Wildlife · Cultural · Private
The Road North
Addis to Lalibela by road — Ethiopian wolves on the Guassa Plateau and a thirteenth-century lake monastery on the way.
The Journey
7 nights, designed around the hours that matter
Most guests fly straight to Lalibela and miss everything in between. This route drives it: up onto the community-protected Guassa Plateau for wolves and geladas, down to Lake Hayk and the monastery of Istifanos, then over the highlands to the rock churches. Please note Istifanos admits men only; women are welcome at the nearby nunnery.
Places
- Addis Ababa
- Guassa Plateau
- Lake Hayk
- Lalibela
Tailor-made journey
Priced to your plans
Quoted individually once we know your dates, lodges and group size.
- Duration
- 8 Days · 7 nights
- Best season
- Oct – May
- Group size
- 2 – 6 guests
- Style
- Wildlife · Cultural · 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 and a route briefing over dinner — including warm layers, since Guassa nights fall well below freezing.
Day 2
Up to the Guassa Plateau
North-east through Debre Birhan and onto the Menz highlands, arriving at the community lodge near Mehal Meda for an evening walk among giant lobelia.
Day 3
Wolves & geladas
Out at dawn with a community scout, when the Ethiopian wolves hunt across the open grassland, then gelada troops on the plateau edge and the town of Mehal Meda in the afternoon.
Day 4
Down to Lake Hayk
Off the plateau and north along the highland road past Kombolcha and Dessie, to a lakeside night at 2,030 metres.
Day 5
Istifanos to Lalibela
The monastery and its museum in the morning — among its treasures a gospel book made here in 1280–81 — then over the mountains to Lalibela.
Days 6 – 7
Lalibela
Both church clusters at their best hours, the climb to Asheton Maryam, and the cave church of Yemrehanna Kristos.
Day 8
Addis & Departure
A morning flight back to Addis Ababa and a day room before your evening departure.
What Is Included
- Private 4x4 and senior driver-guide from Addis Ababa to Lalibela
- Guassa community conservation fees and a local community scout
- Two nights at the Guassa community lodge, with our own cook
- Lakeside accommodation at Hayk and a lodge in Lalibela
- The return flight from Lalibela to Addis Ababa
- Full board on the plateau, breakfast and dinner elsewhere
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa fees
- Travel insurance (required)
- Gratuities and church donations
Enquire
Make The Road 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 – May · 2 – 6 guests · priced to your plans
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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