14-Day Explores Northern and Southern Part Ethiopia Tour
Overview
Tour Overview
Ethiopia Safari: You'll explore the wonders of Ethiopia on this immersive 14-day journey, combining the ancient northern highlands with the vibrant tribal cultures of
Day by Day
Itinerary
Arrival in Addis Ababa
Day 1Arrival in Addis Ababa Arrival in Addis Ababa You'll start your journey with a visit to the majestic Trinity Cathedral, the final resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Then, you'll explore the National Museum for a rich introduction to Ethiopia’s history and culture. You'll head up to Entoto Hills for panoramic views of the city and a stop at Maryam Church. On the way, browse traditional garments at the Sheromeda market. You'll end the day by exploring either the bustling Mercato or Sholla markets. Overnight stay: New Daamat Hotel. Main Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Accommodation: Da'amat Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
Fly Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar
Day 2Fly Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar Fly Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar You'll catch a morning flight to Bahir Dar via Ethiopian Airlines. You'll enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile, and visit ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula—two from Ura Kidane Mehret, Azwa Maryam, Mehal Zege Giorgis, and Bete Maryam. You'll conclude with a scenic sunset from the Bezawit Hills, overlooking the Nile. Overnight stay: Bete Daniel Hotel. Main Destination: Bahir Dar (City) Accommodation: Bete Daniel Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City) +3 Photos Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Fly Bahir Dar – Gondar
Day 3Fly Bahir Dar – Gondar Fly Bahir Dar – Gondar You'll fly Bahirdar to Gondar through the Ethiopian countryside to the historic city of Gondar. You'll tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO site featuring medieval castles from the 17th century. You'll visit Debre Birhan Selassie Church, famous for its angel-filled ceiling and religious artwork. Overnight stay: Haile resort. Main Destination: Gondar (City) Accommodation: Haile Resort Gondar Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City) +4 Photos +3 Photos Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Gondar – Simien Mountains National Park
Day 4Gondar – Simien Mountains National Park Gondar – Simien Mountains National Park After breakfast, you'll head to the dramatic landscapes of Simien Mountains National Park, home to rare wildlife like the endemic Walia Ibex and Gelada baboons, and other bird species. You'll explore the area. Then, you'll return to Gondar in the evening. Overnight stay: AG Hotel in Gondar. Main Destination: Simien Mountains National Park Best Time To Visit September to December (Beautiful scenery) High Season October to April (Lodges are busy) Best Weather October to April Wildlife in Simien Mountains NP Gelada Monkey Abundant Walia Ibex Occasional Ethiopian Wolf Rare Klipspringer Rare Bushbuck Rare Show more Golden Jackal Rare Hyena Rare Accommodation: AG Hotel Mid-range hotel located 2-3hr drive from Simien Mountains NP +3 Photos Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Fly Gondar – Lalibela
Day 5Fly Gondar – Lalibela Fly Gondar – Lalibela Morning fly Gondar to Lalibela and You'll arrive in Lalibela, home to Ethiopia’s iconic rock-hewn churches—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll explore these 800-year-old marvels, including the largest monolithic church in the world, hidden passageways, and stunning religious art. In the afternoon, you'll join a traditional coffee ceremony and learn how to bake injera, Ethiopia’s staple flatbread. Overnight stay: Top Twelve Hotel. Main Destination: Lalibela (Town) Accommodation: Top Twelve Hotel Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Lalibela
Day 6Lalibela Lalibela You can choose between a scenic mule trek to the mountaintop Asheton Maryam Monastery or a drive to Yemrehanna Kristos Church, an older and architecturally unique structure nestled in a cave. In the afternoon, you will continue visiting the famous churches of Lalibela. Overnight stay: Top Twelve Hotel. Main Destination: Lalibela (Town) Accommodation: Top Twelve Hotel Budget hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Lalibela – Addis Ababa
Day 7Lalibela – Addis Ababa Lalibela – Addis Ababa You'll visit any remaining churches in the morning. In the afternoon, you'll fly back to Addis Ababa for an overnight stay. Depending on our time, we will try to see how Ethiopian coffee is roasted and Ethiopian cooking class in addition to this will visit baking Ethiopian Injera. Overnight stay: Triple E-Hotel. Main Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Accommodation: Triple-E Hotel and Spa Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) +4 Photos +3 Photos Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Addis Ababa – Jinka – Turmi
Day 8Addis Ababa – Jinka – Turmi Addis Ababa – Jinka – Turmi You'll fly Addis Ababa to Jinka, where a driver will meet you. After lunch, you'll travel to Turmi, stopping along the way at the Dimeka Market and Hamar village. The Hamar people are known for their beauty and pastoral lifestyle. With time in Turmi, you may witness the unique "bull-jumping" ceremony—a rite of passage for young men. Overnight stay: Emerald Lodge. Main Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Accommodation: Emerald Lodge Turmi Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) +11 Photos +10 Photos Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Turmi – Dassanech – Turmi
