18-Day Grand Ethiopia Culture, Nature, and History Tour

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Explores the Addis Ababa City Tour

You'll start your journey at the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to the world-famous Lucy fossil, one of the oldest human ancestors.
Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Merkato, Africa's largest open-air market, where you can shop for spices, coffee, and handmade crafts while witnessing the bustling daily life of locals. You'll recharge with a flavorful traditional Ethiopian lunch at a renowned local restaurant.

You'll head to the Entoto Hills for breathtaking views of the city and visit the historic Entoto Maryam Church, along with Emperor Menelik II's former palace. If time allows, you'll explore the Ethnological Museum, showcasing Ethiopia's diverse cultural heritage. You'll wrap up your day with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a delightful way to experience the country's cherished coffee culture.
Overnight stay at Triple-E Hotel and Spa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Triple-E Hotel and Spa

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

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Fly Adddis Ababa to Jima and Drive to Chebera Churchura National Park

You'll rise early and embark on a scenic drive southwest toward Chebera Churchura National Park, one of Ethiopia’s most untouched and least-visited wildlife sanctuaries (approx. 4 hours). The route passes through fertile farmland, small villages, and the green highlands of the western Rift Valley.
Upon arrival, you'll settle into a lodge or basic eco-camp near the park. As the day winds down, you will see spotted birds, monkeys, or antelopes in the nearby forested areas. This park is a hidden gem for wildlife lovers and offers a rare opportunity to see elephants, buffalo, warthogs, and abundant birdlife in a pristine environment.
Overnight stay Camping.

Main Destination:

Chebera-Churchura National Park

Best Time To Go October to March (Little rainfall)

High Season October to January (The park is never busy)

Best Weather

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Chebera-Churchura NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Explore Chebera Churchura – Forest, Waterfalls & Wildlife

You'll spend the day exploring Chebera Churchura National Park with a park scout. You’ll venture into thick montane forests, bamboo groves, and rolling hills on foot or by vehicle (depending on conditions). Guided walks will take you to hidden waterfalls, thermal springs, and prime wildlife viewing areas. Keep an eye out for the park's famous African elephants, which move through the dense forest in small family groups. Other possible sightings include hippos, leopards, colobus monkeys, and giant forest hogs. The birdlife is equally rich, with hornbills, turacos, and endemic species gracing the canopies. Overnight stay Camping.

Main Destination:

Chebera-Churchura National Park

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Chebera-Churchura NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive Chebera to Konso

You'll depart Chebera Churchura and drive southeast toward Konso (approx. 6 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its terraced agriculture, stone-walled villages, and deeply rooted cultural traditions. En route, you'll witness a transition in the landscape as lush forests give way to arid hills and volcanic rock formations.
Upon arrival, you'll visit a traditional Konso village, where clan-based communities live in fortified hilltop settlements. You'll learn how they have adapted to harsh terrain through generations of soil conservation, building terraces and intricate irrigation systems. You will also see the waka totems, wooden sculptures honoring deceased warriors and elders, unique to Konso culture.
Overnight stay will be at Kanta Lodge.

Main Destination:

Konso (Cultural Village)

Accommodation:

Kanta Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Konso (Cultural Village)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive Konso to Turmi

After breakfast, you'll journey deeper into the Omo Valley, a cradle of human civilization and one of the most culturally diverse regions in Africa (approx. 3 hours). Your destination is Turmi, home of the Hamar people, known for their elaborate hairstyles and traditional rituals.
Upon arrival, you'll explore the vibrant Turmi market (if it aligns with the schedule), where locals from various ethnic groups trade goods. In the evening, you may have the rare chance to witness a Hamar bull-jumping ceremony, a rite of passage for young men involving a daring leap across the backs of bulls, accompanied by singing, dancing, and symbolic whipping. Your overnight stay will be at Emerald Lodge.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive to Karo & Dassanech People

On this day, you will visit two distinct ethnic groups in remote parts of the Omo Valley:
Karo Tribe: Known for their extraordinary body painting, the Karo live along the Omo River, with picturesque villages perched above the riverbanks. You’ll explore their homes, learn about their customs, and observe their unique aesthetic practices.
Dassanech Tribe: Located near Omorate on the border with Kenya, the Dassanech are pastoralists who survive in a harsh, dry environment. Their huts are made from foraged materials, and their attire often includes recycled objects, beads, and metal. The journey involves crossing the river by local canoe.
This day offers rich photographic and educational opportunities, but with a strong emphasis on responsible, respectful tourism. Your overnight stay will be at Emerald Lodge.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Visit Mursi People

Morning: You'll visit the Mursi people, famous for their lip plates. You'll learn about their fascinating traditions and the challenges they face with modernity.
You may also participate in or observe a coffee ceremony, a core part of Ethiopian hospitality. You'll spend the afternoon at leisure or on optional visits to more remote villages, or enjoy a quiet rest at your lodge.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive to Arba Minch

You'll depart Turmi and head north to Arba Minch (approx. 5 hours), passing through the Key Afer. Upon arrival, you'll check in at your lodge set on a hilltop with panoramic views of Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo.
In the late afternoon, you'll take a boat trip on Lake Chamo, known for its enormous Nile crocodiles, pods of hippos, and rich birdlife, including pelicans and kingfishers. You'll return to your lodge for dinner overlooking the scenic Rift Valley sunset. Overnight stay will be at Mora Heights Hotel.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Accommodation:

