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.

Addis Ababa

Welcome to Abyssinia, the land of origins! You will be taken in a modern air-conditioned vehicle to your four-star accommodations in the heart of Addis Ababa. Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia to explore the long history of Ethiopia and see the oldest human ancestor, Lucy.

Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University’s main campus is the Ethnological Museum. Even if you are not normally a museum fan, this one is worth your time, as it is considered one of the finest museums in Africa.

Before lunch, drive to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, known for its unique architectural style. After a relaxed lunch, drive up to the Entoto Mountains, the best location to observe panoramic views of the capital. It is also a historical site 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)

Addis Ababa - Harar

We will fly from the capital to Dire Dawa and then continue overland to Awaday, known as the center of Ethiopia’s khat trade. Native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, this leafy plant is consumed for its stimulant effects. Every morning, this busy town comes alive as an estimated 50,000 pounds of khat is sold daily. In many respects, it is a traditional industry where everything is done by hand, from sorting the leaves and carefully weighing them with brass weights and metal scales, to recording each transaction by hand in large ledgers.

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)

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. Entering 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)

Harar - Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar

Departing Harar this morning, we’ll travel back to Dire Dawa for our return flight to Addis Ababa, connecting to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival, check back into your hotel and enjoy your evening.

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)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Bahir Dar

After breakfast, your journey to the 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 explore 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 derived.

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, a distance of 180 km. This road trip offers stunning landscapes that are sure to impress. You’ll have lunch at your hotel before beginning your sightseeing in Gondar, the first capital city established under Emperor Fasiladas.

Gondar is home to a dozen castles built by successive emperors over 236 years, giving the city a distinctly European feel. You’ll visit Fasiladas’ Palace, probably the most impressive and the oldest of the castles in the area. Next, you’ll continue to the Church of Debre Birhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity), whose interior is adorned with beautiful frescos, cherubs, and paintings. Debre Birhan Selassie is rumored to have once been the proposed final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant during the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632. Your tour will conclude with a visit to Fasiladas’ bathing pool.

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)

Gondar - Simien Mountains

After breakfast, you will drive three hours each way to visit Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP), Ethiopia’s only natural World Heritage site. Located in the northern Debark area, the park is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country. You will also have the chance to see endemic wildlife, including Gelada baboons and a variety of bird species. Lunch will be at Debark, or a picnic may be arranged. You will return to Gondar for dinner and your overnight stay.

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 Ababa to Lalibela, where you will meet your guide and drive 30 minutes from the airport to your hotel. After lunch at the hotel, spend the afternoon exploring Lalibela. The rock-hewn Ethiopian Orthodox Christian churches of Lalibela are considered one of the “Wonders of the World.” This remarkable collection of churches includes some connected by fascinating internal passages and hermit holes, where people once lived and died. The connecting walls are adorned with religious symbols. You will begin your visit with the rock-hewn churches, starting with the first and third groups.

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 - Asheton Maryam Monastery

After breakfast, drive or hike to Mount Asheton Monastery, a 13th-century rock-hewn monastery offering stunning views of the town. Compared to the extraordinary rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the architecture of Asheton Maryam may seem relatively simple, but its true appeal lies in the spectacular mountain scenery surrounding it.

As you ascend toward the monastery, the views become increasingly impressive. From the trailhead, you can see central Lalibela and the rock-hewn churches below. The trail passes through small rural villages and follows narrow, winding paths upward until you reach Asheton Maryam. The climb is long but incredibly rewarding. Return to Lalibela for lunch, and in the afternoon, visit the second group of churches, including 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)

Lalibela - Addis Ababa - Lake Langano

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, we will drive directly to Lake Langano to enjoy more of the Rift Valley landscape and the stunning views over Lakes Abijata and Shala. There is also the option to visit the ostrich farm at Abijata Shala National Park. Relax on the shore of Lake Langano, where we will stay overnight at a lakeside resort.

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)

Lake Langano - Arba Minch

After breakfast, you will drive to the famous lakeside town of Arba Minch. En route, visit the villages of the Gurage people to see their staple food, Kocho, made from the false banana. You will travel through one of the most colorful and scenic areas of southern Ethiopia, a region inhabited by the Wolayita people, who were once nomads and are now farmers. Before arriving in Arba Minch, a long stretch of the road offers magnificent views of Lake Abaya, a volcanic lake surrounded by mountains and noted for its pinkish hue.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

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

+3 Photos

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. Afterward, enjoy lunch before driving to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa.

Lake Chamo, located in southern Ethiopia near 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 is a popular destination for boat trips, 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 to catch your flight to Semera, the capital of the Afar region. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by experienced drivers in excellent 4WD vehicles with AC, accompanied by a team of expert guides, a skilled cook, and a road leader from the tourism authorities. All camping gear will be ready for your departure as you drive to the active Erta Ale volcano.

Upon reaching the campsite at the top of the caldera, you will hike for about one hour to the summit, where the crater lake is currently active. Take in the extraordinary sights before returning to the campsite. The volcano visit typically begins around 5:30 p.m., with the hike back completed around 8:00 p.m. Your overnight will be spent camping in the open air on flat ground, with a comfortable 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 - Danakil Depression

Wake up early around 5:00 a.m. to watch the sunrise, then return to the camp for breakfast. Afterward, drive to Lake Afdera, a salt lake located in the heart of the Danakil Depression, where you will have the opportunity to swim. Later, continue driving to Hamedela in Dallol, and finish the day by watching the sunset at Lake Assale.

Your overnight will be spent camping in the open air, with clean beds, mattresses, pillows, fresh bed sheets, and plenty 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 to drive to Lake Assale and watch the sunrise, then continue to the lunar landscape of the Dallol geothermal site—an extraordinary wonder found nowhere else on the planet. Witness chemical reactions unfolding before your eyes and experience nature in its rawest form. The vibrant colors here will forever change how you perceive the world.

Next, drive ten minutes to the salt- and mud-formed mountain cave beneath the Dallol crater. Enjoy a picnic breakfast near the cave while taking in the stunning surroundings. Afterward, visit the vast salt plains and Lake Karum, where you can swim in the saltwater pool under the scorching sun, and meet the local salt miners. You will then return to Hamedela, from where you will drive to Mekelle for your flight back to Addis Ababa.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell party dinner featuring a cultural buffet with traditional dishes and local drinks, giving you a final taste of Ethiopia’s rich culinary heritage.

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.