Ethiopia · Religious & Spiritual

6-Day Northern Ethiopia Historic Route Tour with Lalibela and Axum

6 Days Round trip from Addis Ababa Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Scenic drive up Mount Entoto for panoramic views over Addis Ababa
02 See the iconic 'Lucy' fossil at the National Museum in Addis Ababa
03 Cruise Lake Tana to visit the 14th-century monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret
04 Explore Gondar's royal castles and historic churches built by Emperor Fassiladas
05 Discover Axum's sacred sites, stelae, and ancient royal ruins
06 Marvel at Lalibela's awe-inspiring underground rock-hewn churches

Embark on a journey through Northern Ethiopia's cultural and historic treasures, from the panoramic heights of Mount Entoto to the ancient wonders of Axum and Lalibela. Explore Addis Ababa's National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the Ethnographic Museum, then cruise across Lake Tana to the 14th-century monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret and visit the Blue Nile Falls. Discover Gondar's royal castles and churches, continue to Axum's sacred and archaeological landmarks, and end with Lalibela's awe-inspiring rock-hewn churches. The experience concludes with a vibrant folkloric dinner, traditional coffee ceremony, and a taste of Ethiopia's diverse cultural heritage.

Embark on a journey through Northern Ethiopia's cultural and historic treasures, from the panoramic heights of Mount Entoto to the ancient wonders of Axum and Lalibela.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Addis Ababa, Gondar, Bahir Dar, Aksum, Lalibela, Mount Entoto

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Addis Ababa Sightseeing and Mount Entoto

Arrive and transfer to your hotel in Addis Ababa.
Begin your sightseeing with a drive up to Mount Entoto for a panoramic view of Addis Ababa.
Descend and drive to the National Museum for a chance to see the oldest hominid, the 'Lucy' fossil.
Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, built during World War II.
Then proceed to the Ethnographic Museum, which used to be the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie.

Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Day 02

Flight to Bahir Dar, Lake Tana and Blue Nile Falls

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar.
Meet on arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Later, take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 14th-century monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret, the most famous of the Zege Peninsula monasteries.
In the afternoon, drive to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile Falls.

Overnight in Bahir Dar.

Day 03

Drive to Gondar and Explore Its Castles and Churches

After breakfast, begin your journey to Gondar.
In the afternoon, visit the city of Gondar, including a drive to the castles and churches built by Emperor Fassiladas and his descendants.
Proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie, known for its wonderful mural art, and Qusquam Church.

Overnight in Gondar.

Day 04

Flight to Axum and Ancient City Tour

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Axum.
Take a city tour to St. Mary's Church, the sanctuary chapel that is the repository of the 'Ark of the Covenant,' the coronation yard, and Stelae Park.
Visit the Tomb of Kaleb and his son Gebre Meskel, as well as Ezana's Inscriptions.
Continue the tour to the Queen of Sheba's Bath, the Queen of Sheba's palace ruins, and the Axum Museum.

Overnight in Axum.

Day 05

Flight to Lalibela and Rock-Hewn Churches

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela.
Arrive and transfer to your hotel.
In the afternoon, visit the top attractions of Lalibela, including its underground rock-hewn cathedrals.

Overnight in Lalibela.

Day 06

Return to Addis Ababa and Departure

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa.
In the evening, attend a folkloric dinner and get a chance to taste several national dishes while watching dances from the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia.
Enjoy the traditional coffee ceremony, which will also be served.
Later, transfer to the airport for departure.