Discover the Serenity of Tana Qirqos Island
Experience the tranquil beauty and rich cultural heritage of Tana Qirqos Island, a serene retreat in the heart of Ethiopia's Lake Tana.
Nestled in the heart of Ethiopia, Tana Qirqos Island offers an enchanting retreat for tourists seeking tranquility, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes. Surrounded by the shimmering waters of Lake Tana, this island is not only a natural paradise but also a site of cultural significance, home to ancient churches and the legacy of Saint Yared, the revered Ethiopian composer. Experience the vibrant local traditions and stunning views that make Tana Qirqos a must-visit destination.
A brief summary to Tana Qirqos
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Local tips
- Visit early in the morning for the best light and fewer crowds.
- Consider hiring a local guide to learn about the island's history and cultural significance.
- Bring binoculars for birdwatching, as the island is home to various bird species.
- Respect local customs and traditions, especially when visiting religious sites.
Getting There
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Car
If you are traveling by car, start from the city of Bahir Dar in Gojjam. Head southwest on the main road towards Gojjam, following signs for Gonder. After approximately 30 kilometers, you will reach the town of Gorgora. From Gorgora, continue driving towards the shores of Lake Tana for about 10 kilometers until you reach the Tana Qirqos area. Look for signs indicating the turn-off for the island, as Tana Qirqos is located on an island in Lake Tana.
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Public Transportation
To reach Tana Qirqos using public transportation, take a minibus from Bahir Dar to Gorgora. The ride takes about 1 hour and costs around 30-50 Ethiopian Birr. Once you arrive in Gorgora, you will need to hire a local boat to take you to Tana Qirqos. The boat ride typically costs around 100-200 Birr per person and takes about 15-20 minutes. Ensure you negotiate the price and confirm the boat's departure time.
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Boat
After arriving at Gorgora, finding a boat to Tana Qirqos is essential. Look for local fishermen or boat operators near the shore. Make sure to agree on the price before boarding, as prices can vary depending on demand and the size of the group. The boat will take you directly to Tana Qirqos, where you can explore the area and learn about its historical significance.
Discover more about Tana Qirqos
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
የደምቢያ ሓይቅ (Lake Dembea)
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Kibrian Gebriel monastery
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Abay Minch Lodge
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Tana Hotel
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Blue Nile Resort Hotel
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JACARANDA HOTEL ,BAHIR DAR
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Kuriftu Resort and Spa Bahir Dar
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Ethio Nile Tours
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Unison Hotel
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Naky Hotel
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Rahnile Hotel
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Yotor Travel
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Blue Nile Hotel
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Bravo Ethiopia Tours
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Teferi Mekonnen Hotel
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Unmissable attractions to see
አንበሳሜ፣ እስቴና ስማዳ መገንጠያ
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Wanzaye Detour
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ይላስ መጣያ አካባቢያዊ ፏፏቴ/Yilas Metaya Local Fall
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አበያ ረግረጋማ ቦታ/ Abeya Swampy place
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Lack tana
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ye bilata zewdu mender
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Wanzaye Hotspring
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Azwa St. Maryam Church | አዝዋ ቅድስት ማርያም ቤተክርስቲያን
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Dek Island
24.7 km
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Ura Kidane Mihret Monastery (ኡራ ኪዳነ ምሕረት ገዳም)
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بحيرة تانا
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yoni's & Li's spot
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Narga Selassie
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Mam Sampling
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Debra Mariam Monastery
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Essential places to dine
BDU Zenzelima Café
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Dahlak Fish Restaurant | ዳህላክ ዓሣ ቤት
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Gech Fresh Fish Restaurant | ጌች ትኩስ ዓሣ ቤት
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Laounge
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Moon light
31.3 km
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Grand Hotel & Resort
31.6 km
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Lake Shore Resort
31.6 km
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Taytu Restaurant
31.7 km
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Bahir Dar Breeze
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Hani Juice
31.7 km
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Misrak Restaurant ምስራቅ ልዩ ምግብ
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Bet Diplomat
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Lake Avenue Hotel-Bahirdar
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Caron Pension
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ጨጨሆ የባህል ምግብ ቤት-Checheho Cultural Restaurant
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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SOL
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Abay Table Salt whole sale & retail shop
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DAFA B
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Wude Coffee
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Bahiru Gift shop ባህሩ የስጦታ እቃዎች መደብር
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FilawSer Fashion
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እልፍኝ የባህል አልባሳት/ELFIGN CULTURAL DRESSING/
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DEYA BRAND ORIGINAL BRAND SHOES ደያ ብራንድ
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Kalab's home
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Adanebookstore
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Sewasew Stationery
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ማ.ኪ.ባ ፋሽን/Makiba Fashion
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Begeta Electronics
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Lounge
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Tg fish cafe
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Do 3 brothers
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Castel Kuriftu Wina Bar
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Tsion restaurant
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Bar
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Kokel Coffee House
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Miracle Lounge
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Nady HOUSE
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Balageru Cultural Club
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Ras Dashen Pub
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Limalemo Bar
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Climax
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Banchu Grocery and Snack
32.0 km
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Amsale mitike cultural entertainment
32.0 km
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