Visit the Historical North of Ethiopia, endowed with historical sites, natural beauty, culture & tradition that stretches back 3000 years. Start your journey in Addis Ababa uncovering Ethiopia's rich ethnic diversity through its impressive museums, before continuing to the imperial city of Fasilidas - Gondar! Travel back-in-time with a visit to Lalibela, known for its rock-cut churches that date back to the 12th century.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa and enjoy a panoramic view of the capital from Entoto Hills
- Embark on a cruise along Lake Tana - the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile
- Experience the local traditions, food and culture of Ethiopia
- Lalibela is known as the 'Jeruselem of Africa', home of the fascinating rock-hewn churches from the 12th century
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1 - Addis Ababa: Arrival / City Tour
Arrival
You will be met by a Representative at the airport and transferred your chosen accommodation.
City Tour
This full day tour provides you a chance to catch up the main attraction sites of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The tour will start from 08:30 and ends at 17:30 hours everyday. You will be picked up and dropped off from your hotel or airport. In this tour you will see Addis Ababa National Museum, Saint Trinity Cathedral Church, Ethnographic Museum, Entoto Hill and Merkato, the largest open air market in Africa. On this tour you have also a chance to buy local goods such as as traditional clothes and souvenirs.
Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 2 - Addis Ababa: Departure / Bahir Dar Tour
Departure
You will transferred from your accommodation to the airport.
Bahir Dar Tour
On arrival in Bahir Dar, you will be embark on a boat trip over Lake Tana to visit 2 of the renowned Island Monasteries of the Lake, namely: Ura Kidane Mihret and Azua Mariam. They both have wonderful paintings which depicts the scene from the Old and the New Testaments of the Holy Bible all over their walls.
After lunch, drive to the Blue Nile Falls (35km one way) – known locally as Tissiat – which means “Smoking Water.” The Falls are 99m wide and the water plunges some 45m, giving rise to picturesque stream clouds and rainbows. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your next stay on the shores of Lake Tana.
Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 3 - Bahir Dar: Bahir Dar - Gondar
Bahir Dar - Gondar
After breakfast, the drive to Gondar will be approximately three hours. En route, you will visit the Amhara’s village and the wetlands between the towns which support many water birds. Arrive to Gondar, the imperial city of Fasilidas!
The kings of Ethiopia based their power in Gondar for two centuries. The city was the first capital of the Ethiopian empire, which began in 1632 with the reign of Fasilidas. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. Many picturesque ruins lie in the royal enclosure like the fairy-tale castles dating back to the 17th century.
Visit Debre Birhan Trinity church, reknowned for its magnificent murals adorning the roof and the walls of the church and Kuskuam church.
Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 4 - Gondar: Departure / 6 Churches of Lalibela
Departure
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lalibela.
Arrival
Once you arrive, you will be transferred to your hotel.
6 Churches of Lalibela
After checking into your hotel, begin your tour of the famous churches of Lalibela.
The first group of six churches lies in rock cradles, one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikael, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel and Bet Medhane Alem.
Bet Medhane Alem, the largest, is built like a Greek temple. In a corner are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant and majestic of all the Lalibela churches, lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the village on a sloping rock terrace. It can only be reached throw a tunnel. The group of four, south of the Jordan River, comprise of Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercuiros, Bet Abba Libanos and Bet Gabriel-Rufa'el Bet Emanuel's elaborate exterior is much praised by art historians.
Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 5 - Lalibela: Naktolaab & Bet Giyorgis Churches Tour
Naktolaab & Bet Giyorgis Churches Tour
Today, you start with a visit to a church just outside Lalibela, Naktolaab. It is named after its constructor, the nephew and successor of King Lalibela. This relatively simple church built around a shallow cave in which several holy pools are fed by natural springs. It has many treasures, some of which are claimed to have belonged to Naktolaab himself. This includes paintings, crosses and a leather bible.
After lunch, you will visit the second group of churches and Bet Giyorgis, which is arguably the most majestic – and the most photographed – of all Lalibela churches. In the evening, take part in a traditional coffee ceremony in the local house in Lalibela. Dinner will be served at Ben Abebe Restaurant and offers traditional Ethiopian and western food in a comfortable surrounding with spectacular views.
Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 6 - Lalibela: Departure / Arrival / Merkato Market & Addis Ababa Tour / Departure
Departure
Today, you will transferred from your accommodation to the airport.
Arrival
You will be met by a Representative at the airport and transferred your chosen accommodation.
Merkato Market & Addis Ababa Tour
Today, you will visit Merkato is located in western Addis Ababa, It is the largest open-air market in Africa, offering an array of colours, aromas, costumes, produce and jewellery.
In the evening, you will have a chance to experience some of the cultural dances and traditional meals at the Addis Ababa Restaurant. Ethiopia is a mosaic of people with more than 80 languages, different lifestyles, costumes and cultural dances. Before your final transfer to the airport, pass by Taitu Hotel to enjoy a Jazz night.
Departure
You will transferred from your accommodation to the airport.
Lunch and Dinner included.
6 Day Historic Ethiopia (Superior)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Jupiter Hotel
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia - Kuriftu Resort & Spa
Gondar, Ethiopia - Mayleko Lodge
Lalibela, Ethiopia - Mountain View Hotel
6 Day Historic Ethiopia (Deluxe)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Sheraton Addis
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia - Kuriftu Resort & Spa
Gondar, Ethiopia - Mayleko Lodge
Lalibela, Ethiopia - Mountain View Hotel
Whats included?
- Accommodation with private facilities
- Hotel/airport transfers
- English-speaking guided tours
- Park entrance fees
- Boat trip over Lake Tana
- Activities as specified
- Meals as specified
- Local taxes
What’s not included?
- International and domestic airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
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