11-Day Discovery Ethiopian–Culture, History and Adventure
Overview
Tour Overview
Ethiopia Safari: Discover Ethiopia’s rich cultures, from the Konso, Hamer, and Dasenech of the Omo Valley to the UNESCO rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. You'll
Day by Day
Itinerary
Arrival in Addis Ababa – Flight to Arbaminch
Day 1Arrival in Addis Ababa – Flight to Arbaminch Arrival in Addis Ababa – Flight to Arbaminch Morning arrival in Addis Ababa and connect to your domestic flight to Arbaminch. You'll visit the Dorze Village, known for towering bamboo houses and weaving traditions. You'll take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to see crocodiles, hippos, and abundant birdlife. The afternoon is spent at leisure or optional forest walk. Overnight stay: Mora Hotel, Arbaminch. Main Destination: Arba Minch (City) Accommodation: Mora Heights Hotel Budget hotel located in Arba Minch (City) +7 Photos +6 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Arbaminch – Konso – Turmi
Day 2Arbaminch – Konso – Turmi Arbaminch – Konso – Turmi You'll drive through the scenic Konso Highlands on your way to Turmi, enjoying sweeping views of terraced hillsides and valleys. You'll visit the Konso people, renowned for their UNESCO-listed cultural landscape, unique traditions, and stone-walled villages. You'll continue to Turmi, the vibrant home of the Hamer tribe, known for their striking adornments and colorful way of life. Overnight stay: Emerald Lodge, Turmi. 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: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Turmi – Hamer & Dasenech Encounters
Day 3Turmi – Hamer & Dasenech Encounters Turmi – Hamer & Dasenech Encounters You'll spend a full day immersed in the cultural heart of the Omo Valley. You'll cross the Omo River to visit the Dasenech community, known for its unique traditions and way of life. In the afternoon, you'll meet the Hamer people, celebrated for their striking adornments, traditional dances, and vibrant social ceremonies. When available, you'll witness the spectacular bull-jumping ritual, a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience. Overnight stay: Emerald Lodge, Turmi. Main Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Accommodation: Emerald Lodge Turmi Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Turmi – Jinka – Addis Ababa (Flight & City Discovery)
Day 4Turmi – Jinka – Addis Ababa (Flight & City Discovery) Turmi – Jinka – Addis Ababa (Flight & City Discovery) You'll journey from Turmi to Jinka, passing through rolling highlands and fertile valleys. Along the way, you will visit the Ari community, known for their farming skills, colorful markets, and pottery traditions. From Jinka, you'll take an afternoon flight back to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, you'll enjoy a half-day city tour, choosing between the bustling Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market, or the National Museum, home to the world-famous fossil “Lucy.” Overnight stay: Addis Ababa. Main Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Accommodation: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel Luxury hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) +8 Photos +7 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Addis Ababa – Flight to Lalibela (The Eighth Wonder)
Day 5Addis Ababa – Flight to Lalibela (The Eighth Wonder) Addis Ababa – Flight to Lalibela (The Eighth Wonder) You'll fly north to Lalibela, one of Ethiopia’s most sacred destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, you'll begin exploring the magnificent first group of rock-hewn churches, carved directly from solid stone and connected by a network of tunnels and passageways. Each church reveals a masterpiece of architecture and devotion, earning Lalibela the title “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Overnight stay: Lalibela. Main Destination: Lalibela (Town) Accommodation: Harbe Hotel - Lalibela Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) +5 Photos +4 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Lalibela – Full Day Exploration
Day 6Lalibela – Full Day Exploration Lalibela – Full Day Exploration You'll spend the day exploring Lalibela’s second group of rock-hewn churches, including the iconic cross-shaped Bete Giorgis. You'll discover the intricate carvings and underground passageways that connect these sacred sites. In your free time, you'll visit the local markets and interact with residents to experience the daily life and traditions of this historic highland town. Overnight stay: Lalibela. Main Destination: Lalibela (Town) Accommodation: Harbe Hotel - Lalibela Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Lalibela – Flight to Addis Ababa & City Exploration
