Explore ancient treasures and natural wonders in Northern Ethiopia. Discover Aksum, Gonder, Lalibela, and the Simien Mountains on a 15-day adventure.
Explore ancient treasures and natural wonders in Northern Ethiopia. Discover Aksum, Gonder, Lalibela, and the Simien Mountains on a 15-day adventure.
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa - Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, the Aman Ethiopia Tours team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Later, begin exploring Addis Ababa by visiting various museums, including the National Museum, where you can see ‘Lucy,’ the fossilized skeleton of an ancient human ancestor dating back 3.2 million…
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa - Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, the Aman Ethiopia Tours team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Later, begin exploring Addis Ababa by visiting various museums, including the National Museum, where you can see ‘Lucy,’ the fossilized skeleton of an ancient human ancestor dating back 3.2 million years. Head to the Mercato market, the largest open-air market in Africa, and experience a traditional coffee ceremony. Discover the connection between Haile Selassie and Sylvia Pankhurst at the copper-domed Holy Trinity Cathedral. Learn why the European Council on Tourism and Trade named Ethiopia the number one place to visit in 2015. Overnight: The Grand Palace Hotel & Spa
Addis Ababa-Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar - Day 02: Drive from Addis to Bahir Dar
After breakfast, drive through the beautiful chain of mountains and dense forests of Mount Entoto. After about two hours, arrive at Debre Libanos, a respected monastery in Ethiopia founded in the 13th century by Saint Tekle Haymanot. Visit the museums with ancient Bible book collections and religious crosses, then explore the interior of the church. Continue through the stunning landscapes of the Blue Nile Gorge, stopping at Debre Markos for lunch. Proceed to Lake Zengena. Overnight: Bahir Dar Naky Hotel/Similar
Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar - Day 03: Bahir Dar (Lakeside Town)
After breakfast, take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 14th-century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret, the most famous of the Zege Peninsula monasteries. In the afternoon, drive to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile Falls (note that the water volume may be minimal due to the construction of a new dam). Overnight: Bahir Dar Nuky Hotel/Similar
Bahir Dar-Gondar
Gondar - Day 04: Drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar (The Camelot of Africa)
After breakfast, begin your journey to Gondar, the Royal Capital of Ethiopia, founded in 1636 by Emperor Fassiladas. In the afternoon, visit the city of Gondar, including the castles and churches built by Emperor Fassiladas and his descendants. Explore the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie (The Enlightening of Trinity) with its wonderful mural art, and Qusquam Church. Overnight: Gondar Goha Hotel/Similar
Gondar-Debarq
Debark - Day 05: Gondar – Excursion to Semien Mountains (122 km, 4-5 hrs drive)
Today, drive to Buyit Ras, a segment of the Semien Mountains. This area is known for its wild and magnificent views, considered the most stunning in all of Ethiopia. The Semien Mountains National Park is the only place in Ethiopia registered by UNESCO as a natural beauty. Overnight: Simen Park Hotel/Similar
Debarq-Axum
Axum - Day 06: Drive from Debarq to Axum (Mysterious Monoliths)
After an early breakfast, drive to Axum, a city with over 2,500 years of history. Once the center of a great empire and ancient civilization, Axum is home to the original Ark of the Covenant and is a prime historical site in northern Ethiopia. Take a city tour that includes St. Mary’s Church, the Sanctuary Chapel (repository of the Ark of the Covenant), the coronation yard, Stelae Park, the Tomb of Kaleb and his son Gebre Meskel, Ezana’s Inscriptions, Queen of Sheba’s Bath, Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins, and the Axum Museum. Overnight: Axum Sabian Hotel/Similar
Axum-Mekele
Mek’ele - Day 07: Drive from Axum to Mekele
After breakfast, drive to Hawzen, stopping at the Temple of Yeha and the rock-hewn churches of Tigray (Adikisho Medhanyalem, Wukero Cherkos, and Abrha Wasba). Stay overnight in the town of Mekelle. Overnight: Mekelle Axum Hotel/Similar
Mekele-Lalibela
Lalibela - Day 08: Drive from Mekelle to Lalibela via Alamata
After breakfast, drive to the town of Lalibela, passing through the beautiful landscapes of the Tigray region. Stop at Alamata to see the markets of the Wello and Tigray people, then stop at Weldya for lunch before continuing to Lalibela. Overnight: Lalibela Cliff Edge Hotel/Similar
