Day 1 – To Addis Ababa: Fly from London to Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines. (N)

Day 2 – Addis Ababa: Arrive in the third highest capital in the world. Afternoon city tour, including the Ethnographic Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Mercato. Stay 1 night at the Hilton Hotel or similar. (L, D)

Day 3 – To Hawzien: Morning flight to Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region. Short tour of Mekelle, including Bete Yohannes. Drive to Hawzien. Stay overnight at the Gheralta Lodge. En route, visit the rock-hewn churches of Wukro Cherkos and Abraha Atsbeha. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – To Axum: Morning drive to Axum, the centre of early civilisation in Ethiopia and reputed home to the Queen of Sheba and the Ark of the Covenant. Stay 2 nights at the Yeha Hotel or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Axum: Morning excursion to the tombs of King Kelab and Gebra Meskel, the Queen of Sheba’s swimming pool and palace, King Ezana’s Stone and the magnificent stelae (obelisks). In the afternoon, visit the Cathedral of St Mary of Zion, the Ark of the Covenant and Axum Museum. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – To Lalibela: Fly to the world heritage site of Lalibela, via Gondar. Created as the ‘new Jerusalem’ by King Lalibela in the 12th century, Lalibela is still home to 11 rock-hewn churches, most of which are still used for worship today. Afternoon visit to the north-west cluster of churches, including the Church of St George. Stay 2 nights at the Mountain View Hotel or similar. (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Lalibela: Morning walk up to Asheton Maryam (weather permitting). Alternatively, visit Nakutelab Cave Church which is accessible by car. Afternoon visit to the south-east cluster of churches. (B, L, D)

Day 8 – To the Simien mountains: Fly to Gondar, Ethiopia’s first capital, located at the foot of the Simien mountains. Afternoon visit to the church of Debre Berhan Selassie and see its murals. Drive to the Simien Mountain Lodge, the highest hotel in Africa at 3,260 metres above sea level and stay for 2 nights. Evening introductory talk on gelada monkeys, endemic to this area. (B, L, D)

Day 9 – Simien mountains: Morning scenic drive to Chennek, 3,620 metres above sea level and home to the endemic Walia ibex as well as klipspringers and bushbucks. En route, pass some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Ethiopia; stop to view gelada monkeys and take a short walk to a waterfall. A picnic will be arranged in a scenic spot. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L, D)

Day 10 – To Gondar: Drive to Gondar and stay 1 night at the Goha Hotel or similar. Afternoon tour of the castles of Emperor Fasiladas and the Palace of the Queen Mentuab. (B, L, D)

Day 11 – To Bahar Dar: Drive to Gorgora and visit the monastery of Debre Sina Mariam. Cross Lake Tana by boat and stop off at various island monasteries, including Daga Istafanos. Continue to the Zeghe peninsula and visit Ura Kidhane Mihret and Azuwa Mariam. Stay 2 nights at the Kuriftu Resort & Spa. (B, L, D)

Day 12 – Bahar Dar: Visit the Blue Nile Falls at Tissisat. Afternoon visit to the Bezawit Palace and the market in Bahir Dar. Optional spa treatments available. (B, L, D)

Day 13 – To Addis Ababa: Morning flight to Addis Ababa. Day room at the Hilton hotel. Dinner at a cultural restaurant and transfer to the airport. Fly to London. (B, L,D)

Day 14 – To London: Early morning arrival. (N)

Festival departures: Some of the departures have been adapted to coincide with the most celebrated of these. Please contact one of our experts for more information.

Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals