Ethiopia: Northern Explorer
Group Tour
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Overview
This is a great itinerary which gives a real insight into some of Northern Ethiopia’s highlights whilst also offering a few additional hidden treasures.
Starting our tour in Addis we will fly north to the ancient capital of Axum, known as the heart of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. From here we continue to the stunning Simien Mountains National Park to go hiking amongst the beautiful landscapes and hopefully spot some of the endemic wildlife.
With time in Gonder to see its medieval ...
This is a great itinerary which gives a real insight into some of Northern Ethiopia’s highlights whilst also offering a few additional hidden treasures.
Starting our tour in Addis we will fly north to the ancient capital of Axum, known as the heart of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. From here we continue to the stunning Simien Mountains National Park to go hiking amongst the beautiful landscapes and hopefully spot some of the endemic wildlife.
With time in Gonder to see its medieval castles we then fly to Lalibela to explore the impressive rock-hewn churches (which for some are considered to be the 8th wonder of the world). From here we undertake a rewarding village walk, spending 2 nights with local communities in conjunction with a community-based tourism project called TESFA (Tourism in Ethiopia for Sustainable Future Alternatives). Finishing on the shores of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, here we can enjoy a boat ride on the lake and a visit to the famous Blue Nile Falls.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use a mini bus, a boat, internal flights and your own two feet!
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos and wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip.
On this tour we will stay in a variety of hotels, lodges & community owned guesthouses. These are chosen based on location or the quality of the rooms, but please note that an open mind will be very much appreciated as the hot water and the Wi-Fi won’t necessarily work all of the time – this is Ethiopia! Whilst on the TESFA trek you will stay in basic huts, where you will be between three to four to a room with shared facilities.
Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour Starts in Addis Ababa
Day 1 Tour Starts in Addis Ababa
Meeting at our hotel this morning, there will be time to relax and freshen up before having lunch and an orientation tour around Ethiopia’s colourful capital, including Unity Park and the National Museum. In the evening we’ll have an early dinner back at our hotel in preparation for the trip ahead.
Day 2 Addis Ababa - Axum
Day 2 Addis Ababa - Axum
A morning flight takes us to Axum, a town steeped in more than 2,500 years of history. We’ll visit some of the key sites such as the palace and tomb of King Kaleb, the extraordinary stelae field (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the tomb of King Remhay, and the church of St Mary of Tsion, in which the Ark of the Covenant is allegedly hiding! Depending on time we will also visit the Queen of Sheba’s Palace (if not the following morning).
If by the time of departure Axum is not yet deemed viable or suitably safe, we will instead take a morning flight to Gonder. From here we will drive to Gorgora and have lunch at an idyllic spot on the shore of Lake Tana, an ideal place to relax and try and try to identify some of the abundance of bird species that make this area their home. We’ll then visit the Debresina Mariyam church, famous for its 17th century wall paintings depicting religions scenes including the ‘Egyptian St Mary’ which locals believe to have healing properties. We drive back to Gonder in time for dinner this evening.
Day 3 Axum - The Simien Mountains National Park
Day 3 Axum - The Simien Mountains National Park
Our journey continues south west (or North-East if coming from Gonder) to the Simien Mountains National Park, stopping for lunch en route. The scenery along this route is truly breath-taking and there will be time for photo stops along the way. On arrival to the Simiens there should be time for a leisurely walk in the nearby area where with some luck we'll get to see some of the wildlife the park is known for, including lammergeier vultures, Gelada baboons and bushback. Approx. 6-7 hours driving if coming from Axum.
Day 4 Simien Mountains National Park
Day 4 Simien Mountains National Park
Today we’ll have a full day to explore the stunning landscapes the National Park is renowned for. Taking a picnic lunch with us we’ll walk along the escarpment taking in the exceptional views. Without doubt we’ll get to spend some time observing the Gelada baboons and if we’re lucky we might get to see the elusive walia ibex.
Day 5 Simien Mountains National Park - Gonder
Day 5 Simien Mountains National Park - Gonder
Leaving the mountains behind our next stop is Gonder, where we’ll visit the key sites of the ancient capital including the Debre Birhan Selassie church (Light of Trinity) with its wonderful murals. We’ll also visit the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its medieval castles, architecturally unique and unlike anything else found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Approx. 3 hours driving
Day 6 Gonder - Lalibela
Day 6 Gonder - Lalibela
This morning we will catch a flight to Lalibela, arriving late morning. This isolated town, situated high up in the Lasta Mountains, is famous throughout the world for its incredible rock hewn churches. At 2,630m and perched among wild mountains, the setting is fantastic. From the 10th to the mid-13th century it was the capital of the Zagwe Dynasty that ruled the country and it was under the direction of its most famous King, Lalibela, that the churches were carved. He gathered together the greatest craftsmen possible and some estimate as many as 40,000 people were required to create the churches. This incredible group of monuments consists of six churches to the north and five churches to the south, and the churches are linked by a series of rock hewn tunnels similar to catacombs. After settling into our hotel and enjoying an early lunch, this afternoon we'll visit the first cluster of UNESCO World Heritage Site churches, included the famous church of St. George, or Bete Giyorgis, carved in the shape of a cross from the red tuff. This evening we hope to visit the home of a local family for a traditional coffee ceremony. This is a wonderful opportunity to share in a core cultural custom of Ethiopia, which centres around socialising with relatives, neighbours and other visitors.
