9-Day Northern Ethiopia Tour from Addis Ababa

Tour itinerary: Addis Ababa → Lalibela → Bahir Dar → Gondar → Addis Ababa

Day 1: Addis AbabaUpon landing at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, we will be waiting to give you a warm welcome to the beautiful country before heading to the Addis Ababa hotel for our first night.Day 2: Addis Ababa - Rock-Hewn Churches, LalibelaWe will begin the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back to the airport to catch our flight to Lalibela. During our visit, we will explore several sacred churches such as Biete Medhane Alem, Biete Maryam, and Biete Meskel.Day 3: Lalibela - Yemrehana Krestos - Rock-Hewn Churches, LalibelaWe will start the day with the most important meal before heading towards Yemrehana Krestos. We will visit Biete Gabriel-Rufael, Biete Merkorios, Biete Amanual, and Biete Abba Libanos. Finally, we will visit the most well-known of all the churches, Biete Giyorgis. This enormous monolith temple was shaped like a cross to honour the country's patron saint, St. George.Day 4: Lalibela - Asheton St. Maryam Monastery - LalibelaAfter breakfast, we will begin with a 2-hour hike to reach the Asheton St. Maryam Monastery. Then, we will continue the hike for another 1.5 hours to reach the Hudad Lalibela Eco-Lodge, where you can enjoy a breathtaking 360º panoramic view.Day 5: Lalibela - Bahir DarRight after breakfast, we will drive from Lalibela to Bahir Dar, a 6-7 hour journey.Day 6: Bahir Dar - Lake Tana - Ura Kidane Mehret - Blue Nile FallsWelcome to Bahir Dar! After breakfast, we will take a boat ride through Lake Tana to visit the Ura Kidane Mihret Monastery. If we're lucky, we may even see hippos in Lake Tana. After some free time for lunch, we will visit the Blue Nile Falls. Then, we will return to Bahir Dar to visit the local market, where you can purchase artisanal goods such as jewellery and embroidered fabrics.Day 7: Bahir Dar - GondarAfter a 3-hour car ride, we will arrive at Gonder. The ruins also encompass other notable structures such as the Library of Emperor Yohannes I, the majestic Emperor Bakaffa Salon, and the King's Wife's Palace. Additionally, at this iconic site, we will also see the Kuskuam Palace, Empress Mentewab's Palace, and Quskuam Mariam Church, built in honor of the Virgin Mary. We will also see the elaborate Debre Birhan Selassie Church murals, considered some of the most important in Ethiopia. We will understand why as we listen to the legends tied to the sacred temple.Day 8: Gondar - Simien National ParkWe will reach Debark, a small city on the border of Simien National Park. After a brief stop, we will head south within the park to Sankaber, situated at an elevation of 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) above sea level.Day 9: Simien National Park- Gondar - Addis AbabaOn our final day, we will have breakfast and head to Gondar Airport to catch a flight back to Addis Ababa.