16-Day Northern Ethiopia Historical & Scenic Adventure

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival and Addis Ababa City Highlights

Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be welcomed at Bole International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy sightseeing in Ethiopia’s vibrant capital. Highlights include the National Museum, home to the famous fossil “Lucy,” and Holy Trinity Cathedral, the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. End the day with a panoramic drive up Entoto Hill, offering stunning views of the city and surrounding highlands. This first day eases you into Ethiopian culture while allowing some rest after your journey.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Jano Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Flight to Bahir Dar and Lake Tana Cruise

After breakfast, take a domestic flight to Bahir Dar, a picturesque city on the shores of Lake Tana. Upon arrival, check into your lakeside hotel before enjoying a scenic boat cruise on Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. Visit Ura Kidane Mihret Monastery, known for its colorful murals and rich history. Spend the evening relaxing by the lake, soaking in the serene surroundings and watching the sunset over the tranquil waters. Optional: stroll through the local market to experience Bahir Dar’s vibrant culture.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Sky Resort

• Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City)

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+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Blue Nile Falls and Bahir Dar City Exploration

Start the day with a visit to the spectacular Blue Nile Falls, known locally as “Tis Issat” or “The Smoking Water.” Enjoy a scenic walk to the falls, taking in the lush surroundings and dramatic views. Afterward, explore Bahir Dar city, including its colorful local market and cultural sites. Optional: hike to a nearby hill for panoramic views of the Nile and Lake Tana. Return to your lakeside hotel in the evening for dinner and relaxation, soaking in the serene lakeside atmosphere.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Sky Resort

• Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive to Gondar and Explore Imperial Castles

After breakfast, drive to Gondar, passing through scenic highlands and small villages. Upon arrival, explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Fasil Ghebbi, the royal enclosure of castles and palaces built by Emperor Fasilides. Visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for its beautifully painted ceilings, and see Fasilides’ Bath, where the annual Timkat festival takes place. In the evening, check into your hotel and enjoy dinner, reflecting on Gondar’s rich imperial history.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Goha Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Start Simien Mountains Trek

After breakfast, depart for the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its dramatic escarpments and unique wildlife. Begin guided trekking through scenic valleys and highlands, spotting Gelada baboons and, if lucky, the rare Ethiopian wolf. Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst breathtaking scenery. In the evening, relax and watch the sunset over the rugged mountains. Optional: take a short evening walk to admire the landscape.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit September to December (Beautiful scenery)

High Season October to April (Lodges are busy)

Best Weather October to April

Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP

Gelada Monkey Abundant

Walia Ibex Occasional

Ethiopian Wolf Rare

Klipspringer Rare

Bushbuck Rare

Show more

Golden Jackal Rare

Hyena Rare

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Simien Mountains Trek

Continue your adventure in the Simien Mountains National Park with a full day of guided trekking. Explore dramatic escarpments, deep valleys, and highland plateaus while spotting wildlife such as Gelada baboons and the elusive Ethiopian wolf. Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the breathtaking scenery. Return to your park in the late afternoon to relax and enjoy dinner with panoramic mountain views. Optional: short evening walk to take in the sunset over the rugged landscape.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive to Axum through Scenic Highlands

After breakfast, depart for Axum via the scenic route through the Tekeze River Gorge and Ethiopian highlands. Arrive in Axum, the ancient capital of the Axumite Empire, and check into your hotel. Spend the evening relaxing or taking an optional walk around the historic city center, preparing for the next day’s exploration of its legendary monuments and churches. Dinner is served at your hotel.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Axum exploration

Spend a full day exploring Axum’s historical and cultural treasures. Visit the towering obelisks, St. Mary of Zion Church, and the ancient ruins associated with the legendary Queen of Sheba. Enjoy some free time to explore the town and its surroundings, taking in the rich history and unique atmosphere of this ancient city.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive from Axum to Hawzen – Gheralta Rock Churches

After breakfast, depart Axum and drive to Hawzen, passing through the scenic Tigray highlands and traditional villages. Upon arrival, explore the Gheralta region, renowned for its cliff-top rock-hewn churches. Spend the day visiting these remarkable sites, enjoying short hikes through sandstone valleys and dramatic landscapes. Learn about local religious traditions and admire ancient murals and carvings. Optional: take a short evening walk to capture the sunset over the rugged mountains.

