Day 1:  Early morning meeting with the Dinknesh staff at Tana, Summer Land or Papyrus Hotel. After breakfast you will take a boat to explore beautiful Lake Tana and visit the ancient monasteries of Ura-Kidanemehret & Azewa Mariam at the Zege Peninsula. In the afternoon time to relax in the garden of the Tana Hotel on the shores of the lake, possibility to spot colourful birds and monkeys and enjoy cool drinks. Dinner and overnight at Tana, Summer Land or Papyrus Hotel.

 

Day 2: After breakfast experience the colours and odors of Bahir Dar's most popular open-air market and have a quick drink at Taitu Restaurant with the possibility to spot hippos and pelicans. Drive to Gondar (35 km, about 4 hours). Overnight and dinner at the Goha Hotel.

 

Day 3: Gondar is the 17th and 18th century capital of Ethiopia and has been called the "Camelot of Africa". The city is famous for its magnificent castles. Our guide will show you around the whole compound including beautiful Fasilidas Castle which was built in the late 1630's and early 1640's. Possibility to buy souvenirs. After a quick lunch in a local restaurant you will visit the "Bathing Palace of Emperor Fasilidas", which is used for the annual Timket or Epiphany celebrations. Afternoon visit of the peaceful church of Debre Berhan Selassie with its beautiful wall paintings.Dinner in a local restaurant and possibility to experience a traditional Asmari Bet where you can dance to Ethiopian music. Overnight at the Goha Hotel.

 

Day 4: Early morning flight to Lalibela and quick lunch at the Roha Hotel. Lalibela is home to one of the world's most astounding sacred sites: 11rock-hewn churches, each carved entirely out of a single block of granite with its roof at ground level. Popular legend has it that angels came every night to finish the work the builders had left off. With this site King Lalibela wanted to create a new Jerusalem - and also YOU will experience the spirituality and holiness of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Today we will visit the first part of the churches. Dinner and overnight at the Roha Hotel.

 

 Day 5: After breakfast visit of the second part of the churches, featuring the stunning cross-shaped Bet Giorgis. Quick lunch in a local restaurant. Afternoon flight back to Bahir Dar. End of programme.