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12 Days Northern Ethiopia Tour

By Danakil Depression Tours
Free cancellation available
Price is AU$3,031 per adult
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Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 12d
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

You explore the most iconic sites,Addis The vibrant capital of Ethiopia, known for its bustling markets, and museums, including the National Museum which houses the fossil Lucy.Bahir Dar A scenic city on the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake, famous for its island monasteries and proximity to the spectacular Blue Nile Falls.Gondar
The former imperial capital, renowned for its Royal Enclosure castles,Simien Mountains endemic wildlife like Gelada baboons, offering some of Ethiopia’s best trekking and panoramic mountain views.
Axum The ancient capital of the Axumite Empire, famous for its stelae, royal tombs, and the sacred Church of St. Mary of Zion, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant.Gheralta region Remote rock-hewn churches, such as Abune Yemata and Wukro Chirkos, perched on cliffs with centuries-old frescoes, showcasing Ethiopia’s rich Christian heritage.Lalibela A UNESCO World Heritage Site of 11 rock-hewn churches, including the iconic Bete Giorgis (St. George).

Activity location

  • Addis Ababa
    • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • AYA Addis Hotel
    • 1050, አዲስ አበባ, አዲስ አበባ, Ethiopia

Check availability

12 Days Northern Ethiopia Tour

  • Activity duration is 12 days12d
    12d
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 9:30 AM
Price details
AU$3,030.70 x 2 AdultsAU$6,061.40
Total
Price is AU$6,061.40

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Accommodation
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Admission fee
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Scout Simien Mountain Park
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Entrance fee
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Boat Service Bahir Dar
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Air-conditioned vehicle
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Bottled water every day
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Government taxes

Know before you book

  • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Day 1: Addis Ababa

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight at Aya hotel or Similar standard accommodation

Addis Ababa

  • 7h
you will be picked up from Bole International Airport and transferred to your hotel. After check-in and breakfast, the city tour begins, featuring the National Museum (home of Lucy), Mercato, the old city Piazza (Piassa), St. George's Churches, Mount Entoto (Menelik's Palace), and the Ethnographic Museum, with an overnight stay at Aya Hotel or a similar standard Accommodation

Day 2: Addis-Bahi Dar

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight at Blue nile resort or Similar standard accommodation

Bahir Dar

  • 8h
You will be picked up from airport depart Bahir Dar for a full-day excursion to Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls. Morning – Lake Tana Monasteries Begin with a boat trip on Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile. Visit one or two of the island or peninsula monasteries, such as Ura Kidane Mehret or Azwa Maryam, famous for their beautifully painted murals and rich religious history. Lunch Lunch at a local restaurant near the lake or in Bahir Dar. Afternoon – Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat) In the afternoon, drive to the spectacular Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat – “Smoking Water”), located about 30 km from Bahir Dar. Enjoy a short walk to viewpoints overlooking the falls, which are especially impressive during the rainy season. Return to Bahir Dar in the late afternoon.

Day 3: Bahir Dar-Gondar

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight atGoha hotel or similar standard accommodation

Gonder

  • 9h
In the morning, drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar, enjoying scenic countryside views along the way. Upon arrival, check in and have lunch. In the afternoon, begin a guided city tour of Gondar, the former imperial capital of Ethiopia. Visit the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring well-preserved 17th-century castles, followed by visits to Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for its ceiling of angel faces, and the historic Fasilides Bath. Overnight Goha hotel or Similar standard accommodation

Day 4: Gonder-Simien Mountain National park

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight at Sankaber Camp

Simien Mountains National Park

  • 8h
  • Admission ticket included
In the morning, drive from Gondar to Simien Mountains National Park, passing through Debark, the park headquarters, for registration. Continue to Sankaber Camp, enjoying spectacular views of the escarpment along the way. In the afternoon, take a short walk or hike around Sankaber, offering chances to spot Gelada baboons, endemic birdlife, and dramatic mountain scenery. Overnight at Sankaber Lodge / Camp.

Day 5: Simien Mountain National park-Axum

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight at Atranos hotel or Similar standard accommodation

Axum

  • 7h
After breakfast, enjoy a morning walk along the escarpment towards Jinbar Waterfall viewpoints, one of the most impressive sights in the park. Later, depart the Simien Mountains for a scenic drive to Axum, the former capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy frequent stops along the way to take in dramatic landscapes and panoramic viewpoints. Arrive in Axum in the late afternoon and overnight at Atranos hotel or similar standard accommodation

Day 6: Axum

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight at Atranos hotel or similar standard accommodation

