Northern Circuit - April 7 to 14 - organize a tour or do it myself?

Hi everyone,

My wife and I will be in Ethiopia April 4 to April 20. We will spend a few days in Addis on both ends but want to do the Northern Circuit. We're flying on Ethiopian Airlines and therefore booking internal flights at the same time to get the cheaper rates.

Any advice on how to do the Northern Circuit with pre-booked flights? Does anyone know any good tour companies that will organize the rest of the trip around our flights? (i.e. pick us up from airport, drive us places, etc.) We especially need someone to take us from Gondor to the Simien Mountains for a day trek and then onto Axum.

Here is my tentative itinerary -- any tips, suggestions really appreciated -- we haven't had time to plan this trip!! Is this too hectic? A little about us: 30-something, have travelled in Africa a couple of times and are currently living in West Africa.

April 7: Fly Addis to Gondor, stay Gondor

April 8: Gondor, morning - afternoon, drive to Simien Mountains, stay Simien Lodge?

April 9: 1-day trek in Mountains, stay Simien Lodge?

April 10: drive to Axum

April 11: tour Axum

April 12: fly to Lalibela

April 13: Lalibela

April 14: fly to Addis

Thanks in advance.

It will be a bit of a rush but you have enough time to do the essentials - it's as long as most of the big package tours give you.
So what you need to get you the best out of your tiem is a good guide. I have travelled with Alex Abebe who is based in Gonder and is a licensed Simien guide, and would really recommend him - try e-mailing on alebachew_2005@yahoo.com. I have been right round to Lalibela with him, but as you are flying from Axum you will have to ask him to set up arrangements there for you - doubt if there will be a problem.
Axum he will.
I envy you. Enjoy.

you don't actually need somebody (guide) to pick you up at the airport, the airports are terribly small, u can't get lost and there's always a taxi or two at the airport to pick up the passengers.

you can easily see Addis in 1 or 2 days, didn't meet anybody who love Addis. People seem to prefere to spend time on the circuit instead of Addis.

the only time you do need a guide is Gonder - Simien - Aksum (you can't do that on your own/travelling by bus in such little time, you need a private car and somebody to arrange the trek). you don't need a guide in the other places.

Northern Circuit

Hi there.

We are off to Ethopia on the BMI flight this saturday, 4th April..staying in Addis and then doing the Northern Circuit as well for two weeks. We have also booked internal flights and have a similar schedule and plan to just hire some guy with a car or take public transport (I think..wife seems to have all the details..I'll be carrying the ruck-sacks!!).

The only think we have booked in the Hotel in Addis as we don't fancy arriving there at 2am on Sunday and then look for a hotel

Did a similar thing in India and Im sure it'll work out ok ..always seems to at the end

In such a short amount of time I wouldn't put much priority on Axum. Bahir Dar's monasteries are beautiful, especially if you splurge a bit and go to the central monasteries (3 hr boat ride), the town is fairly relaxed in a lovely setting. The best thing I could say about Axum is that it was extremely cheap.

I pre-booked most flights on Expedia, although I did Axum at the last minute. Everything went smoothly. No need for driving around, not only are the airports small as uersii noted, the towns themselves are very small. Everything is in walking distance.

If you choose Bahir Dar, you can fly nonstop Addis -> Bahir Dar, bus to Gondar, fly Gondar -> Lalibela, Lalibela -> Addis. Bear in mind that nonstops from Lalibela to ADD are not every day. If you choose to stick w/ Axum, note that ADD -> Gondar flights are also only nonstop on certain days. Since you've planned for lots of extra time in Addis apparently, so your dates for the circuit could be flexible.

Easy to book a Simiens trip in Gondar, any tourist-oriented hotel should do it. I stayed at Circle and there were several guides hanging around while tourists booked at the front desk.

Firstly, domestic flights in Ethiopia can be changed without penalty. So if you need the flexibility to stay longer/shorter in any place than planned, you can do it. Equally, be aware that flights can be delayed and cancelled so build some extra time into your schedule. And you can buy additional discounted flights while you are there, if necessary.

Joining a group would help with shared transport: essential if you want to go trekking in the Simien Mountains (and if you visit the monasteries on Lake Tana you will need to hire a boat). In Gondar the problem is avoiding people who are desperate to sell you tours and trekking expeditions. I enquired about these but since I was alone the cost would have been too high. I liked and trusted the travel agent who works in Circle Hotel, but the others (and especially the touts who approach you on the street) seemed dishonest and unreliable.