Essence of Ethiopia

Welcome to Addis Ababa! Our representative will wait for you at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and then send you to check in the hotel for a good rest. Later, we will lead you to visit National Museum of Ethiopia, famous for holding fossilized bones of hominid Lucy, dating back to 3.2 million years ago. Then we will go to the nearby Holy Trinity Church. It is the second most significant pilgrimage site in the country. Next, we will go for a walk at Merkcato, the largest open-air marketplace in Africa.

Accommodation: Radison Blue Hotel

In the early morning, our guide will accompany you on the one-hour flight to the city of Bahir Dar. After arrival, we will head to Lake Tana by car and take a boat to sightsee it, the largest lake in Ethiopia and source of Blue Nile River. Meanwhile, we will pay a visit to Zege Peninsula, located on the southern shore of the lake, and tour around two of ancient monasteries on the peninsula: round grass-roofed Azuwa Maryam Monastery and Ura Kidane Meret Monastery, the largest one on Zege with beautifully painted sanctuary and a significant collection of 14th-to 20th-century crosses and crowns.

On the way back, we will go to see wild hippopotamus at the entrance of Blue Nile, just in the southeast of the lake. In the afternoon, we will go to visit the Palace of Emperor Selassie, the main residence of the emperor who modernized Ethiopia and make it the major leading country of Organization of African Unity, now African Union. For the rest of the time, our guide will accompany you on the trip to explore local markets of Bahir Dar, appreciate its featured handicrafts and learn about the culture of local community.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Kuriftu Resort

Today we will start with a long drive to Simien Mountains National Park, which will take about 6 to 7 hour. It is suggested you have a hearty breakfast for the long journey. Simien Mountains National Park, the largest national park in Ethiopia, is famous for its spectacular highland scenery comprising jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp cliffs. It is also home to some extremely rare endemic animals including Gelada baboon, Simien fox and Walia ibex etc. After arrival at the park, enjoy a 2 - 3 hours' hike to sightsee its dramatic landscape and get close to friendly animals like Gelada baboons. When the safari is completed, we will drive to the lodge and on the way appreciate the beautiful sunset over the plateau.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic lunch
Accommodation: Simien lodge

This morning, we will drive to Gonder, the capital city of Ethiopia from the 16th to 19th centuries, famous for the ancient castles and places situated within a walled royal enclosure. It takes about 3 or 4 hours to get there. We will stop over by Amhara community villages and explore their way of life and traditions.

Upon arrival in the afternoon, we will go to visit Fasil Ghebbi, the remains of a fortress-city in Gonder, built in the 17th century, mainly consisting of castles and palaces of Emperor Fasilides and his successors, halls, a library and churches. Next we will go to visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church, one of the most beautiful churches in the country, with its ceiling painted with extraordinary Ethiopian Christian church murals. The guide will help you understand the biblical story behind these paintings.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Goha Hotel

In the early morning, fly to the historic town Lalibela in the company of our guide. After arrival, we will go to explore a UNESCO World Heritage site - the 11 Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, which were caved entirely out of living rock of monolithic blocks during medieval period. We will pay a visit to St. George Church, the most magnificent one among the 11, with a remarkable cruciform plan, still being used as a holy place for religious meeting and worship.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mezena Lodge

After breakfast, we will go to the airport and fly back to Addis Ababa. Your 6 days best Ethiopia private tour is about to end here. Thanks for choosing us as your service provider. Wish you a pleasant journey back home.

Meals: Breakfast