Enjoy this 10-day northern Ethiopia itinerary which takes you to the churches of Lalibela, the Simien Mountains and the Blue Nile River.
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This trip to the north of Ethiopia offers a unique take on all that this mysterious East African nation has to offer. You’ll enjoy 10 days on various adventures including visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, national parks, a boat trip on Lake Tana, & more.
A land of deep traditions dating back more than 3,000 years, this exclusive trip combines the ancient cultural artifacts found in Axum, Lalibela, Gondar and Bahir Dar with stunning vistas of the Gheralta Massive and the unspoiled nature of the mountainous National Park.
Your first day in Ethiopia will be spent in the hustle and bustle of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, a Ker & Downey® Africa representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for the night, the Sheraton Addis Ababa.
This luxury hotel is located at the heart of the city, just around the corner from the National Museum and the United Nations Conference Centre. You will have a choice of 10 bars and restaurants to choose from, along with a refreshing outdoor swimming pool, spa and an illuminated fountain to enjoy during your stay. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of the capital, visiting the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the museum and also Africa’s biggest open air market.
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be met by your driver for your return journey to the airport, where you will take a flight to Axum. Located in northern Ethiopia, the town of Axum is dominated by towering carved stone obelisks and the centuries-old Church of St. Mary of Zion, a pilgrimage site thought to have housed the biblical Ark of the Covenant.
Axum is one of the oldest towns in the country and is as much a part of Ethiopia as the capital, Addis Ababa. You will discover the region on a day tour, visiting ancient tombs, holy sites,the Ark of the Covenant, and the Park of Stelae, known for its many stone obelisks. You will retire for the night in your hotel, which offers comfortable beds, a restaurant serving local dishes, and a well-stocked bar.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your driver for your onward drive to the Gheralta region. Gheralta is a mountainous area dominated by its many ancient churches carved into the rock, with sheer rocks, steep hills and towering spires as far as the eye can see. Your base for the night will be Gheralta Lodge.
Each well-appointed room boasts spectacular views of the Gheralta mountains, tall ficus trees and rocky hills provide some much-needed shade, while the onsite restaurant serves the finest local dishes. You will spend the day exploring the rock churches, ancient paintings and manuscripts that have made the region famous. You can hike at sunrise or sunset to watch the sun over the mountains or witness the extraordinary rare and endemic birdlife of the region. Enjoy traditional dishes at the lodge made from locally sourced ingredients.
Your next two days will be spent in the ancient town of Lalibela, a northern Ethiopian town famous for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed monolithic churches carved into the rock. The town is also one of Ethiopia’s most important religious pilgrimage sites for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, with much of it believed to replicate the ancient city of Jerusalem. After a tasty breakfast at your hotel in Gheralta you will transfer to Mek’ele for your flight to Lalibela, where a driver will meet you and take you on a tour of the town. You will spend two nights at Maribela Hotel, where you will enjoy spacious and modern accommodation with spectacular views of the Ethiopian highlands.
After a hearty breakfast in Lalibela, you will meet your driver and transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Gondar. The city, located in northern Ethiopia, is famous for its walled Fasil Ghebbi fortress and the palace compound that once housed Ethiopian emperors. The architecture of Gondar is a combination of a unique blend of Portuguese, Indian and local, making this a unique city worth visiting. Upon arrival, you will take a road transfer to Simien Mountains National Park, a destination of deep valleys and grass-covered high plateaus. The Simien Mountains are home to rare Gelada Baboons and Walia Ibex, spectacular lookouts, and narrow and winding trails meandering through the rugged landscape.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Gondar where you will have the chance to learn more about the city on a day tour. Gondar is home to the famous palaces and the Fasil Ghebbi fortress, both of which you can visit during your time here. You can also explore the village of Chenek, a traditional Ethiopian highland village; Sankaber Camp, a mountaintop camping site promising amazing mountain views; and Debre Berhan Selassie, which is home to the only Gondarine church in the world. Your night will be spent at Mayleko Lodge, a charming boutique lodge featuring a collection of thatched bungalows, an outdoor pool, a fitness room, and a central lodge constructed from reclaimed hardwood and recycled materials.
Enjoy a night at Mayleko Lodge, a charming boutique lodge located just 15 minutes from Gondar. With breathtaking views of the Dilha Mountains, the lodge features thatched bungalows, a pool, and a gym, all housed in a central lodge built from reclaimed hardwood and recycled materials.
After breakfast at Mayleko Lodge, you will transfer to Bahir Dar, a region renowned for its coffee forests and fruit plantations. You will take a 3-hour cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 18th-century church of Narga Selassie, the traditional round Orthodox church of Ura Kidane Mehret, and the monastery of Azwa Mariam on the Zeghe Peninsula. You will also visit the coffee forest in search of churches adorned with impressive murals. Your last night in Ethiopia will be spent at Kuriftu Resort & Spa, located at the source of the River Nile. This unique hotel offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Ethiopia, with carved stone balconies, wooden furnishings, and beautiful views of the lake, where locals go about their daily activities. Lakeside dining can be enjoyed on a picturesque, stony outcrop.
Situated on the shores of Lake Tana, the Kuriftu Resort consists of 28 stone bungalows set in gardens alongside the lake. Each room is decorated in a traditional Ethiopian style with en suite facilities, a four-poster bed, lounge, and flat-screen television. The resort also boasts its own restaurant, spa, and swimming pool.
Wake up and enjoy a delicious breakfast before setting off on your excursion to the Blue Nile Falls, an impressive waterfall on the Blue Nile River known as Tis Abay in Amharic. The ‘great smoke’ is estimated to stand at 45 meters high, with four streams that began as trickles in the dry ground, and are thought to be the source of the great Nile River.
On day ten you will sleep at Kuriftu Resort & Spa.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa, where you’ll have access to a day room before enjoying a delicious dinner prior to your evening flight home.
Our experts are here to help.
Our curated Northern Ethiopia trip is priced at $8,436 per person. You can plan an Ethiopia safari with our luxury travel specialists customized to your interests.
Ethiopia boasts a rich cultural and architectural heritage with several UNESCO world heritage sites, abundant biodiversity, ethnic groups and more.
The northern part of Ethiopia includes the region of Tigray, Amhara, Afar and Benishangul-Gumuz.
Amharic is the most widely spoken language in Ethiopia. Various other languages such as Tigrinya, Oromo & Somali are also spoken. In southern Ethiopia the most widely spoken language is Sidamo.
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