15-Day Best of Ethiopia Tour

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

Arrival in Addis Ababa and City Tours

Welcome to Abyssinia, the land of origins! You will be taken off in a modern air-conditioned vehicle to your 4-star accommodation in the heart of Addis Ababa, Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia for visiting the long age history of Ethiopia and the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University’s main campus is the enthralling Ethnological Museum. Even if you’re not normally a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of your time – it’s easily one of the finest museums in Africa. Before lunch, drive to Holy Trinity Cathedral Church which has unique architectural style immediately after a relaxed lunch, drive up to Entoto Mountains, the best location to observe the panoramic view of the capital. It is also a historical place where Menelik II resided and built his palace.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Best Western Premier Dynasty Hotel

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

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Meals & Drinks:

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

From Addis Ababa to Harar

We’ll fly from the capital to Dire Dawa where we’ll continue overland to Awaday – distinguished as the center of Ethiopia’s Khat trade. Native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, this leafy plant is ingested for its stimulant effects. Every morning, this boom town is enlivened by the frenzied pace as an estimated 50,000 pounds of Khat is sold on a daily basis. In many respects, it’s a medieval industry where everything is done by hand from the sorting of the leaves and the careful weighing-out with brass weights and metal scales to the giant ledgers where each transaction is carefully recorded by hand.

Main Destination:

Harar (Town)

Accommodation:

Grand Gato Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Harar (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Sightseeing in Harar

The unique houses of Harar are one of the city’s most distinctive features, and we’ll continue our sightseeing today by spending time with a resident family in their traditional home. Entered through a beautifully carved door, we’ll find a welcoming residence of exceptional interior design centered on a living room that is elaborately adorned with dozens of household items – most notably the colorful baskets for which Harar is famed.
At the Harari City Museum, set in a balconied mansion where Emperor Haile Selassie spent much of his childhood, we’ll find a diverse historical collection including antique Islamic manuscripts, Harari coins minted more than 200 years ago, traditional clothing, and old musical instruments. We’ll also visit the unusual tomb of Emir Nur, the ruler who built the ancient walls of the city.

Main Destination:

Harar (Town)

Accommodation:

Grand Gato Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Harar (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Back to Addis Ababa -Bahir Dar

Departing Harar this morning, we’ll travel back to Dire Dawa for our return flight to Addis Ababa – and connected to Bahir Dar.
Upon arrival check back into your hotel, enjoy your night.
Bahir Dar, the capital of Ethiopia's Amhara region, is a major tourist destination and one of the country's fastest-growing cities. Located on the shores of Lake Tana, it is famous for its palm-lined avenues, medieval island monasteries, and the nearby Blue Nile Falls. It serves as a key stop on the northern historic route.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar

• Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Bahir Dar

After breakfast your journey to Blue Nile Falls begins in Bahir Dar, followed by a short drive through stunning highland landscapes. The road is lined with sweeping farmland, traditional villages, and views of the mighty Nile. Just before the falls, you’ll pass through the village of Tis Abay, the perfect starting point for a 1.5 km footpath leading to breathtaking viewpoints.
Along the trail, you’ll cross the historic Alata Bridge, built in the 17th century one of Ethiopia’s oldest stone bridges — offering a prime photo stop and a unique perspective of the falls. Return to Bahir Dar for lunch and in the Afternoon take a boat trip on the lake to learn the secrets held by the monasteries and churches on the islands. We will visit Ura Kidane Mihret church on Zeghie peninsula. Under the thatched roof are some distinctive colorful paintings of religious scenes, and an impressive display of illuminated bibles written in Ge’ez, the religious language from which Amharic is derive.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar

• Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Bahir Dar - Gondar

After breakfast, you'll drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar which is 180km. This road trip will blow your mind with stunning landscapes. You'll have lunch at the hotel. After lunch, you will visit Gondar, the first capital city with the reign of Fasiladas. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by emperors over 236 years. The city seems more of European than African origin. You'll visit Fasiladas' Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one. You will continue going to the Church of Debre Birhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs, and paintings. Debre Birhan Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632 continue visiting the bathing pool of Fassiledes.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Gondar

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Excursion to Simien Mountains

After breakfast, you will drive 3 hours one way to see the only natural world heritage site in Ethiopia, SMNP. This national park is located in the north Ethiopia round debark area, and it is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the country. You will see also wild endemic animals like Gelada Baboons and birds. You'll have lunch at debark or we will take a picnic. You will return for dinner and an overnight stay in Gondar.

