry—perfect gifts that carry Ethiopia home with you.

As the sun sets, join fellow travelers at a farewell cultural dinner, where the flavors of injera, the beats of eskista, and the call of the krar string together your final memories. Laughter rises, shoulders sway, and gratitude fills the air. After the celebration, transfer to Bole International Airport, hearts full and stories overflowing.

Your journey ends, but Ethiopia has already begun writing itself in you.

Accommodation: One

At Hoya Tour Ethiopia, our 11-Day Genna Festival Tour is thoughtfully crafted to captivate, enrich, and transform. With comfortable hotel stays, carefully orchestrated experiences, and exclusive cultural encounters woven through Ethiopia’s ancient heritage, this journey promises to awaken your spirit and create memories that last a lifetime.