10-Day Grand Ethiopia Tour: Historic North & Cultural South

🔹 Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa – City Highlights Tour

• Meet and greet at Bole International Airport

• Transfer to hotel and refresh

• Begin sightseeing:

  • National Museum (home of Lucy)

  • Holy Trinity Cathedral

  • Ethnographic Museum

  • Panoramic views from Entoto Hills

• Traditional Ethiopian welcome dinner with cultural dance performance

• Overnight in Addis Ababa

🔹 Day 2: Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar (Flight)

• Morning flight to Bahir Dar, on the shores of Lake Tana

• Boat excursion on Lake Tana to visit ancient monasteries on the islands (Ura Kidane Mehret, etc.)

• Afternoon visit to the spectacular Blue Nile Falls (Tis Issat)

• Overnight in Bahir Dar

🔹 Day 3: Bahir Dar – Gondar (Drive)

• Scenic drive to Gondar, Ethiopia’s 17th-century royal capital

• Tour the Royal Enclosure (UNESCO site), known as the “Camelot of Africa”

• Visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church, famous for its angelic ceiling frescoes

• Optional cultural dinner or coffee ceremony

• Overnight in Gondar

🔹 Day 4: Gondar – Lalibela (Flight or Drive)

• Travel to Lalibela, the heart of Ethiopia’s rock-hewn church tradition

• Visit the first group of rock-hewn churches, including:

  • Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, and Bete Golgotha

• Overnight in Lalibela

🔹 Day 5: Lalibela – Explore More Churches & Village Life

• Visit the iconic Bete Giyorgis (St. George’s Church), carved in the shape of a cross

• Optional mule trek or drive to Asheten Maryam Monastery for panoramic views

• Afternoon visit to a local village and experience an Ethiopian coffee ceremony

• Overnight in Lalibela

🔹 Day 6: Lalibela – Addis Ababa – Arba Minch (Flight)

• Morning return flight to Addis Ababa, then connect to Arba Minch, gateway to the Omo Valley

• Visit Dorze village to learn about their weaving traditions and see their iconic beehive-shaped huts

• Enjoy a sunset view over Lake Chamo

• Overnight in Arba Minch

🔹 Day 7: Arba Minch – Konso – Jinka

• Drive through the Konso cultural landscape (UNESCO site):

  • Visit Konso villages, traditional totems (waga), and terraces

• Continue to Jinka, with stops at local villages along the way

• Optional visit to the South Omo Museum

• Overnight in Jinka

🔹 Day 8: Jinka – Mago National Park – Turmi

• Early morning drive through Mago National Park

• Visit the Mursi tribe, known for their striking body adornments and lip plates

• Continue to Turmi, home of the Hamar people

• Optional: Attend a bull-jumping ceremony, a traditional rite of passage

• Overnight in Turmi

🔹 Day 9: Turmi – Omorate – Arba Minch

• Morning excursion to Omorate, near the Omo River

• Cross by local canoe to visit the Dassanech tribe

• Return journey to Arba Minch, with stop at Arbore village (if time allows)

• Overnight in Arba Minch

🔹 Day 10: Arba Minch – Addis Ababa – Departure

• Return flight to Addis Ababa

• Optional final shopping at Merkato (Africa’s largest open-air market) or visit Friendship Park

• Farewell dinner at a cultural restaurant

• Evening transfer to the airport for international departure

Tour Inclusions:

• All flights (domestic) as per itinerary

• Private vehicle and experienced driver-guide

• Local guides and translators (as needed in South)

• Entrance fees to all sites and villages

• Quality accommodation (hotels/lodges/camps)

• All meals and bottled water during the tour

• Cultural activities and community contributions