8 Days Tour to Northern Ethiopia: Gondar Castles, Simien Mountains Trekking & Lalibela
Overview
This 8-day Northern Ethiopia tour combines the cultural highlights of Addis Ababa, Gondar, the Simien Mountains, and Lalibela. Experience Ethiopia’s royal castles, dramatic mountain landscapes, trekking adventures, wildlife, and the world-famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Day 1: Arrival & Addis Ababa City Tour
Visit Entoto Mountain, the National Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa.
Overnight: Triple E Hotel, Addis Ababa
Day 2: Fly Addis Ababa – Gondar
Fly to Gondar and visit the Royal Enclosure containing the castles of King Fasilidas, King Iyasu, Queen Mentewab, and other historical buildings. Visit Fasilidas’ Bath and Debre Berhan Selassie Church with its beautiful winged angel paintings.
Overnight: AG Hotel, Gondar
Day 3: Gondar – Sankaber
Drive from Gondar to Debark to obtain permits and collect the obligatory scout before continuing to Sankaber for the first overnight camp. Begin trekking through the Simien Mountains while enjoying chances to see Gelada baboons.
Overnight: Camp Site
Day 4: Sankaber – Geech
Trek to Geech via the spectacular Jinbar Waterfall. The route offers scenic mountain views and giant lobelia plants. The nearby Kedadit summit provides an excellent sunset viewpoint.
Overnight: Camp Site
Day 5: Geech – Ambaras – Gondar
Trek from Geech to the Imet Gogo promontory for one of the most spectacular views in the Simien Mountains. This is also a great day for spotting Lammergeier vultures. Afterwards, drive back to Gondar.
Overnight: AG Hotel, Gondar
Day 6: Gondar – Lalibela
Fly or drive from Gondar to Lalibela. After lunch, visit the first group of Lalibela’s famous rock-hewn churches.
Overnight: Panoramic View Hotel
Day 7: Full-Day Visit of Lalibela
After breakfast, visit Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikael, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, and Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem is the largest monolithic rock-hewn church in the world and is built like a Greek temple.
Overnight: Panoramic View Hotel
Day 8: Lalibela – Addis Ababa
After breakfast, fly to Addis Ababa. End of tour.
Included
- Accommodation
- Domestic flight from Gondar to Lalibela
- Guide service
- Entrance fees
- Government tax
- 4WD transportation to and from Gondar
- Scout
- Cook and cooking materials
- Mule and mule handler
- Tent or community house accommodation
- Sleeping bags and mattresses
- All park entrance fees
- Food and bottled mineral water
Destinations & Activities
2 Days Simien Mountains Trekking
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3 Days Trek To Simien Mountains
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3 Days Danakil Depression Tours
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