Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa, city tour

Welcome to Ethiopia! Arrive at Addis Abeba Bole International Airport. Here you will be greeted by your tour guide or driver from Ecotravel Ethiopia Tours. Then you will be transferred to hotel. If your arrival is early morning, after a leisurely morning rest and relax you will spend the afternoon on a site seeing of Addis Abeba. Established by Emperor Menelik II 1887 Addis Abeba or ‘New flower’ in Amharic, is relatively young city full of contrasts. This city tour includes, The National Museum which houses the country’s historic treasures & the famous ‘Lucy”, The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Ethiopian main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor: Drive up to Mount Entoto to have a panoramic view of the city and end the tour with Merkato, one of the largest open air markets in Africa.

Overnight: Golden Tulip Hotel

Day 2: Fly to Lalibela for the rock hewn churches

In the morning transfer to Addis Abeba Bole International Airport for a short Scenic flight to Lalibela. Up on arrival at Lalibela airport you will meet your Guide and transfer to your accommodation. You will spend the day exploring one of the world’s most remarkable historic sites. The 11 rock churches of Lalibela are believed to be built 900 years ago by Saint King Lalibela. These elaborate edifices are each carved by hand entirely out of a single block of living granite rock and considered as ‘8th Wonders of the World’, ‘Jerusalem of Africa’ and ‘Petra of Africa’. It is a deeply spiritual place and UNESCO world heritage site. These churches are divided into two groups. The first group symbolizes Earthly Jerusalem while the second represents Heavenly Jerusalem. Today you will visit the first group of churches.

Overnight: Mezena Lodge Hotel

Day 3: Yemrehanna Kristos Church and visit the 3rd group in Lalibela

Today’s excursion takes you out of the town of Lalibela and visit one of fascinating rock churches located around the town. In the morning drive out to Yemrhane Kristos cave church built inside the cave in Aksumite wood and stone construction style. The church has become famous for its interior. The flat-span roof displays paneling richly adorned with geometrical designs. The ceiling over the sanctuary is domed and displays carvings and paintings. The founder of the church is Saint King Yemrhane Kristos a predecessor of Saint King Lalibela. Drive back to Lalibela and after lunch break visit the Second Group of 11 Rock Churches of King Lalibela..

Overnight: Mezena Lodge Hotel

Day 4: Drive to Bahir Dar

Today you will enjoy a full day scenic drive to Bahirdar, a beautiful city located next to Lake Tana and capital to Amhara regional state. The drive takes you through the spectacular northern highland scenery and gives you the chance to see the life of the local Amhara people. On the way stop and visit the Small community Awramba.The Awramba are famous for their unique way of life, philosophy, Social and economic system. Meet the founder or other representative of the community and listen to their philosophy. Arrive in Bahirdar late in the afternoon.

Overnight: Blue Nile Resort Hotel

Day 5: Bahir Dar, Boat trip and drive to Blue Nile Falls

In the morning embark on a boat trip of Lake Tana. Covering 3,600 sq. kms, this is Ethiopia’s largest lake and home to 37 islands. 20 of these islands house some of the country’s most venerated monasteries, which many of them believed to date back to the 13th& 14th century and feature superb ecclesiastical art. First you will visit the monastery of Ura Kidane Miheret on the Zege Peninsula famous for its incredible wall paintings and collection of cross and crowns. Continue to Betre Mariam monastery and then the boat will return to Bahirdar via the source of the Blue Nileand here you might see some Hippos on the lake. After lunch break at the lake shore enjoy an hour scenic drive to the famous and stunning Blue Nile falls. The fall known as “the water that smokes” in Amharic, is located about 32kms south of Bahirdar. The Blue Nile Fall measure over 400 meters wide and descends 48 meters in full flood. You can take a longer scenic walk (1.5kms) or a short walk to reach the foot of the falls. Then cross the Nile River with a boat to reach to your car and drive back to Bahirdar.

Overnight: Blue Nile Resort Hotel

Day 6: Drive to Gondar to attend the Timket festival eve

Leaving Bahirdar this morning and drive further north to Gondar. Enjoy a 4 hours scenic drive through the northern highlands. Arrive in Gondar in the afternoon and check in to hotel. In the afternoon you will attend the start of the ceremony. Today it is the eve for the Timkat ‘Ethiopian Epiphany’. Timkat festival is the celebration that commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the river of Jordan by John the Baptist. Pilgrims congregate from all parts of the country to celebrate the epiphany. It takes place on 19th January every year. This afternoon, priests take the Tabot (which symbolizes the Ark of the Covenant) containing the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, from each Church. Concealed by an ornamental cloth, it is taken to a tent, close to a consecrated pool or stream, accompanied by much ringing of bells, blowing of trumpets and the burning of incense.Carrying the Ark of the Covenant to the river signifies the coming of Jesus to the river to be baptized by John the Baptist. You will walk with the faithful towards the remarkable Bath of Emperor Fasil known as ‘the pavilion od delight’ where this religious ceremony is held colorfully. Throughout the night sermons in relation to the Baptismal of Jesus, singing, dancing and praying to continue.

Overnight: Haile Resort

Day 7: Attend the main ceremony and explore Gonder

Early in the morning (around 3:30am) transfer to Bath of Fasil to witness the main part of this fascinating religious ceremony. The Kiddase (Divine Liturgy) is administered near the pools early in the morning. Passages from the story of the Baptism of Jesus Christ recited from the four Gospels at the cardinal points of the pool.The Patriarch (head priest) dips his cross to bless the water. Three candles are floated on a water of wood in the baptismal pool, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. The water is then blessed and sprinkled towards the assembled congregation, some of whom immerse themselves in the water, symbolically renewing their baptismal vows. After this you will return back to hotel for breakfast and rest. In the afternoon after visiting the colorful procession during which the tabors are escorted back to the churches, you will visit other sites in Gondar. Located on the high plateau, Gondar was the imperial capital for 200 years and famed for its medieval castles and churches. Spend the afternoon visiting the city’s Royal Enclosure home to dramatic 17th century castles built by different emperors. These whole complexes of buildings are unique in Ethiopia and never found elsewhere in Africa and known as the Camelot of Africa. After the castles stop by the famous church of Debre Berhan Selassie, one of the finest in Ethiopia. The walls and ceilings covered with stunning ancient murals.

Overnight: Haile Resort

Day 8: Drive to Simien Mountains

Following breakfast this morning, continue traveling north to the Simen Mountains. After two hours scenic drive stop at the town of Debark, where the park headquarter located, to full fill park regulations and get local guide and park scout. Then you will drive in to the Simen Mountains National Park to start short hike (2-3hrs) through the breathtaking scenery. Today you might have a chance to see the endemic Ethiopian Gelada Baboons and klipspringers. After finishing your hike spent the night in the lodge or drive back to Debark town. The simen mountains range lies north of Gondar and many of the peaks rise above 4,000 meters, with the highest point of Ras Dashen at 4,620 meters absl. Being the fourth highest in Africa. The striking towers and formations have been described as ‘the chess pieces of the gods’. The park is home to some of the world’s most elusive animals, like the Walia Antelope and Ethiopian Wolf.

Overnight: Simien Lodge Hotel.

Day 9: Fly Back to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, start driving to Gondar, Transfer to the airport to catch a fight that takes you back to Addis Abeba. Arrive in Addis in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel to rest and get settled before your night flight or you can do last minute shopping. In the evening enjoy final farewell dinner at a well-known local Ethiopian restaurant with cultural danses. Later this evening you will be transferred to Addis Abeba Bole International Airport for your return flight back home.