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Lalibela church

11 Day Historical Ethiopia Tour (Lodge Safari)

Tour Length11 days
Priced from pps $3528 R66740 £2794 3270 A$5415 C$4776 NZ$5905 Full pricing info
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Summary of this Lodge Safari

  • Max. Group Size 7 Travellers
  • Starts & ends in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • Accommodation Hotel / Lodge / Safari Lodge
  • Transport Microbus
  •  See Departure Dates

Quick Itinerary Overview

An incredible journey from the contrasts of bustling Addis Ababa to the fascinating highlands of northern Ethiopia. Explore the intriguing ancient palaces, historical churches, and remarkable cultural treasures of the Ethiopian Highlands on this Historical Ethiopia Tour.

Begin with the impressive Blue Nile Gorge, Debre Libanos Monastery, and the old monasteries of Lake Tana, followed by Bahir Dar's vibrant market and the dramatic Blue Nile Falls. From there, drive to Gondar city to visit the famous churches and castles of the Royal Enclosure, Fasil Ghebbi, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Then this Historical Ethiopia Tour travels into the beautiful Simien Mountains to soak up the rugged scenery and spot rare and endemic animals. Next, drive through the scenic Wollo Mountains of the Ethiopian Highlands to Lalibela, home to the famous rock-hewn churches of King Lalibela. From world-renowned Lalibela, we drive back to Addis Ababa enjoying spectacular mountain scenery along the way. 

This affordable lodge safari takes you on an unforgettable historical, spiritual, and cultural exploration of Northern Ethiopia's unique highlights.

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Itinerary for this Tour

Day 01: Addis Ababa – Ethiopia

Welcome to the Horn of Africa! Your guide meets you at the International Airport in Addis Ababa when you arrive, and transfers you to your first overnight hotel in the city.

Addis Ababa, located at the foot of the Entoto Mountains, is the capital of Ethiopia. Africa’s fourth-largest city, Addis was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menekil, and today serves as the diplomatic capital of the continent. Known locally as the "new flower", the city is dotted with Eucalyptus trees and surrounded by mountains. Addis is a regional hub with a relatively cosmopolitan feel, offering interesting sights and delicious Ethiopian cuisine.

Places of interest include the National Museum, Ethnological Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and Merkato, one of Africa's largest open-air markets. View the old colonial buildings dotting the city, visit the sights and head up Mount Entoto to look out over the city and surrounds.

  • Accommodation: Jupiter International (or a similar 4-Star Hotel)

Day 02: Addis to Debre Markos via Blue Nile Gorge & Debre Libanos Monastery – Ethiopia

After breakfast we drive into the Ethiopian Highlands, making our way to Debre Markos in east-central Ethiopia. Our Historical Ethiopia Tour travels via the Blue Nile Gorge enjoying the spectacular scenery of this massive canyon.

Along the way, we visit the Debre Libanos Monastery. Ethiopia's largest monastery, Debre Libanos was founded by Saint Abune Tekle Haymanot in the 13th century. Debre Libanos became one of Ethiopia's most important religious centers and remains a popular pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians today. While at the monastery we see the mosaics of Afework Tekle, Ethiopia's most famous artist.

We may also visit the Portuguese Bridge, said to have been built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, if time allows. Located below the monastery, the Ethiopian Rift Valley can be viewed from the bridge. Then we drive on to the city of Debre Markos, also known as Mankorar.

  • Accommodation: Gozamen Hotel (or similar)

Day 03: Debre Markos to Bahir Dar (Blue Nile Falls) – Ethiopia

Start day three of your Historical Ethiopia Tour with breakfast at the hotel in Debre Markos. Then we set off on a scenic drive to the city of Bahir Dar, located on the shores of Lake Tana.

Arriving in Bahir Dar also called Bahar Dar, we have lunch before setting out for the impressive Blue Nile Falls. First, we drive along a rough road for about 35 km and then we cover the remaining short distance to the dramatic falls on foot. The Blue Nile Falls waterfall is about 45 meters (148 feet) high and is known as Tis Abay which translates as "great smoke" in Amharic.

