14-Day North & South Ethiopia Culture, Nature & Volcanoes

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts cannot be arranged by this operator.

Arrival in Addis Ababa – Welcome to the Roof of Africa

Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, your local guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Addis Ababa. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an optional afternoon city tour. Visit the National Museum, home to the famous 3.2-million-year-old fossil "Lucy" and a fascinating collection of artifacts, art, and archaeology. Continue to the majestic Holy Trinity Cathedral, the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. If time allows, explore the vast Merkato—Africa’s largest open-air market—or drive to Mount Entoto for sweeping views over the city. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner with cultural music or relax at your hotel in preparation for the epic journey ahead.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Best Western Plus Pearl Addis

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Flight to Lalibela – The Timeless Churches of Stone

After breakfast, catch a morning flight to Lalibela, a sacred highland town often dubbed the "New Jerusalem." Upon arrival, meet your local guide and drive past stunning vistas of the Lasta Mountains en route to your lodge. In the afternoon, begin exploring the northern cluster of Lalibela’s UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches, carved from red volcanic rock in the 12th century. Visit Bete Medhane Alem, the world’s largest monolithic church, followed by Bete Maryam, rich with ancient frescoes, and Bete Golgotha, believed to house King Lalibela’s tomb. Wander through ceremonial trenches and tunnels that connect these living places of worship. As evening descends, ascend to a panoramic viewpoint and watch the sun set over the rose-colored mountains—a moment of serenity, spirituality, and awe. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Lalibela Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Lalibela – Southern Cluster & Yemrehanna Kristos

Begin your day with breakfast and breathtaking views over Lalibela’s highlands. Dive deeper into Ethiopia’s spiritual heart as you explore the southern cluster of rock-hewn churches, accessed via narrow passageways and hand-carved tunnels. Visit Bete Gabriel-Rufael, once likely a royal palace, and the elegant Bete Amanuel and Bete Abba Libanos, both known for their Axumite-inspired architecture and detailed carvings.

Then, behold Bete Giyorgis (St. George’s Church), Ethiopia’s most iconic rock-hewn church, carved in perfect cruciform and sunk deep into solid rock. Surrounded by silence and sacred energy, it’s a site of powerful reverence.

In the afternoon, take a scenic drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a remarkable 11th-century cave church built from layered stone and wood inside a natural cavern. Inside lie the remains of ancient pilgrims—one of Ethiopia’s most hauntingly spiritual places. Return to town and unwind with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, rich in aroma, ritual.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Lalibela Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Fly to Semera via Addis – Entering the Afar Frontier

After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela Airport for your scenic flight back to Addis Ababa, where you’ll connect to another domestic flight heading northeast to Semera, the capital of the Afar Regional State and your gateway to the Danakil Depression—one of the most remote and geologically fascinating corners of the planet.

Upon arrival in Semera, meet your local expedition team and begin your off-road journey toward Afdera or Hamed Ela, the staging area for the coming days of desert exploration. The drive takes you through stark, vast desert landscapes dotted with volcanic rock, endless salt pans, and occasional Afar nomadic settlements. With the temperature rising and the scenery growing increasingly otherworldly, you’ll feel yourself entering a land where nature still reigns untamed.

Reach your basic desert camp by late afternoon. Settle in for dinner under the open sky and prepare for tomorrow’s encounter with Dallol’s alien beauty.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Explore Dallol & the Alien Salt Flats of Danakil

Today you explore one of the world’s most surreal landscapes—the Dallol hydrothermal field, located deep in the Danakil Depression. After breakfast, drive across the vast salt plains to reach Dallol, a region of intense geothermal activity and technicolor terrain. Walk among neon yellow sulfur springs, acid pools, and salt chimneys, where the earth boils with life from deep within. This is one of the hottest and lowest points on Earth, and yet it dazzles with vibrant natural formations like no other.

