11 Days Tour to Historic Route and Omo Valley

Trip Summary

This tour package is carefully crafted to showcase the finest historical attractions of northern and southern Ethiopia. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the majestic Gondar Castle, the stunning Debre Birhan Selassie Church with its intricate paintings and unique architectural styles. The tour also includes visits to Axum and Lalibela, providing a comprehensive sightseeing experience of Ethiopia’s historical treasures.

Additionally, we offer a captivating journey to the South Omo Valley, where you’ll encounter a vibrant mix of indigenous tribes, each with its own distinct culture and traditional village settlements that have thrived for centuries. This carefully designed trip promises an exceptional experience, with opportunities to interact with local villagers. You’ll also get the chance to visit the colorful and lively weekly traditional markets, adding a unique and unforgettable dimension to your holiday.

Program in Detail

You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel for rest and overnight.                                             Overnight in Aya Hotel Addis (Bed and Breakfast)

This morning after breakfast, begin your sightseeing in Addis with a drive up to mount Entoto for a panoramic view of Addis. Descend and drive to National Museum where you will have a chance to spot the oldest hominids of ‘Lucy’ fossil. Visit and proceed to the Holy Trinity built during WWII. Then proceed to the Ethnographic Museum, which use to be the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. To wrap up you drive to Merkato, the biggest market in East Africa.                                                                                                                                                                    Overnight in Aya Hotel Addis (Bed and Breakfast)

This morning, we fly to Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia. Gondar has now become one of Ethiopia’s largest and most impressive cities, with its walled Royal Enclosure. Gondar’s most famous monuments are its exceptionally well-preserved 17^th century castles. The largest and best is that of King Fasilidas. It is a stone-built construction with round turrets and wooden balconies. The king also built a remarkable bath a mile or so outside of town known as the ‘Pavilion of Delight’. The Bathhouse of Fasil at which thousands of Ethiopians celebrate Timkat festival every January. This whole complex of buildings is unique in Ethiopia and unlike anything found elsewhere in Africa. This afternoon we’ll also make a visit to the Debre Birhan Selassie church (Light of Trinity) with its sensational angelic ceiling and mural. Overnight in Roseau Hotel Gondar (Bed and Breakfast)

We will take a flight to Axum, a city that was once one of the most powerful in the ancient world. Situated at the crossroads of trade routes between the Mediterranean and India, and near the bustling port of Adulis on the Red Sea, Axum was economically, politically, and technologically advanced. At its peak, it controlled both sides of the Red Sea. Axum is also the birthplace of Christianity in Ethiopia and is believed to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The ancient St. Mary of Zion Church built around 330 AD, is the first church constructed in Sub-Saharan Africa, and its ruins can still be found within the church compound.

We will visit the iconic monolithic stelae of Axum, including the tallest standing one, which reaches over 21 meters. The largest of these, originally 34 meters high, now lies toppled, but remains the largest monolith ever erected by humans. The subterranean tombs, stone inscriptions of ancient Axumite kings, and the small archaeological museum all provide a glimpse into the city’s rich history. Additionally, we will explore the ruins of the Queen of Sheba’s palace, where she is said to have given birth to Menelik I, the son of King Solomon and the founder of Ethiopia’s royal family, which lasted until the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie. Overnight at Sabean Hotel (Bed and Breakfast)

Day 05: Fri. Nov. 28, 2025 FLY TO LALIBELA (UNESCO – WORLD HERITAGE SITE)

After a brief flight, we begin our day by visiting the first cluster of Rock-Hewn Churches in the afternoon. Lalibela, known as the ‘New Jerusalem,’ is believed to have been constructed around 800 years ago by King Lalibela. While rock-carved churches can be found in various parts of the world, those in Ethiopia are particularly remarkable. Typically, they were excavated on all sides of a rectangular area, leaving a large block of granite isolated in the center. This block was then meticulously shaped and carved both inside and out, showcasing extraordinary craftsmanship. The churches are considered one of the world’s wonders. Each church boasts a unique architectural style, with all being exquisitely carved. There are 11 rock-cut churches, and the most impressive of them is Bet Giorgis, which is shaped like a Greek cross and is exceptionally well preserved. Overnight at Maribela Hotel (Bed and Breakfast)

Today, we will visit the Church of Yimrehane Kristos, a stunning example of Axumite wood and stone architecture. This church is famous for its intricate interior decorations, including a beautiful wooden coffered ceiling adorned with hexagons and medallions featuring both figurative and geometric designs. Afterward, we will drive back to Lalibela. In the afternoon, we will explore the remaining rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, including Bete Gabriel and Rafael, Merkorous, Emanuel, and Abba Libanos. Among these, Bete Emanuel stands out as the most impressive, with exceptional carvings and distinctive Axumite architectural features, such as indentations on the walls, symbols inspired by the multi-story structures of Axum’s stelae, monkey heads, and false windows. Overnight at Maribela Hotel (Bed and Breakfast)

