13-Day North and South Ethiopia Tour

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arriva Addis Ababa

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel in the city center. Following a period of relaxation and rejuvenation at the hotel, your guide will accompany you to experience the main attractions of Addis. You will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the finest coffee globally in the Piazza, visit the National Museum and Archaeological Museum, which houses the ancient remains of Lucy, and stroll through the largest outdoor market in Africa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Best Western Plus Pearl Addis

• Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Gondar Explore Castle and Churches

Early in the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to the airport for your domestic to Gonder. Upon your arrival, your guide will accompany you as you delve into the intriguing medieval history of Gondar. The itinerary for your tour covers the Royal Enclosure, surrounded by lovely gardens, as well as Fasilidas Bath and the remarkable Debre Berhan Selassie Church, celebrated for its vibrant and impressive interior artwork, often considered one of the most exquisite church interiors in the nation.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Gondar Hills Resort

• Mid-range resort located in Gondar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Gondar- Simien Mountain -Sankaber

You will be collected from your hotel in Gondar at approximately 7.30am for the journey to Debark. Upon arriving in Debark, you will register at the park headquarters, meet your guide and scout, and then ascend into the mountains. The road extends directly to the first campsite at Sankaber; however, you will be let off en route for a relaxing three-hour acclimatization hike. Once you exit the vehicle, the breathtaking views along the ridge will be immediately noticeable. There will be a chance to enjoy a picnic lunch, and after a brief yet challenging ascent (given the altitude) to Sankaber, you will be greeted, as is customary on this trek, with a selection of fresh coffee, tea, and snacks. The walking distance is 7 kilometers, which will take about two to three hours.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Sankber – Geech camp

Breathtaking vistas of the foothills that lie 800 meters beneath. Low bush area abundant with Giant Heather, soda apple, Abyssinian rose, St John’s Wort, and Globe thistle. A remarkable feature of the journey from Sankaber to Geech is Genbar Falls, which presents a dramatic 500-meter vertical drop. You can observe the graceful of falcons, augur buzzards, and lammergeyer bearded vultures as they ride the thermal currents below. Continuing from Genbar Falls, the trail meanders through cultivated fields, interrupted by a lunch stop at a more tranquil waterfall that is less daunting. You might spot Klipspringers and bush bucks, and troops of Gelada Baboons searching the fields for roots. Just before arriving at the Geech campsite, chance to visit a traditional village home for some roasted coffee and injurra be sure to ask your guide. Geech Camp is located on a grassy plateau offering magnificent sunset views. The trek lasts 7 to 8 hours, covering a distance of 15 kilometers.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit September to December (Beautiful scenery)

High Season October to April (Lodges are busy)

Best Weather October to April

Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP

Gelada Monkey Abundant

Walia Ibex Occasional

Ethiopian Wolf Rare

Klipspringer Rare

Bushbuck Rare

Show more

Golden Jackal Rare

Hyena Rare

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Geech-Immet gogo -Siha Gorge-kedadit-Geech

Following breakfast, you will embark on a two-hour hike across the grassy plateau, passing numerous strikingly large Giant Lobelia plants. Your goal is to reach Imet Gogo, a remarkable rocky outcrop that offers panoramic views of the Simien Range. Positioned at an elevation of 3,926 meters, you can gaze to the West along the ridge toward Sankaber and Geech, and to the Southeast across a steep gorge toward the upcoming ridge path leading to Inatye and Chennek Camp. These sights are arguably the most breathtaking in the Simien Mountains, and the drop below is quite steep. After exploring Imet Gogo, you'll make your way back to camp by way of the Siha Gorge for lunch. The afternoon is yours to enjoy freely before you set out for a short optional trek to KedaDit (3,760 meters) to catch the sunset. You will spend the night once more at Geech Camp. Total walking time is 5 to 6 hours covering 13 kilometers.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Geech – Inatey-Chenek

