Our years of experience and extensive network of local partners can help you build your dream trip from the endless possibilities of Ethiopia. We’ll talk through your ideas, give you some suggestions, set it all up and advise on travel, kit and preparation, so that you get the Ethiopian adventure you’ve always wanted.
Best Of Ethiopia Tour
Transportation
Flight, Drive and Walk
Duration
20 Days and 19 Nights
Accommodation
Hotels, Lodge and Camping
Ethiopia has a fascinating history stretching back more than 3,000 years to the fabled reign of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, and even further into the past. It is from this region that many scientists believe earliest mankind, Homo erectus, migrated out of Africa via the Levantine corridor and the Horn of Africa to Eurasia around 1.9 million years ago. In the northern part of the country you will experience ancient monasteries, Castles, rock-hewn churches, and Ethiopia’s magnificent natural beauty and dramatical landscape of Semien Mountain national park and in the northeast the fascinating Danakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on earth.
Whereas in the southern part, you will also witness and learn the meaning behind age-old customs and rituals that remain an integral part of everyday life in this region and as we speak your office we will spend time with the suri tribes located in the western edge of OMO valley. Isolated for millennia from the rest of the world, the beautiful Omo Valley is home to an exciting mix of many small and distinctive tribal groups.
Tour Highlights
- The dramatic landscape of the Simien mountains national park
- The royal enclosure of Gondar
- Rock-hewn churches in Lalibela
- The Danakil Depression
- Melting pot of Omo valley and Suri Tribes
- Attend an Ethiopian coffee ceremony and culinary
Detail Itinerary
Day 1.
Arrival in Addis Ababa and transfer to Hotel
Welcome to Ethiopia! Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Here you will
be greeted by your tour guide from Ethiopian Expedition. Then you will be transferred
to a hotel. If your arrival is early morning, after a leisurely morning rest and
relaxation you will spend the afternoon sightseeing in Addis Ababa. Established by
Emperor Menelik II 1887 Addis Abeba or ‘New flower’ in Amharic, is a relatively young
city full of contrasts. This city tour includes, The National Museum which houses the
country’s historic treasures & the famous ‘Lucy”, The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church
Ethiopian main cathedral and home to the remains of the last emperor: Drive up to
Mount Entoto to have a panoramic view of the city. You will visit the newly
established Entoto Park. Finally, you will visit the Largest open air Market in Africa,
Mercato,
Overnight: Nexus Hotel , Addis Ababa
Day 2.
Fly to Gondar and Drive to Simien Mountains national park
Following breakfast this morning, continue traveling north of Gondar. Then, proceed
to the Simien Mountains national park. After two hours, the scenic drive stops at the
town of Debark, where the park headquarters are located, to fulfill park regulations
and get a local guide and park scout. Then you will drive into the Simien Mountains
National Park to start a short hike (2-3hrs) through the breathtaking scenery. Today
you might have a chance to see the endemic Ethiopian Gelada Baboons and
klipspringers. The simien mountains national park range lies north of Gondar and
many of the peaks rise above 4,000 meters, with the highest point of Ras Dashen at
4,620 meters absl. Being the fourth highest in Africa. The striking towers and
formations have been described as ‘the chess pieces of the gods’. The park is home to
some of the world’s most elusive animals, like the Walia Antelope and Ethiopian Wolf.
Overnight stay at Simien Lodge, Simien Mountains National Park.
Day 3.
Drive to Chennek
After breakfast, depart the Lodge with picnic lunch for Chenek where it’s possible to
spot another endemic mammal- the Walia Ibex. The landscape in the area is
remarkably picturesque with panoramic vistas overlooking the deep gorges of the
escarpment. We will also be able to spot troops of Gelada baboons. If lucky, we will
also be able to spot the endemic Ethiopian Wolf.
Overnight stay at Simien Lodge, Simien Mountains National Park.
Day 4.
Drive back to Gondar
Leaving the Simien Mountains national park this morning and driving to Gondar. Enjoy
a 2 hours scenic drive through the northern highlands. Then, you will visit sites in
Gondar. Located on the high plateau, Gondar was the imperial capital for 200 years
and famed for its medieval castles and churches. Spend the afternoon visiting the
city’s Royal Enclosure home to dramatic 17th century castles built by different
emperors. These whole complexes of buildings are unique in Ethiopia and never found
elsewhere in Africa and known as the Camelot of Africa. After the castles stop by the
famous church of Debre Berhan Selassie, one of the finest in Ethiopia. The walls and
ceilings are covered with stunning ancient murals. Today we will takes flight back to
Addis Ababa with the last flight.
