12 Days Northern Ethiopia Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Addis Ababa
1 stop
1
Addis Ababa
you will be picked up from Bole International Airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in and breakfast, the city tour begins, featuring the National Museum (home of Lucy), Mercato, the old city Piazza (Piassa), St. George's Churches, Mount Entoto (Menelik's Palace), and the Ethnographic Museum, with an overnight stay at Aya Hotel or a similar standard Accommodation
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Addis-Bahi Dar
1 stop
2
Bahir Dar
You will be picked up from airport depart Bahir Dar for a full-day excursion to Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls. Morning – Lake Tana Monasteries Begin with a boat trip on Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile. Visit one or two of the island or peninsula monasteries, such as Ura Kidane Mehret or Azwa Maryam, famous for their beautifully painted murals and rich religious history. Lunch Lunch at a local restaurant near the lake or in Bahir Dar. Afternoon – Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat) In the afternoon, drive to the spectacular Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat – “Smoking Water”), located about 30 km from Bahir Dar. Enjoy a short walk to viewpoints overlooking the falls, which are especially impressive during the rainy season. Return to Bahir Dar in the late afternoon.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Bahir Dar-Gondar
1 stop
3
Gonder
In the morning, drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar, enjoying scenic countryside views along the way. Upon arrival, check in and have lunch. In the afternoon, begin a guided city tour of Gondar, the former imperial capital of Ethiopia. Visit the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring well-preserved 17th-century castles, followed by visits to Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for its ceiling of angel faces, and the historic Fasilides Bath. Overnight Goha hotel or Similar standard accommodation
9 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Gonder-Simien Mountain National park
1 stop
4
Simien Mountains National Park
In the morning, drive from Gondar to Simien Mountains National Park, passing through Debark, the park headquarters, for registration. Continue to Sankaber Camp, enjoying spectacular views of the escarpment along the way. In the afternoon, take a short walk or hike around Sankaber, offering chances to spot Gelada baboons, endemic birdlife, and dramatic mountain scenery. Overnight at Sankaber Lodge / Camp.
8 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Simien Mountain National park-Axum
1 stop
5
Axum
After breakfast, enjoy a morning walk along the escarpment toward Jinbar Waterfall viewpoints, one of the most impressive sights in the park. Later, depart the Simien Mountains for a scenic drive to Axum, the former capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy frequent stops along the way to take in dramatic landscapes and panoramic viewpoints. Arrive in Axum in the late afternoon and overnight at Atranos hotel or similar standard accommodation
7 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Axum
1 stop
6
Axum
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Axum, the legendary capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include: Stelae Park – see the famous obelisks, including the largest unfinished stele, symbols of Axum’s ancient power. Queen of Sheba’s Palace (ruins) – explore the legendary site associated with the fabled queen. Church of St. Mary of Zion – Ethiopia’s most sacred church, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant. Ancient Tombs & Ruins – visit the royal tombs and archaeological sites that reflect Axum’s imperial history. Return to your hotel overnight stat at Atranos hotel or Similar standard accommodation
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Axum-Hawzen
1 stop
7
Hawzen
Axum – Hawzen (Gheralta) Drive from Axum to Hawzen in the Gheralta region, passing the historic Adwa battlefield where Emperor Menelik II achieved his decisive victory over the Italian forces in 1896. En route, explore the ancient ruins of Yeha, home to the remarkable 2,500-year-old Temple of the Moon. Continue via Adigrat to visit Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos, two of Tigray’s oldest and most impressive rock-hewn churches. Arrive in Hawzen in the late afternoon and enjoy an overnight stay at Hawzen Hotel or a similar standard accommodation.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Hawzen -Mekele
1 stop
8
Hawzen
Depart Hawzen for a full-day excursion to two of Tigray’s most remarkable rock-hewn churches. Begin with a visit to Abune Yemata Guh, dramatically perched high on a sandstone cliff and reached by a short but adventurous climb. The reward is a breathtaking interior adorned with well-preserved medieval frescoes and panoramic views of the Gheralta landscape. In the afternoon, continue to Wukro Chirkos, one of Ethiopia’s earliest rock-cut churches, notable for its cruciform design and ancient religious artwork. Then drive to mekele overnight Planet hotel or Similar standard accommodation
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Mekele-Lalibela
1 stop
9
Lalibela
Drive along a scenic highland road to Lalibela, enjoying changing landscapes and photo stops along the way. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and relax while taking in a beautiful sunset from the terrace. Overnight at Sora lodge or Hill top hotel or similar standard accommodation
9 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Lalibela
1 stop
10
Lalibela
After breakfast, begin a full-day guided tour of Lalibela, Ethiopia’s most sacred town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its 11 remarkable rock-hewn churches carved from a single block of stone in the 12th–13th centuries. Morning – Northern Church Group Explore the Northern Group of Churches, including: Bete Medhane Alem – the largest monolithic church in the world Bete Maryam – famous for its beautiful frescoes and carvings Bete Meskel, Bete Denagel, and Bete Golgotha–Selassie, believed to house the tomb of King Lalibela Lunch Break Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or at your hotel. Afternoon – Southern Church Group Continue to the Southern Group of Churches, featuring: Bete Amanuel – considered an architectural masterpiece Bete Qeddus Mercoreos Bete Abba Libanos, partially detached from the rock face then return hotel overnight at sora lodge or Hill top hotel or similar standard accommodation
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 11
Lalibela-Asheten mariam -Lalibela
1 stop
11
Asheton Maryam Monastery
In the morning, take an excursion to Asheten Maryam Monastery, dramatically located on the mountain ridge at the peak of Mount Asheten, overlooking the town of Lalibela. The visit can be made on foot with a hike of approximately 2.5 hours, or by vehicle (about 50 minutes), both offering outstanding panoramic views of the surrounding highlands after leaving the city of Lalibela. After visiting the monastery and enjoying the spectacular scenery, walk back down toward Lalibela. Lunch Enjoy lunch at one of Lalibela’s best local restaurants, Kana Restaurant. Afternoon Highlight Conclude the tour at Bete Giorgis (St. George’s Church), Lalibela’s most iconic cross-shaped church. Return to your hotel for relaxation and overnight Sora Lodge or Hill top hotel or similar standard accommodation
7 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 12
Lalibela-Addis
1 stop
12
Addis Ababa
After an early breakfast and a chance to enjoy the sunrise over Lalibela, depend on the flight schedule transfer to Lalibela Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, enjoy a brief visit to sovereign shops for souvenir shopping and local crafts. In the evening, savor a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, accompanied by a traditional Ethiopian cultural show at Yod Abyssinia, showcasing music, dance, and cultural performances. The end of tour
8 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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