Experience the spiritual heart and historical grandeur of Ethiopia on this unforgettable 7-day journey. Begin in Addis Ababa, where you’ll witness the vibrant Meskel Festival, one of Ethiopia’s most colorful religious celebrations, featuring traditional music, dancing, and the lighting of the Demera bonfire.
Continue your adventure with flights across Ethiopia’s northern historical circuit. In Axum, explore the ancient kingdom renowned for its towering stelae, archaeological treasures, and the Church of St. Mary of Zion, said to house the Ark of the Covenant. Fly onward to Lalibela, home to the world-famous rock-hewn churches a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Ethiopian medieval architecture.
In Gonder, discover the 17th-century castles and palaces within the Royal Enclosure, often called the “Camelot of Africa.” Then travel to Bahir Dar, where serene Lake Tana and the spectacular Blue Nile Falls await, offering a perfect blend of nature, history, and spirituality.
Conclude your journey back in Addis Ababa with a farewell cultural dinner featuring authentic Ethiopian cuisine and traditional dance performances a fitting finale to a deeply enriching Ethiopian experience.
Arrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy some sightseeing in Addis. In the afternoon, around 3:30 PM, attend the vibrant and colorful Meskel Day procession, which marks the eve of the Meskel celebration. -
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Fly from Addis Ababa to Axum. Spend the day exploring historic sites in Axum, once the capital of the Ethiopian kings and one of the oldest ancient civilizations in the world. It served as a key connecting point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. Visit archaeological sites such as the famous stelae, the Church of St. Mary of Zion (which houses the crowns of Ethiopian kings and other treasures), and the tomb of King Kaleb.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Fly early in the morning to Lalibela and transfer to your hotel. After a short rest, embark on an excursion to visit the first group of Lalibela’s magnificent rock-hewn churches. These churches, carved out of volcanic tuff with extraordinary architectural skill, are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Among them, Bete Medahine Alem (House of the Redeemer) is the largest, featuring five aisles, 72 pillars, a vaulted dome, and intricate molding decoration. Bete Mariam (House of St. Mary) is the most elaborately decorated church.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, take an excursion to visit Yemerhane Kirstos, a cave church located outside of Lalibela, set in a beautiful mountainous landscape. After returning to the hotel for lunch, visit the second group of rock-hewn churches, including Bete Emanuel (House of Emanuel), which is architecturally the finest, and Bete Giorgis (House of George), considered the most exquisite of all the churches. Art historians believe that Bete Giorgis was carved last in the cluster of churches.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Fly from Lalibela to Gonder. After a short break, explore the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which contains several stone-built castles of different emperors. The most impressive of these is Fasilidas Castle, built by Emperor Fasilidas, who established Gonder as a powerful cultural and religious center in the 16th century.
Overnight stay in Gonder.
After breakfast, drive to Bahir Dar. In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the Ura Kidane Mehret Monastery, where you can view religious wall paintings, parchment books, crosses, crowns, robes of former kings, and other religious artifacts.
Overnight stay in Bahir Dar.
In the morning, drive 35 km from Bahir Dar and embark on a half-hour trek to witness the breathtaking Blue Nile Falls. Afterward, fly back to Addis Ababa. Enjoy a farewell dinner at one of Addis Ababa’s best traditional restaurants, where you can sample a variety of Ethiopian dishes and watch folkloric dances.
Finally, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure. End of tour.
