After breakfast, continue exploring Addis Ababa with a half-day tour covering additional landmarks like Unity Park and Jubilee Palace. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the soul-stirring Meskel celebration at Meskel Square. Here, witness the spectacular bonfire ceremony—known locally as the “demera”—a ritual that has been observed for centuries. Adorned with Meskel flowers and crowned with a cross, the bonfire not only reaffirms faith but also embodies traditions passed down since the discovery of the True Cross by Empress Helena (St. Eleni). As the smoke rises, it is believed to foretell the future for the coming year, making this an unforgettable cultural spectacle.

Accommodation: Azzeman Hotel

Leave the bustle of Addis Ababa behind and set off on a striking road journey northward toward Debre Markos.Your first stop is the Debre Libanos Monastery, an iconic sanctuary founded in the 13th century and revered as a cornerstone of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. Tucked into the verdant cliffside, the monastery’s ornate architecture and peaceful courtyards invite quiet reflection, while its museum unveils centuries-old crosses, manuscripts, and relics that bear witness to Ethiopia’s spiritual legacy.

Just a short walk from the monastery lies the Portuguese Bridge, shrouded in mist and mystery. Though its origins remain debated—some attribute it to 16th-century Portuguese explorers, others to Ethiopian craftsmen—it arches gracefully across the mouth of the Jemma Valley, offering a jaw-dropping perspective of plunging gorges, hidden waterfalls (seasonal), and soaring birds of prey. It’s a photographer’s dream and a moment you’ll carry long after the journey ends. As you continue northeast, the road winds into the spectacular Abay Gorge, carved by the mighty Blue Nile.

Accommodation: LBS Hotel

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Bahir Dar, a lakeside city known for its tranquility and deep ties to Ethiopia’s religious history. After lunch and check-in, set sail on a boat excursion across Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake and the source of the Blue Nile. Visit the lake’s iconic island monasteries, such as Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Mariam—founded between the 14th and 17th centuries and filled with vivid religious paintings, ancient manuscripts, and timeworn treasures. The afternoon immerses you in the spiritual richness of Ethiopian Orthodoxy amid the still waters and papyrus-lined shores of this sacred lake.

Accommodation: Jacaranda Hotel

After breakfast in Bahir Dar, set off on a scenic drive to Tis Abay, the village gateway to Ethiopia’s most iconic natural wonder—Blue Nile Falls, or Tis Issat (“the Smoke of Fire”). Along the short trail to the viewpoint, pause at the Portuguese Bridge, believed to be Ethiopia’s first stone bridge, constructed in the 17th century under the reign of Emperor Susenyos with the guidance of Portuguese Jesuit missionaries. The arched stonework blends beautifully into the basalt gorge and offers sweeping vistas of the Blue Nile’s thunderous descent, particularly spectacular during the rainy season.

Continue along the footpath through lush farmland and fig trees as the distant roar grows closer. Suddenly, the Blue Nile Falls reveals itself—a curtain of mist and crashing water pouring into a chasm below, surrounded by rainbows and echoing birdsong. Spend time walking between panoramic viewpoints, soaking in the power and serenity of this unforgettable landscape. Later, begin your drive north toward Gondar, the imperial jewel of Ethiopia

Accommodation: Goha Hotel

Following breakfast, begin your exploration of Gondar, the Camelot of Africa. Visit the iconic Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi)—a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing a series of 17th-century castles, courtyards, and ceremonial halls. Continue to Fasilides’ Bath, still used during the annual Timket celebration, then marvel at the stunning ceiling murals of Debre Berhan Selassie Church—famous for its angels-in-flight motif. A visit to the Women’s Ploughshare Project adds a contemporary cultural connection, showcasing artisan handicrafts by local women. In the afternoon, transfer to the Simien Mountains National Park, a realm of sky-piercing peaks and sublime wilderness.

Accommodation:Simien Lodge

Wake up above the clouds and enjoy breakfast at Simien Lodge, surrounded by towering peaks and the morning songs of highland birds. Then set off for an unforgettable day inside Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Your guided hike leads you across dramatic escarpments and alpine meadows in search of endemic wildlife—most notably the Gelada baboons, known for their expressive faces and social behavior, and the elusive Walia ibex, Ethiopia’s iconic cliff-dwelling antelope.

Enjoy picnic breaks, photo stops, and fascinating insights into the park’s ecology and geology throughout the day. By late afternoon, descend from the highlands and begin your return journey to Gondar, bringing with you lasting memories of Ethiopia’s mountain magic.

