After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Bahir Dar, one of the most attractive cities in Ethiopia.

Bahir Dar, with its wide avenues lined by rows of palm trees, is situated on the southern shore of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. Bahir Dar is also the best base to visit some of the monasteries built on the islands inside Lake Tana between the 12th and 18th centuries, as well as the sources of the Blue Nile River.

After arriving at the hotel, departure to the Tissisat Falls of the Blue Nile, about 30 kilometers from the city. A 20-minute walk takes us to these falls, with a 45-meter high drop, which shows its most spectacular appearance during and just after the rainy season (from June to January). Here, the Blue Nile, which contributes 85% of the flow of the Nile River, begins its long journey to the Mediterranean. Lunch at the hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the city of Bahir Dar. The tour includes the city itself, as well as the town of Woito, 2 km to the west, known for its production of Tankwa boats made of junks.

Then it continues with a visit to the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie in Bezawit, with excellent views of the city, the exact place where the Blue Nile rises from the lake, and some of the local markets.

Dinner and accommodation at the chosen hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, the day begins with a boat ride on Lake Tana, where a visit to some of the the ancient monasteries that were built around Lake Tana and on many of the islands within it, totaling about 38 in all.

The list includes a visit to the Zeghe Peninsula, where you will visit the churches of Ura Kidane Mehret and Mariam Azewa, which were built at the end of the 13th and 14th centuries, respectively, and whose walls are covered with incredible murals from the 16th century. You will also visit the church of Dek Stefanos, with its valuable collection of icons, as well as the remains of various medieval emperors, the church of Kibran Gabriel (closed to women) and, finally, the church of Narga Selassie.

Picnic lunch on the boat, and then continue on the way to the town of Gorgora, where we visit the Debreseina Mariam church. In Gorgora you pick up the cars and continue for 60 km to the city of Gondar.

Dinner and accommodation at the chosen hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, the full day of visits in Gondar begins. The Emperor Fasiladas founded Gondar as his imperial seat in 1636 and, until the 19th century, the city was the capital and main commercial center of the region.

The visit includes the Royal Enclosure, or Fasil Gibbi, and the six castles built by the various emperors who ruled Gondar. 2km from the city center are King Fasilidas Baths where, during Timkat (Epiphany in Ethiopia), a nearby river is diverted to fill an area the size of a small pool. Faithful and pilgrims immerse themselves in the cold water in a reenactment of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River. Lunch in a local restaurant.

Next, visit the church of Debre Berhane Selassie, the only church that was saved from the Mahdist invasion of the 1880s. According to legend, a swarm of bees drove away the invaders who were trying to loot the church. The walls and ceiling of this church are completely covered with murals – the faces of angels on the ceiling have become a common motif in Ethiopian design.

Finally, visit the ruined palace of Queen Mentowab, and the church of Qusquam Mariam, located on a hill outside the town.

Dinner and accommodation at the chosen hotel.

Breakfast at the lodge and start of the transfer by land to Lalibela. Today’s journey runs mostly on paved roads, and crosses one of the most spectacular mountainous landscapes in the country.

On the way, a stop will be made to visit the village of Awra Amba, located about 120 km from Gondar. It is an Ethiopian community of approximately 463 people, founded in 1980 with the aim of solving socio-economic problems through mutual aid in an environment of egalitarianism, in stark contrast to the traditional norms of Amhara society.

Founded by Zumra Nuru, who currently serves as community co-chair, with 19 other people who shared his vision, as of 2016. Awra Amba is hailed as a model of economic and social organizing to alleviate poverty and promote equality of gender in a country where women are generally subordinate to men. After the visit, the journey to Lalibela continues through spectacular mountain landscapes.

Picnic lunch or local restaurant. Before arrival in Lalibela, stop to visit the Nakuta Laab monastery, built inside a large cave, and which houses important religious and historical treasures.

Dinner and accommodation at the chosen hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Between the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century, King Lalibela, of the Zaghwe dynasty, had a series of rock-hewn churches built, calling the place “New Jerusalem”.

Today, Lalibela is deservedly recognized as one of the greatest wonders of the world. In the town, baptized in memory of the emperor, there are 11 churches, while other rock-hewn churches are in the vicinity. All are in use today. Today’s morning is scheduled to visit the church of Asheton Mariam, located on a cliff with spectacular views of the city and the valleys and mountains of the area. Lunch at the hotel.

In the afternoon, the visit to the first group of churches in Lalibela begins; Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikael, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Denagel and Bet Medhane Alem. The latter, the largest, resembles a Greek temple. On one corner there are three empty tombs, symbolically dug for the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

In the late afternoon, visit Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant church of all the churches in Lalibela, situated on a rock-terraced hillside on the southwestern side of town, and accessible only through a tunnel.

Dinner and accommodation at the chosen hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, and departure to visit the rock church of Yemrehene Christos, (40 km, 1½ by car), built by the king of the same name before the reign of King Lalibela. The church is built inside a cave, with alternating levels of wood and stone.

Return to Lalibela and lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we will visit the second group of churches in Lalibela, located south of the Jordan River. Which includes the churches of Bete Emanuel, Bete Mercurios, Bete Abba Libanos and Bet Gabriel-Rufa´e.

Finally, visit a traditional home of a local family to witness the Ethiopian coffee making ceremony.

Dinner and accommodation at the chosen hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to catch the flight back to Addis.

Arrival and transfer to the chosen hotel, where you can make use of the room during the day (until 6:00 p.m.). Lunch in hotel restaurant.

Free afternoon to rest (the car and the guide will be available to make a purchase or last visit). Starting at 7:30 p.m., farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant.

Finally, transfer to the airport to take the flight back.