Overnight stay at Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel, Addis Ababa.
Day 5.
In the morning fly to Lalibela
The small town in the Lasta mountains is world-famous for its unique rock churches
chiseled into the red, soft tuff rock. The city is named after King Lalibela, who built
numerous religious buildings here. The 11 rock churches of Lalibela are believed to be
built 900 years ago by Saint King Lalibela. These elaborate edifices are each carved by
hand entirely out of a single block of living granite rock and considered as ‘8th
Wonders of the World’, ‘Jerusalem of Africa’ and ‘Petra of Africa’. It is a deeply
spiritual place and UNESCO world heritage site. These churches are divided into
groups. The first group of churches symbolizes Earthly Jerusalem while the second
represents Heavenly Jerusalem. You will start your visit of the rock-hewn churches of
Lalibela from visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet
Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted
for women.
Overnight stay at Sora Lodge, Lalibela.
Day 6.
Full day in Lalibela
In the morning Visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rafael, Bet
Merkorios, Bet Amanuel, and Bet Abba Libans, late afternoon spend some time at the
St.george church, which is always believed to be the highlights of Ethiopia.
Overnight stay at Sora Lodge or similar, Lalibela.
Day 7.
Fly Back to Addis Ababa and connect to Semera
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Lalibela Airport and take a flight to Addis
Ababa. Upon Arrival at Bole international Airport, you will be directly connected to
your domestic flight to Semera. Then, you will be picked up by our representative and
transferred to your Hotel.
Overnight stay at Kuriftu Lodge or similar, Semera.
Day 8.
Dallol
After an early breakfast, you will drive to Dallol ('a colorful place') via Asebo ('the salt
desert'), where the Afar people mine salt, cut it into rectangular pieces and load it
onto camels. The caravans start from here. Dallol Depression is officially listed as the
hottest place on earth, with an average temperature of 34-35 °C. Much of this vast
and practically unpopulated region lies below sea level, dipping to a frazzled nadir of
-116m at Dallol, near Lake Asale, the lowest spot on the African continent and one of
the driest and most tectonically active areas on the planet. Continue driving ahead to
Dallol and stroll through the different landscapes formed by volcanic activity. This is a
yellow moon-like kingdom of spectacular creations.
Overnight: Overnight Camping at Dallo
Day 9.
Proceed to Erta Ale
After breakfast, it is a 70 km drive on sandy ground and over cold lava rocks. On the
way you will see the salt miners, the local Afar people. They pump saltwater over the
surface and let it evaporate to create a salt crust. Lunch will be served in Dodom
village. Here you have to show permission to climb Erta Ale ('the smoking mountain'),
get the needed camels for transporting the goods and more scouts.
Overnight Camping at Erta Ale.
Day 10.
Erta Ale to Semera
Today we leave the Afar region and drive towards Semera. You will reach Semera late
afternoon, transfer to Airport and take a flight to Addis Ababa.
Overnight stay at Kuriftu Lodge, Semera
Day 11.
Fly to Addis Ababa then Connect our flight to Jimma
Jimma, a historic city located 348 kms away from Addis which owed its importance in
the 19th century to being located on the caravan route between Shewa and the
Kingdom of Kaffa, then continued driving to mizan Teferi via the tropical forest and
the coffee origins.
Overnight stay at Salayish Hotel, Mizan Tapi
Day 12.
Drive to Kibish and spend the coming day with Suri tribes (Day 12,13 and 14)
We will be arriving at our destination before lunch, after lunch we will spend time with
Suri by the campsite.The Suri are an agro-pastoral people and inhabit part of the West
Omo zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (SNNPR) in
Ethiopia.
The Suri successfully survived through a combination of livestock herding (cattle,
goats and sheep), some hunting and gathering, rain-fed cultivation of a variety of
field crops like millet, corn, and sorghum, and the garden cultivation of legumes,
spice plants, peas and beans. As part of their rituals, female members of the tribe
have distinctive clay discs inserted into holes in their bottom lip, which are
considered signs of beauty. To have the discs inserted, their bottom two teeth are
removed before the hole is cut. The larger the plate, the more cows the girl's father
can demand in dowry when his daughter marries. The average man owns between 30
and 40 cows. In order to marry, he needs about 60 cows to give to his wife's family.
