Day 1: Addis Ababa City Tour
After a quick hotel or airport transfer, we will start a city tour of Addis Ababa. One of the main places to visit is the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to the bones of “Lucy,” a bipedal hominid found in 1974 that is 3.2 million years old.
Next, visit the Ethnographic Museum at Addis Ababa University, which has many traditional and modern artifacts. Enjoy a tasty lunch at a restaurant with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
After lunch, visit one of Ethiopia’s holiest churches, the Holy Trinity Church. Then see Emperor Haile Selassie’s tomb and the beautiful paintings inside the church. Later, enjoy the views of the city from Entoto Hill.
The last stop of the day is Merkato, said to be the largest open-air market in Africa.
Day 2: Flight to Lalibela (Eight Wonders of the World)
After breakfast, take a flight to Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lalibela is called “The New Jerusalem” because of its eight famous rock-hewn churches. These churches are carved from solid rock and show amazing skill and design.
When you arrive, check into your hotel and start exploring the churches. Visit the Northwestern Cluster of churches: Bet Danaghel, Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikael, Bet Maryam, Bet Medhane Alem, and Bet Meskel.
Finally, visit Bet Giyorgis, the most famous church. It is shaped like a large cross and was built to honor St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia.
Day 3: Lalibela – The Church of Yimrehane Kirstos
After breakfast, drive to the Yimrehane Kirstos Church. This cave church was built eight years before the Lalibela churches. It is one of the most beautiful cave churches, made entirely of wood and decorated with great skill inside and out.
At the back of the cave, you can see many mummified remains of ancient pilgrims. In the afternoon, visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches: Bet Abba Libanos, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Gabriel-Rufael.
Day 4: Flight Back to Addis
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Once in Addis, you will have some time for shopping before heading to the airport for your international departure.
