Private Tour

5 Days North Ethiopia Tours

Overview

120 hours

Mobile ticket

The northern Ethiopia is also Known as the Historical Circuit, there are over two millennia’s worth of ancient treasures scattered about, from giant obelisks and hidden tombs at Aksum to a collection of castles in and around Gonder, to unique churches in Lalibela, Tigray, Lake Tana and many other places. Not to be outdone by human mastery, Mother Nature really let her creative juices flow here. The Danakil Depression, an esteemed destination among adventure travellers, features a permanent lava lake and a bright-yellow sulphuric plain, while the Simien Mountains wrinkle the land with canyons and peaks with a beauty you’ll struggle to find anywhere else in Africa.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults

A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements

Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Car with professional driver

English speaking professional Guide

Hotel Accommodation 4 Nights

Entrance and scout fee

Boat trip on Lake Tana

Lunch & Dinner

Gratuities

Any Alcohol Drinks

Domestic Flights

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Bahar Dar Airport

Bahir Dar Ethiopia

Bole Airport

Addis Ababa Ethiopia

What To Expect

Day 1

Fly Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

Accommodations

Overnight Naky Hotel

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

Lake Tana

Be met and transferred to your hotel. Later, you will take a boat cruise on Lake Tana Lake Tana, which is dotted with island monasteries some dating back to the 14th century. Its 30 odd islands represent today a unique natural habitat for plant life. to visit the 14th century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret which is the most famous of the Zege peninsula monasteries.

3 hours • Admission Included

Blue Nile Falls

Afternoon, you will drive to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile falls. (Note that the volume of the water could be minimal because of the construction of the new dam.)The Blue Nile Falls are a waterfall on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia. They are known as Tis Issat in Amharic, when translated,means "smoking water" They are situated on the upper course of the river, about 30 kilometers downstream from the town of BahirDar and Lake Tana.

2 hours • Admission Included

Day 2

Drive Bahir Dar to Gondar

Accommodations

Overnight Haile Resort

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

Fasil Ghebbi

After having your breakfast, you will begin your journey to Gondar. The Royal Capital of Ethiopia, Gondar was founded in 1636 by Emperor Fassiladas. The medieval town of Gondar is located about 748 km from Addis Ababa Following the demise of Lalibela toward the end of the 13th century, Ethiopia had no national capital for hundreds of years. The emperors had to keep on the move on constant campaigns to safeguard their vast empire and ensure allegiance to their rule. For their seat of government, they had to make do with what are known in the historical literature as ‘roving tent capitals’. n the afternoon you will visit the city of Gondar with the drive to the Castles and Churches built by Emperor Fassiladas and his descendants

6 hours • Admission Included

Debre Birhan Selassie Church

Later Visit Debre Birhan Selassie church,Besides the eleven or so castles and related buildings, the 17th century Debre Birhan Selassie Church is the only one that has survived the repeated destructions of Gondar at hands of the Dervish (Egypto-Sudanse), Tewodros, the Italians and the British. The church is a rich showcase of the religious art of the Gonderine period and its ceiling of painted angels is only one of its kind.

1 hour • Admission Included

Day 3

Gondar Excursion to Simien Mountain National Park

Accommodations

Overnight Haile Resort

Simien Mountains National Park

After breakfast the trip starts from Gondar to the famous and beautiful Simien Mountains National Park. The park is known as the roof of Africa and contains several high mountains and the only place in Ethiopia registered by the UNESCO as a natural beauty. After two hours’ drive from Gondar we will start hiking on the Beautiful landscapes and mountains and admire the nature. There will be a chance to see some wild animals especially the endemic Gelada Baboons. Later you will be drive back to Gondar.

5 hours • Admission Included

Day 4

Fly Gondar to Lalibela

Accommodations

Overnight Maribela Hotel

Lalibela

After breakfast you will take to airport your flight to Lalibela. You will meet upon arrival and take to your Hotel. After lunch you will Visit the first group of seven churches lie in rock cradles one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mika'el, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danagl and Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem, the largest one, is built like a Greek Temple and its stone floor is so polished by the countless numbers of visitors that it reflects shafts of light from apertures in the walls high above. In a corner are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Later you will visit of the other groups of Rock churches of Lalibela Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches which lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the village on a sloping rock terrace.