Axum

  • 8h
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Axum, the legendary capital of the ancient Axumite Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include: Stelae Park – see the famous obelisks, including the largest unfinished stele, symbols of Axum’s ancient power. Queen of Sheba’s Palace (ruins) – explore the legendary site associated with the fabled queen. Church of St. Mary of Zion – Ethiopia’s most sacred church, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant. Ancient Tombs & Ruins – visit the royal tombs and archaeological sites that reflect Axum’s imperial history. Return to your hotel overnight stat at Atranos hotel or Similar standard accommodation

Day 7: Axum-Hawzen

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight Hawzen Hotel or Similar standard accommodation

Hawzen

  • 8h
Axum – Hawzen (Gheralta) Drive from Axum to Hawzen in the Gheralta region, passing the historic Adwa battlefield where Emperor Menelik II achieved his decisive victory over the Italian forces in 1896. En route, explore the ancient ruins of Yeha, home to the remarkable 2,500-year-old Temple of the Moon. Continue via Adigrat to visit Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos, two of Tigray’s oldest and most impressive rock-hewn churches. Arrive in Hawzen in the late afternoon and enjoy an overnight stay at Hawzen Hotel or a similar standard accommodation.

Day 8: Hawzen -Mekele

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight at planet hotel or similar standard accommodation

Hawzen

  • 8h
Depart Hawzen for a full-day excursion to two of Tigray’s most remarkable rock-hewn churches. Begin with a visit to Abune Yemata Guh, dramatically perched high on a sandstone cliff and reached by a short but adventurous climb. The reward is a breathtaking interior adorned with well-preserved medieval frescoes and panoramic views of the Gheralta landscape. In the afternoon, continue to Wukro Chirkos, one of Ethiopia’s earliest rock-cut churches, notable for its cruciform design and ancient religious artwork. Then drive to mekele overnight Planet hotel or Similar standard accommodation

Day 9: Mekele-Lalibela

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight l at Sora lodge or similar standard accommodation

Lalibela

  • 9h
Drive along a scenic highland road to Lalibela, enjoying changing landscapes and photo stops along the way. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and relax while taking in a beautiful sunset from the terrace. Overnight at Sora lodge or Hill top hotel or similar standard accommodation

Day 10: Lalibela

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight at Sora lodge or Hill top hotel or similar standard accommodation

Lalibela

  • 8h
After breakfast, begin a full-day guided tour of Lalibela, Ethiopia’s most sacred town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its 11 remarkable rock-hewn churches carved from a single block of stone in the 12th–13th centuries. Morning – Northern Church Group Explore the Northern Group of Churches, including: Bete Medhane Alem – the largest monolithic church in the world Bete Maryam – famous for its beautiful frescoes and carvings Bete Meskel, Bete Denagel, and Bete Golgotha–Selassie, believed to house the tomb of King Lalibela Lunch Break Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or at your hotel. Afternoon – Southern Church Group Continue to the Southern Group of Churches, featuring: Bete Amanuel – considered an architectural masterpiece Bete Qeddus Mercoreos Bete Abba Libanos, partially detached from the rock face then return hotel overnight at sora lodge or Hill top hotel or similar standard accommodation

Day 11: Lalibela-Asheten mariam -Lalibela

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks
  • Accommodation: Overnight at Sora lodge or Hill top hotel or similar standard accommodation

Asheton Maryam Monastery

  • 7h
  • Admission ticket included
In the morning, take an excursion to Asheten Maryam Monastery, dramatically located on the mountain ridge at the peak of Mount Asheten, overlooking the town of Lalibela. The visit can be made on foot with a hike of approximately 2.5 hours, or by vehicle (about 50 minutes), both offering outstanding panoramic views of the surrounding highlands after leaving the city of Lalibela. After visiting the monastery and enjoying the spectacular scenery, walk back down towards Lalibela. Lunch Enjoy lunch at one of Lalibela’s best local restaurants, Kana Restaurant. Afternoon Highlight Conclude the tour at Bete Giorgis (St. George’s Church), Lalibela’s most iconic cross-shaped church. Return to your hotel for relaxation and overnight Sora Lodge or Hill top hotel or similar standard accommodation

Day 12: Lalibela-Addis

  • 1 stop
  • Meals: breakfast, lunch
  • Accommodation: Not included

Addis Ababa

  • 8h
After an early breakfast and a chance to enjoy the sunrise over Lalibela, depend on the flight schedule transfer to Lalibela Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, enjoy a brief visit to sovereign shops for souvenir shopping and local crafts. In the evening, savour a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, accompanied by a traditional Ethiopian cultural show at Yod Abyssinia, showcasing music, dance, and cultural performances. The end of tour

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Addis Ababa
    • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    AYA Addis Hotel
    • 1050, አዲስ አበባ, አዲስ አበባ, Ethiopia

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