Discovery of Ethiopia as a family "From ancient Abyssinia of the highlands to the lakes of the African Great Rift Valley"
From the highlands to the Rift lakes: castles of Gondar, rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and gelada baboons of the Simien
Duration
12 days
From
€1,380/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Family, Couple, senior
The spirit of travel
A trip that focuses on discovering the prestigious natural sites of Éthiopie: the Great Rift Valley with its string of lakes, the Simien mountains and its monkey colonies and the Blue Nile Falls.
The cultural and historical aspect of the country is of course not neglected: The boat visit to the monastery islands of Lake Tana, the medieval castles of Gonder and the churches of Lalibela which you discover through a maze of tunnels and underground passages.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Lake Tana and its monastery islands
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar
Pick-up and transfer to the hotel.
Arrival in bahirdar, capital of the Amhara region with its riviera-like atmosphere, palm trees and vast lake. Stroll along the Lake Tana.
Boat excursion on Lake Tana, home to around thirty islands and as many churches and monasteries. Observation of numerous birds, hippopotamuses, and fishermen on their tankwas (traditional papyrus boats).
Visit to the Ura Kidane Meret Monastery, a remarkable example of Éthiopie architecture and religious painting and its museum housing a collection of crosses dating back to the 14th century.
Stroll among the coffee plants and mango trees to Azoua Mariam Church and return by boat.
In the evening, meet at an azmari bet, a local music and dance club where the azmari, like a medieval minstrel, improvises in verse on local life.
The Blue Nile Falls
Visit to the market of Bahir Dar where farmers from the region converge.
Drive to the village of Tis Abay.
After crossing the Blue Nile by an old 16th century Portuguese bridge, walk along a trail to a superb viewpoint overlooking the Blue Nile Falls(400 m long and 45 m high) then reach the foot of the waterfall after crossing a lovely suspension bridge.
Climb back up via another trail and return to the other bank by boat
Visit to the village and coffee ceremony in a village house.
Gondar and its Medieval Castles
Departure for Gondar by a scenic road along the eastern shore of Lake Tana.
Gondar and its medieval castles
Capital of Éthiopie from the 17th to the 19th century, Gondar holds a rich architectural heritage.
Visit of the imperial city which groups within an enclosure of 900 m, palaces, churches, monasteries, public and private buildings of a very particular style, marked by Indian and Arab influences, and transformed by the baroque aesthetic transmitted by Jesuit missionaries.
Visit of the Debre Birhan Selassie Church, an ancient and very famous church whose ceiling and walls are entirely painted with magnificent hundreds of angel faces.
Simien Mountains National Park
Registration with park authorities and transfer to Sankaber
Sankaber (3250m) – Jinbar; hiking time: approx. 1h 30
Hiking on the ridgeline trail among afro-alpine vegetation with magnificent views over the steep canyons and surrounding peaks up to the great Jinbar waterfall.
Along the way, observation of a colony of Gelada baboons, large primates endemic to the red-chested high plateaus of Éthiopie. These baboons are vegetarian and live in groups of 200-300 with a dominant male. They spend their time grazing and grooming. You will be able to get very close to them.
Subject to advance notice, possibility of doing a longer hike (approximately 4h)
Lalibela, the "Black Jerusalem"
Transfer to the airport for your flight
Arrival in Lalibela, the holy city of Christians in Éthiopie, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Standing at 2500 m altitude, the small town of Lalibela is the most important pilgrimage site in the country.
Discovery of Lalibela's architectural treasures, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The churches were not built in a traditional manner, but carved out of rock in monolithic blocks.
Within these blocks, doors, windows, columns, different levels, roofs, … were then created. This titanic work was subsequently completed by a vast system of drainage ditches, trenches and processional passages with, sometimes, openings to hermit caves or catacombs.
The Wollo highlands and their village communities
Lalibela and the village communities of Wollo
Climb towards the escarpment overlooking the Lalibela site and offering superb views over the Sekota valley and the high plateau.
Walk through the countryside discovering the agricultural village communities.
Visit the old village with its toukouls (traditional round houses with thatched roofs)
Heading South and the Great Lakes
Abiata & Shalla Lakes National Park
Langano → Parc National Abijatta-Shalla
Visit to the Abiata and Shalla Lakes National Park: crater lakes frequented by colonies of pink flamingos.
Parc National Abijatta-Shalla → Langano
Return to Langano
The Great Rift Valley
Addis Ababa, the "new flower"
Discovery of Addis Ababa in full transformation: from the historic Piassa district to the city's latest developments.
Visit to the Ethnological Museum of Addis housing the skeleton of the famous Lucy (3.4 million year old humanoid fossil), the Trinity Cathedral which houses the tomb of Emperor Haile Selassie.
Drive to the Entoto Mountains for a panoramic view of the city and a stroll through the newly developed park in the eucalyptus forest.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Visa Fees
- International Flight
- Domestic flights (€190/person for clients traveling with Ethiopian Airlines)
- Meals and Beverages
Included
- Private vehicle transportation with driver
- Hotel accommodation with breakfast (on a double room basis)
- An English-speaking guide-accompanier
- Boat excursions on Lake Tana and Lake Ziway
- The entrance fees for the various sites, permits and activities as mentioned in the program
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Ethiopia for a tourism stay. As entry rules may change, we recommend verifying this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Ethiopia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after the date of entry into the country and must include at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada must have a visa to enter Ethiopia. There is no visa exemption for tourism stays.
Two main options are available:
the electronic visa (e-Visa), to be requested online before departure via the official Ethiopian immigration services portal, for entry by air, in particular at Addis Ababa International Airport;
the visa on arrival, available at certain official entry points, particularly at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, subject to changes in access conditions.
The tourist visa is generally granted for stays up to 30 days, with the possibility of extension on site through Ethiopian immigration services.
The authorities may request:
an outbound travel ticket (return flight or onward connection),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay,
an accommodation reservation for the duration of the stay.
Health and Vaccinations
No vaccination is required to enter Ethiopia, except in the case of arrival from a country at risk of yellow fever, in which case proof of yellow fever vaccination (international vaccination certificate) is required upon entry.
The following vaccinations are nonetheless strongly recommended before departure:
yellow fever (depending on areas visited),
hepatitis A and B,
typhoid,
meningitis,
update of routine vaccinations (tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles).
Malaria is present in many regions of Ethiopia, particularly outside Addis Ababa. Antimalarial prophylaxis is strongly advised. Consult your doctor or a travel medicine center before departure.
Travel with Children
Minors must hold their own valid passport and an individual visa covering the duration of the stay.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an exit authorization from the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Other Nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Ethiopia in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to have evacuation assistance and foreign medical expenses coverage.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to one.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claims notification procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
An e-visa is required and must be applied for online before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date. Processing is usually quick (2-3 business days). Before booking your trip, check with the consular authorities of your destination regarding entry requirements applicable to your nationality, including visa fees and authorized lengths of stay.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, plan between 160 and 260 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport (with domestic flights), English-speaking guide and activities. International flights (700-1100 euros round trip) are additional. The Omo Valley tribe trip is a unique experience.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to travellers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you reach the perfect version. You confirm and depart with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST guarantee (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Northern Historic Triangle
Weaver of encounters in Ethiopian lands, based in Addis-Abeba
Ethiopia calls for curiosity and openness. What I love is helping travelers move beyond first impressions to dive into the depth of the country.
— Anna