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:

Haile Resort Gondar

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

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

Gondar –Lalibela

Fly from Addis to Lalibela, meet your guide and drive 30 minutes from the Airport to the hotel, lunch at hotel and in the afternoon explore Lalibela. The Rock-Hewn Ethiopian orthodox Christian churches of Lalibela are one of the eighth wonder of the World. It’s a collection of churches, some connected by fascinating internal channels, with hermit holes, where people lived and died. The connecting walls are full of religious symbols. You will start visit the World wonders of Lalibela rock hewn churches. The churches are classified in three groups. Began from The first and the third group of churches.

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)

Drive to Asheton Maryam Monastery

After breakfast drive or hike to Mount Asheton Monastery, with its 13th century rock-hewn monastery and great views of the town; In comparison to the extraordinary rock-hewn churches of Lalibela the architecture of Asheton Maryam may seem relatively simple. However, the true appeal of this monastery is the spectacular mountain scenery in which it is found.
As you make the ascent climb towards the monastery, the views becoming increasingly impressive. At the trailhead, there are views down towards central Lalibela and the rock-hewn churches, the trail then passes though small rural villages, and continues to follow the narrow, winding paths higher and higher until finally reaching Asheton Maryam. The climb is long, but incredibly rewarding. Return to lalibela for lunch, in the afternoon, you will see the second group of churches which includes, Bete Emanuel, Bete Gabriel, Bete Merkorious, and Aba Libanos.

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)

Fly to Addis and Drive to Langano

After breakfast, we will transfer to the Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa and then on our arrival we will directly drive to Lake Langano and enjoy more of the Rift Valley landscape and the stunning views over the Lakes of Abijata and Shala. We have the possibility of visiting the Ostrich farm at Abijata Shala National Park. Relax on the shore of Lake Langano, side resort for our overnight.

Main Destination:

Lake Langano

Accommodation:

Sabana Beach Resort

• Mid-range resort located at Lake Langano

Meals & Drinks:

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

Langano to Arba Minch

After breakfast, drive to the famous lakeside town of Arba Minch. En route visit the villages of Gurage for their staple food of Kocho made from the false banana. We drive through one of the most colorful and scenic areas of Southern Ethiopia, a land that is inhabited by the Wolayita people, who were once nomads but are now farmers. Before arriving to the town of Arba Minch, a long section of the road offers magnificent views of lake Abaya, surrounded by mountains. The lake has volcanic origins and is almost pink in color.

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)

Arba Minch- Addis Ababa

Begin the day with a scenic boat ride on Lake Chamo to see the "crocodile market" and hippo pods, have lunch and drive to the Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa.
Lake Chamo, located in southern Ethiopia near the city of Arba Minch, is a major Rift Valley lake renowned for its large Nile crocodile population, massive hippos, and abundant birdlife, particularly within Nechisar National Park. Covering roughly 317-551 square kilometers, it serves as a top tourist destination for boat trips to the "Crocodile Market," wildlife viewing, and fishing.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Best Western Premier Dynasty Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Addis Ababa – Semera- Ert Ale

You will wake up early morning to catch your flight to Semera town of the Afar regional capital, pick from the Airport with experienced drivers and excellent 4WD with AC along a team of experience expert guides, an excellent Cooke teams local guide and road leader from the Tourism authorities, all camping gear ready to depart with you, and drive to the Ert-ale active volcano. You reach our camping ground at the top of the Caldera. Walk 1 hour until the summit Crater Lake is currently at its active cycle. Enjoy the wonder happening right in front of you and walk back to the camping ground. We leave for the volcano around 5:30 P.m. late in the afternoon, and walk back after visiting around 8:00PM. Overnight open-air camping on flat ground with a suitable mattress, pillow, clean bed sheets, and a quiet environment.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Ert-ale- Dallol

Wake up early morning round 5AM to see the sun rise and return to the camp for breakfast and drive to Lake Afdera (a salt lake that is located in the heart of Danakil Depressions and then later you have to swim around this lake we will be driving to Hamedela town of Dallol. Visit the Sunset at Lake Assale late in the afternoon.
Overnight open-air camping with clean beds, Mattresses, pillows, clean bed sheets, and a lot of water for hydration.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Dallol – Mekelle – Addis Ababa

Wake up early morning and drive to Lake Assale to see sun rise then drive to the lunar landscape of the Dallol geothermal site for an amazing wonder seen nowhere else on the planet. A chemical reaction happening right in front of you lives face to face with row nature. You will revise your knowledge of colors from that moment on. After this, we drive to the salt and mud-formed mountain cave right underneath the Dallol crater, another 10-minute drive and a completely different world. We will have a picnic breakfast in nearby the cave with wonder. After this visit, we drive to the vast salt plains, Lake Karum, swim in the saltwater pool in that scorching sun, and finally visit the salt miners before leaving back to Hamedela. From Hamedela you will drive to Mekelle and then fly to Addis Ababa.
In the evening farewell party dinner with cultural dinner and traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

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

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