Today marks the longest and arguably the most breathtaking journey along the ridge for most of its stretch. Following breakfast, you will return along the trail toward Imet Gogo before veering southeast toward Inatye. The route descends into a forest of Giant Hazel and then proceeds along the ridge through expansive grasslands. The ascent to Inatye, which stands at 4,070 meters, offers magnificent vistas as a reward. The name Inatye can be interpreted as “mamma mia,” and the alarming drop-off here truly justifies this designation. After enjoying a picnic lunch, the trail generally descends through open grasslands and giant lobelia toward Chenek, featuring numerous breathtaking viewpoints throughout the journey. The Chenek camp is excellent for observing wildlife, as Gelada Baboons and Wallia Ibex are commonly seen in this area. You can expect to walk for 7 hours covering a distance of 15 kilometers.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chnnek– Buait – Chennek

Following breakfast, you will start the return trip to Gondar, arriving in the early afternoon. For the adventurous, there is an option to climb Buahit before departing from camp. An early start is necessary for the 3-4 hour round excursion to this stunning peak at 4430 meters.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lalibela-Rock Hewn churches

Your morning transfer to Gondar airport begins early today. After your arrival at Lalibela Airport, a pick-up will take you to your hotel located in the city center. Renowned worldwide, Lalibela is celebrated for its churches hewn from rock. These remarkable structures, crafted by hand during the 12th and 13th centuries, resonate with the powerful chants of monks, making it a profoundly spiritual destination and a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will explore many of the central churches that put Lalibela on the map, including the Northern Group (home to the Lalibela Cross), the Western Group (Bete Giyorgis), and the Eastern Group.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Sora Lodge Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lalibela

Today presents a chance to embrace a more leisurely pace. You have the option to either walk or rent a mule (with a small additional fee for the mule) to reach Asheton Maryam Church, located at approximately 3100 metres. Once there, you will be treated to breathtaking panoramas of Lalibela town and the nearby valleys.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Sora Lodge Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lalibela-Addis-Fly Arba Minch

A short boat trip on Lake Chamo offers the chance to observe crocodiles, hippos, and various lake birds. Following a lunch break at a local restaurant featuring both local and international dishes, the trip continues with a 30 km drive over the Guge Mountains to Dorze Village, perched at an elevation of 2400 m ASL. The Dorze people are renowned for their distinctive elephant-shaped bamboo houses, intricate weaving techniques, and the preparation of “Kocho,” a staple bread made from the “Inset” false banana plan.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

• Mid-range hotel located in Arba Minch (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive Arba Minch-konso-Turmi

After breakfast, embark on a 280 km drive to Turmi, stopping en route to visit the Arbore tribe, an agricultural and pastoral community situated near Lake Stephanie, who communicate in a Cushitic language. The journey continues to Konso, renowned for its impressive terracing techniques that have shaped the landscape for over a millennium, with ancient villages recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The Konso people also honor their heroes and chiefs by erecting wooden statues, known as "waka then drive to turmi late afternoon visit hamer tribe. Hamer tribe are known for coloring their hair and bull jumping ceremony.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Paradise Lodge Turmi

• Budget tented camp located near Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive Turmi-Karo-Turmi

Following breakfast in Turmi town, travel 60 kilometers westward to Korcho village to engage with the Kara/Karo tribe and enjoy meaningful interactions with the community. The Kara/Karo people are recognized for their intricate body and facial paintings that reflect the designs of local wildlife, including zebras, leopards, and guinea fowl. Despite their small population, they inhabit three sizable villages along the Omo River, which serves as their primary source of sustenance. Ultimately, return to Turmi town for lunch before exploring a tribal market and/or attending a ceremonial event that may be occurring that day, if available.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Paradise Lodge Turmi

• Budget tented camp located near Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive Jinka-Addis Ababa

Begin with breakfast early, then head towards Key Afer to meet the Mursi tribe. The drive lasts approximately an hour and a half, after which you'll have the opportunity to visit the Mursi people, recognized for their body scarification, ear loops, and lip plates. Next, proceed on to Addis Ababa, which is about a 30-minute drive away.

Main Destination:

Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.