Duration
9-Day
Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
9-Day Christmas at Lalibela and North Ethiopia
Overview
Spend 9 days on a tour of Ethiopia that includes many of its cultural sites and spend time in Lalibela on January 7, otherwise known as Ethiopian Christmas. Also tour ruins near Gondar, cruise on Lake Tana near Bahir Dar, visit Genete Mariam and rock-hewn churches, and see the sites that have put Axum on the Historic Route map in Ethiopia. This main highlights tour of Ethiopia only takes place in January to participate in the Christmas festival there.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa (City)
Via Lalibela (Town), Gondar (City), Simien Mountains NP
Country & park
Ethiopia / Simien Mountains National Park
Style
Mid-range safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
On request
Activities
nature hikes/walks & boat trip
Accommodation
Monarch Parkview Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included
Meals
All Meals Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
EUR
Rates
Rates Per Person
EUR
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 5, 2027
€1.832 EUR
€1.705 EUR
Jan 5, 2028
€1.832 EUR
€1.705 EUR
Click a Rate to Request a Quote EUR
- EUR
Before booking
Important To Know
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in Euros (EUR).
This tour accepts children of all ages.
Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. Flights may cost more, depending on travel dates. If so, your quote will reflect this.
Quote flow
Request Guidance
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Route
country
Ethiopia
Start
Addis Ababa (Day 1)
Day 2-4
Lalibela (Town)
Day 5
Gondar (City)
Day 6-7
Simien Mountains NP
Day 8
Lake Tana
End
Addis Ababa (City) (Day 9)
Tour Features
Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour uses hotels.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Scheduled departures
This tour starts on fixed start dates only.
Can be customized
You can request changes to this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
Suitable for all ages
This tour is suitable for children of all ages.
Activities & Transportation
Activities: nature hikes/walks & boat trip
Getting around: boat, normal 4x4 vehicle & air transfer
This operator can book your international flights
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Monarch Parkview Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 2-4
Mezena Resort & Spa
Mid-range hotel in Lalibela (Town) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 5
Goha Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Gondar (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 6-7
Tsehay Zeleke Hotel Budget hotel just outside Simien Mountains NP – All Meals Included
Budget hotel just outside Simien Mountains NP – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 8
Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar Mid-range hotel in Bahir Dar (City) – All Meals Included +3 Photos
Mid-range hotel in Bahir Dar (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 9
End of tour
(No accommodation)
All Meals Included
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Arrival in Addis Ababa and city tour
Arrival in Addis. Welcome by our guide. Visit the National Museum and the Ethnographic Museum at the Addis Ababa University. Sitting at an altitude of 2438 meters, Addis Ababa is a modern African city which is far more developed than you might imagine. Barely more than a century old it is home to some elegant buildings set along wide streets, dispersed with plenty of green space. This afternoon, after time to freshen up, we will head out on a city tour to include the landmark that is the Church of Holy Trinity and the Ethnological Museum. This museum is said to be one of the finest in Africa, and is the ideal place to start understanding the many cultures that come together within one country and how history has defined present day Ethiopia. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: Monarch Parkview Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
Fly Lalibela and Visit Yimirahanna Kirstos
Breakfast at the hotel, fly to Lalibela. Arrival in Lalibela and check into a hotel. We drive towards one of Ethiopia's best-preserved late Axumite churches. Named after the 12th century Zagwe priest-king and saint, the church of Yemrehanna Kristos is built of stone and wood inside a cave. We'll make a ten minute walk uphill through a forest of juniper trees to the entrance. As well as it's wondrous setting, behind the church lies a pile of mummified bodies said to be that of pilgrims and holy men. Legend has it that a door found inside this church was given as a gift by the Caliph Saladin himself during the time of the crusaders. Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Mezena Resort & Spa Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
Visit Nakuto leab and Particcipate on the eve of christmas
After breakfast, leave Lalibela to visit the monastery of Nakutolab- a cave church. This is the easiest of all the outlying churches to reach in the monastery of Nakutolab. The monastery accredited to Nakuotolab consists of a relatively simple church built around a shallow cave in which several holy pools are fed by natural springs. You have off to visit in the afternoon for a longer night. In the evening, we attends the whole night mass service of Christmas, Evening attends the eve of Ethiopian Christmas or locally called Genna (Genna Festival is celebrated on every 06 January after a 40 days fasting among Orthodox Christians. The clergies, Priests, Bishop & people lift their voice in hymns and chant just as it has been practiced since 4th century on which Ethiopian has been accepted Christianity as official religion of the country. After mass praying, the fast will be broken at 03:00 AM, and then all classes of people disperse to their homes. Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Mezena Resort & Spa Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
