Available languages
360 hours
Mobile ticket
There is no better way to explore without missing its major historical sites of the Christian Highlands of North Ethiopia than this 14-night and 15-day package tour. Our discovering the Grand Historical Route tour package guaranteed you would touch all the major historical cities in the North, and most of them registered as World Heritage Sites. In addition, you will have a wonderful opportunity to explore the Northern Ethiopian cultural aspects.
Let’s begin the tour with the 12th-century historical Monastery of Debre Libanos and cross to the beautiful Blue Nile River gorge, and in the late afternoon, we will arrive at the naturally gifted city of Bahir Dar, located on the lakeshore, to explore the iconic island monasteries of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country. Then, we will keep our tour to the city of Gondar for the Gondarian period kings’ castles exploration with their unique architectural styles.
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accommodation
local guide
All entrance fees All camping equipment
scout guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Fuel surcharge
Airport/Departure Tax
Domestic flight
Addis abeba, Bahir Dar, Gonder, lalibela, Axum lunch & Dinner
Photography and video fee
Laundry service
Tips
personal expanses
Bole Airport
Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Ethiopian Skylight Hotel
Airport Road Addis Ababa Ethiopia
overnight hotel
LUNCH
Lunch
Mount Entoto
01: Addis Ababa. Visit Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Tour the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Make a short drive to Entoto Hills for a view of the city and visit Maryam Church. En route, stop at the Sheromeda traditional cloth market. Visit the Mercato or the Sholla Market, two of Addis Ababa's main markets
overnight hotel
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Lake Tana
Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula. We will visit two of the following monasteries: Ura Kidane Mehiret, Azwa Maryam, Mehal Zege Giorgis, and Bete Maryam. End the day with a sunset visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile River.
overnight hotel
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Fasil Ghebbi
Through the countryside to Gondar. After lunch, tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty African empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels. Tour the baths of King Fasilides, which still serves as a baptismal pool during Timkat (Epiphany celebrated every January in the Ethiopian Orthodox liturgical calendar).
overnight camping sanaber
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Morning departure to Debark (100 km from Gondar), where the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park is located. Meet the scout, mountain guide, and others on the trekking team. Continue driving to Sankabar (31 km from Debark) and the first campsite of the National Park. On this drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, possibly spotting wildlife such as the endemic Gelada Baboons and the “bone breaker” bird Lammergeyer. Camp at Sankabar (3200 m.)
overnight camping Geech
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
3,600m elevation), which will take between 5-7 hours. After one and a half hours, see the Jinnbar River and falls, which you will cross later in the day. After crossing the river, ascend for about 2 hours to Geech. The scenery is wonderful, and a herd of Gelada Baboons can be seen on the journey. Camp at Geech (3600 m.)
overnight camping Geech
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Trekking Simien Mountains National Park Trek Geech - Imet Gogo - Kedadit - Seha - Geech. Trek to some of the best viewpoints in the National Park. Imet Gogo boasts spectacular views in every direction. Possible wildlife sightings on this 4-5 hour trek include the Simien Wolf, the Walia Ibex, and Klipspringers.
overnight camping Chenek.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
(3,620m elevation); trek along the 4,000-meter breathtaking Enatye escarpment before descending to Chenek. Walia Ibex and Gelada Baboons are routinely spotted.Overnight
overnight Ambiquo campsite
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Trekking Simien Mountains National Park Trek to Ambiquo campsite 3,200m) for approximately 9 hours via Mt. Buhit (4,430m); cross the Mesheha River before reaching Ambiquo.
Ambiquo camp for the overnight.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Ras Dashen
Early morning departure to the summit of Ras Dashen, at 4,543 meters, Africa’s fourth highest peak. Trek up the valley from your campsite to the small village of Mizma. From here, a steep climb brings you to an impressive amphitheater made up of three major buttresses of expanded rock. It is then an easy scramble to the summit. To reach the summit can take up to 6 hrs. Return to Ambiquo camp
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Trekking Simien Mountains National Park Trek Ambiquo - Chenek to Chenek, bypassing Mt. Buhit on the return. Overnight Camping
overnight hotel
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Gonder
Simien Mountains National Park - Gondar. Meet with vehicles and return to Gondar. Relax and recover from the trek.
overnight hotel
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela
Early moring fly to lalibela On Ethiopian Airlines. Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures was carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. In the late afternoon, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and learn the process for baking injera (a staple food for much of Ethiopia)
overnight hotel
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Monastery of Na’akuto La’ab
Early in the morning, we had breakfast at 8:00 am and drove 5 km from the town of Lalibela to visit the Na'akuto La'ab Monastery, one of a collection of ancient churches and monasteries found in the highlands that encircle Lalibela. We spent 3 hours there during our visit and later drove to Nakuto Làabe for a panoramic view, taking a walk for 5 minutes to refresh.
OVERNIGHT HOTEL
Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Visit the new and impressive archaeological museum. See St. Mary Tsion Church, which houses the Ark of the Covenant according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (no one is allowed to see the Ark). Visit other tombs and archaeological sites as time permits
OVERNIGHT HOTEL
National Museum of Ethiopia
Visit the National Museum, home of the 3 million-year-old skeleton “Lucy.” Optional souvenir shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to the airport for a late-night departure if needed.
Pickup included
2 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
G2480KLwilliamd,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
I had an amazing 17-day tour in Ethiopia with Vowland Ethiopia Tour, visiting Addis Ababa, Lalibela, Gondar, the Simien Mountains, the Danakil Depression, and the Omo Valley. From the very first day in Addis, I felt so warmly welcomed. Visiting Merkato and the National Museum was the perfect start to discovering Ethiopia’s incredible culture and history. Exploring the castles of Gondar and the beautiful sites in the north was truly unforgettable. My guide and all the staff were so kind, professional, and always made sure everything went smoothly. They really made the whole trip special and full of wonderful memories. I highly recommend Vowland Ethiopia Tour to anyone planning to visit Ethiopia. Thank you so much to the whole team for your amazing service and warm hospitality — you made my trip one I’ll never forget!
638mariuszt,
Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
If you are planning a trip to Ethiopia, I can wholeheartedly recommend Vowland. Traveling with them was an exceptional experience from start to finish. Everything was perfectly organized — from the logistics to the smallest details — yet I never felt rushed or overly managed. Instead, I always had a sense of freedom and comfort, knowing that everything was taken care of. What impressed me most was the quality of the local guides they work with. In every city and every national park we visited, there was someone knowledgeable, patient, and truly passionate about their work. They were attentive without being intrusive, and their calm, responsible attitude made me feel safe and well looked after throughout the journey. I honestly wish I could find such thoughtful and reliable guides in every country I visit. Vowland turned my trip to Ethiopia into something unforgettable — and I wouldn’t hesitate to travel with them again.
Operated by Vowland Ethiopia Tour