Ethiopia 4-Day Tour: Lalibela, Lake Tana & Simien Mountains

Gelada baboons live in the Simien Mountains cliffs you trek through on day three.

A 4-day guided tour of Ethiopia's historical north starting from Bahir Dar, visiting the rock-cut churches of Lalibela, cruising Lake Tana's monastery islands, walking to the base of Blue Nile Falls, and trekking through Simien Mountains National Park. Hotel accommodation, all ground transfers, a live English-speaking guide, and park fees are included each night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Lake Tana and Blue Nile falls

• Fly to Bahir Dar
• Check into hotel
• Boat tour of Lake Tana islands
• Visit Ura Kidane Mihiret monastery
• Visit Azwa Mariam monastery and museum
• Drive to Blue Nile Falls
• Hike to base of falls
• Boat across Blue Nile
• Return to Bahir Dar

Day 2: Bahir Dar - Gonder

• Drive to Gonder
• Visit Fasilidas' Palace
• Visit bath of Fasiledes and Quskuam Church
• Visit Debre Berham Selassie Church
• Explore Gonder market
• Overnight in Gonder

Day 3: Gonder - Simien Mountains

• Drive to Ethiopian Felasha village
• Continue to Simien Mountains
• Drive from Debark to park gate
• Drive to Buit Ras area
• Trek to Chilkuwanit viewpoint
• Observe Gelada Baboons
• Return to Gonder

Day 4: Gonder - Addis Abeba

• Breakfast
• Transfer to Gonder airport

The experience

You fly north to Bahir Dar on day one and spend the afternoon on Lake Tana by boat, visiting the monastery churches of Ura Kidane Mihiret and Azwa Mariam. The first holds a collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries, the second is known for its painted interior. Later that same day you drive to Blue Nile Falls, locally called Tissisat (smoking water), where the water drops 45 meters and sends up steam clouds and rainbows. A one-hour round-trip walk takes you down to the base of the falls and back up the far side, then you cross the Blue Nile by boat to return to your starting point.

Day two is a morning drive to Gondar, the first capital of the Ethiopian Empire, founded in 1632. You visit Fasilidas' Palace, the oldest and most impressive of the dozen castles built over 236 years, then the Bath of Fasilides and Quskuam Church. In the afternoon you see the interior of Debre Berham Selassie (Light of the Trinity), decorated with frescoes and cherubs, and walk through Gondar's colorful market. Day three begins with a drive toward Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the way you stop at a village of Ethiopian Felasha (Black Jewish) community. From Debark town the road climbs 16 kilometers to the park gate, then another 6 kilometers to Buit Ras. From there you trek 3 to 4 hours to Chilkuwanit, one of the park's most striking viewpoints, where the escarpment drops vertically and you encounter troops of endemic Gelada baboons at close range.

Day four is a transfer to Gondar airport after breakfast. Your guide speaks English throughout, and you sleep in pre-arranged hotels each night: Jacaranda Hotel in Bahir Dar on nights one and two, AG Hotel in Gondar on nights two and three. The driver and vehicle are yours for all ground transfers and sightseeing drives.

What’s included

• Hotel accommodation in Bahir Dar and Gondar.
• all ground transfers and sightseeing drives with a private vehicle and driver.
• a live English-speaking guide for all four days.
• entry fees to Lake Tana monasteries, Blue Nile Falls, Gondar's castles and churches, and Simien Mountains National Park.
• all taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Infant (1 to 11 years): free

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Ethio Target Tours

Is this one for you?Four days is the span needed to reach Simien Mountains and trek to Chilkuwanit without rushing the Gondar castles or the Lake Tana boat cruise. If you have only two days, you'll skip the mountains. If you have six, you'll add trekking depth or a second night in the park.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (1 to 11 years): free.

Can I do the Blue Nile Falls walk if I'm not a strong hiker?

The round-trip walk to the base of Blue Nile Falls and back up the far side takes about one hour total. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels according to the operator, though the walk does involve climbing down and back up from the falls.

How much time do I spend trekking in Simien Mountains?

The trek from Buit Ras to Chilkuwanit takes 3 to 4 hours and covers about 6 kilometers, ending at one of the park's most beautiful viewpoints overlooking the escarpment.

When does the tour start and end?

The tour begins with a flight north to Bahir Dar on day one and ends with a transfer to Gondar airport after breakfast on day four, so you'll need to arrange your own flights to and from Ethiopia.