Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Addis Ababa
Fly overnight from London (regional
connections available) to Addis Ababa. (N)
Day 2: Addis Ababa
Arrive in the third highest capital in the world.
Afternoon city tour, including the Ethnographic
Museum and the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Overnight at the Golden Tulip Hotel (or
similar). Pre-dinner welcome drink. (L, D)
Day 3: Fly to Mekelle Hawzien
Morning flight to Mekelle. Short tour of
Mekelle, including Bete Yohannes. Drive
to Hawzien. En route, visit the rock-hewn
churches of Wukro Cherkos and Abraha
Atsbeha. Stay overnight at the Gheralta Lodge
(or similar). (B, L, D)
Days 4-5: Axum
Morning drive to Axum. Stay 2 nights at
Sabean Hotel (or similar). The next day visit
the tombs of King Kaleb and Gebra Meskel, the
Queen of Shebas swimming pool and palace,
King Ezanas Stone and the magnificent stele
(obelisks). Afternoon visit to the Cathedral of St
Mary of Zion and the Chapel of the Tablet, said
to contain the Ark of the Covenant, as well as
the Axum Museum. (B, L, D)
Days 6-7: Fly to Lalibela via Gondar
Fly to the world heritage site of Lalibela,
via Gondar. The site features 11 rock-hewn
churches. Afternoon visit to the north-west
cluster of churches, including the Church of
St George. Stay 2 nights at the Mezena Lodge
(or similar). Morning walk the following day
up to Asheton Maryam (weather permitting).
Alternatively, visit the cave church Nakutelab,
accessible by car. Afternoon visit to the southeast
cluster of churches. (B, L, D)
Days 8-9: Fly to Gondar Simien mountains
Fly to Gondar, located at the foot of the
Simien mountains. Visit the Church of Debre
Berhan Selassie to see its murals. Drive to
the Simien Mountain Lodge (or similar)
and stay for 2 nights. Evening talk on gelada
monkeys, endemic to this area. Morning
drive the following day to Chennek, home to
the endemic walia ibex. Stop to view gelada
monkeys and walk to a waterfall. Afternoon at
leisure. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Gondar
Drive to Gondar and stay 1 night at the
Mayleko Lodge (or similar). Afternoon tour
of the castles of Emperor Fasiladas and the
Palace of the Queen Mentuab. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Gorgora Zege peninsula Bahir
Dar
Drive to Gorgora and visit the monastery of
Debre Sina Mariam. Cross Lake Tana by boat
and visit Narga Selassie. Continue to URA
Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam on the Zege
peninsula. Stay 2 nights at the Kuriftu Resort &
Spa (or similar). (B, L, D)
Day 12: Blue Nile Falls Bahir Dar
Visit the Blue Nile Falls at Tissisat. Afternoon
visit to the Bezawit Palace and the market in
Bahir Dar. Optional spa treatments available.
(B, L, D)
Days 13-14: Fly to London via Addis Ababa
Morning flight to Addis Ababa. Day room at the
Golden Tulip Hotel. Short visit to the Mercato.
Dinner at a cultural restaurant and transfer to
the airport. Fly to London. Arrive the next day.
(B, L, D) (N)