Overnight stay at Camp 3 Nights, Suri Kibish.
Day 15.
Drive to Turmi via Omo National Park and Nyangatom
After an early breakfast, we will start driving to Turmi via nayngatom Tribes, The
Nyangatom also known as Donyiro - are Nilotic agro-pastoralists inhabiting the border
of southwestern Ethiopia and southeastern South Sudan and in the Ilemi Triangle with
populations residing in both countries. They number approximately 30.000 with
populations in both South Sudan and Ethiopia. Many Nyangatom are nomadic, residing
in mobile livestock villages that may migrate several times a year. A substantial
number of Nyangatom also reside in semi-permanent villages. It is common for
individuals to move between mobile cattle camps and semi-permanent villages.
Overnight stay at Buska Lodge or similar, Turmi.
Day 16
Turmi and Hammer Village
In the morning leisure, late Afternoon The Hamer, or Hamar, are an Omotic
community inhabiting southwestern Ethiopia. They inhabit the territory east of the
Omo River and have villages in Turmi and Dimeka. They are known for their practice
of body adornment and wearing a multitude of colorful beads. Women adorn their
necks with heavy polished iron jewelry. The Hamer men have a reputation of being
less than adoring husbands. The women submit to the ritual floggings proudly and love
to show the deep scars that are regarded as a proof of devotion to their husbands,
Often families will pool their livestock and labour to herd their cattle together. In the
dry season, whole families go to live in grazing camps with their herds, where they
survive on milk and blood from the cattle. Just as for the other tribes in the valley,
cattle and goats are at the heart of Hamar life. They provide the cornerstone of a
household's livelihood; it’s only with cattle and goats to pay as ‘bride wealth’ that a
man can marry. A lot of their culture has now become well-known to the outside
world.
Overnight stay at Buska Lodge or similar, Turmi.
Day 17.
Excursion to Dassanech Tribes
After a relaxed breakfast at your lodge, you will head to Omo River to visit the
Dassanech Village. This is the most southerly of the tribes who live in Ethiopia’s Omo
Valley. In this harsh world, there are times when members of the Dassanech tribe lose
their cattle and goats, and with them their livelihood. The way they deal with this, by
switching to an alternative means of support by the shores of Lake Turkana, is an
example of how life has to adapt in fundamental ways in the face of some of the most
inhospitable conditions in the world. Cattle are central to the lives of the Dassanech –
just as they are for the other tribes of the Omo Valley. As well as meat, milk, leather
for clothing, houses, and mattresses, they provide status in the tribe and the
bride-wealth that allows a man to marry.
Overnight stay at Buska Lodge or similar, Turmi.
Day 18.
Arbore Tribes Then drive to Jinka
After Breakfast, you will continue to The Arbore tribe, a small tribe which lives within
the southwest part of the Omo Valley. These people have ancestral as well as cultural
associations with the Borenna plus Konso people and carry out a number of ritual
dances plus singing. They are neighbored by the Tsemay people.They are convinced
that their singing as well as dancing removes negative energy and provided that the
negative energy is eliminated, their tribe will certainly prosper. The Arbore women
cover their heads using a black cloth and they are seen to wear multi-colored
necklaces plus earrings.
Overnight stay at Eco Omo Lodge or similar, Jinka.
Day 19.
Mursi Tribe
This morning you will drive through the Mago national park to visit one of the villages
of the Mursi Tribe. The Mursi, possibly the most well-known tribe in the area, is
famous both for their women who practice extending their lower lips with clay discs
and their men who engage in stick fighting rituals called Donga. The Mursi are
probably the last tribes in Africa amongst whom it is still the norm for women to wear
those large pottery or wooden discs or plates.
Overnight stay at Eco Omo Lodge or similar, Jinka.
Day 20.
Fly Back to Addis Ababa
After breakfast, transfer to Jinka Airport to Take a flight to Addis Ababa . Depending on your interest and time availability visit the local gift and traditional cloth shops. farewell dinner and Then transfer to Bole international airport for your flight back to Home. End of Tours.