Genna Festival (Ethiopian Christmas) at Lalibela
Early in the morning attend the very colorful Christmas procession performed by beautifully dressed priests and deacons chanting at the edge of the rock hewn churches of Bete Mariam and some more on the bottom representing the shepherds and the angels announcing the birth of Jesus. Afterwards, people disperse to their homes to feast and the clergy break their fast. Walk to one of the family home in Lalibela and join the holiday. Get involved in food preparation of several Ethiopian cuisines. Attend the blessing and good wishes of elders, followed by traditional Coffee ceremony. Enjoy the local foods and drinks and celebrate with music and dancing with the family. Overnight in a hotel in Lalibela. Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Mezena Resort & Spa Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5
Drive to Gondar
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Gondar (440 Km from Lalibela) through the beautiful landscape of Guna Chain of Mountains. Stop at various villages and market places. Arrival in Gondar early evening. Check into a hotel. Overnight in a hotel in Gondar. Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Gondar (City) Stay: Goha Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 6
Visit Gondar and Drive to semien MountainNational Park
Breakfast in hotel. Visit to the Royal Castles (built in the 17th Century A.D.) After Breakfast you will visit the oldest and the most impressive Gondarian structure, the magnificent castle compound including the two storied palace of emperor Fasiladas, built of roughly hewn brown basalt stone held together with mortar, the fantastically decorated Debre-brehan Silassie Church (light of Trinity) the bath (now baptismal place during Ethiopian epiphany, January 19) of king Fasiladas and the ruined palace of Queen Mintiwab at Qusquam, were the Scottish explorer James Bruce used to reside for sometimes. Drive to Debark (100 Km from Gonder, a nearby town to the Simien Mountains). On the way, visit Falasha village. The Falasha Jews are thought to have arrived in Ethiopia 3,000 years ago at the time of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, but their history is shrouded in mystery. Translating to 'exiled' in Amharic, the Falasha claim to be descendants of Moses. Budget hotel located just outside Simien Mountains NP All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Simien Mountains National Park Stay: Tsehay Zeleke Hotel Budget hotel located just outside Simien Mountains NP Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 7
Visit Semien Mountain
Morning Drive to Simien Mountains National Park. The Simien Mountains has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UN since 1969. The park is full of breathtaking landscapes and abundant flora and fauna. Over 10,000 of the rare & endemic Gelada baboons live in the park and can be observed at a close distance. The park is also the home to the Walia Ibex, which is also called Ethiopian Wolf. We will have an easy hike (approximately 4 – 5 h) from the head quarter until Sankaber (3,260 m). We pass picturesque scenery, as well as Ethiopia’s highest waterfall Jinbar, also called “gateway to hell.” Trek for 2.5 hours to 500m high Jinbar waterfall. Along the way you will observe the splendid landscape and different kinds of flowers and trees. There is also a possibility to see a klipspringer and mini bushbuck. Of course, the delightful gelada baboons are always around. We will visit Waliya Ibex endemic to Ethiopia and Semien Mountain National park too in Geech (3,600 m). Budget hotel located just outside Simien Mountains NP All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Simien Mountains National Park Stay: Tsehay Zeleke Hotel Budget hotel located just outside Simien Mountains NP Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 8
Drive to Bahir Dar and visit
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Bahir Dar (280 Km from Semien Mt.). Check into a hotel. After lunch, a boat ride on Lake Tana to visit the medieval period island monasteries (Azua Mariam and Ura Kidane Mihret: beautiful mural paintings, religious books and sacred) on Lake Tana. Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lake Tana Stay: Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 9
Fly back to Addis Ababa and Departure
Flight back to Addis Ababa. Arrival Addis Ababa. Fly back to Addis Ababa. In the evening, a farewell cultural night at the renowned cultural restaurant for authentic Ethiopian cultural food buffet along with live music and dances of the diverse nations and nationalities of Ethiopia. Transfer to airport for a flight home. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All flights during the tour
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
This operator can book your international flights
Fly to/from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD - Check price)
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
Finot Tour Ethiopia
4.9 operator rating
12 reviews
Finot Tour Ethiopia is your option for a responsible and nature friendly tour in Ethiopia. We are always available to serve you the tour experience of your dreams. Our tour programs are flexible; you can feel free to make your own ideal tour package and then contact us for any information. If you are interested in History, Culture, Nature, Bird watching, Trekking, Adventure, Documentary Films, Rafting, Biking, Volcano and sightseeing, you will contact us for further information.
