Day 1 – Arrival & Sightseeing in Addis Ababa

You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. After refreshment, begin sightseeing in Addis Ababa. Drive up to Mount Entoto for panoramic views of the city. Descend to visit the National Museum, home of the famous Lucy fossil. Continue to Holy Trinity Cathedral, built during WWII, and the Ethnographic Museum, formerly Emperor Haile Selassie’s palace. Wrap up the day at Merkato, the largest open-air market in East Africa.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 2 – Drive Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar

After early breakfast, drive to Bahir Dar through the Entoto Mountains. En route, visit Debre Libanos Monastery, founded in the 13th century by Saint Tekle Haymanot. Explore its museum with ancient Bibles and religious crosses. Continue via the scenic Blue Nile Gorge. Stop for lunch at Dejen before arriving in Bahir Dar.

Overnight: Bahir Dar

Day 3 – Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls

After breakfast, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the 14th-century Ura Kidane Mihret Monastery. In the afternoon, drive to Tis Issat to see the Blue Nile Falls (water volume may vary due to dam regulation).

Overnight: Bahir Dar

Day 4 – Drive Bahir Dar to Gondar

Drive to Gondar, the Royal Capital of Ethiopia founded in 1636. Visit the castles of Emperor Fasiladas and his descendants, Debre Birhan Selassie Church, and Qusquam Church with remarkable murals.

Overnight: Gondar

Day 5 – Excursion to Semien Mountains

Drive to Buyit Ras in the Semien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO-listed natural site offering breathtaking scenery.

Overnight: Debark

Day 6 – Drive Debark to Axum

After breakfast, drive to Axum, a city of over 2,500 years of history and home of the Ark of the Covenant. Visit St. Mary’s Church, Stelae Park, Ezana’s inscriptions, Queen of Sheba’s Bath, royal tombs, and Axum Museum.

Overnight: Axum

Day 7 – Axum to Hawzen (Gheralta)

Drive to Hawzen. En route, visit the Temple of Yeha and the rock-hewn churches of Tigray (Adikisho Medhanyalem or Wukro Cherkos).

Overnight: Hawzen / Gheralta

Day 8 – Hawzen to Mekelle

Visit Abune Yemata Rock Church, a 5th-century monolithic church, and Abba Daniel’s Prayer Room near Maryam Korkor. Drive onward to Mekelle.

Overnight: Mekelle

Day 9 – Mekelle to Erta Ale Volcano

Drive from Mekelle to Dodom, the base of Erta Ale Volcano. After early dinner, trek at night to the crater rim. Camels carry camping materials. Spend the night watching the dramatic lava lake.

Overnight: Camping at Erta Ale

Day 10 – Erta Ale to Hamedela

Enjoy sunrise at the crater. Descend to Dodom and drive to Hamedela village.

Overnight: Camping at Hamedela

Day 11 – Dallol & Salt Flats Excursion

Visit Ragad salt mining site. Continue to Dallol to explore colorful salt formations, Lake Assal, and Afar camel caravans. Return to Mekelle.

Overnight: Mekelle

Day 12 – Mekelle to Lalibela

Drive to Lalibela via Alamata and Woldiya, enjoying scenic landscapes and local markets.

Overnight: Lalibela

Day 13 – Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches

Explore the world-famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.

Overnight: Lalibela

Day 14 – Excursion to Yimrehane Kristos

Visit the cave church of Yimrehane Kristos and remaining Lalibela churches.

Overnight: Lalibela

Day 15 – Lalibela to Awash National Park

Drive to Awash National Park via Mile Serdo Wildlife Reserve with chances to spot antelopes, ostrich, and birds. Relax at natural hot springs.

Overnight: Awash Doho Lodge

Day 16 – Awash to Harar

Drive to Harar. Evening visit to the famous Hyena Man.

Overnight: Harar

Day 17 – Harar City Tour – Dire Dawa

Explore Harar’s old town, museums, mosques, and markets. Drive to Dire Dawa.

Overnight: Dire Dawa

Day 18 – Dire Dawa to Awash Falls Lodge

Drive back to Awash and stay near the Awash Waterfalls.

Overnight: Awash Falls Lodge

Day 19 – Awash to Bale Mountains

Drive to Bale Mountains National Park. Afternoon hike with chances to spot Mountain Nyala and Menelik’s Bushbuck.

Overnight: Dinsho

Day 20 – Sanetti Plateau & Harenna Forest

Excursion to Sanetti Plateau, home of the Ethiopian Wolf. Continue to Harenna Forest.

Overnight: Dinsho

Day 21 – Drive to Awassa

Drive to Awassa via Shashemene. Enjoy sunset at Lake Awassa.

Overnight: Awassa

Day 22 – Awassa to Arba Minch

Visit Lake Awassa fish market and birdlife. Drive to Arba Minch via Dorze Village.

Overnight: Arba Minch

Day 23 – Arba Minch to Jinka

Boat cruise on Lake Chamo to see crocodiles and hippos. Visit Bana and Ari tribes.

Overnight: Jinka

Day 24 – Mago National Park – Turmi

Visit Mursi tribe in Mago National Park. Continue to Turmi to meet Hamer tribe.

Overnight: Turmi

Day 25 – Excursion to Karo & Nyangatom Tribes

Visit Karo tribe famous for body painting and the Nyangatom people.

Overnight: Turmi

Day 26 – Turmi to Omorate

Visit Dasenech tribe near the Omo River. Return to Turmi.

Overnight: Turmi

Day 27 – Turmi to Konso

Drive to Konso, a UNESCO-listed village known for terracing and coffee.

Overnight: Konso

Day 28 – Konso to Addis Ababa

Drive back to Addis Ababa. Visit the UNESCO site of Tiya en route.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 29 – Addis Ababa Departure

Shopping time in Addis. In the evening enjoy a folkloric dinner with cultural dances and traditional coffee ceremony. Transfer to airport for departure.

End of Tour