$2,640 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival in Addis Ababa
Arrival in Addis Ababa
Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s vibrant capital. After airport pickup, transfer to your hotel and relax. In the afternoon, explore the city’s highlights including the National Museum, home to Lucy’s fossil, and the Ethnological Museum, showcasing Ethiopia’s diverse cultures. Stroll through Merkato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets. Enjoy your first Ethiopian dinner, sampling traditional dishes like injera and doro wat, while absorbing the city’s lively atmosphere. Overnight in Addis Ababa.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Addis Ababa to Hawassa via Rift Valley
Addis Ababa to Hawassa via Rift Valley
After breakfast, drive south to Hawassa, a scenic city on Lake Hawassa. En route, stop at Abiyata-Shala National Park to observe ostriches, antelopes, and striking landscapes. Walk around the lakes and enjoy photo opportunities, and if time allows, visit natural hot springs. Arrive in Hawassa in the late afternoon. Explore the lake shore, watch fishermen at work, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings as the sun sets over the Rift Valley. Overnight in Hawassa.
- Main Destination:
- Awasa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Lewi Resort Hawassa
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Sidama Coffee & Village Tour
Sidama Coffee & Village Tour
After breakfast, drive to Yirgalem to visit a local coffee farm. Participate in a traditional coffee ceremony and learn about Ethiopian coffee cultivation from planting to roasting. Explore nearby Sidama villages and observe locals preparing kocho from false banana trees. Discover traditional farming practices, food preparation, and cultural rituals. Return to Hawassa in the afternoon and enjoy a relaxing walk along the lake shore, spotting endemic birds and soaking in the tranquil scenery. Overnight in Hawassa.
- Main Destination:
- Awasa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Lewi Resort Hawassa
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Hawassa to Arba Minch & Dorze Village
Hawassa to Arba Minch & Dorze Village
Drive to Arba Minch, passing scenic highlands and valleys. Stop in Chencha to visit the Dorze people, known for their tall beehive-shaped bamboo huts, colorful weaving, and traditional crafts. Learn about their food and alcohol preparation, including honey and banana-based drinks. Explore the village, observing daily life, community practices, and weaving techniques. Take in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains before continuing to Arba Minch for overnight stay.
Day 5
Arba Minch to Konso via Lake Chamo
Arba Minch to Konso via Lake Chamo
Drive to Konso, stopping at Lake Chamo for a boat trip among crocodiles and hippos. Arrive in Konso and visit the UNESCO-listed terraced villages, famed for their stone-walled farms, intricate rituals, and hardworking communities. Walk through the village, interact with locals, and witness traditional life, from farming to crafts. Capture stunning photographs of the terraced landscapes and ceremonial sites. Overnight in Konso, immersed in the rich cultural heritage of southern Ethiopia.
- Main Destination:
- Konso (Cultural Village)
- Accommodation:
- Kanta Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Turmi Nyangatom & Hamar People
Turmi Nyangatom & Hamar People
Drive toward Turmi, visiting the Nyangatom tribe near the South Sudan border. Observe their distinct attire, colorful necklaces, and traditional customs. Continue to the Hamar region and explore a Hamar village and market, learning about ceremonial practices, hairstyles, and stick-fighting rituals. Engage with the locals and experience their vibrant culture firsthand. Spend the evening in Turmi, enjoying the lively tribal atmosphere and preparing for further Omo Valley exploration. Overnight in Turmi.
- Main Destination:
- Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Emerald Lodge Turmi
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Turmi – Erbore Tribe – Bena Tribe – Jinka
Turmi – Erbore Tribe – Bena Tribe – Jinka
Early in the morning you depart from Turmi with your guide and vehicle and drive to the villages of the Erbore tribe. On arrival you are welcomed by the community and observe their daily life including traditional huts farming activities and local customs. Your guide explains the Erbore culture social structure and their close relationship with the natural environment. Afterward you continue to visit the Bena tribe known for their colorful clothing detailed beadwork and traditional body painting. You observe children walking with sticks as part of daily routines and traditional games and may witness body painting practices that are central to Bena identity. The visit offers an authentic cultural experience and good photo opportunities while respecting local traditions. In the afternoon you drive back to Jinka the main town of the area. The evening is free to relax enjoy dinner and reflect on the rich tribal encounters of the day. Overnight in Jinka at NASA Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Nasa Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Jinka – Mursi Tribe – Ari Tribe – Jinka
Jinka – Mursi Tribe – Ari Tribe – Jinka
Early in the morning after breakfast at your hotel in Jinka you depart for the Mursi tribe villages. The Mursi are well-known in the Omo Valley for their lip plates and body decorations. Your guide introduces you to the community, explaining their customs, social structure, and the meaning of traditional ornaments. You will see women with lip plates and men with scarification patterns and observe daily activities such as cattle herding and small-scale farming. This is a chance to interact respectfully and take photos while learning about their way of life. In the afternoon you visit the Ari tribe villages, mainly farmers known for colorful clothing. You see farms, huts, and communal areas and learn about their farming practices and social traditions before driving back to Jinka for overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Nasa Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Fly from Jinka to Addis Ababa
Fly from Jinka to Addis Ababa
After breakfast at your hotel in Jinka, you are transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, you are met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in the capital city. The day is free to rest after the Omo Valley adventure or to explore Addis Ababa at your own pace. You may choose to visit local markets, enjoy Ethiopian coffee at a traditional coffee, or stroll through the city’s streets to experience its vibrant culture and history. Overnight in Addis Ababa.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Fly from Addis to Lalibela – Visit Lalibela Churches (Group 1)
Fly from Addis to Lalibela – Visit Lalibela Churches (Group 1)
After an early breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Lalibela, the city of rock-hewn churches and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Upon arrival, meet your guide and begin your tour of the first group of churches. You explore the remarkable cluster of eleven medieval rock-cut churches, marveling at their unique architecture, carved from solid rock, and the intricate details reflecting Ethiopia’s rich Christian heritage. Learn about their spiritual significance, the history of King Lalibela, and the religious ceremonies still held today. Enjoy time for photography and quiet reflection. In the evening, transfer to your hotel in Lalibela for overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Top Twelve Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Lalibela Churches – Group 2 & Asheton Maryam Monastery
Lalibela Churches – Group 2 & Asheton Maryam Monastery
After breakfast, continue exploring Lalibela with a visit to the second group of rock-hewn churches. Discover the remarkable architecture, intricate carvings, and the spiritual significance of these historic sites. In the afternoon, drive to Asheton Maryam Monastery, perched on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding landscape. Enjoy a short hike to the monastery, take in panoramic views, and learn about its religious importance. Return to your hotel in Lalibela in the evening for overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Top Twelve Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Lalibela to Axum via Addis Ababa
Lalibela to Axum via Addis Ababa
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Lalibela, you are transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you connect with your onward flight to Axum. Upon arrival in Axum, meet your guide and begin exploring this ancient city, the former capital of the Axumite Empire. Visit key historical and religious sites, including the Church of St. Mary of Zion, believed to house the Ark of the Covenant, and the famous obelisks, royal tombs, and ancient ruins. Learn about Axum’s rich history and significance in Ethiopian Christianity. Overnight in Axum.
- Main Destination:
- Axum (City)
- Accommodation:
-
Sabean International Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Axum Exploration & Departure
Axum Exploration & Departure
After breakfast, continue exploring Axum’s remaining churches, archaeological sites, and local markets. Discover ancient inscriptions, religious relics, and historical architecture, reflecting the legacy of the Axumite Empire. Capture final memories of this culturally and historically rich region before transferring to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa, end of the trip.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
