Day 1 UK-Addis Ababa

After taking Saga’s UK included door-to-door travel service to the airport, depart in the evening for your overnight flight to Addis Ababa.

Day 2 Addis Ababa

After your early arrival this morning some time to freshen up before enjoying, an afternoon tour of Ethiopia's capital where you'll visit Holy Trinity Cathedral and the National Museum, home to the famous three-million-year-old skeleton known as 'Lucy'.

Stay two nights at the locally rated 5-star Golden Tulip hotel (4Q) or Capital Hotel and Spa (4Q). L, D

Day 3 The Blue Nile Gorge area

Spectacular scenery awaits on an included visit to the dramatic Blue Nile Gorge area. En route you'll visit the ancient monastery of Debre Libanos. B, L, D

Day 4 Addis Ababa-Bahir Dar

Take a flight to the lakeside city of Bahir Dar where an afternoon tour reveals a colourful market with stalls selling coffee beans, local handicrafts and fragrant spices. Stay two nights at either the locally rated 4-star Avanti Blue Nile Resort (3Q) or the locally rated 4-star Kuriftu Resort and Spa (3Q). B, L, D

Day 5 Bahir Dar

This morning you'll discover the Blue Nile Falls, nicknamed 'smoking water', on an included excursion. Later perhaps join an excursion to visit some local villages, or simply relax beside the lake. B, L, D

Day 6 Bahir Dar-Gondar

Take a morning boat cruise on Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile, looking out for a variety of birdlife. You'll leave from Bahir Dar and visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret and Azwa Mariam. After lunch at Bahir Dar, drive to Gondar, visiting local villages en route.

Stay for three nights at the the locally rated 4-star Goha Hotel (3Q) or the locally rated 4-star Mayleko Lodge (3Q). B, L, D

Day 7 Gondar

Enjoy a leisurely sightseeing tour of Gondar and the fortress-city of Fasil Ghebbi, where ancient palaces, churches and monasteries are encircled by a vast, crumbling wall. B, L, D

Day 8 Simien Mountains

Today an included full-day excursion visits the spectacular UNESCO-protected Simien Mountains National Park, known for its fine scenery and where you may be lucky enough to spot the extremely rare Gelada baboon. B, L, D

Day 9 Gondar-Axum

Fly to Axum, where an included tour reveals the 20th-century Church of St Mary of Zion and the 17th-century church of the same name, next door to which is the chapel that supposedly houses the Ark of the Covenant.

Later explore the Stelae Field with its huge granite obelisks before heading to the locally rated 3-star Sabean Hotel (3Q) or the locally rated 3-star Yared Zema Hotel (3Q) for an overnight stay. B, L, D

Day 10 Axum-Lalibela

Fly to Lalibela where an included afternoon tour reveals one of Africa's most important religious and historic sites, the medieval rock-hewn churches of Lalibela including the cross-shaped church of Bete Giyorgis (St George).

Stay two nights at the locally rated 3-star Maribela Hotel (3Q) or locally rated 2-star Mountain View Hotel (3Q). The Maribela Hotel is surrounded by dramatic scenery and facilities include a restaurant and bar. Each of the 25 bedrooms has a fridge (extra charge), complimentary Wi-Fi and a private balcony. The Mountain View Hotel, which sits at an altitude of around 2,600 metres, enjoys a stunning setting overlooking a dramatic valley on the outskirts of Lalibela. It has a restaurant, bar and terraces. There are 30 bedrooms each with a balcony. B, L, D

Day 11 Lalibela

This morning you visit more of Lalibela's monolithic cave churches. This afternoon you'll experience traditional Ethiopian hospitality and cuisine during an included visit to a local guest house. B, L, D

Day 12 Lalibela-Addis Ababa

Fly back to the capital and explore the vibrant open-air market of Merkato, one of the largest in Africa. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, staying overnight at the locally rated 5-star Golden Tulip Hotel (4Q) or Capital Hotel and Spa (4Q), where you stayed at the beginning of your holiday. B, L, D

Day 13 Addis Ababa-UK

Travel to the airport for your return flight to the UK and your included UK door-to-door travel service home. B