Ancient Sites and National Parks of Ethiopia  | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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Ancient Sites and National Parks of Ethiopia 

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PRIVATE TOUR - 14 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 6732

Private Tour Highlights

  • Drive to the Bale Mountains National Park with the possibility of spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala.
  • Take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 14th century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret, the most famous of the Zege peninsula monasteries.
  • Witness the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church, with its walls and ceilings decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history.
  • Observe the magnificent scenery and unique flora and fauna of Simien Mountains National Park, referred to as the "Roof of Africa".
  • Taste Addis Ababa's delicious cuisine and enjoy Ethiopia's famed Arabica coffee while exploring the capital city.
  • Visit the village of Tis Isat to see the glorious Blue Nile falls.
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

With a country filled with so much natural beauty and rich in archeological wonders, it can be a tough choice when deciding between seeing the Ancient Sites and National Parks of Ethiopia. That’s why Yampu’s travel experts have crafted the perfect itinerary to encompass all the stunning must-see sites of Ethiopia with 14-days of exploring ancient monasteries and pristine wilderness.

The tour begins with the perfect introduction to Ethiopia’s long-lasting history with a visit to the country’s capital, Addis Ababa, the country’s cultural and historic center. The city’s National Museum exhibits numerous prehistoric fossils, including replicas of the famous early hominid, “Lucy,” dating back over three million years. From the capital, the tour continues to Lalibela, known for its distinct rock-carved churches. Travelers will then continue to the ancient city of Axum, one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world.

After observing Axum’s ancient obelisks, travelers will take to what is known as “the Roof of Africa” to observe the Gelada Baboon and the breath-taking landscape of the Simien Mountains. After a few days of tranquility, explorers will head to Bahir Dar to witness the stunning Blue Nile Falls as well as the pristine Tama Lake. From Bahir Dar, travelers will then return to Addis Ababa before heading into the dense forests of Bales Mountains National Park. While in the highest national parks in Africa, visitors will have the chance to spot unique wildlife found only in Ethiopia.

 

Inclusions
Price includes domestic and regional flights within the itinerary; all hotel accommodations including daily continental or buffet breakfast and daily city tax; all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling; guided tours in English including entrance fees.
Exclusions

International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services, and other personal items or services not mentioned.

Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 6732

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

International Flight to Ethiopia

Overnight International Flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Overnight International Flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

plane-wing-clouds-flight
Day
2

Welcome to Addis Ababa!

Upon arrival to Addis Ababa, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Serving as the capital and largest city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa is the cultural and historic center of the country. The city's National Museum exhibits numerous prehistoric fossils, including replicas of the famous early hominid, "Lucy." Aside from its fascinating history, visitors will also appreciate Addis Ababa's rich food scene as well as Ethiopia's famed export, Arabica coffee.

Upon arrival to Addis Ababa, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Serving as the capital and largest city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa is the cultural and historic center of the country. The city's National Museum exhibits numerous prehistoric fossils, including replicas of the famous early hominid, "Lucy." Aside from its fascinating history, visitors will also appreciate Addis Ababa's rich food scene as well as Ethiopia's famed export, Arabica coffee.

Day
3

Lalibela Sightseeing Tour

At the appropriate time you will be met at your hotel to transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela.

Upon arrival to Lalibela, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel to freshen up before your Lalibela Sightseeing Tour.

Lalibela, also known as "Africa's Petra", is Ethiopia's crown jewel. It is home to the most famous churches and the scene of many major religious ceremonies.

We will visit the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, which are called the "Eighth Wonders of the World". These churches were hewn out of solid rock between 800 - 1200 AD and are still active houses of worship. The churches are carved below ground level, ringed by trenches and courtyards and are arguably Ethiopia's top attraction. They are connected to each other by a tangled maze of tunnels and passages.

You will visit the first group of six churches that lie 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 one is built like a Greek Temple.

Next, you will visit the second group of churches. Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant 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 through 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. In the afternoon, take an excursion to Yemrehana Kristos, located in a mountain ridge, in the peak of Abuna Yosef. This exquisite church, a masterpiece of Axumit wood and stone construction and renewed for its interior decoration. The walls are subdivided vertically with recessions and projections.
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Day
4

Lalibela - Axum with City Tour

At the appropriate time you will be met at your hotel to transfer to the airport for your flight to Axum.

Upon arrival to Axum, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel before your Axum City Sightseeing Tour.

Dating from the second century B.C., Axum City reached its height of power between the fourth and seventh centuries A.D., when it controlled most of present-day Ethiopia and, at times, both sides of the Red Sea. Axum was once the center of a great empire, and the seat of learning for the ancient Ge'ez language and literature. Take a city tour that includes the Stelae Park. These famed granite obelisks are relics of this time and have gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The tallest, the Great Stele, has fallen and broken into six massive pieces, but when standing, it was 33 meters (108 feet) tall and weighed about five hundred tons. The tallest obelisk still standing at Axum today is about 23 meters (75 feet) tall, still an impressive sight! We continue the city tour, visiting St. Mary's Church and the Sanctuary Chapel which is the repository of the Ark of the Covenant; the Coronation Yard; King Ezana's Park; and the "Queen of Sheba" ruins, once a massive palace with finely mortared stonewalls, deep foundations, and its own impressive drainage system, believed to be the oldest building in Axum.
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Day
5

Axum - Gondar - Simien

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Gondar.

