2026
Day 1 — November 30, 2026 | Arrival in Addis Ababa
Welcome Home to the Horn of Africa.
From the moment you land at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you are wrapped in care. Our team greets you with warm smiles and handles every detail so you can simply breathe, arrive, and take in the beginning of this extraordinary journey.
- Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
- Private airport transfer to your hotel
- Check-in and settle in - rest, refresh, and let the anticipation build
- Evening: Yod Abyssinia Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show - As the sun sets over Addis, gather for an unforgettable evening at Yod Abyssinia. Traditional Ethiopian music fills the air, drums echo with ancestral rhythm, and shoulders shimmer in the iconic eskista dance. Savor injera, kitfo, and honey wine as cuisine becomes storytelling. This is where the journey begins - at the table, with music in the air and joy in the room.
Overnight: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa (or similar 4-star)
Day 2 — December 1, 2026 | Addis Ababa → Lalibela
Where Faith Carved Mountains into Sanctuaries.
Today, you fly north to one of the most sacred places on earth - Lalibela - home to eleven monolithic rock-hewn churches carved from a single block of stone in the 12th century. This is devotion made visible. This is architecture as prayer.
- Early breakfast at hotel
- Morning domestic flight to Lalibela (approx. 1 hour)
- Transfer to your lodge (approx. 40 minutes), settle in and enjoy lunch
- Afternoon exploration of the Southeastern Cluster of Churches:
- Bete Gabriel-Rufael
- Bete Merkorios
- Bete Amanuel
- Bete Abba Libanos
Walk through narrow trenches carved from living rock. Stand inside sanctuaries still active with worship centuries later.
- Evening at leisure - dinner at the lodge overlooking the dramatic Ethiopian highlands
Overnight: Hilltop Lodge, Lalibela
Day 3 — December 2, 2026 | Lalibela → Addis Ababa
From Sacred Stone Back to the Capital.
Before the sun fully rises, join the faithful for a quiet morning inside one of Lalibela’s living sanctuaries. White-robed worshippers move in prayer. Incense rises. Time feels suspended.
- Early Morning: Northwestern Cluster of Churches
- Bete Medhane Alem (the largest monolithic church in the world)
- Bete Maryam
- Bete Meskel
- Bete Danaghel
- Bete Mikael
- Bete Golgotha
Conclude with a visit to the iconic Bete Giyorgis - Lalibela’s most photographed cross-shaped church, carved entirely from stone.
- Midday flight back to Addis Ababa (approx. 1 hour)
- Check-in at hotel
- Evening at leisure - rest, reflect, or explore Addis at your own pace
Overnight: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa (or similar 4-star)
Day 4 — December 3, 2026 | Addis Ababa City Tour
The Heartbeat of the Capital Unfolds.
Today, Addis reveals itself - layer by layer. Ancient empire, global diplomacy, human origins, living tradition.
- Full-Day Addis Ababa City Tour
- Holy Trinity Cathedral - Stand beneath soaring arches at the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen Asfaw. Stained glass windows illuminate stories of resistance and faith.
- National Museum of Ethiopia - Come face-to-face with “Lucy,” the 3.2-million-year-old ancestor who changed our understanding of human history.
- Merkato - Dive into Africa’s largest open-air market. Coffee beans, spices, woven baskets, metalwork, and the pulse of everyday life surround you.
- Entoto Hills & Entoto Maryam Church - Climb to the highlands where Emperor Menelik II once ruled. The panoramic view stretches across Addis Ababa - a city built on resilience and vision.
- Optional shopping for handwoven textiles, Ethiopian crosses, coffee, and spices
Overnight: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa (or similar 4-star)
Day 5 — December 4, 2026 | Addis Ababa → Nairobi
Your East African journey continues.
- Transfer to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for your flight to Nairobi
- Arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
- Private transfer to hotel and check-in
After time to relax and refresh, enjoy dinner at one of Nairobi’s carefully selected restaurants from your curated dining list.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight: Nairobi
Day 6 — December 5, 2026 | Nairobi City Tour & Nightlife Experience
Discover the charm and contemporary energy of Kenya’s capital.
Begin at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where orphaned baby elephants are rehabilitated before returning to the wild. Continue to the Giraffe Centre for an unforgettable opportunity to hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes.
Enjoy lunch at a selected restaurant before light city exploration or relaxation.
As evening falls, step into Nairobi’s dynamic nightlife scene - rooftop lounges, live Afro-jazz, and vibrant Afrobeat venues capture the modern rhythm of East Africa.
Overnight: Nairobi
Day 7 — December 6, 2026 | Maasai Cultural Village Experience
Today offers a deeper connection to Kenya’s heritage with a visit to a traditional Maasai Village.
Participate in welcoming songs and traditional dances. Learn about Maasai customs, attire, beadwork, and community life. Engage in meaningful cultural exchange rooted in pride and continuity.
Return to Nairobi in the afternoon. Dinner at a selected restaurant.
Overnight: Nairobi
Day 8 — December 7, 2026 | Departure Day
Check out of your hotel after breakfast (if time permits) for a private transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Please ensure you have your passport, boarding pass, and any required visas handy.
Safe travels—until we meet again on your next Certified Africa journey.