12 DAYS HISTORICAL ETHIOPIA TOURS

Day 1: Arrival & Addis Ababa City Tour

Meet your Enat Ethiopia Tours representative at Bole International Airport and transfer to hotel. Begin sightseeing in the capital, founded in 1886 by Menelik II. Visit the National Museum to see Lucy’s 3.5-million-year-old fossil, explore the Ethnographic Museum, and tour Holy Trinity Cathedral—resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.

Holy Trinity Cathedral—Ethiopia’s spiritual heart dressed in stained glass.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 2: Fly to Bahir Dar – Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls

Fly to Bahir Dar. Boat across Lake Tana to visit Ura Kidane Mihret on Zeghie Peninsula with its vibrant frescoes and illuminated Ge’ez manuscripts. In the afternoon, hike to the misty Blue Nile Falls (“Tississat”) and explore the surrounding countryside.

Overnight: Bahir Dar

Day 3: Bahir Dar – Gondar

Drive north to Gondar (185 km) and tour the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), Fasilides’ Castle, and the Emperor’s Bath. Explore Debre Birhan Selassie Church with its angelic ceiling frescoes and intricate murals.

Gondar’s castle complex—Africa’s medieval Camelot carved from mountain stone.

Overnight: Gondar

Day 4: Simien Mountains National Park

Drive to Debark and enter the Simien Mountains National Park. Hike the Sankaber trail and spot Gelada baboons, Klipspringers, and Lammergeyers. Enjoy dramatic cliffs and highland views at 3,250m altitude.

Overnight: Lodge or Camp, Simien Mountains

Day 5: Drive to Axum

Travel along the rugged Simien lowlands and Tekeze Gorge to Axum. Take in breathtaking scenery along the route, capturing glimpses of Ethiopia’s wild geological splendor.

Overnight: Axum

Day 6: Axum City Tour

Tour Axum’s archaeological treasures including the giant stelae fields, tombs, the archaeological museum, and ruins of Queen of Sheba’s palace. Visit St. Mary of Zion Church—believed to house the Ark of the Covenant—and learn about Ethiopia’s ancient Christian lineage.

Axum’s granite giants—monolithic markers of imperial divinity and pride.

Overnight: Axum

Day 7: Drive via Yeha & Adwa – Gheralta

Drive east to Yeha to visit Ethiopia’s oldest temple, built around 700 BC and dedicated to the moon god Ilmuqah. Continue to Adwa—the site of Ethiopia’s historic victory over colonial forces in 1896—and arrive in the Gheralta region near Hawzien.

Overnight: Hawzien

Gheralta Mountains

Day 8: Tigray Churches – Drive to Mekele

Explore Tigray’s ancient rock-cut churches such as Abreha We Atsbeha and Wukro Chirkos, carved into sandstone cliffs with Axumite architectural details. In the afternoon, drive through dramatic highlands to Mekele.

Overnight: Mekele

Day 9: Drive to Lalibela

Enjoy a full-day drive south to Lalibela through majestic mountain corridors and valley crossings. Arrive at the sacred mountain town—home to Ethiopia’s most famous churches.

Overnight: Lalibela

Day 10: Tour Lalibela’s Rock-Hewn Churches

Explore Lalibela’s first church cluster including Bet Medhane Alem and Bet Maryam. Discover Bet Giyorgis—Ethiopia’s architectural masterpiece carved in the shape of a cross and considered one of the world’s wonders.

Overnight: Lalibela

Day 11: Yimrehanna Kristos Excursion

Visit the 11th-century Yimrehanna Kristos cave church with its layered wood and stone structure. In the afternoon, explore Lalibela’s second cluster including Bet Gabriel-Rufael and Bet Emanuel with classic Axumite motifs.

Overnight: Lalibela

Day 12: Return to Addis Ababa & Departure

Fly back to Addis Ababa. Enjoy final sightseeing with views from Entoto Mountain and a stop at Shiro Meda market for traditional garments. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner with cultural performances before airport transfer.

End of Tour