Ethiopia’s Northern Circuit Highlights

Our journey to the Historic North Circuit and Luxury Lodges is a variation of the traditional Historic North Circuit with a few major modifications:

• Camping in the Simien Mountains is substituted by 2 nights at Limalimo Lodge.
• You stay in Lalibela for 2 nights instead of 1.
• You sleep 2 nights in Gheralta Mountains, not one (and you stay in Korkor Lodge instead of Gheralta Lodge).
• Accommodation is the best possible in the area. In Addis you stay at the Capital Hotel & Spa. Not the nicest hotel in Addis but one of the better value for money top end hotels in the capital.
• Your journey begins in Addis Ababa, the busy metropolis of Ethiopia. Most international flights arrive in the morning and we will pick you up from the airport and drive you to your hotel where you can relax and freshen up after your travel. In the afternoon you can walk your first steps in to the city and visit some of the sites in Addis and then go to one of the capitals wonderful cultural eateries.
• From Addis you go to Bahir Dar, a lovely town on the lake, a good place for a little adventure. You can take a boat journey out on to Lake Tana and explore the Blue Nile Falls.
• Then, drive to Lalibela, one of the most famous places in Ethiopia, with the amazing rock-hewn cathedrals and exquisite Ben Abeba restaurant.
• Then you go to Gonder, the old capital city of Ethiopia, home to the crumbling castle ruins of the ancient kings and queens – Gonder is regarded as the Camelot of Africa.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a place of almost unbelievable beauty. From Gondar the road climbs up into the breathtaking magnificence of the Simien Mountains National Park. You are based at the lovely Limalimo Lodge with views of the gorgeous Simien Mountains. Limalimo is one of the top resorts in Ethiopia, offering spectacular views, stunning design and unparalleled service. The great setting for sundowners by the crackling fire after a day’s exploration!
• After the Simiens, take the switchbacks down to Axum, the original capital city of Ethiopia. Axum was a major powerful metropolis in the days of the Axumite empire. Its heyday may be long past, but the remains left from that time are interesting, and it is one of the most culturally significant areas of Ethiopia. The route through the drive is spectacular.
• Your vacation closes on a high note exploring the rock churches and scenery of Tigray. This trip you will base yourself in Korkor resort a stunning boutique resort, nicely designed and with the backdrop of the Gheralta Mountains giving a great view from your veranda. The rock churches in Tigray are constructed into the cliffs, some even require some brief rock climbing (all safe and supported by your guides) to get to – the views from the top are breathtaking.

A Detailed 12-Day Ethiopia’s Northern Circuit Itinerary

Day 1: Evening arrival in Addis

On arrival at Bole International Airport your driver will be waiting to meet you outside the airport building and bring you to your hotel. Activities subject upon foreign flight arrival timing.

Accommodation: Capital Hotel & Spa

Day 2: Addis Ababa

You can spend the day exploring the bustling capital city of Addis Abeba. Select the sights you want to visit, and have dinner at one of the capital’s great cultural restaurants.

Accommodation: Capital Hotel & Spa
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Bahir Dar

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your journey to Bahir Dar.

Take a boat tour on Lake Tana. The lake is known for its monasteries distributed across the many islands of the lake. Take a walk for around 15 minutes to the famed Ura Kidane Mihret church on the forested Zege peninsular. The church has paintings that are hundreds of years old, and there is a museum nearby with artefacts from antiquity. Here you can sip a local coffee and perhaps get a glimpse of the velvet monkeys and papyrus canoes being manufactured.

Head back out on Lake Tana and return to Bahir Dar on the outflow of the Nile river. You will witness dozens of pelicans (and maybe even a hippo or two!)

In the afternoon, see the Blue Nile Falls. Locally the falls are called ‘Tis Abay’ or ‘Smoking Water’.

Accommodation: Kuriftu Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Lalibela

Take a picturesque journey through the lowlands beside Lake Tana, into the mountains past volcanic plugs and forests, and up into the highlands around Mount Guna. Some parts of the route provide excellent views to the north and south, especially during the crossing of the road bridge between Wollo and Gondar provinces. You’ll have plenty time to stretch your legs and snap shots of the breathtaking backdrops.

At Gashena, head north, down from the hills, and then back up to Lalibela, one of Ethiopia’s most culturally important towns. Spend the afternoon touring this gorgeous town and the rock-hewn churches it’s so famous for.

We recommend dining in the evening at the amazing Ben Abeba restaurant – dinner with a view!