Upon Arrival to Gondar, you will be transferred to this evening's hotel.

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Gondar.

Upon Arrival to Gondar, you will be transferred to this evening's hotel.

Day
6

Chenek Sightseeing Tour

Today, you will drive to Chenek. You will have beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge. This is a great place to spot the Walia ibex, if you are lucky, and the Ethiopian Wolf. Tucked away behind a hillock on a mini plateau is a romantic spot with a bench, looking back to Imet Gogo and Inatye.

Today, you will drive to Chenek. You will have beautiful views on both sides of the escarpment ridge. This is a great place to spot the Walia ibex, if you are lucky, and the Ethiopian Wolf. Tucked away behind a hillock on a mini plateau is a romantic spot with a bench, looking back to Imet Gogo and Inatye.

Day
7

Trek to Simien Mountains with Gondar Sightseeing Tour

After having breakfast, you will sight the morning view of the Simien Mountains and do a light trek around there, to observe the Gelada Baboon and the breath-taking landscape. In the afternoon you will drive to Gondar, a town founded in 1636 by the great Emperor Fassiladas. Set in a landscape of incomparable beauty, it was the Royal Capital of Ethiopia. Visit the impressive castles and churches built by Emperor Fassiladas and his descendants.

Later proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church, with its walls and ceilings decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval history.
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Day
8

Blue Nile Falls

This morning, you will drive to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will drive to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile falls.



(please be informed that due to the newly constructed electric dam in the vicinity the water level of the falls could be very minimal.)

This morning, you will drive to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will drive to the village of Tis Isat to see the Blue Nile falls.



(please be informed that due to the newly constructed electric dam in the vicinity the water level of the falls could be very minimal.)

Day
9

Lake Tana Cruise

This morning, you will take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 14th century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret, the most famous of the Zege peninsula monasteries with a very beautiful painted maqdas and a priceless collection of crosses and crowns. After the visit, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa.

Upon arrival to Addis Ababa, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

This morning, you will take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 14th century Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret, the most famous of the Zege peninsula monasteries with a very beautiful painted maqdas and a priceless collection of crosses and crowns. After the visit, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa.

Upon arrival to Addis Ababa, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Day
10

Addis Ababa Historical Sightseeing Tour

Begin your city tour of Addis with a drive to Mount Entoto. This is a historical place where Emperor Menelik II resided and built his palace when he came from Ankober and founded Addis Ababa. It is considered a sacred mountain and has many monasteries. It is situated at an altitude between 2,600 and 3,100 meters. You will have a magnificent view of the city. Then, drive to the National Museum that houses the nation's artistic treasures as well as many of the most precious archaeological finds. This includes the fossilized remains of early hominids, the most famous of which is "Lucy," the partial skeleton of a specimen of Australopithecus afarensis. The well-known Lucy is said to be 3.2 million years old. After visiting the museum, you will drive to Trinity Cathedral Church. This church is the highest-ranking Orthodox cathedral in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It was built to commemorate Ethiopia's liberation from Italian occupation and is the second most important place of worship in Ethiopia, after the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum.

This afternoon, you will visit the Ethnological museum set within Haile Selassie's former palace, surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University's main campus. Even if you're not normally a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of your time - it's easily one of the finest museums in Africa. Later, you drive to Mercato and visit the largest open market in Africa, where you will drive through the market. Mercato is located covering several square miles and employing an estimated 13,000 people in 7,100 business entities.
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Day
11

Addis Ababa - Goba - Dinsho Park Tour

This day, you will drive to the Bale Mountains National Park (460 km / 286 miles, approx. 10 hours). Arrive at the park headquarters, Dinsho in the afternoon, with the possibility of spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Blue-Winged Goose, the Spot-Breasted Lapwing, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget's Rail, and numerous other species.

This day, you will drive to the Bale Mountains National Park (460 km / 286 miles, approx. 10 hours). Arrive at the park headquarters, Dinsho in the afternoon, with the possibility of spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Blue-Winged Goose, the Spot-Breasted Lapwing, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget's Rail, and numerous other species.

Day
12

Sanetti Plateau & Harenna Forest Tour

Take an excursion to the Bale Mountains National Park Sanetti plateau where you will be able to witness high mountain botany reaching over 4,377m above sea level. You will also have the chance to encounter various game and birds amongst which the endemics Ethiopian wolves and Mountain Nyala.

Take an excursion to the Bale Mountains National Park Sanetti plateau where you will be able to witness high mountain botany reaching over 4,377m above sea level. You will also have the chance to encounter various game and birds amongst which the endemics Ethiopian wolves and Mountain Nyala.