Accommodation: Goha Hotel

Your morning begins with a flight from the imperial echoes of Gondar to the ethereal highlands of Lalibela, often called the “New Jerusalem.” As the plane descends, the jagged landscape unfolds like a painting—hills cloaked in mist and mystery. On arrival, you’ll be greeted by the town’s haunting silence and spiritual air before checking in at Sora Lodge, perched overlooking the town and valley below.

Soon after, step into one of the world’s most remarkable sacred landscapes: the first cluster of rock-hewn churches. Chiseled straight from volcanic rock in the 13th century, these marvels speak in silence—about perseverance, devotion, and unshakable faith. Carved passageways, ceremonial trenches, and towering stone facades greet you at every turn, as your local guide reveals the stories, secrets, and symbolism carved into every crevice. It’s more than a tour—it’s an initiation into a living legend.

Accommodation:Sora Lodge

After a sunrise breakfast with mountain views, depart on a scenic drive through rugged countryside and fragrant eucalyptus groves en route to Yemrehanna Kristos Church, hidden inside a limestone cave and considered a masterpiece of Aksumite architecture. This 11th-century structure, constructed of layered wood and stone rather than carved, rests on a foundation of legend. The quiet inside the cave chapel is nearly otherworldly—hundreds of ancient pilgrims are buried just beyond its walls.

Returning to Lalibela in the afternoon, continue with the second group of rock-hewn churches, each with its own haunting personality. Marvel at their dramatic architecture and distinct purpose—churches for baptism, monastic reflection, or celebration. Don’t miss Bet Gabriel-Rufael, once believed to be a royal palace, or Bet Giyorgis, the famous cross-shaped church iconically photographed from above, standing resolute and alone in its sunken courtyard.

Accommodation: Sora Lodge

Board a morning flight to Axum, the legendary capital of the ancient Aksumite Empire—a civilization that once ruled a vast trade network and played a central role in early Christianity. Upon arrival, begin your discovery at Stelae Park, where towering granite obelisks—some weighing over 500 tons—rise from the earth like eternal sentinels. These monoliths mark the tombs of ancient kings and reflect a legacy of architectural brilliance.

Descend into underground royal tombs, guided by historical whispers and carved inscriptions, then visit the venerated St. Mary of Zion Church. Believed to house the Ark of the Covenant, this sacred site is considered the spiritual epicenter of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Whether approached through faith or fascination, Axum’s sacred atmosphere leaves a lasting imprint.

Accommodation: Sabean Hotel

Following breakfast, depart Axum and journey eastward through the golden highlands of Tigray, a region dense with cultural legacy and rugged beauty. Midway, stop at the Temple of Yeha, Ethiopia’s oldest freestanding structure, built over 2,500 years ago. This sandstone temple, with its precise masonry and ancient inscriptions, stands as a bridge between South Arabian and Ethiopian civilizations—a powerful symbol of the country’s pre-Christian roots.

Continue through landscapes dotted with stone villages and terraced farms, eventually arriving in Hawzen, nestled in the foothills of the majestic Gheralta Mountains. The region promises more than scenery—it offers spiritual silence carved into stone.

Accommodation: Vision Hotel

After breakfast, spend the day discovering the extraordinary rock-hewn churches of Gheralta, some of the most remote and spectacular in all of Ethiopia. Begin with a guided hike to Abuna Yemata Guh, dramatically perched over 2,500 meters above sea level and accessed via a thrilling cliffside ascent. Inside, vivid 5th–6th century frescoes adorn the walls—masterpieces painted in isolation and devotion.

Later, visit Maryam Korkor and Daniel Korkor, expansive and atmospheric churches carved into the face of the mountains. With few visitors, no artificial light, and views stretching across the Tigray plateau, these sanctuaries offer a rare encounter with faith, art, and peace etched in stone and time.

Accommodation: Vision Hotel

On your final morning, drive to Mekele, passing through scenic farmlands, remote hilltop chapels, and warm village encounters that offer a final glimpse of Ethiopia’s rural soul. In the afternoon, board a flight back to Addis Ababa, where your journey concludes in celebration.

Gather in the evening for a festive farewell dinner, featuring live traditional music, dance, and authentic Ethiopian cuisine. It’s a chance to reflect on the moments that moved you—from sacred chants in mountain churches to sunlit waterfalls and starlit highlands. After dinner, transfer to Bole International Airport for your international departure—your heart full, your soul uplifted, and your connection to Ethiopia everlasting.

Accommodation: Note

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to step back in time and experience Ethiopia’s ancient legacy firsthand. Book your transformative 13-Day Meskel (Finding of the True Cross) Festival Tour now and immerse yourself in a journey that spans millennia—where every moment celebrates our rich, UNESCO-certified heritage!