Accommodation: Mezena Lodge or Maribela Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Lalibela

After breakfast, see the other groups of rock-hewn churches. You can spend the afternoon at leisure or take a short excursion out into the highlands around Lalibela to explore some of the old monasteries found in the mountains, including Yimrehane Kristos, Bilbala, Asheton Maryam and the Nakuta La’ab monastery.

Accommodation: Mezena Lodge or Maribela Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Gondar

At midday we fly to Gondar, one of Ethiopia’s oldest capitals, with crumbling castle remnants of long-dead kings and queens. Explore the city, starting with the Debre Berhan Selassie Church. The massive, plain stone exterior of the cathedral reveals the vibrant frescoes inside. Look up and you will see a ceiling of angels looking down at you. This centuries old church was one of the few churches in Gondar to withstand demolition over Gondar’s violent history.

Next, move on to the Royal Enclosure, these fortresses were the original home of Emperor Fasilides, built in 1636. His successors enlarged the area, and today you see the ruins of palaces, libraries, lion cages, dining halls, and a women’s vocational school established by Mentewab, the Empress of Ethiopia.

As you go through these historic structures, you will observe a number of architectural styles competing for position, including Indian, Portugese, Moorish and Axumite. It talks about the age and history of this place.

Spend the night at Goha Hotel, one of the greatest places to stay in Gondar, with nice views of the city.

Accommodation: Goha Hotel or Gondar Hills resort
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Simien Mountains National Park

Today we make our way up to the breathtaking Simien Mountains, nicknamed as the ‘Roof of Africa’ and with good cause. Drive for around 2 hours on decent asphalt roads, stopping at the greatest sights along the way, to reach the Simiens.

Check into one of Ethiopia’s top lodges, Limalimo Lodge. The lodge has floor to ceiling windows and a patio with sunbeds with great views across the Simien range. The views, the aesthetics and the service make this lodge the perfect spot to relax after a day’s adventuring in the mountains.

This afternoon take several self-treks around the lodge to introduce yourself to the grandeur of the Simien Mountains. Back at the lodge for dinner by the blazing fire.

Accommodation: Limalimo Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Simien Mountains National Park

A long day spent touring the Simiens. There are a variety of treks to select from based on your interests and fitness. You can drive into the park to Buit Ras and do a 3 to 4 hour walk in the region. You are almost certain to see Gelada monkeys. Go to Sankaber and walk around the escarpment before heading to the Jinbar Falls, an incredible 500m waterfall that falls into the Geech Abyss.

Brilliant says: Your guide can walk you through certain trekking routes on the day. Some examples are Buit Ras to Jinbar Falls hike, Chennek Walk, Bwahit Climb, Imet Gogo or even Ras Dashen!

Accommodation: Limalimo Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Axum

Head down the slopes to Axum, leaving the mountains behind you. It’s a bit of a drive (6 hours or so) but through some lovely landscape. There will be plenty of chances to stretch your legs and soak up the vistas along the way!

Go to the city of Axum. Visit the archaeological sites, the tall obelisks, the tombs that used giant stone construction and the obelisk field west of town. Also view the compound of Tsion Mariam, the remnants of the ancient church and old Sabean stones that are scattered in the compound. Here we see the chapel of the Ark of the Covenant, and the more modern and Gonderine churches.

Accommodation: Sabean Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Hawzien

You end your vacation with a bang. Two nights at the beautiful Korkor Lodge in Tigray.

After lunch at the lodge, see some of the rock-churches in the area. The rock churches of Tigray are astonishing not only for their history, rock carvings and paintings but also for their expression of the religious conviction of the local people. Some of these churches are hewn into the face of the cliff high above and can only be reached by climbing the vertical cliff, yet still are used by local Ethiopians of all ages. The views from within the churches are spectacular. As the sun sets behind the mountains, the sky explodes in dark reds, yellows and oranges, the ideal finale to your excursion.

Accommodation: Korkor Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Hawzien

Another full day to explore the stunning landscapes and churches around Korkor Lodge or simply rest and enjoy the view from your balcony.

Accommodation: Korkor Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Return to Addis

Your time in Ethiopia comes to a conclusion. Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight back to Addis. Relax in the city or do some last minute shopping and sight seeing. Transfer to the airport for your international journey home.

The Bespoke African Safari Co. it’s easy to plan the start/end of your adventure around your overseas flights.

End of the 12-Day Ethiopia’s Northern Circuit