Duration
7-Day
Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians commemorate the Meskel festival, also known as the Finding of the True Cross, as an important liturgical feast. It honors Saint Helena's fourth century discovery of the True Cross, the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified by Saint Hele. The Ethiopian calendar marks the holiday on September 27th (or 28th in a leap year). The Ethiopian calendar. Discover the Simien Mountains and Blue Nile Falls in Bahir Dar, as well as the rock-hewn cathedrals of Lalibela.
Plan snapshot
Duration
7-Day
Route
Addis Ababa (Day 1-2) to Addis Ababa (City)
Via Bahir Dar (City), Gondar (City), Simien Mountains NP
Country & park
Ethiopia / Simien Mountains National Park
Style
Mid-range shared safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
On request
Activities
game drives & boat trip
Accommodation
Cassiopeia Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City)
Meals
Day 1: Breakfast & Lunch Included; Day 2: Meals at Own Expense; Breakfast & Lunch Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Solo travelers
Can join this group tour
Rates
USD
Before booking
Quote flow
This mid-range tour uses hotels.
On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 10 people per vehicle.
This tour starts on fixed start dates only.
You can request changes to this tour.
Single travelers can join this group tour.
This tour is suitable for children of all ages.
Day 1-2
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City)
Day 1: Breakfast & Lunch Included; Day 2: Meals at Own Expense
Day 3
Mid-range hotel in Bahir Dar (City) – Breakfast & Lunch Included
Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day 4-5
Mid-range hotel in Gondar (City)
Day 4: Meals at Own Expense; Day 5: Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day 6
Mid-range hotel in Lalibela (Town) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 7
(No accommodation)
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Tour step
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Arrival Addis Ababa and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time make sightseeing in Addis, Visit the National Museum that exhibits numerous antiquates, historical relics, archaeological and pale-ontological objects including the 3.2 million year old skeleton of Lucy; Mercato – biggest open market of its kind in Africa and the commanding panoramic view point Mount Entoto and St George cathedral church. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2
Starting around 3:30 P.M you will attend the colorful processions of the eve of Ketera The Meskel festival, also known as the Finding of the True Cross, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians. It commemorates the discovery of the True Cross, the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified, by Saint Helena in the fourth century. The festival is celebrated annually on September 27th (or 28th in a leap year) according to the Ethiopian calendar The Eve Bonfire (Demera): The highlight of the festival is the lighting of a large bonfire, known as the Demera, which symbolizes the revelation of the True Cross. According to tradition, Saint Helena had a dream instructing her to light a bonfire, and the smoke would lead her to the location of the cross. This event is re-enacted with a ceremonial bonfire, often adorned with flowers. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Day 3
This morning, depart for the airport for your journey to Bahir Dar. Transfer to your hotel and check in. Bahir Dar is located on the south shore of Lake Tana, near the Blue Nile River. Settle down and refresh up before taking an afternoon boat excursion to several of Lake Tana's islands, which are home to some of the world's oldest churches and monastic sites. Visit the 14th-century monastery Ura Kidane Mihret, which is well renowned for its painted maqdas and collection of crosses and crowns. This afternoon, travel to the hamlet of Tis Isat to visit the Blue Nile Falls, a stunning cascade formed by a dam along the river just outside of town. Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City) Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4
After breakfast, drive Bahir Dar north to Gondar. Explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia and Kuskuam, a former palace in a partial state of ruin overlooking the ancient city of Gondar. Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City) Meals at own expense Drinks not included
Day 5
In the morning you will drive from Gonder to Siemen Mountain. The Semen national park is register as UNESCO world heritage site. The highest mountain in Ethiopia Ras Dashen is also found in the semen national park. The park is home of mountainous and wild animal species like the Walya Ibex and Chelada baboon which are endemic in Ethiopia. This is an ideal place to do some trekking to the most beautiful place with panoramic views. Up on arrival you will hike up to Senkaber and will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, the extraordinary scenery, enjoying the endemic Gelada Baboons and the bone breaker giant bird Lammergeyer roaring around. Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City) Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 6