In the morning transfer to the Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa, and connect to Arba Minch where our 4 WD car with driver will waiting us at Arba Minch Airport and then start driving 40kms northwest of Arba Minch to Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze and Chencha villages. Once warriors, the Dorze have now turned to farming and weaving to earn a living. They speak an Omotic tongue and the Dorze name is synonymous with the best woven cotton cloth. Also, the Dorze beehive-shaped houses are constructed entirely of organic material and has its own small garden surrounded by beds of spices, cabbage and tobacco. Some of Ethiopia’s best woven cottons come from Chencha, which is located 8 km northwest of Dorze Village. Men weave and women spin. In the late afternoon drive back to Arba Minch. Overnight in Haile Resort Arba Minch (Bed and Breakfast)

Day 08: Mon. Dec. 1, 2025 DRIVE TO JINKA VIA KONSO AND KAY AFER

Early morning drive to Konso where colorfully costumed dress, impressive terracing of the land and unusually engraved wooden statues used as grave markers can be seen. Differing from their neighbors, the Konso are pure agriculturists, famed for their use of the stone terraces that they utilize to such good effect in this dry and barren region of basalt hills. Originally from the east and speaking an east Cushitic language, the Konso live in settlements that are surrounded by stone walls. The age of each town is classified by a generation pole and each family lives in compounds that are accessible only through gateways that require the visitor to enter on all fours thereby rendering any potential attackers vulnerable. Keep driving to Key Afer for the colorful Thursday market where we should see and photographed the Ari, Bena, Hamer and Tsemay people. The Bena and Hamer women usually favor red clay braids in their hair, shiny with butter and perfumed with incense. The long-beaded skirts of the Tsemay have a stick incorporated in the back to denote a married woman and the men have elaborately plaited hairstyles decorated with feathers and colorful beads. After visiting the market we drive on to Jinka, often called the gateway to the Omo Valley. Overnight in Eco Omo Lodge Jinka (Bed and Breakfast)

 Set off early in the morning for a scenic drive to Mago National Park. From here, venture into the Mursi Highlands, home to one of Ethiopia’s most fascinating tribes. The Mursi are globally renowned for their unique tradition of wearing large decorative lip plates, which adorn the lower lips of the women. These plates, which stretch the lower lip to extraordinary lengths, are a symbol of beauty, pride, and desirability—women’s social status is often judged by the size of the plate they wear. While the Mursi people may seem graceful and welcoming, their warriors are not to be underestimated. The men bear deep crescent-shaped incisions on their arms, each one representing an enemy they’ve slain in battle. The Mursi men are also known for their striking hairstyles, which further highlight their cultural identity. As you engage with the tribe, you will learn about their rich traditions and cultural practices. Feel free to take photographs, but please note that it comes with a fee.

In the afternoon, continue your journey through the Omo Valley, heading towards Turmi via Dimeka to visit the Hamar tribe. The Hamar are one of the largest and most well-known groups in the valley. As pastoralists, they cultivate millet, vegetables, tobacco, and cotton, while also raising cattle and goats. Their craftsmanship is renowned, particularly their fine pottery and distinctive hairstyles. The men of the Hamar tribe are especially famous for their dramatic hairdos—clay buns adorned with ostrich feathers, which they wear after hunting and killing a fierce animal. The Hamar women, equally striking, are adorned with beautiful, beaded necklaces and iron coils around their arms. Their skin is decorated with cowry shells, a sign of their wealth and the prestige of their husbands. Overnight in Paradise Lodge Turmi (Bed and Breakfast)

This day morning, we continue through the savannah along tracks that are barely visible, passing through a vast meadowland with shrubs and umbellifers (‘umbrella’ acacia trees) for an excursion to the Murulle area. We arrive at Korcho village with beautiful views over the Omo River to see the Karo ethnic group, experts in body painting, using clay and locally available vegetable pigments to paint fantastic patterns on each other’s faces, chests, arms and legs. These designs have no special symbolic significance, but are created purely for fun and aesthetic effect, each artist vying to out-do their fellow artists. Karo men also sculpt and shave their hair into extravagant shapes, with special ochre “caps” of hair usually containing several ostrich feathers. In the early afternoon, we will start driving to Arba Minch through Konso. Overnight in Haile Resort Arba Minch (Bed and Breakfast)

This day in the morning, we will have a boat trip on clear blue waters of Lake Chamo to see the crocodiles, hippos & aquatic bird species. The northern shores of Lake Chamo are famous for its large crocodiles, which can be seen in great numbers lounging in the heat. The lake is about 32km long and provides a lush wetland habitat for many species of flora and fauna. Then transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. In the evening, we will go out to one of the best cultural restaurant for the Farewell Dinner at a traditional restaurant with live traditional dances program. Then, transfer to the airport for your departure to Home.