Route: Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar – Gondar – Simien Mountains – Lalibela – Addis Ababa
Style: Cultural, historical, educational, community-based
Best time: October–March (clear weather)
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrival in Addis Ababa
- Arrival at Bole International Airport
- Hotel check-in & rest
- Short city orientationWelcome dinner with traditional Ethiopian cuisine
- Overnight: Addis Ababa
Day 2 :
Addis Ababa City Tour
- National Museum (Lucy fossil)
- Ethnological Museum
- Holy Trinity Cathedral
- Optional Merkato visit (largest open market in Africa)
- Overnight: Addis Ababa
Day 3 :
Addis Ababa → Bahir Dar
- Morning flight or drive to Bahir Dar
- Afternoon walk along Lake Tana shoreline
- Sunset views over the Blue Nile
- Overnight: Bahir Dar
Day 4 :
Lake Tana Monasteries
- Focus: Religious history
- Boat trip on Lake Tana
- Visit island monasteries (Ura Kidane Mehret, Azwa Mariam)
- Learn about ancient manuscripts & church art
- Overnight: Bahir Dar
Day 5 :
Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat)
- Visit Blue Nile Falls
- Walk across the historic Portuguese bridge
- Community interaction in nearby villages
- Afternoon free time
- Overnight: Bahir Dar
Day 6 :
Bahir Dar → Gondar
- Drive to Gondar through countryside
- Stop at rural villages en route
- Arrival and evening walk
- Overnight: Gondar
Day 7 :
Gondar Royal Enclosure
- Focus: Imperial Ethiopia
- Fasil Ghebbi (UNESCO site)
- Castles of Emperor Fasilides
- Debre Berhan Selassie Church (famous ceiling art)
- Overnight: Gondar
Day 8 :
Gondar → Simien Mountains
- Focus: Nature & heritage
- Drive to Simien Mountains National Park
- Short walks with park scout
- Viewpoints over dramatic escarpments
- Wildlife spotting (gelada baboons)
- Overnight: Simien Lodge / lodge outside park
Day 9 :
Simien Mountains
- Morning hike (easy to moderate)
- Learn about:
- Highland ecology
- Local livelihoods
- Afternoon return toward Gondar
- Overnight: Gondar
Day 10 :
Gondar → Lalibela
- Flight or long scenic drive to Lalibela
- Evening cultural music & dance
- Overnight: Lalibela
Day 11 :
Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches (Group 1)
- Focus: Spiritual & architectural heritage
- Visit:
- Bet Medhane Alem
- Bet Maryam
- Bet Golgotha
- Learn about medieval Ethiopian Christianity
- Overnight: Lalibela
Day 12 :
Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches (Group 2)
- Visit:
- Bet Amanuel
- Bet Abba Libanos
- Bet Giyorgis (St. George)
- Optional village walk
- Overnight: Lalibela
Day 13 :
Lalibela → Addis Ababa
- Morning flight back to Addis Ababa
- Free time for shopping or rest
- Farewell dinner
- Overnight: Addis Ababa
Day 14 :
Departure
- Transfer to airport
- Departure
