The fifteen day/fourteen night tour covers all the top tourist attractions of northern and southern Ethiopia including many historical, cultural, and wildlife sites as well as areas of natural beauty. Historical visits include 14th c. monasteries, the royal enclosure of Gondar known as the Camelot of Africa, the church of St. Mary of Zion thought to be the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, the ruined palace of the infamous Queen of Sheba, and many more centuries old sites.
Travelers will get to visit the fascinating tribes of the Omo Valley including the Hamer people known for their bull jumping ceremony, the infamous women of the Mursi tribe who wear large clay lip plates to symbolize their beauty, and the Karo people renowned for their body paintings. Along the way, there will be plenty of chances to see the beautiful Rift Valley Lakes, the Blue Nile Falls, sprawling Lake Tana, historic churches, Swain’s hartebeest, crocodiles, hippos, plenty of bird species, and an archeological site.
A minimum of two people is required to start this journey. Comfortable hotel, resort, or lodge accommodations will consist of a shared twin room. All entrance fees, local transfers, ground transportation and insurance, guides, scout fees, and boat rentals are covered in the fee as well as meals outside of Addis Ababa.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel
- Day 2: Fly to Bahir Dar and visit Blue Nile Falls before lunch. Enjoy an afternoon boat ride on Lake Tana to 14th c. monasteries.
- Day 3: Drive to Simien Mountains National Park for a chance to see Gelada baboon and stunning vistas.
- Day 4: Hike Simien Mountains National Park on a century old footpath and chance to spot Walia Ibex.
- Day 5: Drive to Gondar. Visit the fortress and palace of Emperor Fasilidas and other historic sites.
- Day 6: Fly to Lalibela and tour 12th c. rock hewn churches of King Lalibela.
- Day 7: Take a mule ride up to 13th c. church of Asheton Mariam and other churches of Lalibela.
- Day 8: Tour of Axum including church of St. Mary of Zion, palace of King Kaleb, and the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba.
- Day 9: Fly to Addis then drive to Rift Valley lakes including swimming and bird watching in Lake Langano.
- Day 10: Drive to Arba Minch, visit beautiful painted homes of the Alaba people and visit Sinkile Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Day 11: Drive to Chechna to visit Dorze Village known for weaving tradition. Afternoon boat trip on Lake Chamo to see crocodiles, hippos, and birds.
- Day 12: Drive to Jinka and the villages of the Konso people known for their colorful hand-woven clothes.
- Day 13: Drive to Mursi village and later visit the Hamer people of Turmi.
- Day 14: Drive to Murulle and the village of the Karo people known for their symbolic and ornamental body and face paint.
- Day 15: Back to Addis Ababa with a traditional dinner and dance performance in the evening.
Safari Camps
Points of Interest
Hotels & Resorts
Journeys
The fifteen day/fourteen night tour covers all the top tourist attractions of northern and southern Ethiopia including many historical, cultural, and wildlife sites as well as areas of natural beauty. Historical visits include 14th c. monasteries, the royal enclosure of Gondar known as the Camelot of Africa, the church of St. Mary of Zion thought to be the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, the ruined palace of the infamous Queen of Sheba, and many more centuries old sites.
Travelers will get to visit the fascinating tribes of the Omo Valley including the Hamer people known for their bull jumping ceremony, the infamous women of the Mursi tribe who wear large clay lip plates to symbolize their beauty, and the Karo people renowned for their body paintings. Along the way, there will be plenty of chances to see the beautiful Rift Valley Lakes, the Blue Nile Falls, sprawling Lake Tana, historic churches, Swain’s hartebeest, crocodiles, hippos, plenty of bird species, and an archeological site.
A minimum of two people is required to start this journey. Comfortable hotel, resort, or lodge accommodations will consist of a shared twin room. All entrance fees, local transfers, ground transportation and insurance, guides, scout fees, and boat rentals are covered in the fee as well as meals outside of Addis Ababa.
Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel
- Day 2: Fly to Bahir Dar and visit Blue Nile Falls before lunch. Enjoy an afternoon boat ride on Lake Tana to 14th c. monasteries.
- Day 3: Drive to Simien Mountains National Park for a chance to see Gelada baboon and stunning vistas.
- Day 4: Hike Simien Mountains National Park on a century old footpath and chance to spot Walia Ibex.
- Day 5: Drive to Gondar. Visit the fortress and palace of Emperor Fasilidas and other historic sites.
- Day 6: Fly to Lalibela and tour 12th c. rock hewn churches of King Lalibela.
- Day 7: Take a mule ride up to 13th c. church of Asheton Mariam and other churches of Lalibela.
- Day 8: Tour of Axum including church of St. Mary of Zion, palace of King Kaleb, and the ruined palace of the Queen of Sheba.
- Day 9: Fly to Addis then drive to Rift Valley lakes including swimming and bird watching in Lake Langano.
- Day 10: Drive to Arba Minch, visit beautiful painted homes of the Alaba people and visit Sinkile Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Day 11: Drive to Chechna to visit Dorze Village known for weaving tradition. Afternoon boat trip on Lake Chamo to see crocodiles, hippos, and birds.
- Day 12: Drive to Jinka and the villages of the Konso people known for their colorful hand-woven clothes.
- Day 13: Drive to Mursi village and later visit the Hamer people of Turmi.
- Day 14: Drive to Murulle and the village of the Karo people known for their symbolic and ornamental body and face paint.
- Day 15: Back to Addis Ababa with a traditional dinner and dance performance in the evening.