Addis AbabaBahir DarSimien Mountains National Park LalibelaAxum Gondor
The Historic Route tour of Ethiopia is a perfect introduction to exploring the Historical and cultural splendour of a country with over 3000 years of history. From big cities to protected UNESCO World Heritage sites, the northern regions of Ethiopia encompass some of Africa’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring landscapes, from the Rift Valley to the highest mountains. Start your tour in the diplomatic capital of Africa, Addis Ababa, before visiting Bahir Dar and embarking on a cruise of Lake Tana, the highest lake in Africa and the source of the Blue Nile. Travel to Gondor, the ancient capital of Ethiopia, known as the Camelot of Africa, for its medieval castles and churches. Take an excursion to the Simien Mountains, Ethiopia’s most popular hiking destination, hosting the fourth-highest mountain in Africa. Then, visit Axum, the land of the Queen of Sheba and the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Before spending a few days in Lalibela, the “Jerusalem of Africa”, home of the fascinating rock-hewn churches from the 12th century. Ending your adventure back in Addis Ababa.
Itinerary Highlights
Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
Explore Addis Ababa’s Culture
Journey to the Rock Churches
Hike the Simien Mountains
Visit the renowned Island Monasteries
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
8
Nights
Price Guide
$TBC pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Addis Ababa
Day 2
Bahir Dar
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar, You will be met on arrival and will drive to the Blue Nile Falls. After lunch, enjoy a boat trip over Lake Tana to visit two of the renowned Island Monasteries of the Lake; namely, Ura Kidane Mihret and Azua Mariam. Both have wonderful wall-paintings which depict scenes from the Old and the New Testaments of the Holy Bible. Later in the afternoon, you’ll visit the market, where you can find the typical hand-woven capes and scarves made of good, local cotton. Also, you can visit Weyto village, 2km west of town, known for its production of Tankwa boats. Lastly, you’ll encounter the Palace of Emperor Haile Selassie at Bizeit, with great views of the town and the lake, including where the Blue Nile flows from the Lake.
Day 3
Gondor
After breakfast, transfer by vehicle to Gondar, You’ll check in to the hotel before embarking on your exploration of Gondar, the imperial city of Fasilides. The city was the first capital of the Ethiopian empire, which began in 1632, with the reign of Fasilides; and the kings of Ethiopia based their power there for over two centuries, During this day of remarkable sights, you will pause for breath and for lunch at the Four Sisters Restaurant, which offers the finest cuisine in Gondar.
Day 4
Simien Mountains National Park
After breakfast, you’ll drive to the Simien Mountains National Park, which will take approximately 2hours.
The Simien Mountain National Park is an area of highlands in the northern part of Ethiopia consisting of some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. It was added to the World Heritage Site list in 1978. With a total area of 190km2, the Simien Mountains boast 57 tree species, a wealth of herbaceous plants, 22 large and 13 small mammals and about 180 recorded bird species. Of these, the Walia ibex, Ethiopian wolf, Menelik’s Bushbuck and the Gelada baboon are endemic.
Before heading to Sankaber, you’ll stop at Bauit–Ras for an unforgettable view of the Chain Mountains. You will then drive (or, walk, for those who wish) from Bauit–Ras to Sankaber. Here you can observe the beautiful landscape and animals like the Gelada Baboon (or the ‘bleeding-heart’ Baboon) and the lion monkey. Afterwards, you’ll return to Gondar.
Day 5-6
Lalibela
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lalibella after breakfast.
Lalibela is rightly acknowledged as being one of the Wonders of the World. At the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries, King Lalibela of the Zaghwe dynasty built a series of rock-hewn churches in this spot, calling it New Jerusalem. 11 churches in the town are named after the King.
After checking in to your hotel, you’ll begin your tour of the first group of six churches in town, and then continue to explore the others later in the afternoon. During the day you’ll have lunch at Ben Abeba restaurant, which offers traditional Ethiopian & western food, in comfortable surroundings, with a spectacular view.
Visit to a Naktolaab Church just outside Lalibela. It is named after its constructor, the nephew and successor of King Lalibela. This relatively simple church is built around a shallow cave in which several holy pools are fed by natural springs. It has many treasures, some of which are claimed to have belonged to Naktolaab himself. These include paintings, crosses and a leather bible.
Day 7
Axum
Today, after breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight to Axum.
After refreshing at the hotel, you can start to explore Axum, which is renowned for its cathedral of St. Mary Zion, where, as legend has it, the original Ark of the Covenant is housed. There are several standing monolithic stelae which are made of single pieces of granite, on which three have identical decoration. Another treasure includes The Queen of Sheba’s Palace. The site contains the remains of what was once a massive palace with finely-mortared stone walls, deep foundations and its own impressive drainage system. It is believed to be the oldest building in Axum.
Day 8
Addis Ababa
Today you will transfer to the airport for your return flight to Addis Ababa.
After taking a rest you’ll drive up to the Entoto Hills, which offers captivating insight into Addis Ababa. Mt. Entoto is the highest peak in Addis reaching 3,200 meters above sea level, giving the opportunity to catch stunning views over the city and the surrounding area from the summit. It is the first settlement in Addis Ababa where Emperor Menelik II resided and built his palace in 1887 and offers a unique glimpse into the history of Ethiopia’s distinct culture. The compound at the peak hosts the Entoto Mariam church, an Ethiopian artefact museum, as well as Menelik II palace.
