$4,246 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Addis Ababa City Tour
Addis Ababa City Tour
On arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, Addis Ababa lies at an elevation of about 2,438m and enjoys a pleasant climate year-round. Begin sightseeing at the National Museum, home to Ethiopia’s historic treasures and the famous 3.5-million-year-old fossil remains of “Lucy.” Continue to the Ethnographic Museum and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Ethiopia’s main cathedral and the resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Capital Hotel & Spa
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Fly From Addis Ababa to Bahirdar
Fly From Addis Ababa to Bahirdar
Morning flight to Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara Region, beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. Upon arrival, begin a full-day sightseeing tour. Take a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore its historic island monasteries, including Ura Kidane Mihret Church on the Zege Peninsula. The church is famous for its colourful religious paintings and beautifully illuminated manuscripts written in Ge’ez, the ancient liturgical language of Ethiopia. In the afternoon, drive about 32 km south of Bahir Dar to visit Tississat Falls, meaning “water that smokes” in Amharic. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and the powerful waters of the Blue Nile before returning to Bahir Dar.
- Main Destination:
- Bahir Dar (City)
- Accommodation:
- Jacaranda Hotel Bahir Dar
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
From Bahardar Drive to Gondar
From Bahardar Drive to Gondar
This morning, we drive approximately 185 km north to Gondar, a journey of around three hours. Once the capital of Ethiopia, Gondar is famous for its impressive historical monuments and Royal Enclosure.
We visit the Royal Enclosure, home to remarkable 17th-century castles and palaces, including the impressive castle of King Fasilides, built with stone, round turrets, and wooden balconies. We also visit the Bath of Fasilides, where thousands of Ethiopians gather every January to celebrate Timkat (Epiphany).
In the afternoon, we visit Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Light of the Trinity), renowned for its beautiful religious paintings and spectacular ceiling decorated with rows of angelic faces. This fascinating visit offers a glimpse into Ethiopia’s rich history, architecture, and Orthodox Christian traditions.
Overnight in Gondar.
- Main Destination:
- Gondar (City)
- Accommodation:
-
Goha Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
From Gondar drive Simien Mountains National Park
From Gondar drive Simien Mountains National Park
After breakfast, drive to Debark, the gateway to the spectacular Simien Mountains National Park. Continue into the mountains, reaching up to 3,250 metres, for breathtaking views of the dramatic landscapes and deep valleys. Enjoy an optional 1.5-hour walk around the Sankaber area, mostly flat or downhill, while looking for endemic Gelada baboons, Klipspringers, Lammergeyer vultures, and bushbuck. Take time to appreciate the unique scenery before driving back to the camp in the late afternoon for your overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Simien Mountains National Park
- Accommodation:
- Simien Lodge
Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Drive back to Gondar
Drive back to Gondar
In the afternoon, visit the ancient city of Gondar and explore its historic character and fascinating local life. Take a leisurely walk through the old town, where traditional buildings, narrow streets, and historic landmarks reflect Gondar’s rich past. Continue to the local market, one of the best places to experience everyday Ethiopian culture. Browse colorful stalls selling spices, traditional clothing, handicrafts, fresh produce, and other local goods while observing the lively atmosphere and interacting with friendly local people.
- Main Destination:
- Gondar (City)
- Accommodation:
- Goha Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Fly to Lalibela and Explore the Rock hewn Churches
Fly to Lalibela and Explore the Rock hewn Churches
In the morning, after breakfast, we will visit the first cluster of rock-hewn churches in the afternoon. Lalibela, often called the “New Jerusalem,” is believed to have been constructed around 800 years ago by King Lalibela. Although it was once his capital city, today Lalibela is a small village. While rock-carved churches exist in other parts of the world, those in Ethiopia are especially remarkable. Typically, they were excavated by cutting away all sides of a rectangle, leaving a massive block of granite isolated in the center. This block was then carefully shaped and hollowed, both inside and out. The carvings display extraordinary craftsmanship, and the churches have been recognized as one of the wonders of the world. Each church features a distinct architectural style, and all are superbly carved.
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Hill Top Lodge Lalibela
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
The second group church and to Asheton maryam trekking
The second group church and to Asheton maryam trekking
Exploring the second group remarkable rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the impressive Bete Emanuel, beautifully carved from a single block of volcanic rock and known for its intricate architectural details. Continue to Aba Libanos, a fascinating semi-monolithic church partly hidden beneath the surrounding rock. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic trek towards Ashetan Maryam, one of Lalibela’s most important mountain monasteries. The trail offers beautiful views of the highlands, traditional villages, and dramatic landscapes. At the summit, explore the historic church and enjoy panoramic views over Lalibela before descending back to town.
