Multi Adventure North and South

14 days

This trip through Ethiopia is the most complete in our catalog because it covers both the North - the historic cities of Ethiopia with their enormous cultural and monumental legacy - and the South, with plenty of ethnic groups and tribes that will give your trip a human and social flavor.

We begin the trip by visiting the busy and vibrant capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, the lively streets, and the largest market in Africa, Merkato.

We then fly to the historical city of Gondar. We'll visit the castles and palaces, the bath of king Fasiladas - famous for hosting the Timket Festival -, and the impressive Debre Birhan Selassie Church. The next day, we take a cultural break for a breath of fresh air on the roof of Ethiopia, the Simien Mountains which will allow us to meet some of its endemic wildlife such as the gelada monkey, the lammergeyer, and the klipspringer or the bushbuck. 

Next, we drive on a scenic route to Bahir Dar to discover the great Blue Nile River and its impressive Blue Nile Falls which demonstrate Ethiopia is not a dry country whatsoever. We'll visit local markets to interact with the locals and a boat ride on Lake Tana to monastic churches on its islands and peninsulas will reveal ancient traditional ways of life and fishing.

The following day, we'll head southwards to meet the small community of Awra Amba that is founded decades ago with one purpose only; to combat poverty, exploitation, and gender inequality - in marked contrast to the norms of the Amhara society.

Finally, the north excursion will come to an end with the city of Lalibela - a humble and spiritual town that is famous for its rock-hewn churches which are considered to be one of The Eighth Wonders of the World, esp. the monolithic Church of Saint George.

A short domestic flight will leave us in the capital to start the second part of the trip.

From this onwards, a new adventure begins with a different perspective to the country. This Ethiopian route to the Rift and Omo Valleys is not only a journey in space but in time as we will witness ways of life that have been maintained for millennia. During the 4x4 journeys, we will constantly be accompanied by landscape sceneries of enormous beauty.

We will navigate the Lakes of the Rift Valley in search of crocodiles, hippos, and hundreds of wild birds.

Tribal villages also await us in the southernmost part of this trip. Tribes of the Omo Valley like Hamer, Karo, Dassenech, Erbore, Ari, and Mursi will open their doors and reveal their ancient villages and unspoiled millennia-old lifestyles. Moreover, the colorful and bustling tribal markets will awaken all senses.

Crossing the eternal savannah in a 4x4 will awaken your wildest nature.

DAY 1 – ADDIS ABABA

Arrival Addis Ababa and welcome – Visit the diplomatic capital of Africa: Grand Merkato, National Museum, Entoto park – Hotel.

DAY 2 – ADDIS ABABA - LALIBELA

Fly to Lalibela (1h) - Visit the First group of rock-hewn churches - Hotel

DAY 3 – LALIBELA

Excursion to Bilbila Giorgis village and Nakutolab Monastery to admire the rural lives of the Agew tribe – Continue with the second group of churches - Hotel.

DAY 4 – LALIBELA - AWRA AMBA COMMUNITY PROJECT

Drive to Awra Amba Community village where we learn the principles of this community: equitable redistribution of goods, social justice, and care for the elderly - Lodging in the community.

DAY 5 – AWRA AMBA COMMUNITY PROJECT – BAHIR DAR

Drive to Bahir Dar – Boat ride on Lake Tana to visit monastic churches and traditional coffee experience - Views of the Nile River and Lake Tana from Bezait Palace viewpoint  – Mingling with locals at a local market – Excursion to the Blue Nile Falls, by car and on foot, crossing the Blue Nile River by local barge - Hotel.

DAY 6 – BAHIR DAR - GONDAR

Gondar city tour: the Medieval Castles, local market, Debre Birhan Selassie church, and the bath of King Fasíladas – Hotel.

DAY 7 – GONDAR - SIMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK - GONDAR

Excursion to the Simien Mountains National Park – Simple day of hiking or more aggressive trekking in search of Gelada Baboons, Bearded Vultures, rockhoppers, and other endemic species of animals - Trek to the Jinbar Waterfall - Return to Gondar - Hotel.

DAY 8 – GONDAR - ADDIS ABABA – HAWASSA

Short flight back to Addis Ababa - Start South Ethiopia trip through the rift valley in a 4x4 stopping at Lake Ziway and Abiata-Shalla Lakes NP - Hotel.

DAY 9 - HAWASSA - ARBA MINCH

Start the day with the Hawassa Lake fish market - Drive to Arbaminch witnessing the contrast between the arid landscape of the Rift savannah and the dense jungle of the Gamo Gofa - Visit the charming and colorful Dorze village - Hotel.

DAY 10 - ARBA MINCH - KONSO

Boat navigation on Lake Chamo in search of crocodiles and hippos - Drive to Konso to discover the Konso village: a unique and original lifestyle elevated to a World Heritage Site by UNESCO - Hotel.

DAY 11 - KONSO - TURMI

We now enter the Omo Valley and the savannah - Erboré and Hamer tribes - Hotel.

DAY 12 - TURMI

Cross the Omo river to visit the Dassenech village in search of the 'Rate' tribe – Colorful local markets on market days - Visit the Karo tribe and their lifestyle - Hotel.

DAY 13 - TURMI - JINKA

Visit the Mursi tribe inside the Mago National Park - Ethnographic Museum - Walk through the Ari village witnessing their crafts - Hotel.

DAY 14 - JINKA - ADDIS ABABA - END OF TRIP

Fly back to Addis Ababa - Free time to finalize purchases, visits... freedom to choose - International flight.

NOTE: You can modify the itinerary by adding or removing days, changing hotels, proposing other places of visit, etc. In these southern areas, we can arrange your visiting days to match the tribal market days. During the rainy season (July-September), you can not access the Bale Mountains NP, which allows you to extend your visit of the Omo Valley and add Yabelo. Or simply, the trip has less number of days.

The transportation on this trip is designed in such a way that you are relaxed (no haste) while enjoying to the maximum the daily life of the country. Vehicles for this tour are minibuses for the North and 4x4 for the South. These vehicles reach everywhere and are comfortable, safe, and powerful.

We will use an Ethiopian Airlines flight for distant destinations. The entire fleet of aircraft was renewed in 2015 by the new Bombardier Q400 manufactured in Canada. They are short, comfortable and safe flights.

In addition, following our SLOW TRAVEL philosophy, you can enjoy hiking and trekking routes, walks in the city, getting around in local Tuk Tuk, boat rides, or renting a bicycle.

Choose the type of accommodation that best suits you. Local hotels (pensions), 4* hotels, combine local with 4*, or even pitching a tent in the wild. 

Local hotels are affordable and clean though they might suffer from power or water cuts. 

4* hotels are equipped with all services: double rooms with bathroom, hot water, restaurant, bar, internet access, etc. They usually are located at beautiful sites with nice views and a charming atmosphere. 

Travelers should keep in mind that there might be power cuts in some cities and the inconveniences that this entails. Fortunately, these cuts are becoming less and less frequent due to the construction of hydroelectric dams and power plants. 

Campsites in Ethiopia are very basic and without infrastructure but are located in amazing sites surrounded by wild landscapes. Travelers can experience a real adventure by choosing one or two nights of camping in the wild.

Our trips DO NOT INCLUDE full board. We believe in offering freedom of choice to our travelers because some days you might not feel like having dinner or prefer to have just juice. On top of that, Ethiopian restaurants are always open and found everywhere. Many serve local and international foods, and prices are affordable.