Nearby, witness the Afar salt miners, still using traditional tools to extract salt blocks from the earth. Their camel caravans, stretching across the salt flats, are living symbols of Ethiopia’s centuries-old trade routes. Continue to Lake Asale, where mirror-like salt pools stretch to the horizon. As the sun sets, the desert reflects light in golden tones. Return to Hamed Ela camp for a night under a blanket of stars.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Erta Ale Volcano – Trek to the Gateway of Fire

Today is a true expedition into Ethiopia’s volcanic frontier. After breakfast, drive across the rugged desert terrain toward Erta Ale, one of the world’s few continuously active volcanoes. Known as the “Smoking Mountain”, Erta Ale is sacred to the Afar people and famous for its rare active lava lake. Arrive at the base camp by late afternoon, and after a rest and gear check, begin the 3 to 4-hour trek to the crater rim just before sunset.

The path ascends gradually across hardened lava fields, surreal black rock formations, and glowing desert horizons. Reaching the top as daylight fades, you’ll witness the incredible sight of molten lava swirling and bubbling within the crater, casting a red glow into the night sky. The heat, the rumble of the earth, and the raw power of nature combine for an unforgettable moment.

Spend the night camping near the rim, beneath a sky filled with stars and the fiery pulse of the earth below.

Main Destination:

Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Morning Descent from Erta Ale – Return Flight to Addis Ababa

Rise early to begin your descent from Erta Ale's crater, as the sky softens with the first light of dawn. The trek down offers quiet reflection on the powerful natural spectacle witnessed the night before. After reaching the base camp, enjoy a light breakfast and take time to rest before setting off once more through the harsh, beautiful landscapes of the Danakil Depression.

Drive back across the volcanic fields, salt flats, and arid deserts toward Semera, passing scattered Afar nomad settlements along the way. The route is rugged and remote, but filled with dramatic scenery and occasional wildlife. Upon arrival in Semera, board your scheduled domestic flight back to Addis Ababa.

Arrive in the capital by late afternoon or early evening and transfer to your hotel. After the intensity of the Danakil, the cool air of Addis brings welcome comfort. Spend the evening at leisure, perhaps with a traditional dinner and cultural dance show.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

Best Western Plus Pearl Addis

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Fly to Arba Minch – Highland Culture with the Dorze People

This morning, take a scenic flight from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch, the lush gateway to southern Ethiopia and the Omo Valley. Upon arrival, drive up into the Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze people, renowned for their vibrant weaving traditions, towering bamboo “beehive” houses, and panoramic views.

Wander through the hillside village, where the air is fresh and filled with the scent of eucalyptus. Step inside one of the beehive-shaped huts, some over 6 meters tall, and learn how these remarkable structures are built to last generations. Watch Dorze weavers work their traditional looms, crafting colorful cotton shawls and garments known as shamma.

Enjoy a traditional meal and experience the local way of life, shaped by highland farming and deep community ties. From the ridge, take in breathtaking views of Lake Abaya, Lake Chamo, and the Great Rift Valley stretching into the horizon.

Main Destination:

Arba Minch (City)

Accommodation:

Haile Resort Arba Minch

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Journey to Turmi via Konso – Meet the Hamer Tribe

After breakfast, set off on a scenic drive southward through the changing landscapes of southern Ethiopia. Your first stop is Konso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ingenious terraced agriculture, stone-walled villages, and wooden Waka totems that honor ancestors. Learn about the Konso people’s strong social traditions and remarkable ability to thrive in a dry, hilly environment.

Continue your journey deeper into the Omo Valley, arriving in Turmi, the heartland of the Hamer tribe. The Hamer are famed for their elaborate hairstyles, ochre body paint, and striking beadwork. In the afternoon, take part in an authentic cultural experience, visiting a Hamer homestead and learning about their daily lives, customs, and connection to the land.

If you're fortunate, you may witness a bull-jumping ceremony—a rite of passage for young men—or attend a traditional Evangadi dance, rich with rhythm and symbolism.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Omorate Excursion – Meet the Dassanech Tribe

After breakfast, set off on a journey to Omorate, a remote frontier town near the Kenyan border. The drive takes you through dry plains dotted with termite mounds and occasional wildlife. At the edge of the Omo River, board a traditional wooden dugout canoe or motorized boat to cross into the territory of the Dassanech people—one of the most resilient and culturally rich tribes of the valley.

