20 Days Northern & Southern Ethiopia Combination

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa at Bole International Airport
An Insider will meet and greet you and your group at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa and transfer you to the hotel. Overnight stay in Ghion Hotel.

Day 2: City Tour in Addis Ababa
After having breakfast explore Addis Ababa beginning with the National Museum and the Ethnological Museum, which is the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie I. After lunch, take time to experience the Holy Trinity Cathedral and visit the Mercato, the largest open-air market in Africa. Overnight stay in Ghion Hotel

Day 3: Drive to Bahir Dar
After an early breakfast, drive north to Bahir Dar via Debre Markos. On the way visit the Debre Libanos Monastery and the Portuguese bridge, known as the first bridge in Ethiopia. Afterwards, you will pass through the spectacular Blue Nile Gorge before stopping in Debre Markos for lunch. Overnight stay in Kuriftu Lodge.

Day 4: Tour in Bahir Dar
After breakfast, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to various island monasteries like those on the Zege Peninsula and Kibran Gabriel (women are not allowed). In the afternoon, you will drive to the Blue Nile Falls for a short hike to the falls. Overnight stay in Kuriftu Lodge.

Day 5: Drive to Gondar, City Tour
After breakfast, drive three hours north to Gondar. On the way, enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Amhara highlands. After arrival, visit the castle compound of Fasilides and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, one of Ethiopias most famous churches. Overnight stay Goha Hotel.

Day 6: Drive to Simien Mountains National Park
Depart early in the morning from Gondar, driving to Sankober, a campsite in the national park. On the way, Insider guides will handle park fees, local guides, and scouts. Shortly after, you will start a 3-4 hour hike from Buyit Ras to Sankober. Back in Sankober, enjoy beautiful views from the escarpment where you can observe the Gelada baboons and perhaps the Walia Ibex. In Sankober, an Insider will meet you with your supplies. Overnight stay in Simien Lodge.

Day 7: Drive to Axum
In the morning after having breakfast, depart north for Axum enjoying spectacular views of the Simien Mountains on the way. After stopping for lunch in Adarky, proceed driving through the Tekeze Valley to Axum, home of the ancient Axumite Empire, the Queen of Sheba, and the Ark of the Covenant. Overnight stay in Yeha Hotel.

Day 8: Axum City Tour
Explore Axuma UNESCO World Heritage Siteand visit the ancient stele, granite monoliths dating from pre-Christian times. Visit the church compound of St Mary of Zion Church where the Ark of the Covenant is stored. Overnight stay in Yeha Hotel.

Day 9: Gheralta Mountains and Drive to Mekelle
After a early breakfast, drive four hours to the Gheralta Mountains where you will visit some of the rock-hewn churches of Tigray such as Abraha Atsbeha and the steep Abuna Yemata Guh (perched on the side of a cliff). Afterwards, proceed driving to Mekelle. Overnight stay in Axum Hotel.

Day 10: Drive to Lalibela
After breakfast, drive all day to Lalibela. Lalibela contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century. These churches have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight stay in Hotel.

Day 11: Visit the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
Spend the day visiting the three groups of Lalibelas rock-hewn churches. Overnight stay in Hotel.

Day 12: Drive to Kombolcha
Early in the morning, drive to Kombolcha via Woldia. On the way visit the Hayk Lake, visit the local monastery Estafanos and enjoy the scenic surroundings. Overnight stay in Sunny Side Hotel.

Day 13: Drive to Awash National Park
In the morning after breakfast drive to Awash National Park through Bati. You will arrive in Awash National Park late in the afternoon where you can rest & relax after the long drive. Overnight stay in Awash Falls Lodge.

Day 14: Second Day in Awash National Park
After breakfast, visit the Awash National Park on game drive to see oryx and other animals, Awash Falls and birding potential to spot the Grey Hornbill, Somali Fiscal, Helmeted Guinea fowl, Blue-napped Mouse bird, Kori Bustard, among others. Overnight stay in Awash Falls Lodge.

Day 15: Drive to Dire Dawa
After breakfast, drive further east to Dire Dawa, a city of many cultures where almost all cultures from Ethiopia are displayed. Due to its stop on the former railroad between Addis Ababa and Djibouti, even the French, Bulgarians, Greeks, Armenian and Indians have left their marks reflected in the architecture. Overnight stay in Blossom Hotel.

Day 16: Excursion outside Dire Dawa
After breakfast, drive further east to Dire Dawa, a city of many cultures where almost all cultures from Ethiopia are displayed. Due to its stop on the former railroad between Addis Ababa and Djibouti, even the French, Bulgarians, Greeks, Armenian and Indians have left their marks reflected in the architecture. Overnight stay in Blossom Hotel.

Day 17: Drive to Harar
After breakfast drive a short distance to Harar to visit the Walled City of the Jugol, the house of French poet Arthur Rimbaud and Emperor Haile Selassies home. Later that evening visit the Hyena Man. Overnight stay in Heritage Plaza.

Day 18: Drive to Debre Zeit
After breakfast turn westwards and return towards Addis Ababa. Visit the Crater Lakes of Debre Zeit. Overnight stay in Debre Zeit.

Day 19 and 20 : Drive back to Addis Ababa
On your last day in Addis Ababa, go shopping in Merkato, visit local art galleries, and jewelers shops in Piassa. In the late afternoon enjoy a Farewell dinner and check in for the flight back home.