16-Day Ethiopia Grand Discovery – Culture & Heritage

• 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

Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, our representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. After some rest, begin exploring Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s vibrant capital. Visit the National Museum (home to the famous Lucy fossil), the Ethnographic Museum, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Stroll through Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market, and discover the modern Unity Park. Enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner with cultural flavors before returning to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

The Grand Palace Suites-Hotel

• Luxury hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

From Addis Ababa to Gondar Arrival & Scenic Trek into the Simien Mountains

After breakfast, take a flight from Addis Ababa to Gondar, where our guide and driver will meet you. Drive to Debark, the gateway to Simien Mountains National Park, and obtain your park entry permits. If time allows, visit the local market before heading to the park. Begin your trek to Sankaber Camp (3,250m), enjoying spectacular escarpments, unique plant species, and wildlife such as Gelada baboons, klipspringer, and bushbuck.

Overnight: Camping at Sankaber.

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:

Budget camping

• Inside Simien Mountains NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Trek to Jinbar Waterfall & Gondar City Tour

After breakfast at Sankaber Camp, continue your trek to Jinbar Waterfall (about 2 hours). Walk along the escarpment and enjoy stunning views of the valley, passing through giant heather, Abyssinian rose, and Erica arborea trees. Spot wildlife such as Gelada baboons, klipspringer, bushbuck, and possibly leopards. After enjoying the waterfalls and surrounding scenery, have lunch and drive back to Gondar. Explore the city’s historic treasures, including Fasil Ghebbi Castle (UNESCO World Heritage) and Debre Berhan Selassie Church with its famous painted ceiling.

Overnight: Hotel in Gondar.

Main Destination:

Simien Mountains National Park

Accommodation:

Goha Hotel

• Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Gondar City Tour & Drive to Bahir Dar

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before continuing your Gondar city tour, visiting its historic palaces, churches, and baths. Highlights include exploring more of Fasil Ghebbi, and appreciating the rich architecture and history of the former imperial capital. In the afternoon, drive to Bahir Dar, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. Take in the scenic landscapes along the way and settle into your hotel for dinner and relaxation.

Overnight: Hotel in Bahir Dar.

Main Destination:

Gondar (City)

Accommodation:

Lake Avenue Hotel

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

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Explore Bahir Dar – Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls

After breakfast, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit its historic monasteries, some dating back to the 14th century. Admire the island churches and their ancient treasures while enjoying the serene lake scenery. In the afternoon, visit the Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat), one of Ethiopia’s most spectacular natural wonders. Capture stunning views of the cascading waters and surrounding landscapes before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Hotel in Bahir Dar.

Main Destination:

Blue Nile Falls (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Lake Avenue Hotel

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive to Lalibela & Visit Rock-Hewn Churches

After breakfast, drive from Bahir Dar to Lalibela, enjoying scenic Ethiopian landscapes along the way, including vast farmlands and local villages. Stop at the unique village of Awramba to observe the distinctive lifestyle of its community. Upon arrival in Lalibela, begin exploring its UNESCO World Heritage rock-hewn churches, marveling at the architectural wonders carved directly into the rock. Spend the afternoon discovering the town’s historic sites and immerse yourself in its spiritual atmosphere.

Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Tabor Hotel Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Full Day Exploration of Lalibela's Rock-HewnChurches

Dedicate the day to fully exploring Lalibela, famous for its extraordinary rock-cut churches dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Visit the massive Bete Medhane Alem, the cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis, and other interconnected churches featuring carved bas-reliefs and colorful frescoes. In the afternoon, trek a few kilometers uphill to Asheten Mariam Church for panoramic views. This day offers an immersive experience of Ethiopia’s rich religious heritage and architectural marvels.

Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela.

Main Destination:

Lalibela (Town)

Accommodation:

Tabor Hotel Lalibela

• Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Drive to Semera–Gateway to the Danakil Depression

Start early with breakfast before embarking on an 8-hour drive to Semera, passing through Weldiya and Chifra. Along the way, enjoy Ethiopia’s diverse landscapes and gain insights into the cultures of the Amhara and Afar people. Semera, warmer than previous destinations, serves as the gateway to the Danakil Depression. Upon arrival, settle into your accommodation, have dinner, and prepare for the upcoming desert adventure in one of the world’s most unique landscapes.

