11-Day Ethiopia Historical, Cultural & Adventure Tour

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

Addis Ababa City Tour

Addis Ababa City Tour
Welcome to Ethiopia, the Land of Origins. Begin your Ethiopia cultural tour with a guided sightseeing experience through Addis Ababa, Africa's diplomatic capital. Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia to admire the famous 3.2-million-year-old fossil "Lucy." Continue to the magnificent Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of Ethiopia's most important religious landmarks and the resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Explore Merkato, Africa's largest open-air market, where local merchants trade everything from spices to handmade crafts. End the day with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at the legendary Tomoca Coffee, one of the country's oldest coffee houses.
Overnight at Cassiopeia Hotel, Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Cassiopeia Hotel

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

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Addis Ababa – Lalibela (Domestic Flight)

Addis Ababa – Lalibela (Domestic Flight)

Flight departure from Addis Ababa:11:45 AM
Flight arrival in Lalibela:12:45 PM

After breakfast, transfer to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for your morning flight to Lalibela, Ethiopia's most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in and lunch. Since lunch will be served later in the afternoon, we recommend packing light snacks during breakfast. At 2:00 PM begin exploring the magnificent Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, carved directly from solid volcanic rock during the 12th and 13th centuries. Visit several of the most impressive churches, including the iconic Church of St. George (Bete Giyorgis). Finish the day with a scenic walk through Lalibela village, offering opportunities to meet local residents and experience authentic Ethiopian daily life. Overnight at Panoramic View Hotel.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Panoramic View Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

+7 Photos

+6 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Lalibela – Gondar (Overland Drive)

Lalibela – Gondar (Overland Drive)
Enjoy one of Ethiopia's most scenic mountain drives as you travel from Lalibela to Gondar through breathtaking highland landscapes, traditional villages, and spectacular viewpoints. En route, visit the inspiring Awra Amba Community, an award-winning cultural village famous for gender equality, education, and community development. Continue to Debre Tabor for lunch before arriving in Gondar, the former imperial capital of Ethiopia. In the afternoon, explore the UNESCO-listed Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), home to magnificent castles and palaces built by Emperor Fasilides and his successors during the 17th century. Discover why Gondar is often called the "Camelot of Africa."
Overnight in Gondar at Goha Hotel.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Goha Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Gondar – Debark – Simien Mountains National Park

Gondar – Debark – Simien Mountains National Park
After breakfast, continue exploring Gondar with visits to the historic Fasilides Bath and the beautiful Debre Birhan Selassie Church, renowned for its colorful angel-covered ceiling and exceptional biblical murals. Afterwards drive approximately 100 km to Debark, the gateway to Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and endemic wildlife. Complete park registration before enjoying lunch in Debark. In the afternoon, drive into the national park and begin a moderate two-hour hike around Chilkuanit. Watch for Gelada Baboons, spectacular mountain scenery, and numerous endemic birds before returning to Debark for dinner and overnight.

overnight in Debark at Ras Dejen Hotel.

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:

Ras Dejen Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Simien Mountains National Park Adventure

Simien Mountains National Park Adventure

Depart early for an unforgettable day exploring the breathtaking Simien Mountains. Drive to Chenek, one of the park's best wildlife viewing areas, and enjoy a challenging hike in search of the endangered Walia Ibex, found nowhere else on Earth. Continue to the spectacular Jinbar Waterfall, where dramatic cliffs plunge into one of Africa's deepest gorges. After lunch at Sankaber, begin another rewarding trek to Chilkuanit, passing through stunning alpine landscapes filled with giant lobelias, endemic birds, and panoramic mountain vistas. This full-day trekking experience offers some of Ethiopia's finest hiking and photography opportunities before returning to Debark for dinner and overnight.
overnight at Ras Dejen Hotel.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Ras Dejen Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Debark – Axum |Drive through Tekeze river valley

Debark – Axum

After breakfast, drive north through the spectacular Tekeze River Valley, one of Ethiopia's most impressive landscapes, surrounded by rugged mountains and dramatic escarpments. Stop for lunch in Shire before continuing to the ancient city of Axum, the birthplace of Ethiopian civilization and one of Africa's greatest archaeological treasures. Upon arrival, visit the famous Axum Obelisks, remarkable granite monuments dating back over 1,700 years, along with the Tomb of King Kaleb, one of Ethiopia's most celebrated rulers. Discover the rich history of the ancient Axumite Kingdom, once one of the world's greatest trading empires.
Overnight at Sabean Hotel, Axum.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Accommodation:

Sabean International Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Axum – Mekele via Hawzen| Visit Abraha and Atsbaha Monastery church

