16-Day Grand Ethiopia Tour History Nature and Cultures

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Addis Ababa – Lalibela (Domestic Flight)
1 stop
1
Lalibela
Morning flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela. Upon arrival, meet your local licensed guide and transfer to your hotel. Lunch at the hotel. Enjoy free time to relax or explore Lalibela town and its traditional lifestyle in the afternoon. In the Evening relaxing sunset time on the top terrace of your hotel. Overnight: Lalibela
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Lalibela – Rock-Hewn Churches Tour.
1 stop
2
Lalibela
Full-day guided exploration of Lalibela’s famous 12th-century rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the northern and southeastern church clusters, including the iconic Church of St. George (Bete Giyorgis). Learn about Ethiopia’s ancient Christian heritage and architectural mastery. Lunch and break time at the hotel, from 12 PM to 2 PM. At 2, PM start exploring the eastern group of Lalibela Rock- hewn churches. Overnight: Lalibela
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Lalibela – Gondar – Simien Mountains National Park
1 stop
3
Drive from Lalibela toward Gondar with scenic views of the northern highlands, then continue to Simien Mountains National Park (UNESCO Site). En route, enjoy dramatic landscapes and rural villages. Lunch stop in Gondar at Goha Hotel. Keep driving to Semien Mountain for another 100km from Gondar after lunch. Sunset and Gelada Baboon watch on their way to cliff home. Overnight: Simien Mountains
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Simien Mountains – Trekking & Wildlife
1 stop
4
Full day in the Simien Mountains. Enjoy guided trekking with stunning views of deep escarpments and peaks. Spot endemic wildlife such as Gelada baboons, Walia ibex, and soaring birds of prey. A paradise for nature lovers and photographers. Enjoy a picnic box for lunch at breathtaking view top mountain. Overnight: Simien Mountains
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Simien Mountains – Axum (Drive) 4-5 Hours drive.
1 stop
5
Axum
Early in the morning at 6 am start scenic driving from the Semien mountain to Axum crossing the Tekeze river valley northward. Axum, the cradle of ancient Ethiopian civilization. Enjoy breathtaking landscapes along the way. On Arrival visit Axum Stelae, Mary Zion church, Dengur Palace, and much more. Lunch stop at Shire town. Overnight: Axum
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Axum – Yeha Temple – Gheralta (Hawzen)
1 stop
6
Debre Mariam Korkor
In the morning after having breakfast at the hotel, visit the uncovered part in Axum and continue driving to Yeha Temple, Ethiopia’s oldest standing structure, then continue to the spectacular Gheralta Mountains in Hawzen. Hotel Check-in and lunch in Hawzen. In the afternoon proceeds to Gralta Mountain Monastery hiking adventure. Overnight: Hawzen (Gheralta)
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 7
Gheralta – Danakil Depression. Dalol (Ahmed Ela)
1 stop
7
Danakil Depression
Travel to the otherworldly Danakil Depression, one of the hottest places on Earth. Visit salt flats and witness Afar salt caravans. Arrive at Ahmed Ela Camp for an unforgettable desert experience. Unbelievable sunset experience on the Lake Assale at the evening. Overnight: Ahmed Ela Camp (Dalol area)
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 8
Dalol – Erta Ale Volcano
1 stop
8
Erta Ale
Early morning exploration of Dalol, famous for its colorful sulfur springs, salt formations, and lunar landscapes. Continue to Erta Ale, home to one of the world’s few permanent lava lakes. Evening hike to the crater for a dramatic volcanic experience. Overnight: Erta Ale
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 9
Erta Ale – Semera – Addis Ababa
1 stop
9
Semera
Descend from Erta Ale and drive to Semera. En route stop at Afdera for refreshing swimming at the lake and lunch. Continue driving to Semera to catch the evening domestic flight back to Addis Ababa. Transfer to hotel and rest. Overnight: Addis Ababa
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Addis Ababa – Hawassa (Rift Valley & Abijata-Shala)
1 stop
10
Awasa
Drive south through the Great Rift Valley. En route, visit Abijata–Shala National Park and scenic Rift Valley lakes. Continue to Hawassa, beautifully located on Lake Hawassa. Overnight: Hawassa
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 11
Hawassa – Dorze – Arba Minch
1 stop
11
Dorze Village
Visit the colorful Hawassa Fish Market in the morning. Drive to the Dorze highlands to explore traditional Dorze huts and weaving culture, then descend to Arba Minch with panoramic views. Overnight: Arba Minch
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 12
Arba Minch – Lake Chamo – Konso
2 stops
12
Chamo Lake
Morning boat safari on Lake Chamo to see crocodiles, hippos, and birdlife. Continue south to Konso Cultural Landscape (UNESCO Site), known for its terraced hillsides and unique traditions.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
13
Konso
Continue south to Konso Cultural Landscape (UNESCO Site), known for its terraced hillsides and unique traditions. Overnight: Konso
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 13
Konso – Turmi (Bena & Hamer Tribes)
1 stop
14
Turmi
After having breakfast in Kanta lodge start driving to Turmi, heart of the Omo Valley. Visit Bena tribe stick-walking boys and Bena village. Continue driving to Turmi. Checked in to Buska Lodge. Lunch and relaxing break until 5:30 PM in the lodge before heading to explore Hamer villages, famous for their rich traditions and body decorations. Overnight: Turmi
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 14
Turmi – Karo – Kangate – Turmi
1 stop
15
Kangaten
Excursion to the Karo tribe, known for elaborate body painting along the Omo River. Continue driving to Kangate Visit Gnagatom tribe which they’re renowned for their warrior traditions, age-set social structure, and striking clay hairstyles decorated with feathers and beads. Body painting, scarification, and colorful beadwork express identity, status, and beauty. Then return to Turmi for further cultural interaction. Lunch at Buska lodge or Local restaurant. In the afternoon Overnight: Turmi
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 15
Turmi – Mursi Tribe (Mago National Park) – Jinka
1 stop
16
Mago National Park
Drive to Mago National Park to make Mursi tribe Cultural Visit. Mursi tribe, one of the most iconic indigenous communities of Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley. The Mursi are world-famous for their lip plates, worn by women as a symbol of beauty, identity, and social status. Their semi-nomadic lifestyle revolves around cattle herding, which represents wealth and cultural pride. The tribe is also known for body scarification, natural body painting, and the traditional Donga stick-fighting ritual, practiced by men to demonstrate strength and bravery. A visit offers a rare insight into a community that has strongly preserved its ancestral traditions and way of life. Overnight in Jinka.
5 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 16
Jinka – Addis Ababa (Flight) | City Tour & Farewell Dinner, Airport or Hotel drop off
1 stop
17
Addis Ababa
Morning flight to Addis Ababa. Half-day city tour including major landmarks and cultural highlights. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with traditional music and dance at a cultural restaurant. Hotel or airport drop-off. End of Tour
5 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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