Full Ethiopia

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Addis Ababa

Arrive in Addis Ababa at any time.

Day 2 Kombolcha (B)

Drive across the Shoan Plateau, past farming communities in the highlands which turn to panoramic views across the Rift Valley. Descend into the valley and stop for a short time at a traditional market in Sanbete to barter with the Oromo and Amhara people.

Day 3 Woldia

Drive to the Bati market, the second largest market in Ethiopia, where the Afar people from the East come to sell their livestock. Continue on to Woldia with scenic stops along the way.

Day 4-5 Lalibela (2B)

Head to Lalibela through the Lasta Massif, which links the provinces of Wollo and Gonder. In Lalibela, you will have plenty of time to explore the stunning churches carved out of rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and often considered the 8th Wonder of the World.

Day 6-7 Gonder

Dubbed the 'Camelot' of Africa, Gonder was the capital of Ethiopia for more than 200 years. Visit the sprawling complex of Gonder’s Castles and notable sites such as Debre Berhan Selassie Church.

Day 8-11 Semien Mountains National Park (3B,3L,3D)

Spend four days in the Semien Mountains, considered the most beautiful of Africa's mountain ranges. The Semien Mountains offer excellent trekking, spectacular views and a vast array of wildlife, including the endemic gelada baboons, walia ibex, and Ethiopian wolf.

Day 12-13 Bahir Dar

En route to Bahir Dar, stop at the Ploughshare Women Crafts Training Centre at a Falasha village, which teaches skills to disadvantaged women. Explore the monasteries on Lake Tana's many islands and take an optional journey to the Blue Nile Falls.

Day 14 Bahir Dar- Debre Markos

Free morning in Bahir Dar. Explore the market, the papyrus boat weavers, or just relax by the lake. Depart to Debre Markos along rolling hills and fields after lunch.

Day 15 Addis Ababa

Pass the Blue Nile Gorge on our way back to Addis Ababa, and enjoy an evening of traditional dance and food (optional).

Day 16 Arba Minch (B,D)

Travel to Arba Minch, passing by some of the Rift Valley Lakes. Indulge in lunch at Shashemene, known for its Rastafarian community.

Day 17 Arba Minch - Lake Chamo - Dorze village (B,D)

After a relaxing boat ride Lake Chamo enjoying the resident crocodiles, hippos, and bird life, we drive high into the Guge mountains to spend the night with the Dorze people. They are famous for their beehive-shaped bamboo houses and products produced from the Enset plant.

Day 18 Dorze Village - Jinka (B,D)

Today’s long journey takes us to Jinka, a frontier town with a mix of a number of different tribes. The Ari are found around Jinka and also inhabit the northern border of Mago National Park. Ari villages have neat compounds, fertile and scenic land with coffee plantations.

Day 19 Jinka - Mursi - Jinka (B,L,D)

Using Jinka as our base, we take an excursion to visit the Mursi people via Mago National Park. These people are curious and famous for the geometrical lip plates that the women stick into slits in their lips. In the afternoon, you’ll have some time to visit to the Anthropological museum in Jinka, or even take a tour of an Ari village.

Day 20 Jinka - Key Afar - Turmi (B,D)

Today we will drive to Turmi via Key Afar. En route we pass by the Hamer and Benna cattle herders. We will have lunch in Key Afar where there will be the Thursday market, attended by the Benna, Hammer and Ari people. Here you are free to spend some time meandering through this colorful market enjoying the displays.

Day 21 Turmi - Omorate - Turmi (B,L,D)

Today we take a day excursion to Omorate to visit the semi-nomadic pastoral Omo Geleb/Dasanech people at the bank of the Omo River. Embark on an optional dug-out canoe ride across the Omo river to visit a Dasanech village on the other side.

Day 22 Turmi - Dimeka - Turmi (B,L,D)

Today we visit the Saturday market in Dimeka. This market is particularly interesting for its display of local products such as butter and honey produced from the Hamer natural environment and agrarian livelihoods. Dimeka residents, Hamer, some other tribes and tourists frequent this market.

Day 23 Turmi - Konso (B,D)

Drive to Konso with a stop for lunch in Weito. We visit the Konso chief's compound which includes the family graveyard and house of mummies. We may again encounter the Cushitic-speaking Tsemay people. The Konso are a rich agrarian culture. They construct ingenious terraces and walls that encircle their fields and villages for protection against livestock damage and flooding. Here spend the night in a traditional home in Konso, which will give you the unique experience of staying in an Ethiopian village.

Day 24 Konso – Yirgalem

We drive to Yirgalem where there is a pleasant peaceful lodge with walks through gardens and forests.

Day 25 Depart Addis Ababa

Depart Yirgalem, with a stop at Lake Ziway for bird watching. We arrive in Addis Ababa in the afternoon, where the trip ends.