The Dassanech are semi-nomadic agro-pastoralists known for their elaborate body scarification, a symbol of beauty and strength. Explore the village, engage with community members, and witness traditional attire, handmade jewelry, and mud-built homes that reflect centuries of adaptation to the harsh environment.

After your visit, cross back over the river and return to Turmi for more local encounters—perhaps a lively market visit or spontaneous Evangadi dance performance, if the opportunity arises.

Main Destination:

Omorate (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Buska Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Drive to Jinka – Encounter Bana or Ari Tribes & South Omo Culture

After breakfast, depart Turmi and journey northward to Jinka, the cultural heart of the South Omo region. Along the way, pass through lush highland scenery, small settlements, and traditional tribal lands. Stop en route in villages of the Bana or Ari tribes, each with distinct languages, clothing, and customs.

The Bana people are known for their braided hair styles, body adornments, and close cultural ties with the Hamer, while the Ari are settled agriculturalists recognized for their pottery, distilling, and coffee farming. You’ll have the chance to walk through local homes, interact with families, and learn about their daily lives, tools, and traditions.

If the day coincides with a local market, enjoy a colorful and lively experience as tribes from surrounding areas gather to trade goods, gossip, and celebrate.

In Jinka, you may also opt to visit the excellent South Omo Research Center & Museum, offering deeper insight into the valley’s diverse ethnic tapestry.

Main Destination:

Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Jinka Resort

• Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Visit Mursi Tribe in Mago Park – Fly to Gondar via Addis

Wake early for a remarkable drive into Mago National Park, home to the iconic Mursi tribe, perhaps the most visually striking of the Omo Valley peoples. As you traverse rugged tracks through dense acacia forests and savannah, be on the lookout for antelope and baboons in the wild. Upon arrival, enter a Mursi village, where you’ll meet men and women adorned with elaborate body paint, scarification, and traditional lip plates—a cultural symbol of identity and resilience.

Take time to engage respectfully with villagers, guided by your local expert, and gain insight into their semi-nomadic lifestyle, cattle culture, and rituals. After this unforgettable encounter, return to Jinka for your flight back to Addis Ababa, connecting onward to Gondar, the royal capital of Ethiopia’s past.

Arrive in Gondar by evening and transfer to your hotel, nestled among the highlands of the Amhara region.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Goha Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Explore Gondar's Royal Legacy – Scenic Drive to Bahir Dar

Begin your morning in the historic city of Gondar, Ethiopia’s 17th-century imperial capital, often called the “Camelot of Africa.” Step inside the Fasil Ghebbi Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring medieval castles, palaces, and banquet halls built by Emperor Fasilides and his successors. Explore the grand architecture that blends Ethiopian, Portuguese, and Indian influences, and imagine the era of kings, queens, and military might.

Next, visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famed for its vivid ceiling of angelic faces and well-preserved frescoes. The church is considered one of the finest examples of Ethiopian Orthodox art and spirituality.

After lunch, depart on a scenic drive through the Amhara Highlands, enjoying views of rolling farmland, distant peaks, and Lake Tana on the horizon. Arrive in Bahir Dar, a relaxed lakeside city known for its palm-lined avenues and rich monastic heritage.

Main Destination:

Bahir Dar (City)

Accommodation:

Kuriftu Resort & Spa Bahir Dar

• Luxury hotel located in Bahir Dar (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Lake Tana Monasteries & Blue Nile Falls – Fly to Addis & Departure

Your final day begins with a tranquil boat excursion on Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake and the spiritual heart of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Cruise over calm waters to explore ancient island monasteries, including Ura Kidane Mehret or Kebran Gabriel (men only). These hidden sanctuaries are adorned with centuries-old murals, sacred relics, and manuscripts, offering a deep connection to Ethiopia’s religious heritage.

Back on shore, drive through lush countryside to witness the legendary Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tis Issat (“The Water That Smokes”). Depending on the season, take a scenic hike to admire the thundering cascade or stroll across the historic Portuguese bridge with sweeping valley views.

Return to Bahir Dar for a domestic flight to Addis Ababa. In the evening, enjoy a farewell cultural dinner with traditional music and dance (optional), or be transferred directly to Bole International Airport for your onward flight.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation cannot be arranged by this operator.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.