Lucia R., Spain · Sep 2026
Great value
Everything in the description was included and nothing extra was pushed on us.
Popular Featured
Historic Route: Lalibela, Gondar & Axum
Nine days through Ethiopia’s medieval and ancient capitals, with time to walk through the rock-hewn churches, castles and stelae at an easy pace.
From USD 2,450 per person
Check datesOverview
The journey in brief
- Duration
- 9 days / 8 nights
- Where
- Northern · Lalibela
- Travel style
- Small group
- Best season
- October to March
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Price
- USD 2,450 per person
This journey follows the historic route through northern Ethiopia: the lakes of Bahir Dar, the castles of Gondar, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the ancient stelae of Axum.
Days are paced so there is time to walk, ask questions and take a place in. Domestic flights link the longer distances, so most of your time is spent seeing things rather than sitting in a vehicle.
Highlights
- Walk between the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela with a local guide
- Explore the castles of Fasil Ghebbi in Gondar
- See the giant carved stelae of Axum
- Take a boat on Lake Tana and visit an island monastery
- Domestic flights link the north, saving days on the road
What is included
- Accommodation as described, on a twin-share basis
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- A local English-speaking guide
- Transport in a private vehicle and any domestic flights listed
- Entrance fees to the sites in the itinerary
- Airport transfers
What is not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips for guides and drivers
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 1 Arrival in Addis AbabaAddis Ababa
You are met at the airport and taken to your hotel. In the evening we meet for a welcome dinner and go through the plan for the days ahead.
Activities
- Airport pick-up
- Trip briefing
- Welcome dinner
Day 2 Fly to Bahir Dar and Lake TanaBahir Dar
A morning flight north to Bahir Dar. In the afternoon we take a boat on Lake Tana to visit a monastery on one of its islands.
Activities
- Domestic flight
- Boat trip on Lake Tana
- Island monastery visit
Day 3 Blue Nile Falls and drive to GondarGondar
A short walk to the Blue Nile Falls, then a scenic drive to Gondar, once the capital of the Ethiopian empire.
Activities
- Blue Nile Falls walk
- Scenic drive
Day 4 Gondar’s castlesGondar
A full day in Gondar: the royal enclosure of Fasil Ghebbi, Fasilides’ Bath and the painted church of Debre Berhan Selassie.
Activities
- Fasil Ghebbi royal enclosure
- Debre Berhan Selassie church
Day 5 Fly to LalibelaLalibela
We fly to Lalibela and settle in. In the afternoon we visit the first group of rock-hewn churches, including Bete Medhane Alem.
Activities
- Domestic flight
- First group of churches
Day 6 The churches of LalibelaLalibela
The second group of churches and the most famous of all, Bete Giyorgis, carved in the shape of a cross. There is time to watch worshippers arrive.
Activities
- Second group of churches
- Bete Giyorgis
- Sunset viewpoint
Day 7 Fly to AxumAxum
A flight to Axum, followed by a visit to the northern stelae field and the tomb complexes nearby.
Activities
- Domestic flight
- Stelae field
- Archaeological museum
Day 8 Axum’s churches and old capitalAxum
The church of St Mary of Zion, the ruins of the ancient palaces and time in the town in the late afternoon.
Activities
- St Mary of Zion church
- Ancient ruins
- Town walk
Day 9 Return to Addis Ababa and departureAddis Ababa
A morning flight back to Addis Ababa. Depending on your departure time there is a last chance to shop for coffee and crafts before your transfer to the airport.
Activities
- Domestic flight
- Airport transfer
Itineraries can change with weather, road and flight conditions. We will tell you promptly if they do.
Gallery
A look at the trip
Photo: Unsplash
Good to know
Before you book
- Guide languages
- English, Amharic
- Minimum age
- 12 years and over
- Group size
- 2 to 12 travellers
- Meeting point
- Your hotel or Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa. We confirm the exact meeting time and place by email before you travel.
- Accessibility
- Many sites involve uneven ground and steps. Tell us about any mobility needs and we will advise.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A hat and sun protection
- A warm layer for cool evenings
- A small day pack
- A reusable water bottle
Dress code: Modest, comfortable clothing. Cover shoulders and knees when visiting churches.
Cancellation policy
This tour follows the Standard policy. Days are whole calendar days before departure.
| When you cancel | What you get back |
|---|---|
| 60 or more days before departure | Full refund |
| 30 to 59 days before departure | 75% refund |
| 15 to 29 days before departure | 50% refund |
| 8 to 14 days before departure | 25% refund |
| Fewer than 8 days before departure | No refund |
Reviews
What travellers say
4.6
★★★★★Based on 5 reviews
Jonas B., Sweden · Sep 2026
Small group, big memories
Twelve of us was the right size. We were looked after without feeling herded.
Priya S., Canada · Sep 2026
Wonderful trip, long days
We loved the sites. Some days were long, so bring a good book for the drives.
Marcus T., Germany · Sep 2026
Clear from the first email
The itinerary and the price were exactly as described, and our questions were answered quickly.
Ada L., Ireland · Sep 2026
Every day had a reason to be there
We never felt rushed or lost, and the guide brought the history to life.
Reviews are read and approved by our team before they appear.
Questions
About this tour
Are the domestic flights included?
Yes. The flights listed in the itinerary are included, and we handle the bookings. Baggage limits on domestic flights are stricter than on international ones; we tell you the current limit before you travel.
Is this tour suitable for older travellers?
It is rated Easy, but the churches involve uneven ground and steps. If you have mobility concerns, tell us before you book and we will advise.
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