Itinerary

Day 1

Early in the morning, depart north to Bahir Dar via Debre Markos. On the way visit the Debre Libanos Monastery and the Portuguese Bridge, which is the first bridge in Ethiopia. Overnight in Bahir Dar (hotel).

Day 2

In the morning, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the island monasteries, such as those on the Zege Peninsula and Kibran Gebrele (not allowed for women). In the afternoon, drive out to the Blue Nile Falls for a short hike. After returning back to Bahir Dar, take a short city tour, including visiting the old palace of Haile Selassie and the view point over the point where the Blue Nile and Lake Tana meet for the sunset. Overnight in Bahir Dar.

Day 3

After breakfast, continue north to Gondar. On the way, you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Amhara tribes. After arriving at your hotel in Gondar, visit the castles of Fasilides and the Debre Birhan Silassie church, which is one of the most famous churches in Ethiopia. Overnight in Gondar (hotel).

Day 4

After breakfast, drive to Axum, enjoying the spectacular views of the Simien Mountains on the way. You can also visit the Gelada baboons, which are endemic to the Ethiopia. After stopping for lunch at Adarky, proceed driving through the Tekeze Valley to Axum – the oldest capital of Ethiopia. Overnight in Axum (hotel).

Day 5

Today will be a full day spent visiting the historical sites of Axum, including the Queen of Sheba's palace, King Bazen's tomb, and the famous stellae. Overnight in Axum (hotel).

Day 6

After breakfast drive to Mekele. On the way, you will visit Yeha, which has the oldest temple in Ethiopia and Debre Damo, where you will climb up a rope 15 meters to the cliff-top monastery. (Only men are allowed to enter the monastery at Debre Damo.) If time allows, you can also visit some of the rock-hewn churches in Tigray state, such as Abraha Atsbeha and Chirkos. Overnight in Mekele (hotel).

Day 7

Early in the morning, drive to Lalibela via Woldia. Lalibela was the second capital of Ethiopia. Overnight in Lalibela (hotel).

Day 8

Today, visit the 11 rock-hewn churches of the remarkable King Lalibela. Overnight in Lalibela (hotel).

Day 9

In the morning, drive to Kombolcha via Woldia, on the way visiting the Logo Lake in Hayk. Overnight in Kombolcha (hotel).

Day 10

In the morning, continue driving to Awash via Bati. (If this day is a Monday, you can visit the Monday camel market in Bati.) Overnight in Awash (hotel).

Day 11

In the morning, visit the Awash National Park to view wildlife and the Awash Falls. Afterwards, continue driving to Lake Langano. Overnight camping or in lodge at Lake Langano.

Day 12

Today we will drive to Dorze. The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses. If today is a Monday or Thursday, we will visit the market at Dorze; if it's a Tuesday or Saturday, we will visit the market at Chencha. Overnight in Dorze village.

Day 13

Today we will have a short drive to Arba Minch. In the morning, you can take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the crocodile market at the hippos. In the afternoon, visit the Nechisar National Park to visit the wildlife. Overnight in Arba Minch (hotel).

Day 14

Drive to Jinka, stopping in local markets along the way, depending on what day it is. For example, the Konso market is on Mondays and Thursdays while the Key Afar market is on Thursday. They Key Afar market is very colorful, and is visited by the Benna tribes. Jinka is the home of the Ari people, and the bit market in Jinka is on Saturday, which is visited by the Ari, Benna, and Mursi tribes. Overnight in Jinka (hotel or camping).

Day 15

In the morning, drive to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe, which are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. Afterwards, return to Jinka, where you can visit the South Omo museum and research center for more information about the local tribes. Overnight in Jinka.

Day 16

Drive to Turmi via Dimeka and Key Afar. The Dimeka market is one of the most colorful markets in the lower Omo Valley, and attracts both Benna and Hamer people. Overnight in Turmi (camping or hotel).

Day 17

In the morning, drive to Omorate, where we will cross the Omo River by local boat and visit the Dassenech tribe. After the visit, return to Turmi. If it's a Monday, there is a very colorful market that will be visited. Also, if there is the traditional Hamer Jumping of the Bulls wedding ceremony, that will be visited. At night time, you can visit the traditional night dancing of the Hamer people, known as Evangadi. Overnight in Turmi.

Day 18

Today we drive to Kolcho and Dus to visit with the Karo people. Overnight may be camping in Karo village or returning to Turmi for camping or hotel accommodations.

Day 19

Drive through the Weyto valley to Konso, passing through Erbore on the way. There is a market in Erbore on Fridays, which we can visit and mingle with the Erbore people. Overnight in Konso (hotel).

Day 20

In the morning, visit with the Konso people who are known for their wooden totems erected in honor of their dead warriors, as well as their intricate agricultural terracing techniques. Also visit the natural New York village, which gets its name from the tall sand formations that resemble skyscrapers. After the visit, drive to Awassa for overnight.

Day 21

In the morning, take a boat trip on Lake Awassa to visit the fish market. In the afternoon, we will return back to Addis, stopping at Wondo Genet - former Emperor Haile Selassie's favorite weekend getaway - for a dip in the hot springs waters.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Accommodation

Exclusions -

International flights

Extras -

This tour can be modified as desired. Please contact us directly to discuss special customized tours.