Duration
8-Day
Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
8-Day Historic Route of Ethiopia
Overview
You'll start the Ethiopian historic tours from Addis Ababa city. You'll proceed to Bahirdar and visit the picturesque town on the shores of Lake Tana. You will visit the island monasteries and the Blue Nile Falls. In Gondar, you will visit the ancient churches and castles, remnants of a bygone Ethiopian Empire. Proceed to the Semien Mountains. You'll continue on the historic route to Lalibela, a world-heritage-listed town renowned for its 12th and 13th-century churches hewn out of solid rock.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa (City)
Via Bahir Dar (City), Gondar (City), Simien Mountains NP
Country & park
Ethiopia / Simien Mountains National Park
Style
Mid-range safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
1 years
Activities
game drives, walking safaris (with an armed guide) & nature hikes/walks
Accommodation
Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Dinner Included
Meals
Dinner Included; Breakfast & Dinner Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Rates
Rates Per Person
USD
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
$4,675 USD
$3,256 USD
Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027
$4,675 USD
$3,256 USD
Before booking
Important To Know
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 who are 1 year and older. Children under 11 receive a discount and children under 5 are free.
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
Bahir Dar (City)
Day 3
Gondar (City)
Day 4-5
Simien Mountains NP
Day 6-7
Lalibela (Town)
End
Addis Ababa (City) (Day 8)
Tour Features
Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour uses lodges and hotels.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
1
Minimum age of 1 year
The minimum age for this tour is 1 year.
Activities & Transportation
Activities: game drives, walking safaris (with an armed guide) & nature hikes/walks
Game drives: minivan
Getting around: minivan, boat & air transfer
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Dinner Included
Dinner Included
Day 2
Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar Mid-range hotel in Bahir Dar (City) – Breakfast & Dinner Included +3 Photos
Mid-range hotel in Bahir Dar (City) – Breakfast & Dinner Included
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 3
Goha Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Gondar (City) – Breakfast & Dinner Included
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 4
Simien Lodge
Mid-range lodge inside Simien Mountains NP – Breakfast & Dinner Included
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 5
Goha Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Gondar (City) – Breakfast & Dinner Included
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 6-7
Panoramic View Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Lalibela (Town) – Breakfast & Dinner Included
Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day 8
End of tour
(No accommodation)
Breakfast & Dinner 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
Addis Ababa City Tour
On arrival at Bole International Airport, you'll meet our representative and transfer to the hotel. After some rest, you will have an Addis Ababa city tour including a drive to Mount Entoto for a panoramic view of the city, the National Museum, which is the resting place of our ancestor LUCY, Trinity Cathedral, Merkato, which is the biggest market, some monuments, etc. Rest free time and relax. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 2
Lake Tana Monasteries and Blue Nile Falls
You'll have a morning flight to Bahir Dar, then transfer to the hotel. You will start a boat trip over Lake Tana to the Zeghie peninsula to visit the beautifully painted churches that are found hidden in the small forest: Azwa Mariam Monastery. Our second stop will be at the Betre Maryam Monastery located on the Zege Peninsula, not far from Bahir Dar. We chose to stop at Betre Maryam, which means “the House of Mary,” first since it is one of the oldest and most spectacular monasteries on the peninsula and is also a short walk from the boat landing. The monastery is a round wooden structure with mud and straw walls. There is an outer room, a middle circular room, and the central room for priests only. You'll go back to Bahir Dar for lunch. You'll drive 70KM round trip to visit Tississat, named after the waterfalls of the Blue Nile River (the lifeblood for the Sudanese and Egyptians). You'll walk about 30 minutes to arrive near the waterfalls on the Blue Nile, then back to the city. Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City) Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Bahir Dar (City) Stay: Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City) Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 3
Drive to Gondar and Visit the Castles
You'll have a morning drive to Gondar. On the way, you'll visit the Guzara castle, admire the wonderful landscape, and view. You'll transfer to the hotel and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will be taken to visit the castle compound where you can see the medieval castle of King Fasilidas, King Yohannes, King Eyasu, King Dawit, King Bakafa, and Queen Mentewab. You will also visit the churches of Debre Birhan Selassie with awesome wall paintings and the bath of King Fasilidas. Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City) Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Gondar (City) Stay: Goha Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City) Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 4
Simien Mountain National Park
In the morning, you'll drive to Simien Mountain to visit the marvelous scenery of the Semien Mountain, the endemic animals of Walya Ibex, Chilada Baboon, and birds. Five km from Gondar, you will see the old village of the black Jews. You'll spend the full day you are in the Semien mountain around Sankaber campsite, hiking to Jimbar waterfalls, trekking, and time with the Chilada Baboon. Late afternoon, you'll drive to Semien Lodge. Your overnight stay will be in Simien Lodge. Mid-range lodge located inside Simien Mountains NP Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Simien Mountains National Park Stay: Simien Lodge Mid-range lodge located inside Simien Mountains NP Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 5
Simien Mountain and Drive to Gondar
