Mahberwi

Transfer to the airport for the domestic flight - Arrived at Bahir Dar – the regional capital of Amharan People - Boat excursion (2 hrs. boat trip) to Zeghe Peninsula - Navigate the biggest lake of Ethiopia, Lake Tana: host several important historical monasteries of Ethiopian orthodox church, built in 13th and 14th century's when the region had been served as a capital to the medieval Ethiopian kings. Aquatic birds like Cormorant, Pelican, and Egret, Ibis would be another flavor of the lake – Walk in between small households and the sacred, temperate, wild forest with coffee plantations which makes the area UNESCO’s biosphere since 2015 and visit the astonishing church of Ura Kidane Mihret: adored by Gonderian style church paintings, narrates the passion of Jesus and his holy mother. Discover the «mysterious» outlet of Blue Nile at the eastern shore of the lake – Dinner and overnight – Hotel at Bahir Dar.

Breakfast and drive to Blue Nile Falls (60 km of piste route: 2hrs) - Excursion on foot across small villages, the old Portuguese bridge, and electric power plants. Boat cross on the Blue Nile – enjoy the gracious and legendary Blue Nile falls, 41m tall. The generation of consecutive hydro elective power plants and climate change had reduced the amount of water which makes it less attractive than before. Cross « Blue Nile » by boat and drive back to Bahir Dar. After lunch drive further north to Gondar which has been Ethiopian capital between 17th and 19th C. Dinner and Overnight – Hotel / Resort at Gondar

In the morning - discover the royal city of Gonder with its beautiful Royal Enclosure (17th century), a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings. And visit the Olympic size old swimming pool and the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its traditional wall paintings with particular iconic frescoes on the ceiling. In the afternoon dive to Debark (100 km), HQ of Simien National Park: a large plateau with 3300 average altitudes and home to several jugged mountains and trenched by 1500m deep valleys. The famous Ethiopian Wolf, Gelada Baboon, and Walia-Ibex are some of Ethiopia’s endemic animals residing in the park. The park is also branded with several unique birds and alpine mountain plants to the park and the country. 3hrs maximum Trek – Get the ticket and continue to the park – Sankaber. Begin the trek close to the campsite to adapt the altitude. Overnight - camping at Sankaber Campsite.

The trek starts with a gentle stroll through the Erica heather that hangs on white lichen and mosses, resembling an old man’s white beard. Along the route keep an eye open to spot the elusive and elegant klipspringer. After 2-3 hours, you will reach the viewpoint where you encounter the seasonal and impressive Jinbar waterfall. From there, you climb fairly steeply for an hour to reach the Jinbar valley and head down to the Jinbar River at 3,190m. Have a picnic lunch in these majestic surroundings. On the way, keep an eye open for the rare and graceful lammergeyer, soaring in search of food. After a brief rest at the river ascend gradually on an undulating trail for 2-3 hours to the village of Gich - dotted by the traditional round thatched huts and used to be in use by some Muslim community. After the village, the trail then winds its way into the moorland where visitors will experience the highland flora of giant lobelia as you arrive at Gich camp. Overnight – camping at Geech Campsite

The trek begins by ascending gradually for about 2 hours through the Afro-alpine meadows. Next descend: where you’ll have impressive views of the gorge below Imet Gogo. Then continue to Enatiyea which gradually reaches 4070m asl. This area is an outstanding place to view birds, particularly raptors. Many interesting species can be seen here: tawny eagle, lammergeyer, and augur buzzard with the magnificent view of Imet Gogo summit, Bwhait pass, and the surrounding escarpment and mountains. Lunch and descent to the camp (2-3 hrs.). Just 10-20 minutes before reaching camp, have a stop at Kurbete Metaya for a final and marvelous view of the day’s trek. Look around for Walia Ibex, and also for some Gelada Baboon. Then drive to Debark. Dinner and Overnight at Simein or Limalimo Lodge or inside the park

Morning drive to Axum, an exceptional experience with beautiful mountains – descend from 3200 m to 800 m along the famous Tekeze river hosted some beautiful Baobab trees. late afternoon arrival to Axum, center of ancient imperial and religious civilization registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive in Axum late afternoon. Dinner and overnight- Hotel at Axum