Day 7Lalibela – Flight to Addis Ababa & City Exploration Lalibela – Flight to Addis Ababa & City Exploration In the morning, you'll enjoy a final visit to Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches or explore nearby villages to experience local life. You'll fly back to Addis Ababa in the afternoon. Upon arrival, you'll take a half-day city tour, visiting highlights such as the National Museum (home of the famous fossil “Lucy”), Holy Trinity Cathedral, or the vibrant Merkato market. In the evening, you'll relax at your hotel or enjoy a traditional Ethiopian dinner with cultural music. Overnight stay: Addis Ababa. Main Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Accommodation: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel Luxury hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Addis Ababa – Awash National Park Safari
Day 8Addis Ababa – Awash National Park Safari Addis Ababa – Awash National Park Safari You'll depart from Addis Ababa and drive through the scenic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley toward Awash National Park. Upon arrival, you will enjoy an afternoon game drive in this diverse ecosystem. You'll spot wildlife including Beisa oryx, greater and lesser kudu, Soemmerring’s gazelle, warthogs, olive baboons, and a wide variety of bird species. You'll experience the unique combination of savannah, riverine forests, and volcanic landscapes that make Awash a wildlife haven. Overnight stay: Awash Lodge. Main Destination: Awash National Park Best Time To Visit October to February (Little rain and less hot) High Season September to April (The park is never busy) Best Weather October to February Wildlife in Awash NP Olive Baboon Abundant Beisa Oryx Common Soemmerring'sGazelle Common HamadryasBaboon Common Salt's Dik-dik Common Show more Lesser Kudu Occasional Desert Warthog Occasional Defassa Waterbuck Occasional Nile Crocodile Occasional Spotted Hyena Occasional Guereza Monkey Rare Ethiopian Wolf None Gelada Monkey None Walia Ibex None Accommodation: Awash Falls Lodge Mid-range lodge located just outside Awash NP Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Awash – Erta Ale Volcano Adventure
Day 9Awash – Erta Ale Volcano Adventure Awash – Erta Ale Volcano Adventure You'll depart Awash early and journey north toward the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and most extreme landscapes on Earth. You'll arrive at Erta Ale and prepare for an evening hike to the rim of the active lava lake. You'll witness the mesmerizing glow of molten lava under the stars, a truly unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most dramatic volcanic regions. Overnight stay: Camping under the stars at Erta Ale. Main Destination: Erta Ale Volcano (Danakil Depression) Accommodation: Budget camping Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Erta Ale – Dalol (Danakil Depression)
Day 10Erta Ale – Dalol (Danakil Depression) Erta Ale – Dalol (Danakil Depression) You'll descend into the surreal landscapes of Dalol, a geothermal wonderland in the Danakil Depression. You'll explore vibrant sulfur springs, colorful salt formations, and vast mineral deposits. You'll observe traditional camel caravans transporting salt across the desert, and take in the extraordinary scenery of one of the most otherworldly places on Earth. Overnight stay: Desert camping near Dalol. Main Destination: Danakil Depression (Highlight) Accommodation: Budget camping Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Dalol – Mekele – Addis Ababa (Farewell)
Day 11Dalol – Mekele – Addis Ababa (Farewell) Dalol – Mekele – Addis Ababa (Farewell) You'll drive from Dalol to Mekele and take a domestic flight back to Addis Ababa. You'll spend your final evening enjoying a farewell dinner with traditional Ethiopian cuisine and cultural performances. Reflect on your journey through Ethiopia’s remarkable landscapes, rich cultures, and historic sites before your international departure. Main Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks 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 Wildlife Tours, not SafariBookings. This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings. If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change. Rates include a fixed bu
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
A very good tour operator. Great communication, fair price, and everything was high standard: hotels, cars, and guides. But what I loved most was their helpfulness—when I missed my domestic flight and when I got sick, they helped...
I contacted several tour operators in May 2025 hoping to join a group tour of the Simien mountains but since it is a slow tourist season there were none available. Ethio Wildlife were able to organize a private tour for me at a reasonable...
Just got back from a 4-day tour with Ethio Wildlife and it honestly blew me away. We visited several different tribes in Omo valley and each day was completely unique and eye-opening. The whole trip felt very genuine and respectful, not...
My tour to the Danakil Depression was truly unforgettable. Danakil is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth, and experiencing it with such a professional, attentive, and highly organized team made all the difference. I am very...
I don’t usually like booking tours because of many bad experiences, however, at the time Ethiopia demanded it. I was so lucky to find Melashu’s company. It’s the most transparent, respectful, informative and well managed tour. I did...
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