We also stop in at the bustling cultural market of Bahir Dar to browse the local spices, fruits, vegetables, clothes, jewelry, and trinkets. Later in the afternoon, we drive to Bezawit Hill, located next to the former palace of Haile Selassie. From the top of Bezawit Hill, we get to look out over Bezawit Hill and watch the sunset over Lake Tana.

  • Accommodation: Abyminch Lodge (or similar)

Day 04: Bahir Dar & Lake Tana to Gondar – Ethiopia

Begin the day with breakfast, before catching a boat out onto Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia. The boat cruise takes us to the old monasteries tucked away on the islands and far shores of the lake. Many of the ornately decorated rock churches date back to the 14 century, with two dating back to the Gonderine Period (17th and 18th centuries).

One of the monasteries we visit is Ura Kidane Mihret, featuring an elaborately decorated main structure. Located on the Zege Peninsula, Ura Kidane Mehret is one of the finest examples of traditional Ethiopian Orthodox Christian monasteries, with colorful biblical scenes painted on its inner walls. This monastery is also known for its old manuscripts and ecclesiastical objects including gold and silver processional crosses and the crowns of emperors dating back to the 14th century. We also visit the small monastery of Azwa Mariam, located on an island in Lake Tana and also dating back to the 14th Century AD. A short walk brings us to the centuries-old church adorned with colorful, interior murals depicting biblical stories. Keep an eye out for the monks in their bright robes and the ancient relics of historical Azwa Mariam.

On our boat trip, we are likely to spot various birds, hippos, and local people paddling their reed boats known as tankwa. The handcrafted tankwa boats of today still resemble the boats of ancient Egypt. As the source of the Blue Nile River, Lake Tana has a fascinating history. This afternoon, after lunch, we drive north to the ancient city of Gondar, famous for its castles and palaces. Along the way, we pass through rural villages, gaining insight into the local Amhara culture of Ethiopia and the traditional farming methods used here.

  • Accommodation: Goha Hotel (or similar)

Day 05: Gondar – Ethiopia

We spend the whole of day five exploring the historical attractions of Gondar. Our Historical Ethiopia Tour takes us to the Royal Enclosure, called Fasil Ghebbi - the remnants of a once wealthy fortress city. The Royal Enclosure is a World Heritage Site consisting of six castles and other structures, along with the enclosed Fasilidas’s Pool used by Orthodox Christian pilgrims in Timket celebrations to this day.

We view the fortress of the royal enclosure, surrounded by a 300-foot-long wall, and visit the basalt-stone palace of Emperor Fasilidas, the oldest structure at this historical site. These royal ruins include the library of Emperor Yohannes I, the House of Song where royal ceremonies were held, the stately hall of Emperor Bakaffa, and the palace of the king's wife. Our tour includes the Kuskuam Palace Compound featuring Empress Mentewab's Palace and the Quskuam Mariam Church she built in honor of the Virgin Mary.

We also view the elaborate murals of the Debre Birhan Selassie Church in Gondar. One of Ethiopia's most important and best-known churches, Debre Birhan Selassie is an imposing building featuring colorful ceiling murals. Legend has it that a swarm of bees protected the church from attack by Sudanese dervishes in the late 1800s leaving Debre Birhan Selassie as the only church standing in Gondar.

  • Accommodation: Goha Hotel (or similar)

Day 06: Gondar & Simien Mountains National Park – Ethiopia

This morning our Ethiopia Tour heads to the incredibly scenic plateau of the Simien Mountains National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique wildlife and remarkable natural beauty. One of the most magnificent landscapes on earth, the Simiens is characterized by deep gorges and rugged mountains with rocky peaks and precipitous cliffs. Rare and endangered wildlife species inhabiting the mountainous plateau of the Simiens include the gelada baboon, the Ethiopian wolf (or Simien fox), and the locally endemic Walia Ibex (wild mountain goat). The park also incorporates diverse flora, across three botanical zones and is classified as an important global biodiversity hotspot.

