11-Day Simien Mountain, Gondar, Danakil & Omo Valley Tour

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

Arrival in Addis Ababa & City Tour

Your Ethiopian adventure begins in Addis Ababa, the high altitude capital and the political heart of Africa. Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, you'll be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel for a short rest before beginning a full-day city tour.
Start your exploration at the National Museum of Ethiopia, where you’ll encounter priceless archaeological treasures, including “Lucy”, the 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil that revolutionized our understanding of human evolution. Continue to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece and one of the most important places of worship in Ethiopia, adorned with stained glass and the resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen.
Drive to the Entoto Hills for panoramic views over the city and to visit the historical site of Menelik II first palace. End the day at Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market.
Overnight: Hotel 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)
• Drinks not included

Addis Ababa to Gondar

This morning, fly Addis Ababa to Gondar, a city steeped in history and once the capital of the Ethiopian Empire in the 17th and 18th centuries. Known for its European-influenced medieval architecture, Gondar is often referred to as the “Camelot of Africa.”
Begin your visit at the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing a complex of castles and palaces built by Emperor Fasilides and his successors. The imposing stone structures echo the glory of a once-mighty empire. Next, see Fasilides Bath, a picturesque ceremonial pool used during the annual Timket (Epiphany) festival.
Conclude your tour at the Debre Berhan Selassie Church, one of Ethiopia’s most beautifully decorated churches. Its interior is covered in vibrant murals, with the ceiling famously painted with rows of winged angels gazing down upon visitors.
Overnight: Haile resort in Gondar.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Gondar

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Drive from Gondar to the Simien Mountains National Park

After breakfast, begin a scenic drive to the Simien Mountains National Park, a dramatic range often referred to as the “Roof of Africa.” En route, you'll pass through stunning highland landscapes dotted with remote villages and terraced farmland.
Upon entering the park, you’ll have time for a short trek or scenic walk. The Simiens offer some of the most breathtaking views in Africa deep gorges, jagged cliffs, and plateaus that stretch as far as the eye can see. The park is also home to unique wildlife, including the endemic Gelada baboon, Walia ibex, and occasionally the elusive Ethiopian wolf.
As the sun sets over the mountains, settle into your lodge and enjoy the crisp mountain air.
Overnight: Camping.

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
• Drinks not included

Morning in the Simien Mountains, Afternoon Drive to Gondar

Spend the early morning enjoying the spectacular natural beauty of the Simien Mountains. You can opt for a light hike or a longer trek depending on your preference and fitness level. This is the best time to observe the Gelada baboons, often seen in large groups grazing the highland meadows.
After lunch, begin your return drive to Gondar, retracing your route through the Amhara highlands. Arrive in the evening and relax at your hotel.
Overnight: Haile resort.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Gondar

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Fly Gondar to Addis Ababa – Leisure and Cultural Evening

After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, you may choose to rest or explore more of the capital at your own pace perhaps visit a local art gallery, sip freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee at a café, or browse local markets for handicrafts.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian cultural dinner with live music and energetic dance performances representing the diverse cultures of Ethiopia’s many ethnic groups.
Overnight: Triple-E Hotel and Spa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Triple-E Hotel and Spa

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Addis Ababa to Semera

Catch a morning flight Addis Ababa to Semera, the gateway to one of Earth’s most extreme environments the Danakil Depression. Upon arrival, meet your 4x4 drivers and begin your journey into the desert, heading toward Hamedela, a remote outpost of the Afar people.
In the afternoon, visit traditional Afar villages to witness life in this unforgiving climate. The Afar people are known for their resilience and deep knowledge of salt mining, camel caravans, and desert survival. Experience their way of life and the hospitality of a culture that has thrived in the Danakil for centuries.
Overnight: Basic camp.

Main Destination:

Hamad Ela (Village)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Exploration of the Danakil Depression

Prepare for a day like no other as you explore the surreal, alien landscape of the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and most geologically active places on Earth.
Begin with a drive to Dallol, a vibrant hydrothermal field where acid pools, sulfur chimneys, and neon-colored salt formations create one of the most otherworldly sights on the planet. Marvel at the vibrant yellows, greens, and whites of this extreme environment.
Visit Lake Asale, a vast salt lake, where salt is still mined by hand and transported by traditional camel caravans a practice unchanged for centuries. The silence of the desert and the visual spectacle will leave an indelible impression.
Overnight: Basic camp.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Morning Return to Semera and Fly to Addis Ababa

You'll drive back to Semera and later drive back to Addis Ababa. Early in the morning, you'll have another chance to see the stunning sunrise at the volcano. After the visit, you will return to the base camp for breakfast. After breakfast, you'll start your journey back to Semera. You'll arrive in Semera for a late lunch, followed by a drop-off at the airport back to Addis Ababa.
Overnight: Triple-E Hotel and Spa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Triple-E Hotel and Spa

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Addis Ababa to Jinka – Visit the Hamar people

Fly south to Jinka, the entry point to the culturally rich Omo Valley, home to some of Africa’s most traditional tribes.
Upon arrival, drive to the Hamar people, one of the most fascinating tribes in the region. The Hamar are known for their unique hairstyles, elaborate body adornments, and the dramatic bull-jumping initiation ceremony (if it coincides with your visit). Interact respectfully with the community and gain insights into their way of life, spiritual beliefs, and family structures.
Overnight: 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)
• Drinks not included

Visit the Karo and Dassanech people Along the Omo River

Today you’ll venture deeper into the Omo Valley to visit the Karo tribe, known for their artistic body painting made from natural pigments and ash. The Karo live along the banks of the Omo River, using the fertile land for small-scale agriculture.
Continue to visit the Dassanech tribe, semi-nomadic pastoralists who inhabit the arid plains near the Kenyan border. Their unique architecture, gender roles, and body scarification customs provide a window into a world far removed from modernity.
Overnight: Emerald lodge.

Main Destination:

Lower Omo Valley (Cultural Village)

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Visit Mursi people & Fly Back to Addis Ababa

After an early breakfast, drive through Mago National Park to reach the Mursi tribe, perhaps the most visually iconic of Ethiopia’s tribal groups. Mursi women are known for wearing large lip plates,
if time allows, enjoy a farewell dinner and photo-sharing session before your departure.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.