Arrive about 08.00 and transfer to the Hilton. After resting, we will have lunch in town before visiting the National Museum, where Lucy – the 3.5 million year old humanoid – is found along with many other curious artefacts, followed by the Trinity Cathedral and the Mercado, the biggest open-air market in Africa. We will have an early dinner at an excellent local restaurant tasting traditional food and atmosphere.

Morning flight to Bahir Dar and check into our hotel. Rest of the morning is free. Lunch at the hotel and in the afternoon board a boat to cross Lake Tana, visiting the monastery of Ura Kirhane Modret. We will be back at the hotel for a traditional Ethiopian dinner.

Early drive to Tisissat (about 45 minutes) to visit the spectacular Blue Nile falls. After taking in the ‘Smoke of the Nile’ from the usual vantage point, we will take a beautiful one-hour walk via the base of the Falls and a short boat trip across the river back to Tisissat. After a late lunch at the hotel we’ll visit papyrus boat makers and the local market. Dinner at hotel.

Morning drive to Gondar and check into our hotel. After lunch, we will visit the castle compound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and King Fasilidas’ Bath. Dinner in the traditional Abyssinian Café beside the Gondar castle complex.

Morning visit to the Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Light of Trinity) with wonderful murals, Qusquam Church and Mentewab Palace. After an early lunch, we drive to the Simien Mountains, via Falasha Village. We will stop on the escarpment to admire the wonderful views of the highest mountain chain in Africa, where we should see Lammergeyer vultures, Gelada Baboons and bushbuck. At night,  we will have the treat of staying in the Simien Lodge, a stunning complex of eco-lodges all with spectacular views.

Trek through the high Simiens to Sankaber Camp passing through Amhara villages, stopping to admire their way of life. Hopefully on the way we will see the Walya Ibex and the Gelada Baboons. Mules will carry our entire luggage – and those too tired to walk! – our handlers will set up our tents and cook for us. (Camp)

Trek from Sankaber Camp to Geech Camp along the edge of the escarpment..

Trek from Geech Camp to Chenek Camp along the edge of the escarpment. On reaching Chenek Camp, we will return by jeep to the Simien Lodge for another night of luxury before continuing the journey.

After breakfast, we drive to Axum, stopping for a picnic lunch en route. There will be plenty of time to stop for photographs before we arrive in town around 15.00. Check into the hotel, and then relax. Dinner at hotel.

Morning sightseeing in Axum, a town steeped in more than 2500 years of history. From the palace and tomb of King Kaleb (6th C), we will visit the extraordinary stellae field (WHS) and tomb of King Remhay (1st-4th C), followed by a trip to the church of St Mary of Tsion, (17th C) in which is hidden the Ark of Covenant. Lunch back at hotel.

In the afternoon we’ll drive a few kilometres out of town and walk up to see the carved lion rock and the place from where the stellae were hewn – some still lie there, half finished. From here we shall visit the Queen of Sheba’s Palace and other archaeological sights. We will end the day wandering round the small but excellent museum. Dinner at hotel.

After breakfast, we will drive to Mekele, stopping en route at the Yeha temple (also known as the temple of the Moon), (5th century BC) and then drive on to one of the oldest monasteries in Ethiopia, the spectacular cliff-top retreat of Debre Damo (6th century). Unfortunately, however, only men are allowed into the monastery and for them to reach it they must be hauled by rope up a 16-metre high wall. If we decide we do not want to do this, we can drive on and visit some other churches on this route – or indeed split up and go different ways.

We will drive through a stunning countryside – designated an area of outstanding natural beauty – to Lalibela. Check into our hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

In the morning, we will visit the first cluster of amazing rock-hewn churches, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, that will simply stagger you. After lunch at our hotel, we will visit a local family for a traditional coffee ceremony where you will be able to see how a real Ethiopian family live. Dinner at hotel.

Morning mule ride up to the mountain monastery of Acheton Mariam. This 3-hour trek is a real highlight and should not be missed. The views from the ridge are simply breath-taking. After a late lunch at our hotel, we will visit the second cluster of churches, including the famous church of St. George, which is carved in the shape of a cross from the red basalt rock. Evening trip to a tej house to sample the local liquor, followed by dinner at a traditional restaurant.

Free morning to wander or relax. After an early lunch, we will visit the cave church of Naktuleab en route to the airport for our 14.30 flight back to Addis Ababa and check into the Hilton. Dinner is at a traditional restaurant with folk dancing and singing from the various regions of the country. Transfer to the airport for  late night flights.