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
20-50 employees (Founded in 2011)
Tour Types
Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
Destinations
Djibouti, Ethiopia
Traveler feedback
Reviews
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Very reliable, experienced, friendly, customerorientated - excellent tourguide to explore Ethiopia.
Our tour preferences were very well combined, we received a very detailed tour description for the 4 weeks in advance, which then also took place as planned, with a fair value of money . The communication was perfect. Flights, hotels, visits to attractions, entrances, and transportation were very well organized and coordinated. Our tour guide Haile was very friendly, absolutely reliable, and trustworthy. On-site, he has a good network, the local guides, and drivers were also always very good. Our safety was Haile's top priority. We can wholeheartedly recommend Finot Tours Ethiopia.
Michaela · Germany
One of the best experiences in Africa ever
Great experience! My wife and me did a 13-day long tour of Harar, Bale mountain an Omo valley and considering the very high quality of both the guides and the tour itself we felt we got our money's worth. Hailemeskel of Finot Tour Ethiopia has specially for us developed great tour itinerary! We have a good 4WD car and accommodation in nice hotels and lodges. Our main guide and driver Lmuel, was fantastic. He's very knowledgeable and has a very nice attitude towards guests! We discussed various aspects of life and nature in Ethiopia and we began to feel him as a friend. Both gentlemen were very kind and nice and they made our experience so wonderful. So it really feels like we made friends and it made us feel as if we weren't just tourists. All in all this was an amazing experience. We highly recommend Finot Tour Ethiopia. Thank you very much Haile and Lmuel!
Stanislav Moynov · Bulgaria
Great services
Traveling with Finot is a great, real adventure. A great guide with good contacts in the places you visit. Thanks to this, we were able to see more interesting things than others. Trip to the tribes of the Omo Valley.
Piotr Banasik · Poland
Reliable and helpful
My six day trip to the Lower Omo Valley was very interesting and well organized. A good guide (Danny), a comfortable car and nice lodges/hotels made the trip most enjoyable. Danny's knowledge about culture and nature was great. He also knew the names of all the birds we saw which I appreciated. Since I was a solo guest we also had a flexible schedule. From time to time we also met friendly Haile who travelled with another group. Since all costs were included I did not have to think about paying local guides etc. But they all appreciate a small tip. I can highly recommend Finot Tour.
Rolf · Sweden
Practical answers
Tour FAQs
Are rates charged per person?
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Which currency is this tour priced in?
This tour is offered in Euros (EUR).
Can children join this tour?
This tour accepts children of all ages.
Can the itinerary be customized?
You can request changes to this tour.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Monarch Parkview Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included. Meals: All Meals Included
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
How does the quote request work?
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators () Requests are sent directly to the tour operator If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Finot Tour Ethiopia, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Finot Tour Ethiopia.
Keep comparing
Similar Tours
Simien Mountains National Park
Ethiopia · 7-Day
Safaris & Nature
4.9
7-Day Semien Mountain National Park Trekking
Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia · 7-Day · Finot Tour Ethiopia
Duration7-Day
From€1.095 pp (EUR)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
€1.095 pp (EUR)
Simien Mountains National Park
Ethiopia · 12-Day
Food & Market Routes
4.9
12-Day Combination North and South Omo Valley Tribes
Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia · 12-Day · Finot Tour Ethiopia
Duration12-Day
From€2.415 pp (EUR)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
€2.415 pp (EUR)
Simien Mountains National Park
Ethiopia · 7-Day
Culture & Heritage
4.9
7-Day Stunning World Heritage and Historical Tour
Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia · 7-Day · Finot Tour Ethiopia
Duration7-Day
From€1.095 pp (EUR)
ModeQuote
Custom quote route
Verified provider
Cultural notes
From
€1.095 pp (EUR)