November 9 – Arrive to Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. Meet your Village Experience representative and transfer to hotel for the evening.

November 10 – Meet your guide in the morning and head to the National Museum of Ethiopia to visit Lucy – a 3.2 million year old hominid fossil discovered in 1974 in Ethioipia’s Afar region. Continue on to Holy Trinity Cathedral where Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen Asfaw are buried. We’ll then head to St. George Cathedral and Museum – site to many coronations of past rulers. After a traditional lunch and an Ethiopian coffee demonstration, we’ll venture to Mount Entoto for panoramic views of the city and a visit to Entoto Maryam Church. Return to hotel in the early evening. (B,L)

November 11 – Catch the morning flight to Lalibela and transfer to hotel for check in. After lunch, we will visit several of the rock cut churches of Lalibela which are located North of the Jordan River. The churches were carved during the reign of King Lalibela (1181-1221) and are considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to hotel in the early evening. (B)

November 12 – Morning excursion to the Church of Ne’akuto Le’ab from the 13th Century. This church is known for its extensive collection of ancient crosses, manuscripts and icons. After lunch, we will visit the second and third group of rock cut churches of Lalibela. Return to hotel in the early evening. (B)

November 13 – Driving day to Bahirdar. Make a stop at Awra Amba Community. This settlement was founded in 1980 by Zumra Nuru based on the principles of fighting poverty, gender inequality, and promoting peace. They were targeted as communist during the rule of the Derg and chased from their village for 4 years. Since 1993, they have returned, and we will visit them to hear their story. Upon arrival to Bahirdar, check into hotel for the evening. (B)

November 14 – Morning boat ride on Tana Lake to visit the monasteries hidden on the islands and shores of this sacred lake. These include the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam, Ura Kidane Mehret, and Debre Maryam. In the afternoon, we’ll drive out to the Blue Nile Falls to explore the area and enjoy sunset with a view of the lake. Return to hotel in the evening. (B)

November 15 – This morning, we’ll drive North through quaint villages depicting the Amhara culture to the city of Gondar. Upon arrival, check into hotel. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Royal Enclosure to see the 6 famous castles that were once home to the Royal Family of Ethiopia – a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll also visit Fasiladas Baths – still used today for celebrations during Timket. Continue on to the Debre Birhan Selassie Church – known to have the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia. Return to hotel in the evening. (B)

November 16 – Today, we head to Simien Mountains National Park! Upon arrival, we’ll hike a bit to take in the view. Check into hotel located inside the park…and enjoy a drink at the highest bar in Africa. Cheers! (B)

November 17 – Hike and drive through the mountains today to go in search of the beautiful Gelada Baboons – known as the bleeding heart monkey. This species of Old World monkey is only found in the Ethiopian highlands – how lucky are we to go in search of them firsthand. And who knows…we might even get lucky and see a klipspringer, mini bushbuck, or leopard! Return to hotel in the afternoon. (B)

November 18 – Driving day to Axum stopping along the way to meet local farmers, explore villages, and take in some stunning scenery. Check into hotel in Axum upon arrival. (B)

November 19 – Tour of Axum today including visits to the famous Obelisks, the Archeological Museum, Queen of Sheba’s Baths and Palace, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and most importantly…the Church of St. Mary of Zion. No entry is allowed, so we will observe it from outside, but this is the place where it is believed the Ark of the Covenant is kept and guarded. Return to hotel in the early evening. (B)

November 20 – Today, we will drive to Mekele stopping to visit the rock cut churches in Gheralta of Abraha and Atsbeha and the Wukro Chirkos Church. Upon arrival to Mekele, we’ll visit with a post war social project in the area. Check into hotel for the evening. (B)

November 21 – Walking tour of Mekele, the capital of the Tigray region. Visit the Martyrs Memorial Monument – a symbol of Tigrayan resistance during the struggles against dictatorship in Ethiopia during the 70’s and 80’s. Proceed to visit the Mekele Museum and the open air market. Enjoy lunch and coffee and then board afternoon flight back to Addis Ababa. Check into hotel for the evening. (B)

*optional half day trip to the Danakali Depression can be arranged instead of the walking tour for those interested

November 22 – Transfers to airport throughput the day. (B)

Flight Reservations

Vaccinations