Northern Ethiopia Private 9-Day Tour

Northern Ethiopia Private 9-Day Tour

Day 1: Addis Ababa

Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon landing at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, we'll be waiting to give you a warm welcome to the beautiful country before heading to the Addis Ababa hotel for our first night. Rest up, and see you in the morning!

Day 2: Addis Ababa - Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela

We'll start the day off right with a hearty breakfast before taking you back to the airport to catch our flight to Lalibela. As you land in the northern Ethiopian city, we'll meet again at the terminal to head straight for the famous site of rock-hewn churches made of reddish basalt. Upon arrival, you'll understand why this was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978!

Along the way, we'll make a pitstop so you can enjoy lunch at some of the local restaurants nearby. We'll also take advantage and visit several sacred temples like Biete Medhane Alem, Biete Maryam, and Biete Meskel. As we take in the grandeur, we'll gain a deeper understanding of the rich history behind this church complex from the 12th and 13th centuries.

Then, that's a wrap on day 2! We'll drop you off at your hotel in Lalibela for the evening. Until the morning!

Day 3: Lalibela - Yemrehana Krestos - Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela

Good morning from Lalibela! We'll start with the most important meal of the day before we set off toward Yemrehana Krestos. Fun fact: this cave church predates those of Lalibela!

Upon arrival at this sacred temple, one of the most beautiful in Ethiopia, you'll find it crafted from wood and adorned with meticulous detail inside and out. Entering the cave further, we'll also glimpse mummified pilgrims from centuries ago.

Leaving this impressionable site behind, it's time for lunch! With newfound energy and satiated appetites, we'll continue our route, getting to know the southeastern churches in the complex of Lalibela's famous rock-hewn structures. Here, we'll visit Biete Gabriel-Rufael, Biete Merkorios, Biete Amanual, Biete Abba Libanos. Then, saving the best for last, we'll come to the most well-known of all the churches, Biete Giyorgis. An enormous monolith shaped like a cross, this temple was built in honor of the country's patron saint, St. George.

Returning back to the hotel in Lalibela, we'll call it a day for a well-deserved rest.

Day 4: Lalibela - Asheton St. Maryam Monastery - Lalibela

After an energizing breakfast, we'll hit the ground running on a 2-hour hike to arrive at the Asheton St. Maryam Monastery, perched at a whopping 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) above sea level.

Continuing the hike for another 1.5 hours, we'll arrive at Hudad Lalibela Eco-Lodge for a breathtaking 360º panoramic view of the natural landscape. Here, at this picture-perfect spot, we'll give you some free time to enjoy lunch at the local restaurant nearby.

Later on, we'll dedicate the remainder of the afternoon to observing Gelada black baboons, mountain hyraxes, and various endemic birds that call the area home. After a day immersed in Ethiopian biodiversity, we'll begin our return trek via a different path for new sights. Along the way, we'll visit a small village before arriving at the hotel for a restful evening.

Day 5: Lalibela - Bahir Dar

Right after breakfast, we'll hop in a car, leaving Lalibela behind in exchange for Bahir Dar. During our 6-7 hour journey, we'll enjoy the stunning landscapes of northern Ethiopia, its wild nature, and the stark contrast between the desert and mountains.

Once in Bahir Dar, we'll check in to the hotel, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Until tomorrow!

Day 6: Bahir Dar - Lake Tana - Ura Kidane Mehret - Blue Nile Falls

Welcome to Bahir Dar! We'll finish off breakfast and enjoy a boat ride through Lake Tana, bringing us to Ura Kidane Mihret Monastery. Located along the Zege Peninsula, this site is best known for its round churches dating back to the 14th century. You'll understand why as we see the straw roofs and stunning murals. They're an excellent example of ancient orthodox churches found in Ethiopia!

During our trajectory through the forested area home to the monastery, we'll watch for endemic fauna like monkeys and various bird species. With some luck, we may even see hippos in Lake Tana!

Then, after some free time for lunch, we'll visit the Blue Nile Falls, where the tranquil waters cascade down from a height of 45 meters (147 feet). As the afternoon comes to a close, we'll return to Bahir Dar for a visit to the local market, where you can purchase artisanal goods like jewelry and embroidered fabrics.

Lastly, we'll return to the hotel, closing out day 6 of our adventure.

Day 7: Bahir Dar - Gondar

We'll start our 7th day headed toward Gondar after breakfast. After a 3-hour car ride, we'll arrive at the beautiful northern city to uncover its historic sites.

Our day's journey will lead us to the royal campus known as Fasil Ghebi, revealing the ruins of an ancient city-state from the 17th century. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic area boasts 6 castles and the renowned basin where the annual bathing blessing ceremony is held.

Looking out from the royal campus, we'll enjoy a view of the basalt stone palace of Emperor Fasilidas, the oldest structure within this complex. The ruins also encompass other notable structures like the Library of Emperor Yohannes I, the majestic Emperor Bakaffa Salon, and the King's Wife's Palace. Moreover, at this iconic site, we'll also see the Kuskuam Palace, Empress Mentewab's Palace, and Quskuam Mariam Church, built in honor of the Virgin Mary.

It's sure to be a day full of archeological education, but the fun doesn't stop there! We'll also see the elaborate Debre Birhan Selassie Church murals, considered some of the most important in Ethiopia. We'll understand why as we listen to the legends tied to the sacred temple.

From here, it's off to the hotel for a good rest for the evening. See you in the morning!

Day 8: Gondar - Simien National Park

With renewed energy after a strong breakfast, we'll leave Gondar behind as we head to the highlands of northern Ethiopia. We'll arrive at Debark, a small city on the border of Simien National Park.

Following a short pitstop, we'll go south within the park to Sankaber, located 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) above sea level. Here, we'll take on a 2-3 hour hiking route in search of the perfect view of the nearby mountain range. We'll keep our eyes peeled for local flora, like heather, St. John's wort, or wild rose of Abyssinia. Additionally, if we missed the chance to spot Gelada black baboons on day 4, we're bound to encounter them here, as this site boasts the largest population of baboons in Ethiopia.

To finish the day, we'll arrive at Simien Lodge in Ughif, where we'll stay the night.

Day 9: Simien National Park- Gondar - Addis Ababa

On our last day, we'll have breakfast and make our way to Gondar Airport to catch a flight back to Addis Ababa. Once you land, before taking off on your international flight, we'll enjoy a panoramic tour of the most significant monuments in the Ethiopian capital, including Entoto Mountain, the Institute for Ethiopian Studies, and the National Museum.

Before we know it, that's a wrap on our immersive and enthralling 9-day route through northern Ethiopia! We'll drop you off at Bole International Airport so you can catch your flight with plenty of time in advance. Until next time!

Accommodation

This tour includes 8 nights of accommodation with breakfast at the following 3 or 4-star hotels:

• Addis Ababa (1 night): Hotel Lobelia 4* or similar
• Lalibela (3 nights): Harbe Hotel 4* or similar
• Bahir Dar (2 nights): Jacaranda Hotel 4* or similar
• Gondar (1 night): Goha Hotel 3* or similar
• Ughif (1 night): Simien Lodge 4* or similar

Flights

Please bear in mind this tour doesn't include international flights to and from Addis Ababa.

In order to enjoy this tour, please be sure to book your international flights arriving and departing from Addis Ababa on the same day as the start of the tour. Additionally, your international flight departing from Addis Ababa should be booked for the 9th day of the tour after 9:30 pm.

All domestic flights from Addis Ababa to Lalibela, and Gondar, are included.