4 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Day 5

Fly Lalibela to Addis Ababa

Accommodations

No Accommodation

Addis Ababa

In the morning after breakfast you will visit the remaining churches of Lalibela like Bete Gabriel, Bete Marqorios, Bete Emmanuel, and Bete Aba Libanos. Later drive to airport your flight to Addis Ababa.

3 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Options

5 Days North Ethiopia Tours

Pickup included

Reviews

4.83

24 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Best travel company and guide I have ever booked through, would recommend to anyone!
jonthang2025,
Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Everything about Ethiopia was excellent, from the booking office team of Aman tours and to our hotels and activities to our guide! I have no complaints at all and felt really comfortable during the trip and leading up with great communication from the team. Highly highly recommend, you won’t regret it!
I highly recommend this tour and its agency.
emilianof945,
May 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The trip was great. Ethiopia is a country full of friendly people, beautiful natural parks and natural beauty, numerous historic churches and unique tribal groups. Aman Ethiopian Tours has arranged a fantastic tailor-made trip for me and my son, with great hotels, GREAT GUIDES, excellent transport and a lot of attention to detail. All three guides were very knowledgeable, friendly and fun. Joseph, our guide in the south, was particularly knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend this tour and its agency.
Best price,Best Experience,Best Teams
reusg2024,
Mar 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We did 5 days north & 3 days Danakil Depression with Aman team. The experience was amazing, they took care very well of us. Aman was answered all our questions just clearly & Fikru in Lalibela was our guide and he was so smiley, He never stopped of telling the history of Ethiopia & for us to see Lalibela and take pictures was a dream .He was patient and you could feel he truly loves Biblical related history. In terms of price, each dollar paid was worth it, and checking with other agencies, we realized they have competitive prices in the market. So really don’t hesitate to take them as Ethiopia operator. Thanks Aman for such a great experience!!
Higley Recommend
S6145HEjuand,
Jan 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An amazing way to be introduced to Ethiopia. A comprehensive and insightful tour with a lot sights and history. Abe was an exceptional guide and extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
Amazing!
FarAway61634420114,
Jun 18, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Aman was flexible and created a custom itinerary for our group of seven. We had Jocy as our guide and Fruit as the driver. They were both detailed oriented, knowledgeable and ensured we had a memorable experience. Jocy was able to arrange for the most knowledgeable local guides for all our visits. It was a hassle free 5 days.
Ethiopia 5 Day Tour with Friends
Tina F,
Jun 18, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fabulous tour with Joyce and other guides/drivers. Very professional staff excellent accommodations. Highly recommend.
Totally awesome country, culture, history and people!
LorenaM701,
Jun 10, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Everything was just spectacular! Highly recommend AmanEthiopia Tours! We did the Northern Ethiopia 5 days tour of Gondar, Simien Mountains, Bahir Dar and Lalibela and it was simply wonderful. Our guide, Jocy, and driver, Frut, were the best as were our city guides. I had no idea Ethiopia was so beautiful and the history so amazing and the people so friendly! They took incredible care of us and went beyond all expectations. We were so impressed with everything and were so flexible, we are grateful. We feel like they are now family and will recommend them to everyone!
One of a life time trip!
clarim260,
May 3, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The trip from Lalibela to Addis Ababa is about 1 hour long one way by flight. Lucky enough the 5 days trip of north Ethiopia was pretty comfortable so we were able to see some wonderful places like Gondar-Lalibela-Bahir Dar,We felt a bit rushed over Bahir Dar there due our delay for view stop on our way from Gondar to bahir dar but guide was quite good. He was a very pleasant, social and funny man. He mixed-in lots of jokes and his character and care for us as a group really made up for that!
Service above and beyond!
Gtrak,
Oct 22, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A big thanks to all at Aman. Excellent service from before start, visa problems, to final pickup. Amanuel helped enormously and was always available to sort things out. Lovely hotels , great guides and an expert driver. I can't thank them enough. They turned a short trip into a memorable experience. I will happily recommend and next time try to come back with family or friends.
Awesome tour in Northern Ethiopia
louisesL6121TF,
Jul 5, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Did the 5 day Northern Ethiopia tour, although without Aksum due to the situation there. We were splendidly guided by Joseph and Niko drove us safely along the roads with some challenges on wet dirt-roads. Even though 5 days is short for such an interesting region, we felt that we saw a lot, learned a lot and experienced a lot. Can really recommend the company, the tour - and of course Joseph and Niko.