Ethiopia & East Africa · office in Gondar · Open daily · 8:00 - 18:00 (East Africa Time)
Northern Highlands
A pleasant lakeside town and gateway to Lake Tana — Ethiopia's largest lake and its historic island monasteries.
Bahir Dar sits on the southern shore of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile. It is a relaxed, leafy town and a natural base for exploring the lake's many islands and centuries-old monasteries.
Highlights include a traditional boat trip across the lake, visits to historic island monasteries, and the nearby Blue Nile Falls (Tis Abay).
It's a peaceful, human-scale counterpoint to the drama of the highlands.
Historic monasteries on islands and peninsulas, reached by traditional boat.
The magnificent Tis Abay falls, a short drive from the town.
Relaxed walks, birdlife and sunset over Africa's largest lake.
Most travellers arrive through Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport, then fly or drive north. We arrange every flight, transfer and road leg as part of your itinerary.
Read the transport guideDomestic flights link the capital with Gondar, Lalibela, Axum and Bahir Dar across the northern circuit.
We arrange airport and hotel transfers as part of every itinerary.
The northern circuit can be driven between sites by private 4x4, which we arrange for you.
Glide across Ethiopia's largest lake by traditional tankwa boat to visit island monasteries.
Gaze over the thunderous Blue Nile Falls (Tis Abay), one of Africa's great waterfalls.
Enjoy a relaxed, tree-lined lake town with excellent birdlife and sunsets.
Learn about Nilotic and highland cultures that meet around the lake's shores.
Highlands and holy rock churches
The classic combination: trek the Simien escarpment, then Lalibela's rock-hewn churches — history and highlands in one unforgettable journey.
Castles, churches and Lake Tana
Journey the legendary northern circuit — Gondar's castles, the churches of Lalibela, the stelae of Axum and the monasteries of Lake Tana.
Castles, monasteries and the Blue Nile
A relaxed three-day sweep through Gondar's imperial castles, the island monasteries of Lake Tana and the thunder of the Blue Nile Falls.
Every wonder of the north in one journey
The complete northern odyssey — Simien trekking, Gondar, Tana, Axum, the Tigray cliff churches, Lalibela and the Danakil in one grand loop.
Ancient monasteries by papyrus boat
A full day from Bahir Dar crossing Lake Tana by boat to centuries-old island monasteries with stunning wall paintings.
The astonishing history of Ethiopia — the rock churches of Lalibela, castles of Gondar, stelae of Axum, monasteries of Lake Tana and the walled city of Harar.
Learn morePhotographing and absorbing some of Africa's most dramatic scenery — vast escarpments, deep valleys, deserts, great lakes and endless savanna horizons.
Learn moreA typical monastery visit is half a day by traditional boat, and can be arranged as a morning or afternoon excursion.
Yes. It's a short drive from Bahir Dar with a gentle walk to the viewpoints, suitable for most visitors.
Most travellers combine this destination with another — the northern circuit, the Danakil, the Omo Valley or beyond. See which places fit your route.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the crown of the Ethiopian highlands — the 'Roof of Africa' — where sheer escarpments fall thousands of metres.
The 'Camelot of Africa' — an imperial city of castles, churches and a rich royal history in Ethiopia's northwest highlands.
Home to the extraordinary rock-hewn churches of Lalibela — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's great pilgrimage destinations.
Send us an inquiry and we'll help you build the perfect itinerary — tours, timing and logistics included.
