CLASSIC NORTHERN ETHIOPIA TOUR
This 12-day Northern Ethiopia tour explores the historic route of Ethiopia, including Bahir Dar, Lake Tana monasteries, the Blue Nile Falls, Gondar, the Simien Mountains, and the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. The journey combines cultural heritage, breathtaking mountain trekking, historical castles, and ancient religious sites.
Day by day itinerary: –
Day 1: Arrival at Addis Ababa
Arrival at Bole International Airport where you will meet our Representative and transfer to the hotel for check-in. No activities are planned on this day.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 2: Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar (By flight)
Fly from Addis Ababa Airport to Bahir Dar Dejazmach Airport.
On arrival check into the Hotel.
Then visit the island monasteries of Lake Tana including Kibran Gabriel, Entos Eyesus, Ura Kidane Mihiret, Azwa Mariam, and the source of the Blue Nile.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 3: Visit Blue Nile Falls
After breakfast, drive to Tis Abay (Tis Issat), meaning “Smoke of Fire,” named after the Blue Nile Falls. The round trip includes walking and a short boat ride across the Blue Nile River for spectacular views and the refreshing mist of the falls. Later, drive back to Bahir Dar and visit the fish market.
Overnight:Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Bahir Dar – Gondar
Drive to Gondar and visit the Royal Enclosure containing the 17th-century castles of King Fasilidas, King Iyasu, Queen Mentewab, and other historic buildings. Visit Fasilidas’ Bath and Debre Berhan Selassie Church with its beautifully painted angels. If time permits, also visit Kuskuwam Complex.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 5: Gondar – Sankaber – Gich
Today is shabbat and 2 of the guests not travel & stay in Gondar. Drive from Gondar to Sankaber and begin trekking through the Simien Mountains National Park. The trek covers approximately 12 km and takes around 5–6 hours through grasslands, forests, cultivated fields, and dramatic escarpments. You may encounter Gelada baboons and enjoy views of Jinbar Falls.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 6: Gich – Ambaras – Gondar
Today is also Shabbat day and 2 of the guests are not travel & stay In Gondar.
Today you can walk to Falasha village. Can walk around. The Jewish community in Gondar has the Hatikvah Synagogue run by the Hatikva Bets Isreal Religious Organisation. This corrugated-iron structure serves as the heart of daily worship, Hebrew classes, community feeding and medical programs.
Later, drive back to Gondar.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 7: Gondar – Lalibela (By flight)
Fly to Lalibela from Gondar Airport. On arrival at Lalibela Airport.
Lalibela, renowned for 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.
On arrival check into the Hotel. No activities are planned today.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 8 : Visit the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Full-day visit to the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. Explore the churches clustered in different groups separated by the River Jordan.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 9: Visit Yemrehane Kristos
After breakfast, drive to Yemrehane Kristos Church, one of Ethiopia’s best-preserved late Axumite churches. Located inside a natural cavern, the church predates Lalibela by almost a century and features beautiful wooden architecture and decorative carvings.
Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 10: Lalibela – Addis Ababa (By flight)
After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela Airport for departure to Addis Ababa. On arrival transfer to the Hotel. No activities today.
Overnight : Hotel
meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11: Day trip to Debre Libanos
Drive from Addis Ababa to Debre Libanos Monastery and Portuguese Bridge. It is located 105 km north west of Addis Ababa, It takes two and half hours of scenic driving to get to this historical and one of the respected monasteries in Ethiopia. It was founded in the 13th century by Saint Tekle Haymanot. Firstly, we will visit the museum that have a lot of ancient bible books collection with religious crosses, clothes and some traditional material it was used within the monastery during the previous time. Secondly, we will see the internal parts of the church with the tomb of the founder of the Monastery with a beautiful stain Glass window. Later you will visit the Portuguese bridge built by the Portuguese during 16th century with a beautiful landscape and if you lucky one of Ethiopian endemic Mammals Chelada Monkey. Finally, we have lunch in front of a beautiful Jemma River gorge. After lunch we will back to Addis. On the way we have a chance to see some birds, traditional Ethiopian huts and farm lands.
Overnight : Hotel
meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12: Departure day
Today as per your flight time, departure transfer to the Bole International Airport to board the flight to your home country.
END OF THE TOUR !!