In the morning, take the flight to Lalibela, the most famous of all of the Ethiopian historical sites. Begin to explore the 11 rock-hewn churches of the remarkable king Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha. Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 7
After breakfast, continue to visit the Southeastern Cluster of Lalibela churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, a huge monolithic in the shape of a cross, and constructed in honor of St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia. After visit, transfer to Lalibela airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. After noon, you will have shopping refreshment at the hotel then in the evening there will be farewell dinner with cultural food, traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks. After farewell dinner, you will be transferred to the airport after a memorable experience in Ethiopia. Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Tour step
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
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)
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
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Offered by
Liyu is an Amharic word which means “unique” in English. Liyu Ethiopia Tours is established to promote and market Ethiopia as a major tourist destination in the world. Liyu Ethiopia in the tourism sector carries the objective of maximizing the satisfaction of its customers through its professional and experienced staff, who are always ready to render courtesy and personalized service in all areas of its operations. If you are planning a tour to Ethiopia, contact us for expert recommendation and
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
10-20 employees (Founded in 2017)
Tour Types
Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
Destinations
Ethiopia
Traveler feedback
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Etiopia is my 86th visited country. Our group of ten girls and one men has chosen Liyu Ethiopian Tours as one of my friends recommended me Yhun Ejigu. I am usually sceptic reading reviews this and that one is the best but I can guarantee Yhun is the best with abilities you can not learn in schools. Although he can not understand Hungarian he could read sighns on our face and our bodylanguage and reacted immediately. Ethiopia is safe, wonderful, heart touching, a must to see. We will never forget our memories and Liyu Ethiopian Tours, without them the ten spent days wouldn’t be so fantastic that it was. We are very thankful.
Tunde Toth · Hungary
Liyu Ethiopia Tours & Travel has the perfect team to make you fall in love with Africa — especially with Ethiopia’s ancient culture, breathtaking nature, and fascinating tribes. Our 10-day tour was not only perfectly organized but also thoughtfully tailored to our needs. The guides were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and had a great sense of humor. The drivers were kind and professional, and we felt safe throughout the entire journey. Traveling with Liyu Ethiopia Tours was pure joy — full of adventure, unforgettable experiences. We came home with thousands of photos — but even more, with beautiful memories and new friends. It was the trip of a lifetime!
Anita Darida-Sarkozi · Hungary
Having been let down at 7am on the day of a tour by another provider, I signed up to do a cooking class. This was so worthwhile. It is not simply about just the food, you get a glimpse into the life and living of the inhabitants of Addis. Liyu Ethiopia Tours were excellent hosts. I was collected from my hotel at 10am, communication was excellent. A young gentleman called Oli collected me from my hotel with a driver. For young man his knowledge of food, ingredients and Ethiopian food was extraordinary, and really added to my experience. In summary a tour round Sola market to walk through the food quarter, which is really insightful and then to his family home for a simply brilliant time learning how to cook with the ingredients we had just purchased. The watchful of Gran was a real bonus too. I cannot speak too highly of this. Book this tour for a real experience above and beyond cooking.
Ade · United Kingdom
This is my second time traveling with Yhun from Liyu agency. After booking an extremely successful trip to the north of Ethiopia, this time we toured Addis. Yhun knows all the less-visited spots, and can accommodate a visit in both rain and sunshine. He is very pleasant, extremely reliable and I wholeheartedly recommend him. But I won't tell you all the sector places he took me- you have to come and find out for yourselves....
Dr. Raya Leibowitz · Israel
Practical answers
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour accepts children of all ages. Children under 13 receive a discount.
You can request changes to this tour.
Cassiopeia Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City). Meals: Day 1: Breakfast & Lunch Included; Day 2: Meals at Own Expense
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
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
This tour is offered by Liyu Ethiopia Tour and Travel, 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 Liyu Ethiopia Tour and Travel.
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