Bahir Dar Tour: Lake Tana Monasteries & Blue Nile Falls

Two centuries of painted churches and a waterfall that roars across the highlands

A full-day guided tour from Bahir Dar combines a boat trip across Lake Tana to visit 14th-century monasteries on the Zege peninsula with an afternoon walk to Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tissat Falls. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, lunch and refreshments. Pickup from your hotel is arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bahir Dar and nearby attractions

• Boat trip on Lake Tana
• Visit Ura Kidane Mehret church
• Visit Azwa Mariam monastery
• Walk to Blue Nile Falls
• Return via Portuguese bridge
• Return to Bahir Dar city for sunset

The experience

The day starts on Lake Tana with a boat crossing to the Zege peninsula, where Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Mariam sit among the water. Ura Kidane Mehret was founded in the 14th century by the saint Betre Mariyam, though the circular church you see dates from the 16th century. The painted interiors and the age of the buildings themselves are what catch most visitors off guard. The decorative style is unlike what you find elsewhere. You move between the two churches on foot across the peninsula, and the guide walks you through what the paintings depict and why the layout matters to Ethiopian Orthodox tradition.

In the afternoon, the route turns inland toward Blue Nile Falls, about 30 km downstream from Bahir Dar. The walk to the falls takes roughly an hour, and another hour to return via the Portuguese bridge. The falls are called Tissat Falls locally, which means "smoking water" in Amharic. The name comes from the mist that rises when the water hits the rocks below. The river here is at the upper part of its course, still powerful enough to make the crossing feel substantial. You return to Bahir Dar in time for sunset.

The tour runs 7 to 9 hours total and includes an air-conditioned vehicle for the road sections, bottled water throughout, lunch, and coffee or tea. Your guide speaks English and meets you at your hotel for pickup.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for road sections.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup.
• boat trip across Lake Tana.
• lunch.
• bottled water.
• coffee and tea.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (19 and older) · Youth (11 to 18 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 22 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ethio Travel And Tours

Is this one for you?Seven to nine hours is enough to see both the monasteries and the falls without rushing, but it fills most of a day. Plan the rest of your Bahir Dar time around this tour rather than trying to add another major stop.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 18 years); Child (3 to 10 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the monasteries on Lake Tana like when you get there?

Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Mariam are working churches on the Zege peninsula, not ruins or museums. Ura Kidane Mehret dates to the 14th century in its founding, though the circular stone church building itself is from the 16th century. Both have painted interiors that illustrate religious scenes and stories, and the decorative style and age of the structures themselves are what make them stand out to visitors unfamiliar with Ethiopian Orthodox architecture.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The walk to Blue Nile Falls takes about an hour to reach the falls, and another hour to return to your starting point via the Portuguese bridge. The monastery visit on the Zege peninsula involves walking between the two churches on foot. The rest of the day is spent in the boat or the air-conditioned vehicle.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport, a boat trip across Lake Tana, lunch, bottled water, and coffee or tea. Entry to the monasteries and the falls is covered.

How far is Blue Nile Falls from Bahir Dar?

Blue Nile Falls is situated about 30 km downstream from Bahir Dar on the upper course of the Blue Nile river. The drive takes time, but the falls are the main afternoon destination after the morning on Lake Tana.