Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
Price depend on Group size !
Over the centuries a series of churches of differing sizes and architectural styles were carved into cliff-faces and rocky-outcrops, many still in use today. Whilst following Ethiopia’s classic northern circuit through Lake Tana’s monasteries, Gondar’s castles, the Simien Mountains and Lalibela’s monolithic churches, we get off the beaten path and explore this beautiful region in the heart of Ethiopian history.Journey along Ethiopia's magnificent northern circuit .
Options
start any time
standard
standard
Mini van
Budget Groups
Pickup included
What's included
Tour escort/host
Lunch
All Fees and Taxes
Dinner
Accommodation as per itinerary
Breakfast
Local Guide
Domestic Flights
Lunch
Dinner
tour Not Mentioned In tour Itinerary
What to expect
Day 1: Addis abeba
Mercato Market
30m · Admission ticket included
Visit the Ethnographic Museum, Mercato, one of Africa's largest outdoor markets, and Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie
Day 2: Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar
Pass by
Visit the Marketplace in Bahar Dar. Continue with a boat tour of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and visit ancient island monasteries.
Blue Nile Falls
9h
Morning drive to see the Blue Nile Falls. Return to Bahar Dar for lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Gondar, north of Lake Tana, stopping at the village of Awra Amba.
Day 3: Gonder
Gonder
5h
Visit the remote ruins of Kuskuam, built for Empress Mentewab in the 1700’s. After lunch, tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian Kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African Empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.
Day 4: Simien Mountains National Park
Debark
8h
Gondar - Simien Mountains National Park
Morning departure to Debark (100 kms from Gondar), where the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park is located. Meet the Scout, Mountain Guide, and others on the trekking team. Continue driving to Sankabar (31 kms from Debark) and the first camp site of the National Park. On this drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, possibly spotting wildlife such as the endemic Gelada Baboons and the “bone breaker” bird Lammergeyer. Camp at Sankabar (3200m.)
Day 5: Trek to sankaber
Debark
5h
Trek Sankaber - Geech (3,600m elevation) which will take between 5-7 hours. After one and half hours, see the Jinnbar River and falls which you will cross later in the day. After crossing the river, ascend for about 2 hours to Geech. The scenery is wonderful and a herd of Gelada Baboons can be seen on the journey. Camp at Geech (3600m.)
Day 6: sankaber camp
Debark
6h
Trek Geech - Imet Gogo- Geech. Trek to some of the best view points in the National Park. Imet Gogo boasts spectacular views in every direction. Possible wildlife sightings on this 4 -5 hour trek include the Simien Wolf, the Walia Ibex, and Klipspringers.
Day 7: Drive back to Gonder
Gonder
9h
visit Imet Gogo then Drive back to Gonder
Day 8: fly to Lalibela
Church of St. George
11h · Admission ticket included
.Gondar - Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines 700 kilometers north of Addis Ababa. Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings.
Day 9: Lalibela Tour
Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
7h · Admission ticket included
For the morning we have two choices: Take a morning hike with mules to Mount Asheton, with its 13th century rock-hewn monastery and great views of the town; - OR - Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Following either option above continue with tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon.
Day 10: Lalibela - Addis Abeba
Mercato Market
50m · Admission ticket not included
Lalibela - Addis Abeba Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure .
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
Mado hotel or airport
End point
Mado hotel or airport
Pickup details
we pick travelers any place
Additional information
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.