As you tour up the hill there is an appreciable drop in temperature and the air is filled with the scent of the Eucalyptus trees which line the road.
On the way up the roadside, stalls offer fresh Ethiopian coffee. If you have an interest in Ethiopian traditional clothes, it will be possible to stop by at the Shero Meda Market, time permitting. There is a wide variety of beautiful fabrics, shawls, scarves, dresses, tops and jewellery with lots of choices and offers an opportunity to buy gifts or souvenirs.
Your last night in Ethiopia will be a memorable farewell dinner at one of Addis Ababa’s wonderful cultural or international restaurants.
Day 9
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $TBC per person
When to travel
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The optimum time to visit Ethiopia is from mid-October to January when the rainy season has come to an end and the countryside is still quite green. This is also the peak tourist season, so facilities and sites of interest tend to be busier than at other times. It is well worth aiming to be in Lalibela or Gondar for Timkat (Ethiopian Epiphany), another wonderfully colourful celebration held on 19 January (except on leap years). Dry season, from February to May, is also a good time to visit, though the scenery tends to become drier and browner towards the end of this period, except in the far south where the first rains often start as early as April. Wildlife can be observed throughout the year, November to March – is particularly rewarding for bird watching.
Ethiopia in January has a dry season with mostly sunny days and temperatures ranging from 17°C to 24°C. It is the perfect time to visit the country and explore its many attractions and cultural sites. The nights can be cool, so it is advisable to bring warm clothes.
February is the driest month in Ethiopia, with warm temperatures and bright sunshine. The average temperature is around 25°C during the day, and 15°C at night. It's the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities and explore Ethiopia's natural beauty.
March is the hottest month in Ethiopia with temperatures ranging from 21-30 degrees Celsius. The weather is sunny and dry with little chance of rain. Ethiopia is a great destination for travelers looking to experience warm temperatures and sunny days.
April in Ethiopia is generally warm and dry with temperatures ranging from 18-25°C. Rainfall is minimal with rain showers occurring mainly in the evening. It is an ideal time to visit for those who want to explore the country and take part in outdoor activities.
The weather in Ethiopia during May is characterised by gradually increasing temperatures and a higher chance of rainfall. The average daily temperature ranges from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, providing a pleasant and relatively warm climate. However, it is important to note that the weather can vary depending on the specific region within Ethiopia. The temperatures are generally cooler in the northern highlands, while in the lowland areas, it can be hotter. As the rainy season approaches, sporadic showers and thunderstorms become more frequent, especially towards the end of the month. These showers help to cool down the temperature and bring much-needed relief from the dry months.
As the country enters its summer months, the rainfall gradually increases, bringing much-needed relief from the dry and hot conditions of the preceding months. The average temperature in June ranges between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, depending on the region. The rainfall is more pronounced in the central and northern parts of the country, while the southern areas experience relatively less precipitation. June marks the beginning of a greener landscape as the rain rejuvenates the vegetation, creating a vibrant and lush environment.
This is a period of significant rainfall across the country, with varying intensity depending on the region. Ethiopia’s central and southern parts experience heavy rainfall, while the northern highlands receive moderate precipitation. The temperatures during this month are relatively mild, with average highs ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. The rainy season brings lush green landscapes and helps support agricultural activities in the country.
A mix of rainy and dry conditions characterises the weather in Ethiopia during August. It is part of the country's rainy season, with precipitation occurring in various regions. However, rainfall can vary significantly depending on the specific location. In general, the highlands experience more rainfall compared to the lower-lying areas. Temperatures during this month are generally mild to warm, with average highs ranging from around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Carrying an umbrella or raincoat when travelling to Ethiopia in August is advisable, as sudden showers can occur.
In Ethiopia, the weather in September is characterised by the transition from the rainy to the dry season. Throughout the month, the country experiences a decrease in rainfall, leading to drier conditions than the previous months. The average temperature during September ranges from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius, depending on the region. In the northern highlands, temperatures tend to be slightly cooler, while in the lowlands, temperatures can be hotter.
In Ethiopia, the weather in October is characterised by the transition from the rainy to the dry season. The average temperature during this month ranges between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, providing pleasant and mild conditions. As the rainy season ends, the precipitation decreases significantly, and the skies become clearer. However, carrying an umbrella or raincoat is still advisable, as occasional showers may still occur.
In general, the temperatures start to cool down as the month progresses. During the day, the weather is usually pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. However, in some parts of the country, especially in higher elevations, temperatures can drop significantly, reaching as low as 10 degrees Celsius at night. Rainfall decreases significantly in November, with only occasional showers or drizzles in some areas.
December marks the beginning of the dry season in most parts of the country. The northern highlands experience cooler temperatures, with average highs ranging from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius and lows dropping to 6 degrees Celsius. In contrast, Ethiopia’s lowlands and eastern parts can be significantly warmer, with average highs reaching 30 degrees Celsius or more. While rainfall is scarce during this time, some areas may still experience occasional showers or drizzles.
Add on’s
There is a multitude of options to add to your Ethiopian Historic Northern Route tour, for example visiting many of Ethiopians national parks, for wildlife watching or trekking.
Visit the Danakil region is the lowest point of Africa and also one of the hottest. This deep depression in the desert is the result of the rifting process which formed the Red Sea and the great African Rift Valley.
Or visit neighbouring countries like Tanzania, Kenya or Sudan,
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