Mora Heights Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Arba Minch (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive Arba Minch to Bale Mountains National Park

In the early morning, you'll depart Arba Minch and drive to Bale Mountains National Park (approx. 5 hours by road). Along the way, you'll pass through Shashemene, the Rastafarian spiritual settlement, and continue into Ethiopia’s high-altitude plateau.
You'll arrive at Dinsho, the park, known for easy wildlife sightings. You'll go for a short evening hike to spot mountain nyala, warbucks, and endemic Menelik bushbuck. Your overnight stay will be at Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Best Time To Visit November to February (Little rain)

High Season October to January (Park is never busy)

Best Weather November to February

Wildlife in Bale Mountains NP

Ethiopian Wolf Common

Mountain Nyala Common

Warthog Common

Menelik's
Bushbuck Occasional

Guereza Monkey Occasional

Show more

Olive Baboon Occasional

Bohor Reedbuck Occasional

Starck's Hare Occasional

Giant Mole-rat Occasional

Bale Monkey Rare

Giant Forest Hog Rare

Golden Jackal Rare

Gelada Monkey None

Walia Ibex None

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Sanetti Plateau – Land of the Ethiopian Wolf

You'll drive up to the Sanetti Plateau, one of Africa’s highest alpine moorlands (above 4,000 meters). This dramatic, otherworldly landscape is often shrouded in mist and dotted with giant lobelia plants, endemic birds, and soaring cliffs.
Here, you’ll have the best chance to spot the Ethiopian wolf, the world’s rarest canid, stalking rodents across the tundra. You may also climb Tullu Dimtu, Ethiopia’s second-highest peak (4,377m). The day offers a mix of vehicle exploration and high-altitude trekking. Your overnight stay will be at Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Visit Harenna Forest

You'll descend from the alpine plateau into the lush and misty Harenna Forest, a biodiversity hotspot home to colobus monkeys, giant forest pigs, and hundreds of bird species. This area feels worlds away from the rest of Ethiopia, tropical, green, and almost magical.
You’ll visit local wild coffee plantations, hike under tall fig trees, and enjoy lunch in a forest clearing. In the afternoon, you'll transfer back to Goba or Robe. Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel.

Main Destination:

Bale Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Goba Wabe Shebelle Hotel

• Budget hotel located less than 1hr drive from Bale Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Fly Bale Goba to Addis Ababa and Connect Mekele

You'll transfer to Robe Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa, and then connect to Mekele, the capital of the Tigray region. Mekele is your gateway to the stunning sandstone landscapes and cliff-hewn churches of Gheralta.
You'll spend the evening at leisure or enjoy a short walk around Mekele to see Emperor Yohannes IV's palace and local markets. Your overnight stay will be at Vision Hotel.

Main Destination:

Hawzen (Town)

Accommodation:

Vision Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Hawzen (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Gheralta – Hike to Abune Yemata Guh

Today is a highlight of the north: the awe-inspiring climb to Abune Yemata Guh, a 5th-century church carved into a vertical cliff face. The hike includes narrow ledges, a barefoot scramble, and incredible rock climbing, all rewarded by jaw-dropping views and beautiful frescoes painted on the stone ceilings.
If time allows, you'll visit additional Tigray churches such as Maryam Korkor or Daniel Korkor, known for their historical significance and architecture. Your overnight stay will be at Vision Hotel.

Main Destination:

Hawzen (Town)

Accommodation:

Vision Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Hawzen (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Drive Hawzen to Axum

You'll drive to Axum, the former capital of the Aksumite Empire (approx. 3 hours). This ancient city is believed to be the home of the Ark of the Covenant, and its archaeological remains date back to 400 BCE. In the afternoon, you'll visit the Northern Stelae Field, home to giant granite obelisks, royal tombs, and the Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins. You'll also see St. Mary of Zion Church, a revered religious site guarded by monks. Your overnight stay will be Sabean International Hotel.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Explore Axum – Tombs, Inscriptions & Legends

You'll continue exploring Axum with a visit to the Ezana Inscriptions, often called Ethiopia’s Rosetta Stone, and the tombs of King Kaleb and Gebre Meskel.
Your guide will share stories blending history and myth from the rise of Ethiopian Christianity to the Solomonic lineage traced back to the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. Your overnight stay will be at Sabean International Hotel.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Fly Axum to Lalibela – Begin Exploring the Rock-Hewn Churches

You'll take a morning flight to Lalibela, one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities and often called the "African Jerusalem." After check-in, you'll begin exploring the first cluster of rock-hewn churches, carved directly into the red volcanic rock in the 12th century.
Highlights include Bete Medhane Alem (the largest monolithic church in the world), Bete Maryam, and Bete Golgotha. These sacred spaces are still in active use, filled with incense, chanting, and pilgrims in white robes. Your overnight stay will be at Mountain View Hotel.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Mountain View Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Lalibela- Highland Trek and Iconic St Georgy Churches

You will visit the second cluster of churches, culminating in the breathtaking Bete Giyorgis (St. George), shaped like a perfect Greek cross and sunk deep into the earth, one of the most iconic religious structures in the world.
Your overnight stay will be at Mountain View Hotel.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Mountain View Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Fly Lalibela to Addis Ababa

You'll fly back to Addis Ababa, arriving in time for shopping, relaxing, or optional visits to Merkato (the largest open-air market in Africa) or the Ethnological Museum. In the evening, you'll enjoy a farewell dinner with traditional music before your transfer to the airport for your international departure.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

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.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.