Experience the historical and natural splendor of Northern Ethiopia on our comprehensive 10-Day Northern Ethiopia Exploration tour.
Explore the ancient cities of Axum and Lalibela, marvel at the stunning Gheralta Mountains, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Bahirdar and Gondar.
This Ethiopia tour is perfect for history buffs and nature enthusiasts, offering a blend of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural insights into Ethiopia’s past and present.
10-Day Northern Ethiopia Tour Highlights
- Day 1. Flight to Mekele
- Day 2. Hiking Gheralta Mountains
- Day 3. Drive to Axum
- Day 4. Axum – The Begining of Ethiopian Civilization
- Day 5. Drive to Mekele then Flight Back to Addis
- Day 6. Flight to Bahirdar
- Day 7. Drive to Gondar (Camelot of Africa)
- Day 8. Explore Simien Mountains National Park
- Day 9. Drive to Lalibela (Eight Wonders of the World)
- Day 10.Visit of Lalibela Churches then fly Back to Addis
Detailed 10-Day Northern Ethiopia Tour Itinerary
Day 1. Flight to Mekele
We shall take a flight from Addis Ababa to Mekele. On Arrival we shall drive to Wukro to visit the Abraha We Atsbeha church.
We shall then head to Hawzen for dinner and overnight.
Overnight Vision Hotel.
Day 2. Hiking Gheralta Mountains
We shall be headed for the Gheralta Mountains today after our breakfast.
To reach the summit of this mountain will take us about 2 hours.
The paths are narrow and steep.
While at the summit of the mountain, we shall have great views of the Tigray region.
We shall also see the rock hewn churches of the 14th century.
We shall have our lunch and after we shall hike the Abune Yemata Gughe.
This hike will also take us two hours to reach the summit.
Be ready with enough physical ability to hand two hikes in one day.
We shall have a to climb a 10 meter rock.
Overnight at Vision Hotel.
Day 3. Drive to Axum
We shall be headed for Axum today on leaving Hawzien.
We shall be making a brief stop at the Adwa Mountain.
This area is significant since it’s where the battle that defeated the attempted colonization of the country by the Italians occurred in 1896.
We shall drive towards the small town of Yeha.
This town houses a unique temple which was 12 meters high but was ruined.
It is believed that the temple is about 2500 years old and its architectural style believed to be Serbian will marvel you.
Overnight Yared Zema international Hotel.
Day 4. Axum – The Begining of Ethiopian Civilization
Axum is a very tiny town n the north of the country.
The town stands at an altitude of about 2,100 meters above sea level.
The Axumite civilization is believed to date back about 3000 years ago here.
The town is a good representation of pre and post Axumite civilization.
We shall visit the palaces of the ancient kings here and then the church of Mary of Zion and the palace of the Queen of Saba.
Overnight Yared Zema International Hotel.
Day 5. Drive to Mekele then Flight Back to Addis
We shall drive back to Mekele after breakfast for about 4 hours and later take a flight back to Addis Ababa.
Overnight Best Western premier.
Day 6. Flight to Bahirdar
We shall take a flight from Addis Ababa to Bahirdar.
On arrival you will be taken to your hotel and later be driven to lake Tana where we shall visit monasteries of Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam.
After our lunch we shall drive to the Blue Nile.
Overnight Jacaranda Hotel.
Day 7. Drive to Gondar (Camelot of Africa)
Today we continue to Gondar which is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Our drive shall be taking us through the stunning Amhara region landscape.
This township used to be a centre for most emperors in the 17th and 18th Centuries.
The area is also a link to the Simien highlands.
We shall visit the many castles of the former leaders here. We shall also visit the bath of King Fasilidas where the Timkate festival is held every year.
This festival is a very important one to the people of Ethiopia as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Overnight Haile Resort.
Day 8. Explore Simien Mountains National Park
Today we shall have breakfast and then head for a hike to the Simien Mountains which is another UNESCO world heritage site.
As we drive from Gondar to Debark, we shall go through areas with very beautiful scenery.
This mountain is the best place to see the endangered Gelada baboons and is also good for the nesting of the rare the Thick-billed Raven and Wattled Ibis.
The mountains are also known for the Afro Montane forest which is one of the largest in the region.
The forest is also mostly made of very huge Lobelias.
We shall return to Gondar for dinner and over night.
Overnight Haile Resort.
Day 9. Drive to Lalibela (Eight Wonders of the World)
We shall be driving to yet another UNESCO world heritage site, Lalibela.
This place is also known as the New Jerusalem.
The town is famous for the rock hewn churches and the marvel of how they were constructed to stand that high on the rock.
The hewn churches are also known as the Eight wonders of the world.
We shall also visit the South Eastern cluster churches: Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos.
Overnight Top Twelve Hotel or Similar.
Day 10.Visit of Lalibela Churches then fly Back to Addis
Today we shall be looking to explore the North Western cluster churches which are: Bet MedhaneAlem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha.
Here is this a very big monument of St. George who is also the patron saint of Ethiopia as a country.
The monument is in the shape of the cross. We shall later in the head take our flight back to Addis Ababa.
End Of 10 Days Northern Ethiopia Tour.
