Northern Historical & Southern Tribal Tours of Ethiopia – 15 days

Arrive at Bole International Airport. You’ll be met by our team and transferred to your hotel. After a relaxing morning, enjoy lunch and then begin your exploration:

• National Museum – Home of the famous 3.2 million-year-old hominid “Lucy.”

• Ethnological Museum – A deep dive into Ethiopia’s cultural diversity.

• Holy Trinity Cathedral – A significant Ethiopian Orthodox site.

• Mount Entoto – A scenic drive for panoramic city views.
  Overnight: Harmony Hotel or similar

Morning flight to Bahir Dar. After hotel check-in:

• Boat trip on Lake Tana to visit island monasteries like Ura Kidane Mihret, famed for 16th–18th century religious murals and artifacts.
  Overnight: Avanti Blue Nile Resort or similar

Drive to Gondar through scenic highlands.

• Visit Fasil Ghebbi, the Royal Enclosure with multiple castles.

• Explore Debre Berhan Selassie Church, known for its angelic ceiling frescoes.
  Overnight: Goha Hotel or similar

Early morning departure with a packed lunch.

• Visit the Simien Mountains, a UNESCO site known as “the Roof of Africa.”

• Spot Gelada baboons, Lammergeier vultures, and awe-inspiring escarpments.
  Return to Gondar in the evening.
  Overnight: Goha Hotel or similar

Drive through the highlands to Lalibela, the crown jewel of Ethiopian Christianity. Check in and rest.
Overnight: Panoramic View Hotel or similar

Full-day exploration of the 12th-century rock-hewn churches:

• Visit the First and Third Group (7 churches).

• Afternoon: explore the Second Group (4 churches).
  These monolithic marvels are considered the “African Petra” and are still active places of worship.
  Overnight: Panoramic View Hotel

Morning flight to Addis. Continue by road to the Rift Valley:

• Lunch in Ziway, followed by birdwatching at Lake Ziway.

• Arrive at Lake Langano, the only swimmable lake in Ethiopia.

• Enjoy sunset by the lake or a walk around the scenic Sabana Beach Resort.
  Overnight: Sabana Beach Resort

Drive south with stops at:

• Abijatta-Shalla National Park – View flamingoes, ostriches, and hot springs.

• Senkele Wildlife Sanctuary – Spot endemic Swayne’s hartebeest, oribis, and more.
  Arrive in Arba Minch in the evening.
  Overnight: Paradise Lodge

• Lake Chamo boat trip – Observe hippos and Africa’s largest crocodiles.

• Afternoon visit to the Dorze tribe on the Gofa highlands, known for their unique beehive-shaped houses and weaving skills.
  Overnight: Paradise Lodge

Head toward Jinka, stopping en route:

• Visit the Konso tribe, experts in terraced agriculture and famed for their wooden grave markers (waka).

• Continue through the Omo Valley to Jinka, near Mago National Park.
  Overnight: Eco Omo Lodge or Nasa Hotel

Morning visit to the Mursi tribe in Mago National Park, where women wear traditional lip plates.

• Stop at Dimeka market (Saturday or Tuesday), known for vibrant tribal gatherings.
  Continue to Turmi, home of the Hamar people.
  Overnight: Buska Lodge or similar

Drive to Murulle, home of the Karo tribe, famed for elaborate body painting and scarification.
Return to Turmi to visit the Hamar tribe, known for bull-jumping ceremonies and traditional hairstyles.
Overnight: Buska Lodge

Explore the remote Omo Delta region via 4×4 or boat.

• Visit the Yangatom tribe, semi-nomadic pastoralists living in a remote part of the valley.
  Return to Turmi for your final night in the valley.
  Overnight: Buska Lodge

Depart Turmi and head north toward Arba Minch.

• En route, visit the Erbore tribe, known for their decorative beadwork and pastoralist lifestyle.

• Meet the Tsemay people, semi-nomadic herders who often mingle at local markets.
  Arrive in Arba Minch in the evening for rest and relaxation.
  Overnight: Paradise Lodge

Fly or drive back to Addis Ababa (depending on your travel arrangement or preference).

• Final shopping at local markets like Shiro Meda or Merkato.

• Optional: Visit Red Terror Martyrs Museum or relax at a local café.

• Enjoy a farewell cultural dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with live music and dance performances.

• Transfer to Bole International Airport for departure or hotel drop-off if staying overnight.