Should domestic flight schedules at the time of departure do not permit the above, we will instead drive to Lalibela.
Day 7 In and around Lalibela
Day 7 In and around Lalibela
After breakfast we’ll drive up into the mountains to visit the wonderful Yemrehana Kristos cave church, situated about 40km from Lalibela. Set at an altitude of 2,700m and protected by an unflattering wall, Yemrehana Kristos is an old built-up church within a large cavern and is a particularly fine example of late Axumite architecture, with a cruciform carved window and an etched wood-panel roof. It's a short hike up to the church but well worth the visit and the scenery en route is spectacular. With lunch back in Lalibela, this afternoon we'll visit the second cluster of staggering rock hewn churches. In the evening we'll take a trip to a tej house to sample the local liquor, followed by dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Days 8 - 9 Lalibela - Tesfa trek (3000 meters)
Days 8 - 9 Lalibela - Tesfa trek (3000 meters)
TESFA is a community-based enterprise that invites visitors to trek between villages, stay in traditional accommodation and learn about the day-to-day lives of the people of the Ethiopian Highlands, while contributing to the protection of their culture and environment. This is sure to be a real highlight of the trip and is an opportunity not currently offered by any other UK tour operator (as far as we are aware!). Driving to the start point we undertake a fascinating walk visiting local communities and staying in traditional villages. Please note that depending on the overall group size it may be necessary to divide in to two groups – in an attempt to minimise the impact our presence may have in these communities. It will also allow for a more personal and intimate experience for everyone. Both groups will visit the same villages (but in a different order), meeting up at the start, middle and end. Most walking is at around 3,000m and as everyone should be fully acclimatised by now, anyone of reasonable fitness should be fine with it. The walks vary in length from 4-7 hours with the emphasis being very much on seeing the people and countryside rather than rushing through.
Day 10 Tesfa trek - Bahir Dar
Day 10 Tesfa trek - Bahir Dar
After a final morning walk to the trail-head we will be picked up and driven west to Bahir Dar on the shores of Lake Tana. Here we’ll have the chance to freshen up in our rooms before dinner.
Day 11 Tour ends in Bahir Dar
Day 11 Tour ends in Bahir Dar
This morning we’ll drive to Tisissat to visit the Blue Nile falls. Here the waterfall plunges 45 metres down before continuing its journey to join the White Nile in Khartoum. After taking in views of Tis Abay (Smoke of the Nile) from a classic vantage point we’ll take a beautiful walk via the base of the falls and a short boat trip across the river back to Tisissat. Heading back towards Bahir Dar we’ll board a boat and take a trip out on to Lake Tana, visiting a highly distinctive monastery found there replete with some truly spectacular frescoes. The tour ends late this afternoon, and those on the suggested group flights will be transferred to Bahir Dar airport in time for their return flight to Addis.
Please be aware that the flow of water at the falls is significantly reduced due to a hydro-electric plant. We therefore have no way of knowing the size of the falls in advance. Despite this a visit still makes for an enjoyable excursion from Bahir Dar, whatever the level of water.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Capital Hotel And Spa, Addis Ababa
Offering very good quality within the capital, Capital Hotel and Spa is a great option for exploring the city. The 120 rooms and suites feature modern amenities and styling to ensure a comfortable stay. Some rooms have the addition of a balcony, jacuzzi bath and dressing room. For some of the best views of the city, often accompanied by live music, visit the Skyline Bar and Lounge. The restaurants will transport you around the world with a varied menu, whilst the pastry shop provides sweet treats and flavours. To lull you into a state of luxurious tranquillity, visit the Wellness Centre, featuring a Spa, pool and gym.
Sabean Hotel, Axum
The Sabean Hotel offers one of the better accommodation choices in the northern town of Axum. The bedrooms are small and simply furnished with small bathrooms, but they are clean and comfortable. The restaurant and pastry shop are found in the lobby and provide a mixture of local and European dishes, whilst the hotel's location on Axum's main street means that some good local restaurants are within walking distance of the hotel.
