Board an overnight flight to Addis Ababa, located in the central highlands of Ethiopia at an altitude of nearly 8,000 feet.

On a city tour, explore the National Archaeological Museum, the home of "Lucy," a 3.2 million-year-old hominid whose fully preserved skeleton is on display. At the Ethnographic Museum, wander through exhibits of religious artifacts to discover Ethiopia's rich ethnic diversity. Continue to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, built to commemorate the country's liberation from Italian occupation. It is also the burial place of the late emperor Haile Selassie and his family. Then stroll through the Merkato, Africa's largest open-air market, to find a vast array of costumes, produce and jewelry. The palace of Ethiopia's president and the old Haile Selassie palace open exclusively for you. Later, attend a welcome dinner.

Fly to Bahir Dar and drive to the Blue Nile Falls or "Smoking Water." When the cascades of the falls plunge 150 feet, the water gives rise to picturesque steam clouds and rainbows. After lunch, drive to Bezawith for a commanding view of Lake Tana and its island monasteries. Continue to Bahir Dar to glimpse life of the Amhara people. This evening, attend a special dinner on the banks of the lake.

Embark on a cruise on Lake Tana. Its occasionally stormy waters are traversed by tankwas (papyrus reed boats) that differ little from those found in the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs. Visit some of the island monasteries that were once used to store art treasures and religious relics from all parts of the country. Tradition says the Ark of the Covenant was kept on one of the islands when the city of Axum was endangered.

Gondar was once a the crossroads of several major caravan routes, resulting in strong European influences. Visit the castle complex of Fasilidas and Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for the 18th-century painting of the angels' faces over the ceiling. Then stop at the Qusquam Church where Scottish explorer James Bruce stayed during his 1770 quest for the source of the Blue Nile.

Fly to Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to view some of its 11 medieval and monolithic, rock-hewn cave churches with labyrinthine tunnels and crypts. Their architecture rivals the ancient Nabataean city of Petra in Jordan and the Temple of Karnak in Egypt.

Visit the church of Yemrehana Kristo, built into a cave. Continue to Bete Georgis, a Greek crossshaped church. Located in a deep pit with perpendicular walls, it is accessible only by tunnel.

Fly to Axum, the land of the Queen of Sheba. The city's earliest records and legends go back at least 3,000 years, and during your visit you can see the archaeological ruins of palaces, underground passageways, tombs and stelae (stone or wooden slabs). After lunch, visit Stelae Park containing a number of pre- Christian granite obelisks. The tallest fallen stele, at 110 feet, represented a slender 13-story building with a row of windows and a door with an imaginary knocker and lock. It was thought to have been a dwelling of the spirits of the dead or the marker of an important ancient monarch's tomb. Explore the remains of the Queen of Sheba's palace. Legend says that the current Church of St. Mary of Zion is the sanctuary of the Ark of the Covenant. Then stop at the Axum Museum, housing exhibits of ancient pottery, glass, Roman amphorae and bronze jewelry.

Drive through the scenic Adwa Mountains, stopping to visit the pre-Axumite temple of Yeha. Dating from the eighth century BC, it is the oldest standing building in the country. After lunch in Adigrat, continue toward Hawzen amid the spectacular Gheralta Mountains.

Stop to visit the monastery of Abreha Atsbeha, the church of Wuqro Cherqos and the seventh-century AD mosque at Negashi. Enjoy a festive farewell dinner this evening.

Fly to Addis Ababa. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or perhaps do some last minute shopping.

Board your departure flight.