Today you get to enjoy the awe-inspiring landscapes and look out for wildlife. In the Simien Mountains, we are sure to see the strange-looking gelada baboons found in large troops. We may also encounter the endangered Ethiopian wolf and the endemic Walia ibex, as well as a variety of birds and even caracal and jackal. After taking in the spectacular Simien Mountains we return to our hotel in Gondar.

  • Accommodation: Goha Hotel (or similar)

Day 07: Gondar to Lalibela – Ethiopia

On day seven of our Historical Ethiopia Tour, we drive from Gondar to the world-famous town of Lalibela. Home to historically significant rock-hewn churches, Lalibela is Ethiopia's top historical attraction. En route to Lalibela, we travel through the rugged Wollo Mountains of the Ethiopian Highlands, the largest high-altitude region in Africa. Here, we pause to visit the Amhara people, also known as Abyssinians, one of Ethiopia's largest and most dominant ethnic groups.

Our scenic drive brings us to Lalibela, referred to as the "New Jerusalem" because of its unique religious value.

  • Accommodation: Roha Hotel (or similar)

Day 08: Lalibela – Ethiopia

Today we visit the famous stone churches of Lalibela on our Historical Ethiopia Tour. Our exploration of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites begins after breakfast.

The most famous historical sites in Ethiopia, each of the 11 rock-hewn churches of King Lalibela is carved from a single block of granite. These churches were dug out of the rock bed and connected by tunnels, using immense skill and strength, many of them carved out underground!

We typically begin by visiting the northern group of churches, including Bet Medhane Alem, arguably the biggest monolithic church in the world. Bet Golgotha which houses the tomb of King Lalibela and impressive artworks is also found here (women are not permitted to enter). Other churches we see in the northern cluster include Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, and Bet Mikael.

Then we stop for lunch before making our way to the smaller southeastern group of churches, amongst them Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Our historical Lalibela tour usually ends with the most famous church, Bet Giyorgis - a massive monolith dug into the earth in the shape of a Greek cross.

  • Accommodation: Roha Hotel (or similar)

Day 09: Lalibela – Ethiopia

After breakfast, we take a muleback ride up to Asheton Maryam (or Mariam) Monastery, a semi-monolithic church set high up on a hilltop above Lalibela. This small church is carved into the cliffside and dates back to the 13th Century AD. Our excursion to Asheton Maryam provides beautiful views and time to admire the wonderful setting of this ancient church, at an elevation of nearly 4000 meters.

In the afternoon we are treated to a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony in Lalibela.

  • Accommodation: Roha Hotel (or similar)

Day 10: Lalibela to Kombolcha – Ethiopia

On day 10 of our Historical Ethiopia Tour, we leave Lalibela and its wonderous churches behind driving to Dessie in north-central Ethiopia. Today's drive takes us via the remote Wollo Mountains, traditionally viewed as the heartland of Ethiopia. Enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery of the Wollo Highlands as we drive to Kombolcha city.

  • Accommodation: Sunnyside Hotel (or similar)

Day 11: Kombolcha to Addis Ababa – Ethiopia

On the last day of our Historical Ethiopia Tour, we have breakfast and drive back to Addis Ababa.

This evening we gather at one of Addis's best traditional restaurants for a farewell dinner. Sample tasty Ethiopian dishes and enjoy folk dancing in celebration of your unique Ethiopian experience. After dinner in Addis, you are transferred to the airport for your onward travels.

Child Policy

This tour does not take children.

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+Included in the Tour Price
  • Hotel accommodation as per itinerary
  • All meals - full-board (except in Addis Ababa)
  • Ground transport (air-conditioned vehicle) 
  • Airport transfers
  • All entrance fees as per itinerary 
  • Professional English-speaking tour guide
  • Local guides
  • Lake Tana boat cruise to monasteries
  • All tours and visits as per the itinerary
+Not Included in the Tour Price
  • International flights
  • Lunch & dinner in Addis Ababa
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
+Departure Dates

This tour departs with a minimum of two guests.

Scheduled Tour Departures
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