2-Day Bahir Dar Tour: Lake Tana Monasteries & Blue Nile Falls

Island monasteries with 16th-century frescoes, then a walk to the foot of the Nile's biggest waterfall.

A 2-day guided tour of Bahir Dar covers Lake Tana by boat to visit ancient monastery churches on the islands, then a hike down to the base of the Blue Nile Falls. An English-speaking guide leads both days. Hotel pickup from the airport, accommodation, an air-conditioned vehicle and all entry fees are included. The lake trip departs early and takes most of the first day. The second day combines the falls hike with a city viewpoint before your departure flight.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Lake Tana boat trip and monasteries

• Fly to Bahir Dar
• Meet guide and transfer to hotel
• Visit Lake Tana islands by boat
• Explore Ura Kidane Mihiret monastery
• Visit Azwa Mariam monastery
• Return to city in late afternoon
• Overnight in Bahir Dar

Day 2: Blue Nile Falls and city tour

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Blue Nile Falls
• Hike to base of falls and back
• Cross Blue Nile by boat
• Lunch in Bahir Dar
• Visit Haile Selasea palace viewpoint
• Overnight in Bahir Dar
• Transfer to airport for flight

The experience

You arrive at Bahir Dar airport and your guide meets you for the transfer to your hotel. The lake itself is the draw: Lake Tana holds 37 islands, and 20 of them have churches and monasteries built centuries ago. The boat trip takes you to Ura Kidane Mihiret, the most important of them, where the walls hold religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries, and to Azwa Mariam, known for its painted interiors. You spend most of the first day on the water, returning to the city around 4 p.m.

On day two, you drive to the Blue Nile Falls: called Tissisat, or "smoking water," for the steam that rises when the water drops 45 meters. The walk down to the base and back up takes about an hour. You cross the Blue Nile by boat to return. After lunch in Bahir Dar, the guide takes you to a viewpoint at Haile Selassie Palace before dropping you at the airport for your onward flight, timed to your schedule.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide for both days.
• hotel accommodation in Bahir Dar for two nights.
• air-conditioned vehicle and driver.
• airport pickup and drop-off.
• all entry fees and taxes to the monasteries and Blue Nile Falls.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (25 to 30 years) · Senior (31 to 75 years) · Youth (15 to 24 years) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 15 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ethio Backpacker Tours

Is this one for you?The early morning lake departure and the hour-long walk to the falls base mean you need to be ready to move on day one and comfortable with moderate hiking on day two. The pace is what fits both the monastery islands and the waterfall into a short stay.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 24 years); Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What are the island monasteries on Lake Tana actually like?

Ura Kidane Mihiret holds one of the finest collections of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries. Azwa Mariam is known for its painted frescoes and wall paintings. Both sit on islands you reach by boat, and the lake trip makes up most of your first day.

How much walking is involved at the Blue Nile Falls?

The round trip down to the base of the falls and back up takes about an hour of walking. You descend to stand at the foot of the waterfall, then cross the Blue Nile by boat to return to the starting point.

What time does the lake boat trip start and when do I get back?

The boat departs early in the morning on day one and returns around 4 p.m., giving you the afternoon to rest at your hotel before the second day begins.

Is the guide English-speaking?

Yes, your guide speaks English throughout both days and is with you for the lake monasteries, the Blue Nile Falls hike, and the city viewpoint.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes the English-speaking guide, all entry fees and taxes, hotel accommodation for both nights, an air-conditioned vehicle, and airport pickup and drop-off timed to your flight schedule.