Marvel at the Blue Nile Falls and the Rift Valley, and see the 11 rock-hewn churches at Lalibela.

Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa

Arrive in Ethiopia's capital today, where you are welcomed and transferred to the SHERATON HOTEL. (D)

Day 2: Addis Ababa / Bahar Dar

Fly to Bahar Dar, the well-known lakeshore town. Drive to the majestic Blue Nile Falls - often adorned by magnificent rainbows. Take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the 13th century monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret and Kibran Gabriel. TANA HOTEL. (BD)

Day 3: Bahar Dar / Gondar

Fly to the city of Gondar, called "the Camelot of Africa." Visit the Castles and Churches of Gondar built by King Fassiladas and his descendants. GOHA HOTEL. (BD)

Day 4: Gondar / Lalibela

Fly to Lalibela. The 11 medieval monolithic cave churches of this 13th century "New Jerusalem" are situated in a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia. Visit the first group of rock-hewn churches, which were built between 800 & 1200 AD and are still active worship places. ROHA HOTEL. (BD)

Day 5: Lalibela

Resume the tour of the second group of churches. Take an excursion to visit the Nakuto Leab Monastery, the cave where King Nakuto Leab lead a hermit's life once he abdicated the throne in 1270AD.

Day 6: Lalibela / Axum

Fly to Axum to see the remarkable stelae or obelisks. See St. Mary's Church, the Sanctuary Chapel - the repository of the "Ark of the Covenant," the Coronation Yard, the Axum Museum, Queen Sheba's Palace, and King Kaleb's Tomb. YEHA HOTEL.

Day 7: Axum / Addis Ababa

Fly to Addis and take a city tour visiting the National Archaeological Museum that includes the 3.6 million years old skeleton of LUCY, Mount Entoto, St. George Cathedral, and Merkato-the largest open-air market in Africa. SHERATON HOTEL.

Day 8: Depart Addis Ababa

Depart Ethiopia on your homebound flight, or continue your journey with an extension to the Omo Valley.

Omo Valley Extension

(Wed & Sat only)

Day 1: Addis / Jinka

Fly to Jinka to visit the surrounding Ari and Bena people who are coffee cultivators. JINKA GOH or RESORT HOTEL.

Day 2: Mago National Park Excursion

Drive to Mago National Park and proceed to the Mursi village to visit the famous Mursi people. Meet women who wear huge lip plates as a sign of beauty and men who celebrate adulthood with special colored hair buns. Return to Jinka for the night.

Day 3: Jinka / Turmi

Drive to Turmi, via Key Afer to visit the Bena and Tsemay people. TURMI IBANGADI LODGE (tented camp).

Day 4: Murulle & Dimeka Excursion

Drive to Murulle to visit the Karo people, then proceed to Dimeka in time for the colorful and lively Saturday Market. Return to Turmi for the night.

Day 5: Turmi / Arba Minch

Drive to Arba Minch, visiting the Erbore people and Konso villages en route. ARBA MINCH BEKELE MOLLA HOTEL.

Day 6: Arba Minch / Awassa

Drive to Awassa, visiting the Dorze village - Chencha en route. The Dorze people are well known for their uniquely built bee-hive-like tall huts and their unique weaving skills. AWASSA WABI SHEBELE HOTEL.

Day 7: Awassa / Addis

Visit the Fish Market near Lake Awassa. Return to Addis, visiting the rift valley lakes of Abyata/Shalla National Park en route.