Day
13

Goba - Addis Ababa

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to your hotel in Addis Ababa.

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to your hotel in Addis Ababa.

Day
14

International Flight Home

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home.

At the appropriate time, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Places You'll See

  • Addis Ababa

    Ethiopia’s sprawling capital city, located along the Great Rift Valley, provides travelers with a fantastic introduction to the country’s culture and history. History buffs will appreciate hundreds of prehistoric fossils at the National Museum where replicas of the famous early hominid, “Lucy,” reside. Foodies can indulge in Addis Ababa’s plentiful culinary scene and participate in an important part of Ethiopian culture with a delicious coffee ceremony.

  • Lalibela

    Known for its distinct rock-carved churches, Lalibela is one of Ethiopia’s most sought-after sites. Dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, the most well-known of the subterranean monoliths are Bete Medhane Alem and the cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis. The eleven churches of the area were carved entirely by hammer and chisels, complete with windows and detailed columns and roofs all connected by underground tunnels. The creations are still used for ceremonies, vigils, and processions today.

  • Axum

    Once a powerful kingdom during the Christian era, Axum is one of Africa’s oldest continuously inhabited sites and is well known for its tall obelisks that still stand today, some reaching 33m tall. Axum is also thought to be the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant within the Chapel of the Tablet, the holiest site in Ethiopia.

  • Gondar

    The royal and historical city of Gondar is well known for its royal complex of ancient castles and palaces of numerous architectural styles dating back to the 17th century. Located north of Lake Tana and just south of the Simien Mountains, Gondar serves as the perfect stopover between the two destinations.

  • Bahir Dar

    With its charming lake side views, the city of Bahir Dar has long served as the gateway to both the massive Tana Lake and the impressive Blue Nile waterfall. Keeping out an eye for hippos and crocodiles, visitors can cruise along the waters to the many islands in Tana in search for ancient churches and monasteries.

  • Goba

    Goba has long served as the gateway to Bales Mountains National Park, the ultimate destination for trekkers and wildlife lovers. From the rare Ethiopian wolf to the elusive mountain Nyla, much of the park’s fauna can be found only in Ethiopia. Visitors can explore one of the highest national parks in Africa on horseback, go fishing, or explore the local communities to get to know their unique customs and culture.

Hotel Options

4 Star Properties

Addis Ababa : Radisson Blu

Lalibela : Maribela Hotel

Axum : Sabean International Hotel

Simien : Limalimo Lodge

Gondar : Goha Hotel

Bahir Dar : Kuriftu Resort & Spa

Goba : Bale Mountain Lodge

Testimonials

Erica

Traveled July, 2016

It has certainly been a wonderful trip!

The best part of safari was just sitting and observing the animals.  Hearing them chew,walk, etc.  Loved it.  Victoria Falls was superb and we like them best from Zambian side.  It has certainly been a wonderful trip!

Traveled To


Bernadette M.

Traveled December 2017

Traveling with Yampu Tours is the only way to go.

Love Yampu Tours and Steph Rudolph!! This is the third time that we have traveled with Yampu and it is absolutely wonderful and the vacations are relaxing, hassle free, and magical. Yampu is great at planning everything for us in advance. We are met by friendly tour guides at the airport, as well as each day for our various excursions. We are provided a private tour guide and driver for each excursion, so we never have to worry about waiting on a group or rushing through the day’s events. Everything is on our schedule and planned in advance. It is just the best way to travel. And, working with Steph Rudolph at Yampu – she is the amazing!!! She knows exactly what we like, has great suggestions for us to consider, and times our whole trip perfectly. We never feel rushed or overwhelmed and she takes care of every detail. She is a delight to work with – always on top of things, checking-in, and making sure that everything is perfect. Due to her attention to ensuring a great vacation and her professionalism, we have always had a perfect vacation. We will never travel anywhere without Yampu again. Many thanks to Steph and Yampu!!!

Traveled To

Shannon

Traveled August, 2014

The whole family had such a wonderful time

I have a few more comments you might be interested in.I am so glad you sent us to Sanbona and Shamwari, especially Shamwari. They were both easier to get to than Kruger and we didn’t even need malaria prophylactics which was very nice. I was worried the animal viewing wouldn’t be good so relatively close to civilization, but it was terrific!I also appreciate your getting tickets to Robben Island and Table Mountain for us and taking care of the transportation. It was nice to be able to just enjoy. You even managed good weather for us. Robben Island had been closed the previous four days! Don’t know how you did it.Want to say once again, the guides were wonderful. They were both so knowledgeable and shared some of their experiences with apartheid. They also had a great sense of humor and very quickly picked up on our family jokes. The whole family had such a wonderful time. The children managed everything beautifully– the very long plane ride, the change in time zones and climate, new foods and schedules. They were amazing. Once again, we thank you so much and would be happy to serve as references.

Traveled To

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