18-Day Historic Route & Omo Valley Expedition

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

Arrival in Addis Ababa & City Tour

Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Embark on an afternoon city tour of Ethiopia’s vibrant capital, visiting the National Museum to see the famous hominid fossil "Lucy", and driving up to Mount Entoto for panoramic views of the city. Conclude your first day with a welcome dinner featuring traditional Ethiopian cuisine and live cultural music.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Fly Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar & Lake Tana

After breakfast, transfer to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for a short morning flight to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival, head down to the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon boat cruise across the lake to visit ancient island monasteries such as Ura Kidane Mihret on the Zegge Peninsula, famous for its colorful religious wall paintings and historical manuscripts. Check into your hotel by evening.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Activities:

• Afternoon boat trip

Accommodation:

Lake Avenue Hotel

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Bahir Dar to Gondar & Blue Nile Falls

Begin your morning with an exciting excursion to the majestic Blue Nile Falls (locally known as Tis Issat), enjoying a scenic walk along the footpath and crossing a historic stone bridge to view the cascading waters. Afterward, embark on a comfortable overland drive north through picturesque rural farmlands and rolling hills toward the imperial city of Gondar. Arrive by afternoon to check into your hotel and unwind for the evening.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Activities:

• Morning nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

Goha Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Gondar Castle Exploration & Debre Berhan Selassie

Spend the day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic city of Gondar, often called the "Camelot of Africa." Tour the 17th-century Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi) to view its imposing stone castles and banquet halls. Afterward, visit the historic Bath of King Fasilidas and admire the stunning, angel-filled painted ceiling of the iconic Debre Berhan Selassie Church before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Goha Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Gondar to Simien Mountains National Park

Leave Gondar behind and embark on a scenic morning drive northward toward the breathtaking peaks of the Simien Mountains National Park. Stop briefly at the park headquarters in Debark to finalize your entry permits and meet your mandatory local scout. Continue up into the dramatic highland escarpment and spend your afternoon on an introductory nature walk along the ridge, taking in the sweeping views and looking out for endemic gelada baboons before checking into your lodge for the evening.

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

Activities:

• Afternoon nature hike/walk

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Simien Mountains to Axum via Tekeze River Valley

Enjoy a final morning looking out over the breathtaking mountain vistas before embarking on an epic overland journey toward Axum. Drive down through the dramatic, deep switchbacks and arid terrain of the spectacular Tekeze River Valley, experiencing some of the most striking and rugged landscapes in East Africa. Arrive in the ancient, historical city of Axum by evening and check into your hotel to rest before your upcoming archaeological explorations.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Consolar Hotel Aksum

• Mid-range hotel located in Axum (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Exploring the Ancient Archaeological Sites of Axum

Spend a full day exploring the ancient capital of the powerful Axumite Empire. Visit the famous northern stelae field to view its towering monolithic obelisks and underground tombs. Continue to the ruins of Dongar Palace (attributed to the Queen of Sheba), King Ezana’s trilingual inscription stone, and the Church of St. Mary of Zion, believed by Ethiopian tradition to house the biblical Ark of the Covenant. Return to your hotel in the evening.

Main Destination:

Axum (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Consolar Hotel Aksum

• Mid-range hotel located in Axum (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Fly Axum to Lalibela & First Church Exploration

After breakfast, transfer to Axum Airport for your morning domestic flight to the sacred highland town of Lalibela. Upon arrival and check-in at your hotel, begin your immersion into Ethiopia's medieval architecture. Explore your first cluster of the famous 13th-century rock-hewn monolithic churches, walking through subterranean trenches to discover structures like the massive Bet Medhane Alem and the intricately decorated Bet Maryam. Conclude your day with dinner at your hotel.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Tabor Hotel Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Asheten Maryam Monastery & Remaining Lalibela Churches

Embark on a morning excursion up into the breathtaking mountains overlooking the town to visit the cliffside Asheten Maryam Monastery, enjoying panoramic valley views along the way. In the afternoon, return to town to explore the remaining cluster of Lalibela’s magnificent rock-hewn churches, culminating in a visit to the iconic, cross-shaped Church of St. George (Bet Giyorgis), standing isolated in a deep rock pit as the masterpiece of medieval architecture. Conclude with dinner at your hotel.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Tabor Hotel Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Fly Lalibela to Addis Ababa & City Exploration