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Hill Top Lodge Lalibela
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Fly from Lalibela to Addis Ababa
Fly from Lalibela to Addis Ababa
In the morning, attend the traditional chanting ceremony at one of Lalibela’s historic rock-hewn churches, an unforgettable experience that offers a glimpse into Ethiopia’s ancient Orthodox Christian traditions. After the ceremony, drive to Lalibela Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa, arriving in the afternoon. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and take some time to rest and relax. Later in the afternoon, you may visit local souvenir shops to browse traditional Ethiopian handicrafts, textiles, coffee items, and other unique gifts. The remainder of the late afternoon is free for you to explore Addis Ababa at your own pace or simply enjoy some well-deserved leisure time at the hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Capital Hotel & Spa
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Drive from Addis to Leke Langano
Drive from Addis to Leke Langano
After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, we will begin our scenic drive south toward Lake Langano, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Ethiopia’s Great Rift Valley along the way. The journey offers wonderful opportunities to admire the changing scenery, rolling hills, local villages, and panoramic views of the Rift Valley lakes, including Lakes Abijata and Shala. Depending on time and conditions, we may visit the Abijata-Shala National Park, where we have the opportunity to see the famous ostrich farm and learn more about these fascinating birds. In the afternoon, we continue to Lake Langano and settle into our lakeside resort. Here, you can relax on the shore, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, take in the spectacular sunset, or simply unwind after the day’s journey. Overnight at a resort on the shores of Lake Langano.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Langano
- Accommodation:
-
Sabana Beach Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Drive from Langano to Arbaminch
Drive from Langano to Arbaminch
After breakfast, drive to the famous lakeside town of Arba Minch. En route, visit Gurage villages and learn about Kocho, a traditional staple food made from the false banana plant. Continue through the colorful and scenic landscapes of southern Ethiopia, home to the Wolayita people, who were once pastoralists and are now mainly farmers. Before reaching Arba Minch, enjoy magnificent views of Lake Abaya, surrounded by mountains. The lake is of volcanic origin and is famous for its striking reddish-pink color.
- Main Destination:
- Arba Minch (City)
- Accommodation:
- Emerald Resort Arbaminch
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Drive to Jinka
Drive to Jinka
Early in the morning, we drive to Konso, famous for its colorful traditional clothing, impressive stone terraces, and engraved wooden grave markers. The Konso are skilled agriculturalists who have transformed the dry basalt hills into productive farmland using remarkable terracing techniques. Their villages are surrounded by stone walls, with family compounds accessed through narrow gateways. We then continue to Key Afer to visit the colorful Thursday market, where we can meet and photograph Ari, Bena, Hamer, and Tsemay people in their traditional dress. Hamer and Bena women are known for their distinctive red clay-coated braids, while Tsemay women wear beautifully beaded skirts. After exploring the market, we continue to Jinka, the gateway to the Omo Valley, for our overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Nasa Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Drive from jinka mago national park -Mursi people
Drive from jinka mago national park -Mursi people
Early morning, drive to Mago National Park and continue to the Mursi highlands, home to one of Ethiopia’s most distinctive ethnic groups. The Mursi are world-famous for their traditional lip plates, worn mainly by women as an important symbol of beauty and cultural identity. During the visit, learn about their traditions, lifestyle, dress, and social customs, with opportunities for photography subject to local permission and customary fees.
Return to Jinka for lunch. In the afternoon, visit a nearby Ari village to experience the culture and daily life of the Ari people. Learn about their traditional crafts, farming practices, and the preparation of homemade traditional alcoholic drinks before returning to Jinka.
- Main Destination:
- Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Nasa Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Drive Turmi and visit Hamar villgae
Drive Turmi and visit Hamar villgae
Today, we continue our journey through the Omo Valley, driving toward Turmi via Dimeka. Along the way, we visit the Hamer people, one of the largest and most fascinating ethnic groups in the region. The Hamer traditionally combine farming and livestock keeping, cultivating millet, vegetables, tobacco, and cotton while raising cattle and goats. They are also famous for their beautiful pottery, colorful clothing, and distinctive hairstyles. Hamer men may wear clay hair buns decorated with ostrich feathers, traditionally linked to bravery and achievements. Hamer women are renowned for their striking appearance, wearing colorful beaded necklaces, metal bracelets, and cowrie-shell ornaments. These decorations express beauty, cultural identity, and social status. We will visit a Hamer village, learn about their daily life and traditions, and enjoy an authentic cultural experience before continuing to Turmi for our overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Emerald Lodge Turmi
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Desanach and karo people
Desanach and karo people
Early morning departure for the Karo people, one of the photographic highlights of the Omo Valley.
Visit the Karo villages along the Omo River and photograph their famous clay face and body decoration, scarification, traditional clothing and cultural landscape.
After the Karo visit, return toward Turmi.
The afternoon remains intentionally flexible. Depending on local events, we can:
Attend a Hamer ceremony or celebration
Visit another Hamer village
Photograph daily Hamer life
Return to a location that offered particularly good photographic opportunities
Later, continue to Jinka.
Overnight: Nasa Hotel in Jinka.
- Main Destination:
- Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Eco Omo Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 15
From jinka to Addis Ababa
From jinka to Addis Ababa
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast in Jinka and take some time to enjoy your final morning in the Omo Valley. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be an opportunity for a short photography walk around Jinka, capturing the town’s daily life, local culture, and surrounding scenery. Alternatively, you may visit the local market for some last-minute shopping and a chance to experience the vibrant atmosphere before departure.
Afterward, transfer to Jinka Airport for your scheduled flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis, enjoy a farewell dinner at Habesha 2000 Restaurant, where you can relax and savor traditional Ethiopian cuisine while reflecting on your memorable journey through Ethiopia.
This evening marks the conclusion of your North Ethiopia & Omo Valley adventure and provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the experiences, landscapes, cultures, and friendships gathered along the way.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
