Day 1

We will pick you up at your hotel in an air conditioned Toyota Landcruiser 4WD and provide a tour of the sights in Addis.  There is a lot to see in Addis, both historic and modern. Attractions include The Africa House, zoo, St George’s Cathedral and museum, The Church of St Mary , the Ethnological Museum, the Grand Mosque  and the Mercato - the biggest open market in Africa.  There is also an option to visit the nearby Entoto Hills from which there are magnificent views of the sprawling city. Overnight in Addis at the centrally located Ras Hotel

Day 2

Drive to Debre Libanos. Visit Debre Libanos cave and monastery, which was founded by one of Ethiopia's most revered saints, Tekla Haymanot, in the 13^th Century. Visit the 16^th Century Portuguese Bridge where Gelada baboons and Lammergeier vultures can be seen. Arrive at hotel.  There will be time for horse riding or walk, before your evening meal at the Ethio-German Hotel.

Day 3

Drive to Bahir Dar via the Blue Nile Gorge.  The drive will take most of the day and so when you arrive in the late afternoon you will probably want to relax at your hotel, the Summerland.

Day  4

The day will start with trip out on to Lake Tana by boat, landing on one of the islands to view a monastery if you wish. After a trip to the Blue Nile Falls, you can make an afternoon visit to the Woito village - where the local people make the Papyrus boat - and Mount Bezawit for view of the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. Overnight at the Summerland Hotel in Bahir Dar.

Day 5

Drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar.  In the afternoon visit some of the many interesting sites in Gondar, capital of the Ethiopian empire between 1632 and 1755, including Emperor Fasildas' Palace, and the palace of Iyasu 1, whose rule from 1682-1706 is considered one of the city’s greatest periods. We will also visit the Debre Birhan Sallasie Trinity church with its wonderful murals, which was built by Iyasu I. Overnight in Gondar at the Fogera Hotel.

Day 6

The day will be spent visiting the remaining attractions in Gondar, such as Kuskuam Mariam Church and Gondar market. You will have the afternoon free to do as you please.

Day  7

Drive to the spectacular Simien Mountains where you should see the Gelada baboon, a species of monkey only found in Ethiopia. You may also see the elusive Menilek bushbuck during a comfortable walk through the hills.  Overnight camping at Sankaber Campsite.

Day  8

In the morning you can take a three hour walk to the beautiful Ginbar Falls. We will have a picnic overlooking the fall before returning to the campsite.

Day  9

Early morning departure for Axum. Visit Axum Zion Museum, the stelae – the famous obelisks - and some ruins of the ancient civilisation that began to rise in 400 BC and remained one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world for a thousand years. Overnight in Axum at the Remhai Hotel.

Day 10

Drive to Mekele taking in the Palace of the Queen of Sheba en route. Although the history of the recently discovered palace is uncertain, it is certainly one of the most impressive Axumite palaces and contains more than 50 rooms.  Overnight in Mekele at the Axum Hotel.

Day 11

The day will be spent visiting some of Tigray's 120 rock hewn churches, many of them carved into cliff faces. Legend dates the churches to the time of the Aksumite kings Abreha and Atsbeha in the fourth century, but most historians date them from the same era as Lalibela’s. Either way, their remote locations and precarious positions make them well worth a visit. Overnight at the Axum Hotel.

Day 12

From Mekele we will drive to Lalibela, passing through beautiful Tigrayan scenery and villages on the way. The trip will take most of the day. Overnight in Lalibela at the Lal Hotel.

Day 13

Day 14

Fly from Lalibela to Addis. There will be an opportunity in the afternoon to visit any remaining sites in Addis.