Lalibela
Lalibela - Day 09: Lalibela (The Eighth Wonder of the World)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Lalibela is famous for its underground rock-hewn cathedrals, known as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World.’ In the afternoon, visit the top attractions of Lalibela. Overnight: Lalibela Cliff Edge Hotel/Similar
Lalibela-Addis Ababa-Langano
Langano - Day 10: Drive from Addis to Langano (200 km, 4-5 hrs drive)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis. Upon arrival, drive southwards to Langano. En route, visit Lake Ziway, the largest of the upper Rift Valley lakes, with an area of 400 sq. km. Its shores are lined with water lilies and are a breeding ground for various Ethiopian birds. Continue to Lake Langano, a place to enjoy water activities. Overnight: Langano Africa Vacations
Langano - Arba Minch
Arba Minch - Day 11: Drive from Langano to Arba Minch via Chencha
In the morning, drive to Arba Minch, visiting the Dorze village en route. The Dorze people are expert weavers, and their houses are shaped like elephants to remember the animals that once roamed the area. Enset, or ‘false banana,’ is the staple food for these people. Overnight: Arba Minch Paradise Lodge
Arba Minch-Jinka
Jinka - Day 12: Drive from Arba Minch to Jinka via Konso
After breakfast, take a boat cruise on Lake Chamo, the third-largest lake in Ethiopia. On the lake, you may see Nile crocodiles, hippos, and various birds. Visit the Bana village, home to indigenous pastoral and semi-nomadic people. The Bana men often style their hair with colorful clay caps decorated with feathers. Drive to the Ari people, the largest population in the lower Omo Valley. The Ari women wear skirts made from the Enset tree and are skilled in pottery. Overnight: Jinka Nassa
Jinka-Mago NP-Turmi
Mago National Park - Day 13: Drive from Jinka to Mago National Park and then to Turmi
Take a day excursion to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village. The Mursi are one of the most exotic ethnic groups in Ethiopia, living in low huts made of straw leaves. The women wear terra cotta plates in their stretched lower lips and ear lobes. Return to Jinka for lunch, then proceed to Turmi, home of the Hamer people. Overnight: Turmi Lodge
Turmi-Karo Tribes-Konso
Turmi - Day 14: Excursion to Karo and Konso
Drive to Murulle to visit the Karo people, known for their splendid body decoration. They paint their bodies and faces with white chalk for ceremonies. The women scar their chests for beauty, while the men’s scars represent enemies or dangerous animals they have killed. Visit the Nyangatom people, 17 km from Murulle. The Nyangatom women wear numerous necklaces and long skirts made from goatskins, richly decorated. Drive to Konso. Overnight: Turmi Lodge
Konso-Araba Minch-Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa - Day 15: Drive from Konso to Arba Minch and then to Addis Ababa
Visit the Konso village, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its terracing. The village also produces some of the best coffee in the country. Later, transfer to the airport for your departure.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- All fees and/or taxes
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- All fees and/or taxes
- On-board restrooms
- private expenses
- On-board restrooms
- private expenses
Northern Ethiopia, often referred to as the Historical Circuit, boasts over two thousand years of ancient treasures. These include giant obelisks and hidden tombs in Aksum, a collection of castles in and around Gonder, and unique churches in Lalibela, Tigray, Lake Tana, and many other locations. Complementing these human-made marvels, Mother Nature has…
Northern Ethiopia, often referred to as the Historical Circuit, boasts over two thousand years of ancient treasures. These include giant obelisks and hidden tombs in Aksum, a collection of castles in and around Gonder, and unique churches in Lalibela, Tigray, Lake Tana, and many other locations. Complementing these human-made marvels, Mother Nature has also showcased her creativity here. The Danakil Depression, a popular spot for adventure travelers, features a permanent lava lake and a vivid yellow sulphuric plain. Meanwhile, the Simien Mountains adorn the landscape with stunning canyons and peaks, offering a beauty that is hard to match anywhere else in Africa.
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Dress code is formal
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- We will provide vegan and vegetarians food options
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.