Ethiopia’s Northern Wonders: A 15-Day Adventure
sweetness of life of Lake Tana where we will spend 2 nights to appreciate its monasteries and discover the Blue Nile springs. Our passage through the Simien Mountains with its grandiose landscapes will be an opportunity to know the traditions of its inhabitants and to approach certain endemic species of Ethiopia. Still further north, the visit of the Aksum obelisk and the vertiginous churches of Tigray give us an overview of the history of Ethiopia. This trip will also take us through the incomparable adventure of an expedition to Dallol in the Danakil desert, to discover incredible landscapes and meet the courageous populations who exploit the salt there. Finally, we will stop in the unmissable city of Lalibela. This trip assumes that travelers take an international flight to Addis Ababa and back. At the end of the trip, the domestic flight Lalibela - Addis Ababa is included in the Arhotours package.
- Explore the vibrant capital, Addis Ababa, and its historical sites.
- Discover the serene beauty of Lake Tana and visit its monasteries.
- Experience an adventure in the Danakil Desert, including a visit to the Dallol volcano.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Monolithic Churches of Lalibela.
Itinerary
- Arrival in Addis Ababa - transfer to hotel
- Shopping and activities according to arrival time in Addis
- Evening meal in Addis at Jewel of India
- Night: Abegaz Hotel Addis Ababa
- Morning: Walk on the heights of Entoto- Visit of the museum and the imperial palace- Entoto Mariam Church- Haile Gebre Selassie Sports Complex
- Lunch at the Taitu Hotel, the oldest hotel in the capital.
- Afternoon: Visit to the National Museum (Lucy's bones) and the Red Terror Martyrs' Museum - Shiro Meda Traditional Clothing Market
- Evening meal at Habesha 2000 with Ethiopian dance show
- Night: Abegaz Hotel in Addis Ababa
- Morning: Departure in 4×4 to Debré Markos (300 Km - 6 hours)
- On the way: visit of the monastery of Debre-Lebanos (100 km)
- Stop at the Blue Nile Gorge (200 km)
- Evening meal in Debré Markos at the Gozamen Hotel
- Night: Gozamen Hotel
- Morning: Departure in 4×4 to Bahir Dar (250 km - 5 hours)
- Lunch on the way
- Afternoon: walk in Bahir Dar and around the lake
- Evening meal at Misrak Special Food
- Night: in Bahir Dar at the RahNile Hotel.
- Morning: Boat trip on Lake Tana to visit 4 monasteries and the mouth of the Blue Nile.
- Monasteries of Ura Kidame Meret, Azuwa Maryam, Kebran Gabriel, and Debre Maryam
- Lunch: restaurant at Castel Kuriftu Wine House
- Afternoon: Visit the Blue Nile Falls
- Evening meal at the Desset Resort
- Night: RahNile Hotel in Bahir Dar
- Morning: Departure to Gorgora (170 km - 3 hours)
- Visit the village of Awra Amba on the way
- Lunch in Gorgora at the "Tim and Kim Village" lodge on the shores of Lake Tana.
