Evening flight from London Heathrow by Ethiopian Airlines via Rome to Addis Ababa (9 hours 30 minutes including a stop in Rome).

On arrival in the Ethiopian capital this morning your Tour Manager will meet you and accompany you to the Hilton Hotel, before an afternoon visit to the National Museum and the magnificent Kiddist Selassie (Trinity Church).

At leisure, with the option of visiting Debre Libanos (see Optional Excursions below).

This morning we transfer to the airport for the flight to Axum (1 hour 30 minutes). On arrival transfer to the Yeha Hotel. Ethiopia’s oldest and holiest city, Axum is home to the magnificent monolithic stelae, the Church of St. Mary of Zion and, reputedly, the mystical Ark of the Covenant.

Drive into the surrounding countryside to visit the Gudit Stelae Field, more commonly known as the Palace of the Queen of Sheba. Afternoon at leisure.

A morning flight to Lalibela (40 minutes) in the remote northern highlands (2,630 metres), brings us to one of Christianity’s most magnificent settings, the extraordinary 12th century rock cut churches of King Lalibela. This afternoon we visit the monuments occupying the northwest and south west corners of the site. Stay at the Roha Hotel.

Today we visit the Axumite style monastery of Yemrehanna. This afternoon, time permitting, we will further explore Lalibela.

A morning flight to from Lalibela to Gondar (30 minutes), imperial capital of Ethiopia in the 17th century, where we stay at the Goha Hotel. Gondar, the ‘City of Castles’, is picturesquely located beneath the Simien Mountains. This afternoon we explore the Royal Enclosure containing the impressive two-storey Palace of Emperor Fasildas, hewn out of brown basalt. We continue to the superb church of Debre Birhan Selassie, whose ceilings are covered with paintings of 80 winged angels.

A half day excursion today to Kossoye, where you can see beautiful views of the Simien Mountains. The Simiens are the most rugged mountains on the African continent, their natural beauty concurs the harts of every visitor to this remote and unique National Park. The Simien Mountains Massif is one of the major highlands of Africa, rising to the highest point in Ethiopia, Ras Dejen (4,620 metres), which is the fourth highest peak in the continent. Although in Africa, and not too far from the equator, snow and ice appear on the highest points and night temperatures often fall below zero. This afternoon is at leisure.

This morning we drive from Gondar to Bahar Dar (approximately 4 hours including rest stops) located on the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake, for your stay at the Tana Hotel. This afternoon take a cruise out to the spectacular Ura Kidhare Mihret Monastery.

A morning visit to the thundering Tis Issat Falls on the upper reaches of the Blue Nile, home to a great variety of birds and plants. This afternoon has been left free.

Fly to Addis Ababa (1 hour) to overnight at the Hilton Hotel. This afternoon is at leisure.

Fly by Ethiopian Airlines via Rome to London Heathrow arriving in the afternoon.