Cultural · Trekking · Private
The Complete North
Every great northern site, plus three days walking the Simien — driven overland where the road is worth it.
The Journey
14 nights, designed around the hours that matter
The Historic Route with the gaps filled in. Instead of flying between every stop, we drive the stretches that earn it — the Limalimo road down off the Simien, the Tigray highlands into Axum — and add three camp nights on the escarpment and the cliff churches of Gheralta.
Places
- Lake Tana
- Gondar
- Simien Mountains
- Axum
- Gheralta
- Lalibela
Tailor-made journey
Priced to your plans
Quoted individually once we know your dates, lodges and group size.
- Duration
- 15 Days · 14 nights
- Best season
- Oct – Mar
- Group size
- 2 – 8 guests
- Style
- Cultural · Trekking · Private
Final pricing depends on season, room category and group size. No deposit is taken until the itinerary is right.
Day by Day
The itinerary, as it usually runs
A working draft rather than a fixed schedule — we move days around for weather, festivals and how you are feeling.
Day 1
Arrive Addis Ababa
Private transfer, an afternoon to rest, and a welcome dinner with your trip coordinator.
Days 2 – 3
Bahir Dar & Lake Tana
The island monasteries by private boat, the manuscripts of the Zege peninsula, and the fish market at dawn.
Day 4
Blue Nile Falls to Gondar
A walk from Tis Abay village to the falls and across the seventeenth-century Portuguese bridge, then the road north to Gondar.
Day 5
Gondar
The royal enclosure, Debre Berhan Selassie, the Beta Israel village at Wolleka and Kuskuam at sunset.
Days 6 – 8
Simien trek
Camp to camp from Sankaber to Geech to Chenek, with Imet Gogo at sunrise and walia ibex on the final morning.
Day 9
The Limalimo road to Axum
Down the switchbacks off the Simien escarpment, across the Tekeze gorge and up into Tigray — one of the great drives in Africa.
Day 10
Axum
The stelae field, the Chapel of the Tablet from the permitted threshold, and the eighth-century BCE temple at Yeha on the road east.
Days 11 – 12
Gheralta
Abuna Yemata Guh for the climbers, Maryam Korkor for everyone, and a night in a village guesthouse below the cliffs.
Days 13 – 14
Lalibela
The churches at dawn, Asheton Maryam above town, and the cave church of Yemrehanna Kristos out in the hills.
Day 15
Addis & Departure
A morning flight south, a day room, and a final coffee ceremony before your evening departure.
What Is Included
- All domestic flights and a private vehicle with senior driver-guide
- Specialist local guides at Lake Tana, Gondar, Axum, Gheralta and Lalibela
- A fully supported three-day Simien trek with scout, mules and cook
- Boutique lodges throughout, and a community guesthouse in Gheralta
- Breakfast daily, full board on the trek and in Gheralta
- A dedicated trip coordinator reachable around the clock
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa fees
- Travel insurance (required)
- Gratuities and personal spending
Enquire
Make The Complete North yours
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability, quote precisely, and suggest the two or three changes we would make if it were our own trip.
Runs Oct – Mar · 2 – 8 guests · priced to your plans
Other Journeys
You may also be weighing up
Speak With a Designer
Questions before you enquire?
Altitude, road time, how hard the walking really is, whether the children will cope. Ask us anything — a designer will answer honestly.
Or call us directly on +1909-450-7246