Day 9Turmi – Dassanech – Turmi Turmi – Dassanech – Turmi After breakfast, you will head to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people, who live near the Omo River. Their lifestyle has adapted to extreme conditions, and they even hunt crocodiles during the right season. After spending time with the people, you will return to Turmi. Overnight stay: Jinka Resort. Main Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Accommodation: Jinka Resort Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Turmi – Kara – Jinka
Day 10Turmi – Kara – Jinka Turmi – Kara – Jinka You'll travel to the Kara Community, famous for its body painting and close cultural ties to the Hamar. After lunch in Turmi, you will continue to Jinka, visiting the Benna villages and the colorful Keyafar Market en route. In addition to this, on the way, you will visit many things. Overnight stay: Nasa Hotel. Main Destination: Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) Accommodation: Nasa Hotel Budget hotel located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Jinka – Addis Ababa
Day 11Jinka – Addis Ababa Jinka – Addis Ababa In the morning, you will visit the nearby Ari villages and the local museum. Later, you will fly Jinka to Addis Ababa. If you have time, you will try to visit those things. You'll drive to Entoto Hills, the former capital of Emperor Menelik II. You'll enjoy panoramic views over Addis Ababa. You'll visit Entoto Maryam Church and the small museum nearby, showcasing royal and religious relics. Optional: Walk or drive through the eucalyptus forest for a peaceful break from the city. Overnight stay: Daamat Hotel. Main Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Accommodation: Triple-E Hotel and Spa Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Addis Ababa – Semera – Afdera – Erta Ale Volcano
Day 12Addis Ababa – Semera – Afdera – Erta Ale Volcano Addis Ababa – Semera – Afdera – Erta Ale Volcano You'll fly Addis Ababa to Semera, then drive into the Danakil Depression. You'll stop at Lake Afdera for a chance to swim in its salt-rich waters and see natural hot springs. After lunch, you will continue to Dodom, where your trek to the Erta Ale volcano begins. You'll camp overnight at the volcano’s rim to witness the extraordinary lava lake—one of the few permanent ones in the world. Overnight stay: Camping near Erta Ale. Main Destination: Danakil Depression (Highlight) Accommodation: Budget camping Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Erta Ale – HamadEla – Dallol
Day 13Erta Ale – HamadEla – Dallol Erta Ale – HamadEla – Dallol After breakfast, you will drive to HamadEla, passing camel caravans along the way. You'll visit Lake Assale and Ragad (Asebo), where locals extract salt from the earth and load it onto camels. You'll continue to the volcanic wonderland of Dallol to explore colorful salt formations and geysers. Overnight stay: Camping. Main Destination: Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) Accommodation: Budget camping Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
HamadEla – Semera – Addis Ababa – Departure
Day 14HamadEla – Semera – Addis Ababa – Departure HamadEla – Semera – Addis Ababa – Departure You'll enjoy the sunrise, then travel to Semera and fly to Addis Ababa. You'll connect to your international departure or stay overnight if desired. Main Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included) End of tour (See Getting There for more details)End of tour (See Getting There for more details) Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport. Interested in This Tour? Request a Quote We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators (Learn why) Requests are sent directly to the tour operator If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly Next: Overview Next: Day by Day Next: Rates Next: Inclusions Next: Getting There Next: Offered By Best price guarantee Your request will be sent directly to the operator If preferred, you can contact the operator directly Next: Request a Quote Request a Quote Disclaimer This tour is offered by Ethio Top Land Tours, not SafariBookings. This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings. Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this. This group tour requires a minimum of 2 people to run. The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability
What's covered
Included & Excluded
Included
- A transfer from and back to the airport is included
- What is included in this tour
Not Included
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
What travellers say
Verified Reviews
I had a sudden layover in Addis Ababa, so I looked up this tour in a hurry, and it was a great experience! I hadn't researched anything, so I went with the recommended route. I heard there are plenty of other places to see, and there are...
I want to say a big thank you to Ethio Top Land Tours for our tour to the Danakil Depression. We had an accident during the tour, and from my experience traveling to 100 countries, operators can react very differently in such situations....
We (me and my girlfriend) can only say that we had the best experience. Our expectations were surpassed. Our guide tours were taking care of us every minute, and so gentle all the time, they took care of every detail to make sure our...
Good communication, very good service, knowledgeable guide
This 15-day journey across Ethiopia was an unforgettable experience. Our driver and guide were not only professional but also incredibly thoughtful and caring. Road conditions were often difficult and challenging, but our driver was...
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