12 Days Highlight of Ethiopia Tours

This meticulously planned tour offers an enriching and unique opportunity for travelers who want to experience Ethiopia’s stunning landscapes, cultural diversity, and historical treasures. You’ll witness extraordinary geological wonders and immerse yourself in the living traditions of Ethiopia’s indigenous tribes while also exploring sacred sites that span thousands of years of Christian history.

Day 01: Arrival & Addis Ababa City Tour

You will meet our staff upon arrival from your international flight. After breakfast, begin your Addis Ababa sightseeing tour:

• First stop: Entoto Maryam Church, one of the oldest Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo churches located on the Entoto Hills. Built in 1877 by Emperor Menelik II, it is characterized by octagonal domes. Inside, you’ll find several royal artifacts, including traditional crowns, royal bed, jewels, and a mirror gifted by Queen Victoria to Empress Taytu.
• Second stop: Entoto Park for a panoramic view of Addis Ababa, situated at an altitude of 2900 MASL.
• Third stop: Ethnological Museum, which houses anthropological, musicological, and cultural objects. It is the first university museum in Ethiopia and is located on the main campus of Addis Ababa University—the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie.
• Fourth stop: National Museum, home to Ethiopia’s most famous archaeological find—Lucy, the partial skeleton of Australopithecus afarensis, along with the 3.3 million-year-old fossil Selam.
• Fifth stop: Merkato, established by the Italians around 1937, is one of Africa’s largest open-air markets, covering several square miles and hosting over 13,000 workers in more than 7,000 business entities. Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa

Day 02: Fly Addis Ababa to Semera and Drive to Ahmed Ella

Upon arrival at Semera Airport, drive to Ahmed Ella. Along the way, enjoy views of striking landscapes shaped by solidified lava, rock, sand, and occasional palm-lined oases. Pass through several small hamlets and visit Ahmad Ella village, home to over 500 residents, to observe the lifestyle of the local Afar people. End the day with a visit to Salt Lake Asale, where you can swim in a natural pool while enjoying the sunset reflected off the salty surface. Overnight: Camping at Ahmed Ella

Day 03: Hamedela – Dallol – Hawzien

After breakfast, drive to Ragad (Asebo), where locals mine salt. Witness the fascinating process of breaking salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular blocks, and loading it onto camels. Continue to Dallol—located 125 meters below sea level—one of the world’s hottest and lowest places. Observe colorful salt formations and otherworldly geothermal features caused by volcanic activity and the interaction of minerals like phosphorus, sulfur, and salt. Return to Hamedela and proceed to Hawzien. Overnight: Hotel in Hawzien

Day 04: Hawzien – Axum

Drive toward Axum, with a stop at the Yeha Temple, a pre-Christian temple dedicated to the Moon, dating back to the 5th century B.C. If desired, visit Debre Damo Monastery, accessible only by rope climb (approx. 16 meters). This fascinating 6th-century monastery admits men only. Continue to Axum for lunch and check-in. Overnight: Hotel in Axum

Day 05: Full Day Visit to Axum

Spend the day exploring Axum, once a powerful kingdom and a center of trade between the Mediterranean and India. Believed to be the origin of Ethiopian Christianity and the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, Axum holds immense historical significance. Visit:

• The ruins of St. Mary of Zion, the first church built in Sub-Saharan Africa (c. 330 AD)
• The monolithic stelae, with the tallest standing over 21 meters and another fallen one once reaching 34 meters
• Subterranean tombs, ancient stone inscriptions, and the archaeological museum
• The Queen of Sheba’s palace ruins, linked to Menelik I, the legendary son of Queen Sheba and King Solomon. Overnight: Hotel in Axum

Day 06: Fly to Lalibela

Fly to Lalibela. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and have lunch. In the afternoon, visit the first cluster of seven rock-hewn churches: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mika’el, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danagel, and Bet Medhane Alem—the largest, resembling a Greek temple. Then visit the standalone church of Bet Giyorgis, renowned for its cross-shaped design and elegant carvings. Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela

Day 07: Full Day Visit to Lalibela

This morning, visit Yimrhane Kristos Church, an outstanding example of Axumite wood and stone architecture, with a beautifully decorated ceiling of hexagons and medallions. Return to Lalibela and visit the second cluster of rock-hewn churches: Bete Gabriel and Rafael, Merkorous, Emanuel, and Abba Libanos. Among them, Bete Emanuel stands out for its Axumite architecture, including wall indentations, stelae-inspired symbols, monkey heads, and false windows. Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela

Day 08: Fly Lalibela – Addis – Dire Dawa – Harar

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Dire Dawa via Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, drive to Harar. One of Harar’s most unique experiences is meeting the “Hyena Men”, who feed wild hyenas by hand—or even with sticks held in their mouths—a centuries-old tradition still practiced today. Overnight: Royal Hotel, Harar

Day 09: Visit Harar – Drive to Dire Dawa – Fly to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, tour Harar, the fourth holiest city in Islam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit:

• The Jegol Wall, built by Emir Nur in the 1560s, with its five historic gates
• Colorful alleyways, ancient mosques, shrines, and homes that reflect Harari architecture
• The house of French poet Arthur Rimbaud

Later, drive to Dire Dawa for your flight back to Addis Ababa. Overnight: Hotel in Addis Ababa

Day 10: Fly Addis Ababa to Jinka and Drive to Turmi

Upon arrival at Jinka Airport, drive to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe. The Hamer are known for their “bull-jumping” initiation ceremony, as well as their striking body decorations and colorful beadwork. Hamer men often sculpt their hair using red and white clay, adding ostrich feathers as a symbol of pride. Overnight: Hotel in Turmi

Day 11: Drive Turmi to Jinka

After breakfast, drive to Murulle, home of the Karo tribe, known for their spectacular body painting using white chalk for ceremonial purposes. Women scar their chests for beauty, while men’s scars symbolize battles or animal kills. Continue to the Nyangatom people, known for their elegant neck jewelry and goatskin skirts. Return to Turmi for lunch, then drive to Jinka to meet the Ari people, the largest ethnic group in the Lower Omo Valley. The Ari are skilled in pottery, blacksmithing, and traditional liquor distillation. Overnight: Hotel in Jinka

Day 12: Drive Jinka – Mago – Jinka and Fly to Addis Ababa

After breakfast, drive to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi tribe, famous for the women’s lip plates. The Mursi also practice scarification—symbols of social rank and valor, created using razor blades and camel thorns, with ash or larvae inserted to form raised scars. After your visit, return to Jinka and board your flight back to Addis Ababa.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with live music and cuisine from various ethnic groups. Finally, transfer to Bole International Airport for your international departure.