After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela Airport for your morning domestic flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in the capital, enjoy an afternoon city tour to visit cultural highlights, vibrant local markets, or historical monuments you may have missed on day one. Check into your hotel by evening for dinner and a restful night before continuing your journey south into the Omo Valley.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Haile Grand Addis Ababa Hotel

• Luxury hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Addis Ababa to Awassa via Rift Valley

After breakfast, depart Addis Ababa and embark on a scenic morning drive south through the central Ethiopian Rift Valley. Enjoy views of the beautiful Rift Valley lakes (such as Kelafo and Ziway) and rural agricultural landscapes along the way. Stop for lunch en route before arriving by afternoon in the lakeside city of Awassa. Check into your resort, take a relaxing walk along the lake shore, and unwind for the night.

Main Destination:

Awasa (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Hawassa

• Mid-range resort located in Awasa (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Awassa to Arba Minch via Rift Valley & Lake Chamo

After an early breakfast, depart Awassa and enjoy a scenic morning drive south through the scenic agricultural landscapes and changing topography of southern Ethiopia toward Arba Minch. Arrive by afternoon and head straight for Lake Chamo. Embark on a thrilling boat trip across the lake's waters to observe massive Nile crocodiles basking on the shores, pods of hippos surfacing, and abundant aquatic birdlife. Check into your lodge by evening.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Arba Minch to Turmi via Konso Village

After breakfast, depart Arba Minch and drive southward toward Turmi, stopping en route at the fascinating Konso cultural landscape. Explore one of Konso’s UNESCO-listed fortified highland villages, renowned for their remarkable stone-walled terraced fields, complex social structures, and unique wooden grave markers. Enjoy lunch locally before continuing your journey through striking bush landscapes to arrive by evening in Turmi, the cultural heartland of the Hamer people.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Dasenech Village & Hamer Cultural Experience in Turmi

After breakfast, take an excursion to Omorate, crossing the Omo River by local dugout canoe or modern bridge to visit the Dasenech (Dassanech) people, renowned for their intricate scarification patterns and distinct homesteads on the delta banks. In the afternoon, return to Turmi to immerse yourself in the culture of the Hamer people, with opportunities to witness traditional village life, local customs, or a traditional bull-jumping ceremony if scheduling permits. Return to your lodge for overnight.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

• Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Karo Tribe Village Visit & Drive to Jinka

After breakfast, embark on a morning excursion to visit the Karo people, beautifully situated on the banks of the Omo River. Known for their elaborate body and face painting using white chalk and ochre, the Karo are master body artists and construct striking ritual clay hairstyles. Enjoy a guided walk through their scenic village overlooking the river. In the afternoon, enjoy a comfortable drive back north to Jinka, checking into your lodge by evening for dinner and a restful night.

Main Destination:

Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Nasa Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Ari Village Visit & Drive to Arba Minch

After breakfast, enjoy a morning cultural excursion to an authentic Ari (Arri) village located in the hills near Jinka. Experience their traditional agricultural lifestyle, see how they process local foods like enset (false banana), and observe their pottery and ironworking crafts. In the afternoon, embark on a comfortable overland drive north back toward Arba Minch, enjoying the changing landscapes before checking into your lodge by evening.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Chamo Morning Excursion & Drive to Lake Langano

Enjoy a relaxed morning starting with a scenic boat trip on Lake Chamo to observe massive Nile crocodiles, hippos, and abundant waterbirds along the shores. Following the morning excursion, embark on a comfortable overland drive north through the Rift Valley, passing rural landscapes and acacia woodlands toward the tranquil shores of Lake Langano. Arrive by afternoon at your lakeside resort to unwind, relax on the beach, and enjoy dinner overlooking the water.

Main Destination:

Lake Langano

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

Accommodation:

Sabana Beach Resort

• Mid-range resort located at Lake Langano

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive to Addis Ababa, Souvenir Shopping & Departure

After a leisurely breakfast by the lake, embark on your final morning drive northward from Lake Langano back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in the capital, enjoy free time for last-minute souvenir shopping to pick up authentic Ethiopian crafts, traditional fabrics, or world-famous local coffee. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant featuring local music and dance before your transfer to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for your evening international flight home.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Activities:

• No wildlife-viewing activities on this day

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.