4-Day Gondar, Simien Mountain and Lalibela Churches

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

Arrival in Gondar – Castles & Churches Tour

Morning:
• Arrive in Gondar, often called the “Camelot of Africa,” located in the Ethiopian highlands.
• Check into your hotel and relax briefly before starting your city tour.
Afternoon:
• Visit the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi) – a UNESCO World Heritage Site with impressive 17th-century castles and palaces built by Emperor Fasilides and his successors.
• Explore Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for its beautifully painted ceiling filled with angel faces and biblical scenes – one of Ethiopia’s best-preserved church interiors.
• Stop at Fasilides’ Bath, a stone pool used for Timket (Epiphany) celebrations, shaded by large fig trees.
Evening:
• Enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant with a possible Ethiopian music and dance performance.
Overnight: AG Hotel in Gondar.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

AG Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Gondar to Simien Mountains – Highland Hike & Wildlife

Morning:
• Drive from Gondar to the Simien Mountains National Park (approx. 3 hours), one of Africa’s most spectacular mountain ranges and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Stop in Debark to register at the park office, pick up your local guide and scout, then continue into the park.
Afternoon:
• Enjoy a half-day hike around Sankaber (3,250 meters), offering stunning views of deep valleys, escarpments, and mountain peaks.
• Spot Gelada baboons, endemic to Ethiopia, grazing in large groups along the cliffs, and watch for highland birds and possibly Walia ibex if you're lucky.
• Visit the Jinbar Waterfall, plunging into a dramatic gorge.
Evening:
• Return to Debark or nearby eco-lodge for a restful evening. Enjoy mountain views and a warm local meal.
Overnight stay Camping.

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
• Drinks not included

Debark to Lalibela – Scenic Drive through the Highlands

Morning:
• Depart early for Lalibela, a scenic drive through rural Ethiopia’s highlands (approx. 6–7 hours).
• Along the way, enjoy stunning views of mountains, valleys, and traditional thatched-roof villages.
• Stop for lunch in a local town en route.
Afternoon:
• Arrive in Lalibela, one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities and a major center of pilgrimage.
• Check in to your hotel and relax before the next day’s exploration of its incredible rock-hewn churches.
Evening:
• Optional short visit to the town’s market or viewpoint at sunset.
• Dinner with a view over the highlands.
Overnight: Top twelve Hotel in Lalibela.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Top Twelve Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Lalibela – UNESCO Rock-Hewn Churches Tour

Morning:
• Start your full-day tour of Lalibela’s remarkable rock-hewn churches, carved directly into red volcanic rock in the 12th–13th centuries.
• Visit the Northern Church Cluster, including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, and Bete Golgotha, known for their distinct architecture and spiritual significance.
Afternoon:
• Explore the Eastern Churches, including Bete Amanuel and Bete Abba Libanos, connected by a network of tunnels and passageways.
• End your visit at the iconic Bete Giyorgis (St. George’s Church), shaped like a perfect cross and considered the most beautiful of all.
• Learn about the Zagwe dynasty, Ethiopian Orthodox traditions, and local legends behind these churches.
Evening:
• Enjoy your final evening in Lalibela with a traditional meal and perhaps a coffee ceremony to end your trip.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

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