You'll have a morning drive to Chenek and walk around to see the scenic mountains and views in the surrounding area. Chenek lies at an altitude of 3800 m ASL in the valley at the bottom of the second-highest peak, called Buahit, 4000 m ASL. It is the ideal place to see one of the endemic mammals found in the park, the Walia Ibex. They adapt to living at high altitudes. This adaptation comes from habitat loss because in the past, they used to live at around 2500 m ASL. The males are big while the females are smaller. With such a colossal horn curved to the back, the males are easily spotted sleeping on the rock or standing near the giant lobelia. It is very common to see one of the high-altitude plants called giant Lobelia. When it grows fully, it reaches a height of 9 to 12 meters with a flowering part on the top. For this plant, it is quite a struggle to grow at such a high altitude where the weather is harsh. You'll have an afternoon drive back to Gondar. Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City) Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Simien Mountains National Park Stay: Goha Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City) Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 6
Flight to Lalibela
Today, you'll fly to Lalibela and visit some churches. Then, you will visit the 1st group churches which are included Bieta Medhanialem (Chapel of Holy Savior) which is the biggest and Bieta Mariam (Chapel of Mary): three aisled with mural paintings and a covered pillar containing inscriptions about the end of the world according to the gadl (act)of saintly king. Further, you'll visit Bieta Denagel (Chapel of the Virgins), Bieta Meskel (Chapel of the Cross), and finally, the “double – church” of Debre Sina and Bieta Golghotha (women are not allowed in the latter since it’s where the remains of King Lalibela are and also because it contains the tabernacle of the Holy Trinity). Your overnight stay will be at the hotel. Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Panoramic View Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 7
Visit Lalibela
In the morning, you'll visit the second group of churches. In the afternoon, you'll have time to enjoy the local market, meet the local people in the city, and own activities. Or optionally, we will take you to the nearby village and you will see the countryside and the village people's way of life, their daily activities like how they prepare “ Enjera”, bread, homemade drinks, and coffee ceremony in the countryside. Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Panoramic View Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Day 8
Visit the Rest Churches at Lalibela and Flight to Addis Ababa
In the morning, you'll visit the second group of rock-hewn churches that are namely: Bieta Gabriel and Raphael, Bieta Merquorios, Bieta Emmanuel with unprecedented Axumite style, and the Bieta Abaa Libanos (said to have been built by King Lalibela’s consort Meskal Kebra and visit the Bieta Ghiorghis, which is the cruciform chapel of St. George. You'll proceed to Lalibela airport for the flight back to Addis. Upon arrival, you'll visit the Ethnological Museum, which is located in the university. You'll have lunch and souvenir shopping. In the evening, you'll have a farewell dinner at one of the city’s best traditional restaurants to enjoy a variety of Ethiopian cuisines and watch traditional dancing. Then, you'll transfer to Bole International Airport for the night flight back home. Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included) Drinks not included
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)
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
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
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
Senait Ethiopia Tours
5.0 operator rating
42 reviews
Senait Ethiopia Tours is Ethiopian owned tour company that has been operating since 2008 that offers wide selections of tour package, tailor-made and customized tours throughout the beautiful & sunny country of Ethiopia. SET believe in high standards of service, but charge very competitive price. SET operates on a serious belief that it’s making and breaking is in the hands of its customers. This is not just a hollow slogan. For a service provider such as SET, the recommendations of our satisfied customers have more lasting effects than tons of literatures and promotional materials.
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
5-10 employees (Founded in 2008)
Tour Types
Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
Destinations
Ethiopia
Traveler feedback
Reviews
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5The services offered were excellent!!
We were in Addis Ababa for two days, taking advantage of a stopover on the way to China. It was a pleasant surprise for everyone in the group. We loved getting to know Addis Ababa, a beautiful city, undergoing great expansion and will undoubtedly be the economic and political heart of Africa. The services offered by SENAIT Ethiopia Tours, represented by Mr. Taddese Atlaw, served the Butterfly Tour group very well, offering us hotel options, a fantastic city tour and a wonderful guide, Mr. Mamush Eshetu. Ethiopia is on the list of destinations that the Butterfly Tour tour operator offers to Brazilians. Thank you very much.
Luciane Ribeiro - Commercial Director of Butterfly Tour Operator · Brazil
100 % profesional
I highly recommend the company to organize your stay in Ethiopia. The most important thing is to convey the scope of your requirements, they will cope 100%. Very professional guides and drivers.
Lukasz C · Poland
Exceptional experience
Great experience dealing with Taddese, great communicator and recommended the right things to do. Always felt safe and taken care of. Had a great guide the whole time. We were a family with three kids, ages 5-10 years old.
Lucas · Panama
Ethiopian beauties and contrasts tour
My 17-year-old daughter and I had a blast visiting Gondar, the Simien mountains, Lalibela and the Danakil Depression. The Senait team at each location was reliable, kind, knowledgeable and fun to travel with. The country is amazing in its diversity and beauty. I highly recommend visiting Ethiopia, and using Senait to do so. Thanks to the whole team and, maybe, see you all soon again!
Michaela · Switzerland
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 US dollars (USD).
Can children join this tour?
This tour accepts children who are 1 year and older. Children under 11 receive a discount and children under 5 are free.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Dinner Included. Meals: Dinner 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
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Senait Ethiopia Tours, 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 Senait Ethiopia Tours.
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