14-Day Northern Ethiopia & Awash National Park Tour

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

Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

Depart from Addis Ababa and travel north via Debre Markos with scenic stops along the historic route. Cross the dramatic Blue Nile Gorge and enjoy breathtaking landscapes along the way. Arrive in Bahir Dar and check into your hotel. Relax in the evening and prepare for Lake Tana exploration. Overnight stay in Bahir Dar.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Lake Avenue Hotel

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

+6 Photos

+5 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Lake Tana Monasteries & Blue Nile Falls

Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Tana, visiting ancient monasteries such as Ura Kidane Mehret and Azuwa Maryam, rich in religious paintings and history. In the afternoon, hike to the powerful Blue Nile Falls, known for its misty views and rainbow scenery. Capture sunset photography over Lake Tana before returning to your hotel in Bahir Dar for overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Lake Avenue Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Bahir Dar to Gondar – Imperial Heritage

Travel to Gondar through rural villages and highland scenery. Visit the UNESCO-listed Fasil Ghebbi, including castles, royal baths, and ancient palaces. Continue to Debre Berhan Selassie Church with its famous angel-painted ceiling. Overnight stay in Gondar.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Goha Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Gondar to Simien Mountains National Park

Drive to Simien Mountains National Park via Debark for registration and permits. Continue to Sankaber for stunning cliff views and wildlife sightings, including Gelada baboons and endemic birds. Enjoy hiking along escarpments with dramatic scenery. Overnight in a lodge or campsite inside the park.

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:

Mid-range camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Simien Mountains to Axum

Depart the Simien Mountains and travel north through breathtaking highlands and the Tekeze Valley. Stop for photography in rural landscapes and lunch en route. Arrive in Axum and check into your hotel. Evening at leisure for relaxation and preparation. Overnight in Axum.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Axum Historical Exploration

Explore the ancient city of Axum, the heart of the Axumite Empire. Visit the famous obelisks, archaeological museum, and the Church of St. Mary of Zion, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant. Discover ancient ruins and royal tombs while learning Ethiopia’s deep historical roots. Overnight stay in Axum.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Axum to Yeha – Hawzen Region

Visit the ancient temple of Yeha, one of Ethiopia’s oldest archaeological sites. Continue to rock-hewn churches such as Medhane Alem Adi Kesho and the dramatic landscapes of Tigray. Optionally explore Debre Damo Monastery (male access only). Arrive in Hawzen region for overnight stay in hotel.

Main Destination:

Hawzen (Town)

Accommodation:

Shimbrety Community Guesthouse

• Budget guest house located less than 1hr drive from Hawzen (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Tigray Rock Churches to Mekele

After breakfast, continue exploring the remarkable rock-hewn churches of the Tigray region, starting with a hike to the iconic Abuna Yemata Guh or Maryam Korkor, both dramatically perched on cliffs with breathtaking views and extraordinary spiritual architecture. These sacred sites offer a unique blend of adventure, culture, and photography opportunities. Later, visit the accessible and historic Abreha we Atsbeha Church, known for its ancient design and religious significance. In the afternoon, drive through scenic landscapes to Mekele for hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Mekele (City)

Accommodation:

Planet Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Mekele (City)

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mekele to Lalibela

After breakfast, depart from Mekele for a scenic drive to Lalibela. Enjoy breathtaking views of mountains, valleys, and traditional villages along the route, with photo stops for landscapes and rural life. Arrive in Lalibela in the evening, check into your hotel, and relax in preparation for visiting the famous rock-hewn churches.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Hill Top Lodge Lalibela

• Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)

+6 Photos

+5 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela

Spend the day exploring the remarkable rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit both the Northern and Southern church clusters, connected by tunnels and carved passages still used for worship today. Continue to the iconic Bete Giyorgis, famous for its cross-shaped design carved from solid rock. Learn about the ancient engineering techniques, religious traditions, and living heritage of this sacred site. Enjoy photography opportunities of pilgrims, architecture, and rituals before returning to your hotel for overnight stay in Lalibela.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Hill Top Lodge Lalibela

• Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Lalibela Monasteries & Surroundings

Start the day with a scenic trek to Asheton Maryam Monastery, located high in the mountains offering panoramic views of the surrounding highlands and villages. Experience local culture and spiritual heritage along the way. In the afternoon, visit the remarkable cave church of Yimrehanne Kristos, known for its ancient wooden paneling and unique architectural style. Return to Lalibela for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Hill Top Lodge Lalibela

• Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Lalibela to Kombolcha

After breakfast, visit Na’akuto La’ab Monastery before departing for a scenic drive toward Kombolcha via Woldia. Enjoy beautiful highland landscapes and stop at Lake Hayk for photography and relaxation. Continue through rural scenery and arrive in Kombolcha for hotel check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Kombolcha (City)

Accommodation:

Golden Gate Hotel - Dessie

• Mid-range hotel located in Dessie (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Kombolcha to Awash National Park

Travel south through Bati, with an optional visit to the famous camel market if the schedule allows. Continue toward Awash National Park, arriving in time for an evening game drive. Spot wildlife such as antelopes, baboons, and diverse bird species in their natural habitat. Enjoy sunset views over the savannah landscapes. Overnight stay in lodge or camping.

Main Destination:

Awash National Park

Best Time To Visit October to February (Little rain and less hot)

High Season September to April (The park is never busy)

Best Weather October to February

Wildlife in Awash NP

Olive Baboon Abundant

Beisa Oryx Common

Soemmerring's
Gazelle Common

Hamadryas
Baboon Common

Salt's Dik-dik Common

Show more

Lesser Kudu Occasional

Desert Warthog Occasional

Defassa Waterbuck Occasional

Nile Crocodile Occasional

Spotted Hyena Occasional

Guereza Monkey Rare

Ethiopian Wolf None

Gelada Monkey None

Walia Ibex None

Accommodation:

Awash Falls Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Awash National Park & Return to Addis Ababa

Explore deeper into Awash National Park, visiting Filwoha hot springs and the volcanic crater of Mount Fantale. Enjoy wildlife viewing and unique geological scenery. After lunch, drive back to Addis Ababa via Sodere hot springs for optional relaxation. Arrive in the city for airport transfer or hotel drop-off, marking the end of your unforgettable Ethiopia journey.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

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.