A full-day excursion at Axum: visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy), archeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s inscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. Visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant (the most sacred religious object of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church) is honored and kept. The special chapel for the Ark is guarded always by a chosen monk. Men only are allowed to enter the old church which is habited by monks. Dinner and overnight- Hotel at Axum

Drive to the Hawzein passing by the historical battlefield of Adwa where Emperor Menelik II defeated invading Italian colonial power in 1895. Visit the 2,500-year-old temple of Yeha, a temple where the God of Almuqa (God of the moon and sun) was believed in ancient animist rituals. Continue to Adigrat and lunch. Petros Paulos and Medhanea Alem Adi Qeshu are among the finest rock churches. Dinner and overnight – Hotel/ Lodge at Hawzien

On the way to Mekelle, visit Maryam Korkor, and Abraha-We-Atsbeha churches with important wall paintings and ancient frescoes dated back to the 10th and 13th Centuries. Continue to Mekelle: a regional capital of the Tigray region and it was also an important corridor for the traditional caravan trade. Dinner and overnight- Hotel at Mekelle

Morning drive from Mekelle to –Erta Ale (6 hrs.). the dramatic change of landscape and temperature will be accompanied by small villages and some palm tree plants along other volcanic landscape features. Lunch and continue to Etrta Ela. Once you arrive, begin to hike to the mountain of Erta Ela (613m asl) where you spend the night and enjoy the colorful lava lake illumination. Discover the southern and northern volcan dyke. Dinner - by our own cook and overnight camping at Ert Ale

Enjoy the morning view of the sun and black volcanic lava field and walk back to the camp. Breakfast and drive to Amedella. Discover the desertic rural villages in the middle of nowhere only with some camels and some palm trees. Picnic and continue to Amedella: a small village mainly a camping site with limited food and beverage services. Walk around to see the sunset and have dinner and camp at Amedela. Dinner - by our own cook and overnight camping at Amedella

Early in the morning drive to Dallo, the sulfurous hot springs, acid pools, steaming fissures and salt mountains. The sulfur springs of Dallol are a particular draw, with its stupefying shades of neon green and yellow that hiss forth from the rocky terrain. Then proceed to where you see traditional and local salt mining salt on a vast, hot but beautiful salt field. You will observe all activities of breaking the salt into rectangular pieces and loading them on camels. The journey of caravans from/to the salt field is a particular moment at this desertic and somehow hostile nature. Drive back to the camp and continue to Mekele for overnight. Dinner and Overnight – Hotel at Mekelle

The early morning departure for the full drive to Lalibela will allow you to take advantage of having some stop overs for pictures of beautiful landscape of the highlands, gorges, valleys. The villages are full of typical Ethiopian stone houses (mostly in Tigray) and small hamlets made up of mud and highland savannah grasses. Having lunch on the way you will arrive at your hotel by late afternoon. Dinner and Overnight – Hotel/ Lodge at Lalibela

The day will be given to discover the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, an important religious site for Ethiopia and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The churches are composed of monolithic, semi-monolithic and cave churches which were all carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. The visit will begin with the first group of churches and they represent the earthly paradise or Jerusalem. Lunch and continue with the second group of churches. Besides the beautiful churches, this group has a particular dark tunnel that symbolizes the path from hell to heaven. Dinner and Overnight – Hotel/ Lodge at Lalibela

Morning departure to Asheton Maryam (car, mule, or hike) with its 13th-century rock-hewn monastery and an exclusive view of the Lasta province mountains and the town of Lalibela. Lunch at Lalibela and drive to to Yimrehane Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yimrehane will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Dinner and Overnight – Hotel/ Lodge at Lalibela

Fly back to Addis Ababa and reception by your driver and lunch. Depending on the time of arrival you will visit Mount Entoto with a small museum and a palace that marks the place as the first garrison center for King Menelik. Depending on your flight schedule for the departure, you will dine at one of the Ethiopian traditional restaurants just before the transfer to the airport.