Overview
This adventure combines Ethiopia’s history with its high mountains. After Addis Ababa, fly to Bahir Dar for Lake Tana’s monasteries and the Blue Nile Falls, then drive to Gondar and on into the Simien Mountains for three nights of trekking along the escarpment.
Fly on to Lalibela for three nights, with time to explore its churches in depth and hike to the mountaintop monastery of Asheton Maryam.
Route
Highlights
- Three nights in the Simien Mountains
- Gelada and walia ibex
- Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls
- Lalibela and Asheton Maryam hike
- Gondar's castles
Activities
- City tour
- Coffee ceremony
- Cultural dinner
- Boat trip to monasteries
- Blue Nile Falls walk
- Market visit
- Guided historical tour
- Church visits
- Timkat festival
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1:
Welcome to Addis Ababa
Addis AbabaArrive at Bole International Airport and transfer to your hotel. After a rest, visit the National Museum to meet "Lucy", then drive up Entoto Hill for views over the city. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner of injera with music and dance.
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Day 2:
Lake Tana Monasteries
Lake Tana & Bahir DarAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar & Lake Tana. Arrive in Bahir Dar and take a boat across Lake Tana to the Zege Peninsula, walking through coffee forest to Ura Kidane Mehret monastery, whose round church is covered in vivid murals.
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Day 3:
Castles of Gondar
GondarAfter breakfast, continue by road from Bahir Dar & Lake Tana to Gondar (about 3 hours). Explore the Fasil Ghebbi royal enclosure with its castles and palaces, then visit Debre Berhan Selassie church to see its famous ceiling of painted angels.
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Day 4:
Into the Simien Mountains
Simien MountainsAfter breakfast, continue by road from Gondar to Simien Mountains (about 2.5 hours). Take your first walk along the escarpment edge near Sankaber, where the land drops away for hundreds of metres and gelada troops graze on the grassy slopes.
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Day 5:
Trek to Geech
Simien MountainsTrek from Sankaber past the Jinbar waterfall, which plunges into a vast gorge, and climb to the village of Geech, where you can visit a local family. Spend the afternoon among giant lobelias and grazing geladas.
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Day 6:
Imet Gogo Viewpoint
Simien MountainsHike to Imet Gogo (3,926 m), one of the finest viewpoints in the Simiens, with spectacular views over pinnacles and gorges. Continue along the escarpment towards Chenek, looking for lammergeier soaring on the thermals.
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Day 7:
Lalibela's Rock-Hewn Churches
LalibelaAfter breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight from Simien Mountains to Lalibela. After lunch, begin exploring the northern cluster of rock-hewn churches, including Bete Medhane Alem, the largest monolithic church in the world, with its forest of columns.
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Day 8:
Bete Giyorgis & the Eastern Churches
LalibelaRise early to see pilgrims at prayer, then explore the eastern cluster of churches through tunnels and trenches. In the afternoon, visit Bete Giyorgis, the cross-shaped Church of Saint George, carved 12 metres into the rock — the most photographed site in Ethiopia.
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Day 9:
Yemrehanna Kristos & Asheton Maryam
LalibelaDrive into the countryside to Yemrehanna Kristos, an 11th-century church built inside a cave, or hike (or ride a mule) up to the mountaintop monastery of Asheton Maryam for sweeping highland views.
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Day 10:
Lalibela to Addis Ababa
LalibelaEnjoy a final early-morning activity and breakfast, then transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Addis Ababa. You will be met on arrival and transferred to Bole International Airport for your onward journey, or to a day room on request.
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Accommodation
This itinerary is priced with mid-range accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.
- Addis AbabaBoutique hotel in the Bole area1 night
- Lake Tana & Bahir DarLakeside hotel in Bahir Dar1 night
- GondarHotel near the royal enclosure1 night
- Simien MountainsMountain lodge near Sankaber and supported camping3 nights
- LalibelaHotel with views across the valley3 nights
Meals: Full board on tour days; breakfast and dinner in cities
What's included
Included
- Private vehicle with driver and an expert English-speaking guide
- Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- Entrance fees to churches, monasteries, museums and parks
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- All government taxes and levies
- 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
- Domestic and light-aircraft flights as described in the itinerary
- Park scouts, local guide and mule support in the Simien Mountains
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Camera and photography fees at some churches and villages
Travel information
Best time to travel
October to March for clear views and dry trails; September for wildflowers after the rains.
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
- Insect repellent and personal medication
- Soft-sided duffel bag — light aircraft allow around 15 kg per person
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees, and a scarf for women
- Socks for church visits (shoes are removed)
- A small torch for dark church interiors
- Warm layers, hat and gloves for nights at altitude
- Broken-in hiking boots and walking poles
Experiences on this safari
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private safari?
Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.
What does the price include?
The guide price from USD 3,250 per person is based on two people sharing mid-range accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Is there a luggage limit on the flights?
Yes. Light aircraft and some domestic flights allow around 15 kg per person including hand luggage, packed in soft-sided bags. We can store extra luggage for you.
Do I need to be very fit to trek in the Simiens?
Day walks are suitable for most people. Multi-day treks involve 5–7 hours of walking at altitude, so good fitness helps. We can adapt routes to your level.
Gallery
Open image: Addis Ababa skyline, Ethiopia
Open image: Bete Giyorgis carved into the rock at Lalibela
Open image: Lake Tana near Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Open image: Blue Nile Falls (Tis Abay), Ethiopia
Open image: Fasilides Palace in the Fasil Ghebbi royal enclosure, Gondar
Open image: Male gelada in the Simien Mountains
Open image: Rock-hewn Church of Saint George (Bete Giyorgis), LalibelaEnquire about this safari
Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.