Main Destination:

Hawzen (Town)

Accommodation:

Gheralta Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Tigray

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Gheralta Rock Churches – Trek

Spend a full day exploring additional rock-hewn churches in the Gheralta region. Trek through scenic sandstone valleys and cliffs, visiting remote monasteries perched atop dramatic escarpments. Learn about centuries-old religious traditions, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Tigray landscape. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation. Optional: enjoy a sunset viewpoint for photography.

Main Destination:

Gheralta Mountains (Mountain Range)

Accommodation:

Gheralta Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Tigray

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive from Hawzen to Dallol – Danakil Depression

Depart Hawzen and drive deep into the otherworldly Danakil Depression, reaching the colorful and surreal landscapes of Dallol. Explore the vivid hydrothermal fields, acidic springs, and salt formations, witnessing this extreme environment up close. Learn about the geological features and take stunning photographs of the vibrant terrain. This unique journey offers an unforgettable experience in one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth.

Main Destination:

Hamad Ela (Village)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive from Hamed Ela to Erta Ale Volcano

Depart from Hamed Ela and drive through the volcanic desert towards Erta Ale Volcano, famous for its active lava lake. Upon arrival, embark on a guided trek across the rugged terrain, witnessing the glowing lava and other volcanic activity from a safe viewpoint. Enjoy a packed dinner while taking in the surreal landscapes. This unforgettable experience allows you to marvel at one of the world’s most active volcanoes and spend the night under the stars near Erta Ale.

Main Destination:

Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive through Lake Afdera to Semera

Depart early and drive across the striking landscapes of the Afar region, passing near Lake Afdera, known for its vivid saltwater and mineral-rich surroundings. Experience the remote desert scenery, volcanic formations, and traditional Afar villages along the way. Continue to Semera, the regional capital, arriving in the evening to rest and prepare for the next day’s adventure. Optional stops along the route provide opportunities for photography and cultural encounters with local communities.

Main Destination:

Semera (Town)

Accommodation:

Ruftana Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Semera (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive from Semera to Lalibela – Traditional Coffee Ceremony

Drive from Semera to Lalibela, crossing the scenic Afar and Amhara highlands, enjoying stunning landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, immerse yourself in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony hosted in a local home-style setting. Experience the warm hospitality of your hosts as freshly roasted coffee beans are ground by hand, then brewed in a traditional jebena (clay coffee pot) over an open flame. Participate in the ritual, savoring the rich aroma and flavor of the coffee while learning about its cultural significance in Ethiopian daily life. The ceremony is accompanied by local snacks and provides a genuine glimpse into the community’s traditions. Afterward, return to your accommodation for dinner and rest.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Sora Lodge Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches – Guided Tour

Spend the day exploring Lalibela’s world-famous rock-hewn churches, marveling at their unique architecture and spiritual significance. A knowledgeable guide will provide insights into Ethiopia’s Christian history and the construction of these remarkable monolithic churches. Return to your hotel in the evening for dinner and relaxation, reflecting on this culturally rich experience.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Sora Lodge Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Lalibela Departure – Addis Ababa City Tour & Farewell

After your morning in Lalibela, transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, explore Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market, where you can experience the vibrant hustle and bustle, browse a wide variety of local goods, spices, handicrafts, and traditional textiles, and interact with local vendors. Later, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, sampling authentic cuisine and celebrating the conclusion of your 16-day Northern Ethiopia adventure. After dinner, transfer to Bole International Airport for your onward flight, taking with you unforgettable memories of Ethiopia’s rich culture, history, and stunning landscapes.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.