- Afternoon: ornithological excursion - Canoeing on the lake
- Evening meal in Gorgora at the lodge
- Night: Tim and Kim Village Lodge
- Morning: Departure to Debark (160 km - 3 hours)
- Visit the palaces and churches of the Royal Enclosure in Gondar before departure to Debark
- Lunch in Gondar at Four Sisters Restaurant
- Afternoon end of the journey to Debark
- Evening meal in Debark at the Sona Hotel
- Night at the Sona Hotel
Morning: Excursion to the Simien Mountains
- Visit of the village of Argin: trek, ingera cooking, and coffee ceremony
Lunch at Simien Lodge (the highest in Africa)Afternoon: excursion to mountain villages and Jinbar FallsEvening meal at the Sona Hotel in DebarkNight: at the Sona Hotel
- Morning: Departure to Aksoum (250 km - 5h30)
- Lunch on the way
- Afternoon: Visit of the old quarter in Aksoum
- Late afternoon: relaxation at the RemhaiHotel swimming pool
- Aperitif while admiring the sunset on the terrace of the Yeha Hotel
- Evening meal at Antika Cultural Restaurant with traditional dance shows
- Night at the RemhaiHotel in Aksoum
- Morning: Departure for Hawzen (130 km - 3h15)
- Visit of the North stelae field in Aksum before leaving for Hawzen
- Basket Market
- Lunch in Aksoum at the Empire Restaurant & Bar
- Afternoon: journey in 4×4
- Evening meal in Hawzen at Gheralta Lodge
- Night at Gheralta Lodge
- Morning: Visit 3 churches in Tigray - access to some of them requires good physical condition and not to be prone to vertigo
- OR visit to the village of Cheila for a meeting with the local population
- Lunch in Hawzen
- Afternoon: Departure for Mekélé (103 km - 2 hours)
- Evening meal in Mekélé at Karibu Restaurant
- Night: Yordanos Hotel de Mekélé
- Departure - the morning of day 12
- Return trip in 4×4
- Discovering the indescribable colours and landscapes of the Dallol volcano
- Night of the 12th bivouac in Hamed Ela
- Return to Mekélé at the end of day 13
- Evening meal at the Black Rose
- Night of the 13th at the Yordanos Hotel in Mekélé
- Morning: Departure to Lalibela (317 km - 7 hours)
- On the way, lunch
- Evening meal in Lalibela at the Seven Olives Hotel
- Night in Lalibela, at the Lal Hotel equipped with a swimming pool and a spa/sauna
- Lunch at the Ben Abeba restaurant and its superb view
- Evening meal at Unique Restaurant
- Night: at the Lal Hotel de Lalibela
- Arrival at Addis airport where you will have the connection for your international flight home.
Note: Unpredictable events can lead us to modify the program (ex: flooded wadi on the way).
What is included in this trek package?
What is excluded in this trek package?
Official Trek Map
The best time to visit Ethiopia is between Oct and Mar, when the weather is relatively dry and cool.
Yes, a visa is required for most nationalities. You can apply for an e-Visa online before your trip.
This trip includes some challenging hikes and visits to remote areas, so it's recommended for adults and older children. Always check with the tour company for specific age suitability.
The trip involves some moderate to challenging treks, especially in the Simien Mountains and Dallol Desert, so participants should have a reasonable level of fitness.
Accommodations range from standard hotels to lodges and guesthouses, with a focus on comfort and local experiences.
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4x4 Vehicle
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3 Stars Hotels
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Addis Abeba
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Feb, Mar, Apr & May
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Eco-Tour, Trekking
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All meals during the trek
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English, French, Arabic
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hard
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1-10
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4
-
65
Overview
Ethiopia’s Northern Wonders: A 15-Day Adventure
sweetness of life of Lake Tana where we will spend 2 nights to appreciate its monasteries and discover the Blue Nile springs. Our passage through the Simien Mountains with its grandiose landscapes will be an opportunity to know the traditions of its inhabitants and to approach certain endemic species of Ethiopia. Still further north, the visit of the Aksum obelisk and the vertiginous churches of Tigray give us an overview of the history of Ethiopia. This trip will also take us through the incomparable adventure of an expedition to Dallol in the Danakil desert, to discover incredible landscapes and meet the courageous populations who exploit the salt there. Finally, we will stop in the unmissable city of Lalibela. This trip assumes that travelers take an international flight to Addis Ababa and back. At the end of the trip, the domestic flight Lalibela - Addis Ababa is included in the Arhotours package.
- Explore the vibrant capital, Addis Ababa, and its historical sites.
- Discover the serene beauty of Lake Tana and visit its monasteries.
- Experience an adventure in the Danakil Desert, including a visit to the Dallol volcano.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Monolithic Churches of Lalibela.
What is included in this trek package?
What is excluded in this trek package?
Official Trek Map
Highlights
- Explore the vibrant capital, Addis Ababa, and its historical sites.
- Discover the serene beauty of Lake Tana and visit its monasteries.
- Experience an adventure in the Danakil Desert, including a visit to the Dallol volcano.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Monolithic Churches of Lalibela.
