9-Day Lalibela, Harar, Gonder, Simien & Addis Ababa

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

Arrive to Addis Ababa - City Tour

Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be warmly welcomed by our team and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Depending on your flight schedule, begin exploring Addis Ababa, the vibrant capital city that stands at the heart of Ethiopia’s political, cultural, and social life. Possible highlights include visiting the National Museum, home of the famous fossil “Lucy,” the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the bustling Mercato, Africa’s largest open-air market. You may also drive up to Mount Entoto for panoramic views over the city.

Overnight: Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Trinity Hotel

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Fly to Lalibela – Explore the Rock-Hewn Churches

After breakfast, take a flight to Lalibela, one of Ethiopia’s most iconic destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the “New Jerusalem,” Lalibela is home to a remarkable complex of 12th-century rock-hewn churches carved directly into volcanic rock.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the First Group of Churches, which includes Bete Medhane Alem (House of the Saviour of the World), Bete Maryam (House of Mary), and Bete Golgotha. These masterpieces display extraordinary craftsmanship and devotion, making Lalibela a living center of worship and pilgrimage.

Overnight: Lalibela.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Tabor Hotel Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Explore Remaining Churches of Lalibela – Fly to Gondar – City Tour

After breakfast, continue your exploration with the Second Group of Lalibela Churches, including Bete Gabriel-Rufael, Bete Amanuel, and the monolithic Bete Giyorgis (House of St. George) — the most famous of them all, known for its striking cross-shaped design.

Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Gondar, the former imperial capital of Ethiopia. Upon arrival, visit the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring several medieval castles built by Emperor Fasilides and his successors. Continue to Debre Berhan Selassie Church, renowned for its magnificent ceiling adorned with the faces of angels — one of the most beautiful examples of Ethiopian church art.

Overnight: Gondar.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Gondar

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive to Simien Mountains National Park

After breakfast, depart for Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its breathtaking scenery of dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and rugged peaks. On the way, enjoy stunning views of the countryside and make stops at scenic viewpoints. Upon arrival, set up camp and begin your first short acclimatization walk to enjoy the landscape and spot endemic wildlife such as Gelada baboons, Walia ibex, and various bird species.

Overnight: Camping in Simien Mountains.

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
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Full-Day Exploration of the Simien Mountains

Spend the day trekking through the spectacular highlands, exploring areas such as Sankaber and Geech, where you can admire the towering cliffs, waterfalls, and unique flora. The park offers some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Africa and is often compared to the Grand Canyon. Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the breathtaking views before returning to camp for a cozy evening under the stars.

Overnight: Camping in Simien Mountains.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Morning Trek – Return to Gondar – Fly Back to Addis Ababa

After an early morning hike to take in the fresh mountain air and final glimpses of the Simien landscape, drive back to Gondar. From there, you’ll catch a flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening in the city.

Overnight: Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Trinity Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Fly to Dire Dawa – Drive to Harar – City Exploration

In the morning, take a flight to Dire Dawa and continue your journey by road to the ancient walled city of Harar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest Islamic cities in Africa. In the afternoon, explore Harar’s labyrinthine alleys, colorful markets, and traditional Harari houses with their intricate interiors. Visit the Arthur Rimbaud Museum, dedicated to the French poet who lived here in the 19th century.

Overnight: Harar.

Main Destination:

Harar (Town)

Accommodation:

Ferej Hotel

• Budget located in Harar (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Full-Day Exploration of Harar & Hyena Feeding

Spend the day delving deeper into Harar’s rich cultural heritage. Visit Harar Jugol, the old walled city with its 82 mosques and 102 shrines, as well as the Harar Market, famous for its spices, coffee, and woven baskets. In the evening, experience one of Harar’s most unique traditions — the Hyena Feeding Ceremony, where local men call wild hyenas by name and feed them by hand, a centuries-old ritual symbolizing coexistence between humans and nature.

Overnight: Harar.

Main Destination:

Harar (Town)

Accommodation:

Ferej Hotel

• Budget located in Harar (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Explore Harar Market – Drive to Dire Dawa – Fly Back to Addis Ababa – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a final stroll through Harar’s lively markets and alleys. Later, drive back to Dire Dawa to catch your flight to Addis Ababa. Depending on your international flight schedule, you may have time for some last-minute shopping or a traditional Ethiopian farewell dinner before your departure.

Main Destination:

No major destination visited

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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