Ethiopia · Boating

3-Day Blue Nile Boat Tour in Bahir Dar with Awra Amba and Falls

3 Days Round trip from Bahir Dar Easy pace

Spot the fishermen with their Tankwas on the river

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Board a boat tour on the Blue Nile River
02 Visit Narga Selassie Church and the monasteries of Zege Peninsula
03 Learn about the beliefs and practices of the Awra Amba community
04 See sweeping views from the Emperor Haile Selassie Palace in Hamusit
05 Stroll around the beautiful Blue Nile waterfalls
06 Learn about the daycare programs at the Grace Centre

Board a boat on the Blue Nile River and explore the churches and monasteries of Lake Tana, with opportunities for birdwatching and sightings of fishermen using traditional Tankwa boats made from Cyprus papyrus plants. This 3-day experience also introduces you to the unique beliefs and practices of the Awra Amba community, along with sweeping views over Lake Tana, Bahir Dar city, the Blue Nile River, and the surrounding island monasteries from Hamusit. Round out the journey with a visit to the beautiful Blue Nile waterfalls and the Grace Centre, where you will learn about programs supporting women, children, and families in Bahir Dar.

Board a boat on the Blue Nile River and explore the churches and monasteries of Lake Tana, with opportunities for birdwatching and sightings of fishermen using traditional Tankwa boats made from Cyprus papyrus plants.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

City Bahir Dar

Languages Amharic, English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Blue Nile Boat Trip and Lake Tana Monasteries

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel in Bahir Dar. Receive a brief introduction to your full-day boat trip before heading to the harbour for a 3.5-hour journey to the outlet of the Blue Nile River.
Along the way, enjoy birdwatching and look out for hippos and fishermen using Tankwa, a traditional vessel made from Cyprus papyrus plants.
Later, continue to Narga Selassie Church, an Orthodox Tewahedo church located on the western shores of Dek Island.
Walk for 30-40 minutes through a coffee plantation and evergreen church forests.
Visit Betre Mariam and Ura Kidane Mihret monasteries with your Ethiopian tour guide.
Return to Bahir Dar and stay overnight at your hotel.

Day 02

Awra Amba Community and Hamusit Views

At 8:00 am, drive through Hamusit city to the Awra Amba community and learn about its unique beliefs and practices.
Take a city tour of Hamusit and visit the Emperor Haile Selassie Palace. Although it is not open to everyone, you can still enjoy excellent outside views over Lake Tana, Bahir Dar city, the Blue Nile River, the island monasteries, and the surrounding landscape.
Take in amazing views from Bahir Dar's viewpoint and explore cattle and open-air markets.
Return to your hotel and stay overnight.

Day 03

Blue Nile Waterfalls and Grace Centre Visit

After breakfast, head to the beautiful Blue Nile waterfalls. Later, visit the Grace Centre, one of the well-known foundations in Bahir Dar that helps women and families.
Learn about its daycare program and discover small businesses such as jewellery-making, bag-making, and sewing. You will also learn about the after-school care program and the children's temporary care home.
Return to your hotel in Bahir Dar.

Where this trip takes you

Lake Tana island monasteries, Ura Kidane Mehret, Blue Nile Falls

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Bahir Dar 1 city · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transportation (boat and surface transport), including gas oil
All entrance fees as per the program
All Ethiopian tour guide services as per the schedule
2 lunches
2 bottles of water for each person
2 coffee tastings
Government tax

What's Not Included

All accommodation
Meals except for 2 lunches
All flights
Tips - do not give tips unless you are happy with the service delivered to you.
All personal expenses

What to bring

Sun blocker
Sunglasses
Appropriate trekking shoes
Scarves for women
Hat for men
Recommended medicines (get advice from your doctor) and similar essentials
All travel documents

Know before you go

The Grace Foundation has a daycare program so that impoverished mothers can work without having to abandon their children, helping to prevent orphanhood. It works to keep families together by searching for and assisting single parents while encouraging them to become self-sufficient. It also has foster homes for children who cannot be reunified with their birth families. For these children, it works to arrange local adoption by Ethiopians and also helps children growing up in prison.
Note: This tour can be combined with other destinations in Ethiopia.
Bahir Dar city is the jumping-off point for visits to the spectacular scenic and historic attractions of Lake Tana, the Blue Nile River, and the Awra Amba community. Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and is situated in the north-western part of the country. Lake Tana was registered by UNESCO as a "man and nature - biosphere reserve area" in May 2015. The site covers a total area of more than 695,885 hectares and is a hotspot of biodiversity.

Logistics