Updated October 2026. Entry and guide fees change and are not listed here.
The Blue Nile Falls, known in Amharic as Tis Abay (“great smoke”) or Tis Issat (“smoking water”), are where the Blue Nile plunges over a basalt cliff about 30 km downstream from Lake Tana. In the rainy season the river splits into several curtains of water up to about 400 metres wide, throwing up spray and rainbows that can be seen from far away. It is an easy half-day trip from Bahir Dar.
The falls are in the Amhara region. Read your government’s current travel advice before planning a visit.
What you will see
The falls drop about 40–45 metres into a gorge. How much water you see depends on the season and on the hydroelectric plant upstream, which diverts part of the river’s flow to generate electricity.
- Rainy season, July to October: the falls are at their most powerful, a thundering wall of brown water and mist.
- Dry season, roughly January to May: the flow is much lower and the falls can shrink to a few separate streams, though the gorge is still beautiful.
The walk
From the village of Tis Abay, a circular walk of about one and a half to two hours takes you to the falls and back.
- Walk out of the village and down to the Alata bridge, a stone bridge built in the 17th century and often called the Portuguese bridge.
- Climb up the far side to the main viewpoint facing the falls.
- Continue to the base of the falls for the spray, then return the same way, or cross the river above the falls by a small boat or a newer suspension bridge, depending on what is running.
The paths are rocky and can be slippery near the spray. Wear good shoes and keep a waterproof cover for your camera in the rains. Local children and guides will offer to show you the way; agreeing a fee with one guide at the start keeps things simple.
Getting there
- From Bahir Dar: about 30 km, around 45 minutes by car on a road that is partly rough. Minibuses go to Tis Abay village, or take a taxi or a tour.
- Most visitors combine the falls with a morning or afternoon boat trip on Lake Tana to the monasteries.
Good to know
- Go in the morning for the best light and fewer visitors.
- Bring water and sun protection; there is little shade on the open sections of the walk.
- Use insect repellent near the river in the evening.
- Carry small birr notes for entry, the boat and guides; see Ethiopian birr notes.
For more of the north, see Gondar and the Simien Mountains, and for the rest of the country, Ethiopia attractions by region.