Overnight: Hotel in Semera.

Main Destination:

Semera (Town)

Accommodation:

Kuriftu Afar Semera Resort

• Mid-range hotel located in Semera (Town)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

From Semera to Hamed Ela – Entering the Danakil Depression

After breakfast, drive from Semera into the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and most unique landscapes on Earth. Stop at Afdera village for lunch and witness local salt mining traditions. Continue to Hamed Ela, passing volcanic formations, colorful salt mountains, and desert landscapes. Explore Lake Giulietti (Lake Afrera), where you can admire the vast salt flats, enjoy the surreal scenery, and witness Afar communities at work. End the day at the camp with dinner under the stars.

Overnight: Camp at Hamed Ela.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Hamed Ela – Dallol & Erta Ale Volcano Adventure

Begin the day early with an exploration of the sulfur springs, salt mountains, and hot springs around Hamed Ela. Observe local salt miners at work and marvel at the colorful Dallol landscape and Lake Assal. Afterward, drive to Erta Ale, a shield volcano with one of the world’s only permanent lava lakes. Trek to the volcano cone to witness the dramatic lava activity, then return to the camp for dinner under the starry desert sky.

Overnight: Camping near Erta Ale.

Main Destination:

Danakil Depression (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Erta Ale Sunrise & Return to Semera – Flight to Addis Ababa

Wake up early to catch the sunrise over Erta Ale’s northern pit crater, then take a short walk to explore the southern and central pits. After descending, enjoy your final desert breakfast and pack up camp. Drive back to Semera and board a flight to Addis Ababa, arriving in the late afternoon. This marks the end of your Danakil adventure and a smooth transition back to the capital city.

Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Main Destination:

Addis Ababa (City)

Accommodation:

The Grand Palace Suites-Hotel

• Luxury hotel located in Addis Ababa (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Fly to Arba Minch – Lake Chamo & Dorze Village

Take an early morning flight from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch. Upon arrival, enjoy breakfast before driving to the Forty Springs area and visiting the Crocodile Market. Embark on a boat trip on Lake Chamo, spotting hippos, Nile crocodiles, and various bird species. After lunch at a local resort, visit the Dorze Village to see their distinctive beehive-shaped huts and learn about traditional weaving practices. Return to Arba Minch for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight: Hotel in Arba Minch.

Main Destination:

Lake Chamo

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

From Arba Minch to Konso Village – Turmi

After breakfast, drive to Konso Village, stopping for lunch along the way. Explore one of Konso’s UNESCO World Heritage villages, known for its stone and wooden generation poles marking new generations and traditional culture. After the visit, continue to Turmi for your overnight stay.

Overnight: Hotel or Lodge in Turmi.

Main Destination:

Konso (Cultural Village)

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

Kara Village & Turmi Activities

After breakfast, visit Kara Village to observe the unique culture and traditional body and face painting of the Kara people. Return to Turmi for lunch. In the afternoon, if available, witness the bull-jumping ceremony, a rite of passage for Hamer boys, or alternatively, visit a Hamer village. Conclude the day with a colorful evening of local Evan Gady dance.

Overnight: Hotel or Lodge in Turmi.

Main Destination:

Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Emerald Lodge Turmi

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

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

From Dassanech Villages to Jinka Museum

Drive to Omorate and cross the Omo River by local boat to visit the Dassanech community. Return to Turmi for lunch, then proceed to Dimeka to explore the weekly market with the Hamer, Beena, and Kara people. If the bull-jumping ceremony did not occur earlier, there’s a higher chance of witnessing it here. Continue to Jinka and visit the Jinka Museum if time allows.

Overnight: Hotel or Lodge in Jinka.

Main Destination:

Omorate (Lower Omo Valley)

Accommodation:

Nasa Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Mursi Village & Return to Addis Ababa

Early morning drive to Mursi village, observing the unique customs of this Omo Valley community, including lip plates and body painting. Return to Jinka for lunch before departing for Addis Ababa, arriving in the afternoon. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy some shopping or a farewell dinner at a top local restaurant before preparing for your midnight international departure.

End of Tour.

Main Destination:

Mago National Park

Best Time To Go June to February (Little rainfall)

High Season October to January (It might be busier)

Best Weather

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

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