Axum – Mekele via Hawzen
After breakfast, continue your Axum historical tour with a visit to the revered St. Mary of Zion Church, traditionally believed to be the guardian of the Ark of the Covenant. Although the chapel housing the Ark is not open to visitors, the site remains one of Ethiopia's most sacred pilgrimage destinations. Next, explore the archaeological remains of the Queen of Sheba's Palace (Dungur), offering fascinating insight into the ancient Axumite Kingdom. Begin the scenic drive toward Mekele through the breathtaking Tigray Highlands, stopping at the remarkable Abraha Atsbeha Rock-Hewn Church, one of Ethiopia's oldest churches renowned for its impressive architecture and religious significance. Enjoy a packed lunch en route before arriving in Mekele in the late afternoon.
Overnight at Homeland Hotel or a similar hotel.

Main Destination:

Hawzen (Town)

Accommodation:

Homeland Hotel Mekelle

• Mid-range hotel located in Mekele (City)

+9 Photos

+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Mekele – Dallol – Danakil Depression

Mekele – Dallol – Danakil Depression
Today begins one of the world's most extraordinary adventure experiences as you journey into the legendary Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth. After breakfast, depart Mekele and travel through the dramatic Afar Region, passing traditional villages and vast volcanic landscapes. Stop for lunch in Aba Ala before continuing to Ahmed Ela, the gateway to Dallol. In the late afternoon, visit the spectacular Lake Assale, a vast salt lake famous for mirror-like reflections, endless white salt flats, and breathtaking sunsets. Witness local Afar salt miners using centuries-old traditional techniques, creating one of Ethiopia's most iconic cultural landscapes.
Overnight camping at Ahmed Ela under the stars.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Dallol – Mekele

Dallol Expedition and drive back to mekele.
Rise before sunrise for an unforgettable exploration of Dallol, one of the planet's most colorful geological wonders. Discover vibrant hydrothermal fields filled with brilliant yellow, green, orange, and white mineral formations created by volcanic activity. Visit the famous sulfur springs, salt mountains, and the crystal-clear natural salt pools of Lake Assale. Enjoy breakfast surrounded by the incredible salt landscape before beginning the return journey to Mekele. Stop for lunch in Aba Ala while admiring the changing scenery of the Afar Depression. Arrive in Mekele in the evening for a well-deserved rest after one of Ethiopia's greatest adventure tours.
Overnight at Homeland Hotel or a similar hotel.

Main Destination:

Mekele (City)

Accommodation:

Homeland Hotel Mekelle

• Mid-range hotel located in Mekele (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Mekele – Addis Ababa – Hawassa | From the North to Southern Ethiopia

Mekele – Addis Ababa – Hawassa

Flight departure from Mekele:8:30 AM
Flight Arrival in Addis:9:40 AM.
Catch the morning domestic flight from Mekele to Addis Ababa, where your guide will meet you for the journey south through the beautiful Great Rift Valley. Drive via Lake Ziway, a renowned birdwatching destination, and enjoy a delicious lunch featuring freshly prepared local fish. Continue to Hawassa, one of Ethiopia's most attractive lakeside cities. Upon arrival, visit Amora Gedel Park to observe playful monkeys and experience the famous evening gathering of wild spotted hyenas from a safe viewing area. Later, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Hawassa, offering opportunities to spot hippos, African fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans, and numerous water birds.
Overnight at Lake View Hotel Hawassa.

Main Destination:

Awasa (City)

Accommodation:

Hawassa Lake View Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Awasa (City)

+4 Photos

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Hawassa – Abijata-Shalla National Park – Addis Ababa

Hawassa – Abijata-Shalla National Park – Addis Ababa | Airport or Hotel Drop off.

After breakfast, drive to Abijata-Shalla National Park, one of Ethiopia's finest wildlife and birdwatching destinations within the Great Rift Valley. Explore the park's beautiful volcanic lakes, home to thousands of flamingos, ostriches, gazelles, warthogs, greater kudus, and many species of migratory and resident birds. Enjoy panoramic viewpoints overlooking Lakes Abijata and Shalla before continuing to Lake Langano for lunch at a lakeside resort. In the afternoon, return to Addis Ababa via the modern expressway. In the evening, celebrate the end of your Ethiopia adventure with a farewell dinner at a traditional cultural restaurant featuring authentic Ethiopian cuisine, music, and colorful dances representing the country's diverse ethnic cultures.
End of the tour.

Main Destination:

Abijatta-Shalla National Park

Best Time To Go October to February (Flocks of flamingo)

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

Best Weather

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

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