Simien Lodge, Simien Mountains
Situated at 3260 metres and one of the highest lodges in Africa, Simien Lodge offers some of the best mountain scenery in the world. Set up by Nick Crane to combine his passion for mountains and development work, each of the 26 rooms provide comfort in this amazingly remote location. There are also two family rooms ideal for those with children or couples travelling together. With solar powered electricity and traditional architecture, the environmental and cultural impact of the lodge is kept to a minimum. The restaurant offers simple Ethiopian and international food and there is also an atmospheric bar, ideal for a cold drink after enjoying this fabulous scenery on foot. Another of our favourite properties in Ethiopia.
Goha Hotel, Gonder
The Goha Hotel stands at the crest of a hill about one kilometre from the town centre, with a commanding view of Gonder and its enchanting and mysterious castles. The best hotel in the Ghion chain, this three star property offers 66 comfortable bedrooms which are simply decorated in traditional local style. There is a decent restaurant serving a mix of local and international food, a bar and terrace with lovely views and a shuttle that takes guest into and out of town. Whilst the bathrooms are tired (this is true of almost all hotels in Ethiopia), the views are wonderful and makes the Goha one of the best options in town.
Maribela Hotel, Lalibela
Maribela is Amharic for Lalibela and this hotel offers a great location on the escarpment with fabulous views. Guest rooms are simple yet comfortable with en suite facilities. The staff are very friendly and welcoming and there is a great local restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, whilst the bar terrace is a fantastic spot to sit back, relax and take in the stunning views. Definitely one of our favourite options in Lalibela.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Supporting Education in Ethiopia
The Wild Frontiers Foundation is proud to support Camara Education, an international charity and social enterprise that uses recycled technology to deliver 21st century skills to improve education in disadvantaged communities around the world.
The Wild Frontiers Foundation has funded the installation of computer classrooms - 25 recycled computers, loaded with educational software - in three schools in Ethiopia. Teachers from the schools are also trained in basic digital literacy skills, simple hardware maintenance and how to use the computers to teach various subjects.
With access to this technology, students are learning new skills to improve their education and ultimately gain better future employment.
Promoting Gender Quality
Wild Frontiers is sponsoring the Gonder Girls’ Football Team. The team initiative, set up by partners Link Ethiopia, promotes gender quality, builds confidence, and develops the leadership skills of girls aged 13 to 16. Training twice a week, it also provides opportunities for girls to move beyond the limitations of traditional gender roles in a fun, safe environment and develop a supportive network of friends, while improving their physical fitness.
The programme also runs regular sessions for the 20 girls on puberty, sexual health, family planning, and the right over their bodies, along with providing menstrual hygiene management kits.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| ET 701 | London Heathrow (LHR) 21:00 | Addis Ababa Airport (ADD) 06:45 |
| ET 243 | Bahar Dar Airport (BJR) 19:15 | Addis Ababa Airport (ADD) 20:25 |
| ET 700 | Addis Ababa Airport (ADD) 01:35 | London Heathrow (LHR) 06:35 |
Visas
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently require an e-visa for Ethiopia
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is a mandatory requirement for travellers arriving from, or transiting through, a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
Malaria is present in some parts of Ethiopia and precautions are essential.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
If visiting Axum
contravenes FCDO advice by the time of departure we will fly to Gonder instead
and visit Gorgora – see days 2 & 3 for more details.#
We are watching FCDO advice closely and are monitoring the situation in Ethiopia with our local partners. Please be assured that the safety of our groups is our main concern, and this will guide our decisions about any re-routing required. Should advice be in place that restricts our ability to run the trip as per the itinerary advertised, we will be in touch with further details about your options.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
In terms of the heat the temperature is fairly consistent all year round. The only real change is in rainfall. As our trips go between the end of the long rains (September) and the beginning of the short ones (May) this should not be a problem. During the day the temperature usually hovers around the mid 20’s (C) falling to an overnight low of 6-8C. However when at higher altitude the evenings will feel a bit colder.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. However, please note that there will be some long days in the car and when visiting some of the sights you will be on your feet walking around.
Please be advised that on this trip vegetarians can be easily catered for, but we will need to know of any dietary requirements before departure.
For the TESFA walk you will be walking at altitudes of around 3,000m, walking up to 15-20km on one day, of which there are periods where you will be walking over uneven rocky paths, so you will need to bring footwear that supports your ankles. The walking however is mostly on the flat and we can take our time to cross the rocky areas. The walking should be within the capabilities of anyone with a reasonable level of fitness but you should ensure that you’re in good shape before departing for your trip in order to get the most out of it. If you’re unsure about your fitness, horses can be hired for the duration of the walk (for a small fee) for which you don’t need to have much riding experience. If you are unsure about your level of fitness please contact the office.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except whilst on the TESFA trek. Here you will share Tukul huts with others on the trip (typically 3 or 4 people to a hut).
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 7318 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.