15-Days Best of Ethiopia Tour: Culture, History & Nature

Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Style: Cultural Discovery, History, Nature, Tribal Experience
Start/End: Addis Ababa
Highlights: Lalibela, Simien Mountains, Gondar, Bahir Dar, Axum, Omo Valley, Lake Langano, Rift Valley, Addis Ababa

Day 1 – Arrival in Addis Ababa

• Meet and greet at Bole International Airport.

• Transfer to your hotel and relax.

• Optional short city tour:

  • National Museum (see “Lucy”)

  • Holy Trinity Cathedral

  • Panoramic view from Entoto Hill

• Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 2 – Fly to Bahir Dar & Visit Lake Tana Monasteries

• Morning flight to Bahir Dar on Lake Tana.

• Boat excursion to Zege Peninsula to visit ancient monasteries such as Ura Kidane Mehret.

• Afternoon excursion to the Blue Nile Falls (“Tis Issat”).

• Overnight: Bahir Dar

Day 3 – Drive to Gondar & Explore Castles

• Drive through beautiful countryside to Gondar (~3 hrs).

• Explore:

  • The Royal Enclosure (UNESCO)

  • Debre Berhan Selassie Church

  • Fasilides’ Bath

• Overnight: Gondar

Day 4 – Simien Mountains National Park Excursion

• Full-day trip to Simien Mountains (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

• Moderate hiking with views of cliffs and valleys.

• Spot endemic wildlife: Gelada baboons, Walia ibex, Lammergeiers.

• Return to Gondar in the evening.

• Overnight: Gondar

Day 5 – Fly to Axum & Discover Ancient Civilizations

• Morning flight to Axum, once the seat of the powerful Axumite Empire.

• Visit:

  • Obelisks/Stelae Field

  • Queen of Sheba’s Bath

  • Ezana’s Inscriptions

  • Church of St. Mary of Zion (Ark of the Covenant site, by tradition)

• Overnight: Axum

Day 6 – Fly to Lalibela & Explore the First Group of Rock-Hewn Churches

• Fly to Lalibela, a spiritual heart of Ethiopia.

• Afternoon visit to the First Group of 12th-century rock-hewn churches, including:

  • Bete Medhane Alem

  • Bete Maryam

  • Bete Golgotha

• Overnight: Lalibela

Day 7 – Visit Bete Giyorgis & Optional Asheten Maryam Monastery

• Visit the iconic, cross-shaped Bete Giyorgis (St. George) church.

• Optional hike or mule ride to Asheten Maryam Monastery for panoramic views.

• Cultural dinner or traditional coffee ceremony experience in the evening.

• Overnight: Lalibela

Day 8 – Fly to Addis Ababa, Drive to Arba Minch (or Fly if Available)

• Fly from Lalibela to Addis Ababa.

• Continue with a scenic drive (~8 hrs) or short flight (if available) to Arba Minch, gateway to the south.

• Stop at Rift Valley Lakes along the way (Lake Ziway or Lake Langano).

• Overnight: Arba Minch

Day 9 – Visit Dorze Village & Boat Trip on Lake Chamo

• Morning visit to Dorze village in the Guge Mountains:

  • Unique “beehive” houses and weaving culture

• Afternoon boat trip on Lake Chamo:

  • Spot hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife

• Overnight: Arba Minch

Day 10 – Drive to Jinka via Konso & Key Afer Market

• Visit the Konso Cultural Landscape (UNESCO site).

• Stop at Key Afer Market (Thursday) or other local markets.

• Continue to Jinka, base for visiting the Mursi tribe.

• Overnight: Jinka

Day 11 – Mago National Park & Visit Mursi Tribe

• Morning drive to Mago National Park to meet the Mursi people:

  • Known for lip plates and body scarification

• Afternoon visit to Ari village near Jinka.

• Overnight: Jinka

Day 12 – Drive to Turmi via Dimeka Market

• Travel to Turmi, home of the Hamar tribe.

• Visit Dimeka Market (Saturday), a key cultural hub.

• Optional visit to a Hamar village or chance to witness a bull-jumping ceremony.

• Overnight: Turmi

Day 13 – Excursion to Karo Tribe & Return to Arba Minch

• Morning visit to the Karo tribe in Korcho, overlooking the Omo River.

• See their elaborate body painting and traditional lifestyle.

• Afternoon return to Arba Minch via the scenic Omo Valley.

• Overnight: Arba Minch

Day 14 – Fly/Drive to Addis Ababa & Free Afternoon

• Morning flight (or long drive) to Addis Ababa.

• Afternoon at leisure:

  • Last-minute shopping at Mercato

  • Relax at your hotel or explore cafes and galleries

• Farewell dinner with cultural show (traditional music & dance).

• Overnight: Addis Ababa

Day 15 – Departure

• Transfer to Bole International Airport for your flight home.

• Assistance with check-in and departure formalities.

✅ Tour Inclusions

• Domestic flights (Addis–Bahir Dar, Gondar–Axum–Lalibela–Addis, Addis–Arba Minch RT if available)

• Private ground transportation

• English-speaking cultural and local guides

• Park and site entrance fees

• All accommodations (hotels, lodges, eco-lodges)

• All breakfasts and selected dinners

• Bottled water during travel

• Airport transfers

🧳 What to Pack

• Comfortable walking/hiking shoes

• Modest clothing for religious sites

• Light jacket for highlands, sun protection for lowlands

• Camera and extra batteries

• Reusable water bottle and personal medication