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Find and book Bahir Dar tours and activities in Ethiopia for your next trip
After you check into your Bahir Dar hotel, spend your first day exploring Lake Tana by boat and visiting its island monasteries-there are 37 islands and 30 of them hold churches and religious history you can see up close. You’ll visit the famed monastery church of Ura Kidane Mihiret, renowned for its collection of 16th–18th century religious icons, and the painted treasures of Azwa Mariam, where you’ll also have time to explore the small museum. On day two you’ll drive to the spectacular Blue Nile Falls (locally known as Tissisat), watch the water plunge 45 m (148 ft) creating steam clouds and rainbows, climb down to the base for an up-close view, then ascend the other side on a roughly one-hour round-trip walk before crossing the Blue Nile by boat to return to your starting point and spend the night in your hotel.
About this activity in Bahir Dar
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Explore Lake Tana by boat and visit island monasteries, including the famed Ura Kidane Mihiret with its 16th–18th century religious icons and the painting-rich Azwa Mariam plus its small museum.
- Experience the dramatic Blue Nile Falls (Tissisat), where water plunges about 45 m (148 ft) producing mist and rainbows - plus an up-close climb to the base for unforgettable views.
- Enjoy a scenic boat crossing on Lake Tana and the Blue Nile as part of your multi-day Bahir Dar sightseeing itinerary.
- Relax overnight in your Bahir Dar hotel after each day of cultural and nature-focused exploration in the region.
Important Information
- Day 1: After hotel check-in, you’ll take a boat tour of Lake Tana’s islands to visit monastery churches and a small museum; expect periods of standing and short walks between sites.
- Day 2: The Blue Nile Falls visit involves a roughly 1-hour round-trip walk including a descent to the falls’ base and an ascent on the opposite side; wear sturdy shoes and bring a light rain layer for mist.
- Boats are used both for island transfers on Lake Tana and for crossing the Blue Nile; plan for basic boat movement and crew-led transfers during the tour.
- The itinerary covers cultural and natural highlights around Bahir Dar across two days with hotel accommodation each night and time built in for photography and relaxed exploration.
Meeting Point
Meet in the lobby of your Bahir Dar hotel at the prearranged start time; specific pickup details will be confirmed on booking and any local contact will be provided in your reservation.
Includes
- You’ll be accompanied by a local guide familiar with Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, who can help you make the most of activities and navigate the area.
- A botel of water is provided so you can stay refreshed during your event in this destination.
- A car to waterfalls is included for transfers to nearby waterfall sites in the area, making it easier to reach natural highlights.
- Boat access is available for Water-Based segments of your booking, giving you flexible transportation on local waterways.
Excludes
- Church entrance fee is not included in the booking - plan to pay any religious site fees separately when visiting the area.
Other
- Wheelchair accessible: venues and Services in the event are designed to be accessible so you can move around with ease here.
- Service animals allowed: you may bring service animals to support accessibility during your stay and activities.
- Public transportation options are available nearby, providing convenient links to and from the event location.
- Infant policy: infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap during certain parts of the experience.
- Specialized infant seats are available if you need them for safety and comfort while traveling in the area.
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible to ensure easier boarding and transit for guests with mobility needs.
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible to support inclusive access across the venue and pathways.
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels: the event is designed so you can participate regardless of your fitness or mobility.
Customer Reviews
10/10
Based on 9 Reviews
Summary:
The best spot to hang out with friends and family , experience this feeling near lake tana with experience of culture and modern coffee shop!
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Summary:
We had a very enjoyable time in Bahir Dar. All went smoothly except for a couple of hiccups early on flight delay and a bit of rain. Hotels were good, transport on time, and the guides were good. Information was very helpful.
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Summary:
Affordable , Reliable and Professional service in Bahir Dar . We used Ethio tours in this September. It arranged for all of our tours in country , booked Domestic country flights (negotiated with the gate agent when there was an issue with our baggage allowance), booked our lodging (including finding a suitable Hotel in each destinations), found restaurants that met our needs, arranged for cultural experiences and great natural sight viewing.
We start our Tour in Bahir Dar his main Office found. ,We visited Lake tana monastery and waterfalls. Tana Monasteries are extraordinary places to visit and they are the calmest places to be and rich in religious attractions.
The day started with my arrival at Bahir Dar then off to Tississat to have a walk and see the waterfalls of the Blue Nile. After about 5 km on pavement, the road became just gravel. So, about 30 km to enjoy an "African Massage". The 30 minute walk to the falls was great - lots of local people using the path we took. What was interesting was that we crossed the first stone bridge constructed in Ethiopia in 1626. The scenery was stunning!
In the afternoon a visit to Lake Tana and 1-hour boat ride to Zege Peninsula. The objective was to see Ura Kidane-Mihret monastery which involved a short walk along a shaded trail lined with tourist knick-knacks stalls. The monastery was beautiful and the interior frescoes were stunning. Mas provided an explanation about the shape of the monastery and pointed out many of the biblical stories being told through the frescoes.
The return boat journey culminated in a sighting of Hippos enjoying the cool water.tractions.
Ethio Tours is very professional and also completely flexible, willing and able to tailor the perfect experience for each traveler. I highly recommend Ethio tours and car rent .
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Discover Bahir Dar: Book Your Water, Nature and Culture Events
Book immersive Bahir Dar, Ethiopia experiences that pair scenic boat trips, guided tours, and vibrant Art & Culture and Food & Drink offerings so you can explore the region’s waterways, markets, and historic sites with ease. You’ll find Outdoor & Nature and Nature & Wildlife activities alongside family-friendly and romantic options that make it simple to match an event or stay to your interests. Use the area as your base for multi-day full-day adventures, Workshops & Learning, and Services that connect you to local culture while keeping logistics effortless.
336.38 ft²
13 Guests
4 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
Family Friendly
Cabin
- Balcony/Terrace
- Breakfast
- Parking
US $49/Night
For 7 Nights US $343
US $70/Night
For 7 Nights US $490
Know more about Bahir Dar
You’ll explore Lake Tana’s islands by boat and visit monastery churches such as Ura Kidane Mihiret and Azwa Mariam. Ura Kidanemihiret houses a notable collection of religious icons from the 16th–18th centuries, while Azwa Mariam is known for its paintings and a small museum, making this a rich Art & Culture and Tours & Sightseeing experience.
Yes, after visiting the falls you cross the Blue Nile by boat to return to the departure point, so you’ll experience Water-Based transportation as part of the tour.
You will have a local guide during the Lake Tana island and monastery visits, who can provide historical and cultural context about the icons, paintings, and religious sites you’ll see.
You’ll drive to the Blue Nile Falls and climb down to the base for an up-close view of the 45 m (148 ft) plunge, which creates steam clouds and rainbows. The round-trip walk to the base and back takes about one hour, offering an accessible Outdoor & Nature and Adventure & Thrill activity.
Yes. The two-day schedule-boat visits to Lake Tana’s islands, monastery tours, and a trip to the Blue Nile Falls-works well for Family & Kids bookings, with short walks and boat rides that make it family-friendly and Group-Friendly.
Bring comfortable walking shoes for the one-hour round-trip climb to the falls, sun protection for time on Lake Tana, and a light waterproof layer for the mist near Tissisat; the itinerary combines Water-Based sightseeing and Outdoor & Nature activities so prepare accordingly.
