Addis AbabaBahir DarSouthern Tribal Regions Simien Mountains
The Ethiopia Grand Tour is a magnificent adventure, taking in all Ethiopia offers. From the Tribal diversity of the southern regions to the historical north, then taking in the breathtaking mountain national parks and wildlife some of which are only possible to see in Ethiopia. Start your journey in Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa, headquarters of the African Union and home to over 100 embassies. Visit the National Museum where the 3.5-million-year-old bones of Lucy lie. Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral and enjoy a panoramic view of the capital from the Entoto Hills. Visit Bahir Dar and cruise Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile. Also, visit the Blue Nile Falls. Journey to Ethiopian famous national parks; both Simien and Bale Mountain Parks will leave you breathless with their beauty and help you discover Ethiopia’s endemic treasures. Explore the historical sites of Gondor and its medieval castles and churches. Lalibela’s Rock-Hewn churches and Axum, the land of the Queen of Sheba. Discover the tribes of Ethiopia; visit the Dorze people, famous for their skills in cotton weaving—the Mursi Tribe, whose women are famed for wearing large plates on their lips and ears. Visit Turmi, home of the Hamar tribe. Where women wear elaborately decorated goatskin and decorate their hair with clay and butter.
Itinerary Highlights
Journey to UNESCO World Heritage sites
Visit Local Indigenous Tribes
Cruise on Lake Chomo
Explore the land of the Queen of Sheba
Addis Ababa Cultural Tour
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
20
Nights
Price Guide
$TBC pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Addis Ababa
Day 1
Addis Ababa
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by our representative who will transfer you to your hotel in Addis Ababa Ethiopia’s capital city and Africa’s diplomatic capital. After taking a rest, you’ll start to explore Addis Ababa, and drive to Entoto Hills. Mt. Entoto is the highest peak in Addis Ababa, giving the chance to catch stunning views over the city and the surrounding area from the summit. It is the first settlement in Addis Ababa where Emperor Menelik II resided and built his palace in 1887; a unique place which offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of Ethiopia’s distinct culture. The compound at the peak hosts the Entoto Mariam church, an Ethiopian artefact museum as well as Menelik II’s palace. After lunch you’ll visit the famous open-air market in Africa, Mercato, covering several square miles and employing an estimated 13,000 people in 7,100 business entities.
Day 2-3
Bahir Dar
Today after breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight to Bahir Dar, where you’ll meet with our representative and get transferred to your hotel. Bahir Dar means “by the side of the sea” in the Amharic language.
After rest, you’ll drive to the Blue Nile Falls – known locally as Tissiat– which means “The Smoking Water.” The Falls are 328 feet wide and the water plunges some 150 feet, giving rise to picturesque stream clouds and rainbows.
The next day after breakfast you’ll embark by boat to Lake Tana to visit two of the renowned Island Monasteries of the Lake, namely: Ura Kidane Mihret and Azua Mariam. Both have lovely wall paintings which depict scenes from the Old and the New Testaments of the Holy Bible.
Later in the afternoon, you’ll visit the market, where you can find the typical hand-woven capes and scarves made of good local cotton. Also, you can visit Weyto village, 2km west of town, known for its production of Tankwa boats. Lastly, you’ll encounter the Palace of Emperor Haile Selassie at Bizeit, with great views of the town and the lake, including where the Blue Nile flows out of the lake.
Day 4-5
Simien Mountains National Park
Today after breakfast you’ll drive to Simien Mountains National Park which will take approximately 5 hours. Upon arrival, check in to Simien Lodge.
The Simien Mountains are an area of highlands in the northern part of Ethiopia consisting of some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. It was added to the World Heritage Site list in 1978. With a total area of 190km2, the Simien Mountains boast 57 tree species, a wealth of herbaceous plants, 22 large and 13 small mammals and about 180 recorded bird species. Of these, the Walia ibex, Ethiopian wolf, Menelik’s Bushbuck and the Gelada baboon are endemic.
The next day, After having breakfast, you’ll drive to Chenek. Situated at 3620m above sea level, it is a spectacular site with a scenic mountain range, impressive escarpment, unforgettable viewpoints, mountain summits (such as Mount Buhit) and rich varieties of plant and animal species. Chenek is home to the endemic Walia Ibexes, whom you may spot. You’ll spend the day at Chenek exploring this unparalleled environment.
Day 6
Gondor
Today, early in the morning you’ll drive to Gondar, which is 135km distant and will take around 2hrs. On arrival, you’ll check in to Mayeleko Lodge before embarking on your exploration of Gondar, the imperial city of Fasilides. The city was the first capital of the Ethiopian empire, which began in 1632, with the reign of Fasilides; and the kings of Ethiopia based their power there for over two centuries,
In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. Many picturesque ruins lie in the royal enclosure, like fairy-tale castles dating back to the 17th century. The castles reflect the glory of Gondarine kings and are characterized by their distinctive architectural style. The other place of interest is the Fasilides pool, in which pilgrims still take a plunge during the Timket (Epiphany) celebrations.
You’ll then proceed to Debre Birhan Trinity Church, rewarding for its magnificent murals adorning the roof and the walls.
Day 7-8
Lalibela
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela. where you’ll meet with our representative on arrival, and get transferred to Mezana Lodge.
Lalibela is rightly acknowledged as being one of the Wonders of the World. At the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries, King Lalibela of the Zaghwe dynasty built a series of rock-hewn churches in this spot, calling it New Jerusalem. Crafted from the rock in which they stand, these towering edifice seems to be a superhuman creation in scale, workmanship and concept. 11 churches in the town are named after the King.
After checking in to your hotel, you’ll begin your tour of the first group of six churches in town. This group of churches lie in rock cradles, one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikael, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel and Bet Medhane Alem.
Day 9
Axum
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Day 10
Abra Minch
Today after breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight to Arba Minch.
Arba Minch (Forty Springs), is the largest town in Southern Ethiopia. The town lies at an elevation of around 1,300m in the foothills of the Rift valley wall, above a cliff overlooking the mountains that separate the lakes of Chamo and Abaya. With mountains rising to almost 4000m to the west, it is difficult to think of a more perfectly situated town anywhere in East Africa. In Arba Minch, whenever you walk and at whatever time of day, there are stunning views in all direction.
Day 11-13
Lower Omo Valley
This morning you’ll start driving to south Omo, which is often portrayed as a cultural Garden of Eden and is undoubtedly one of the most unique places on earth because of the wide variety of people and animals that inhabit it. The region is known for its culture and diversity.
Then you’ll drive to Jinka through Konso, Weito and Key Afer.
The next day, after breakfast you’ll drive to Mursi villages, 70kms away; the Mursi has become a cultural symbol of the Lower Omo Valley. They are the most renowned of the Omotic – speakers, famed for their practice of inserting large clay plates behind the lower lips of their women, as well as for their colourful dresses.
Then you’ll drive to Turmi via Dimeka and Key Afer. Turmi is the home of the Hammer who are much known for their body decoration, moonlight dances (Evangedi Dance) and bull-jumping. Bull jumping marks the rite of passage from childhood to adulthood. (Do note, bull-jumping is not done every day and so we cannot guarantee you will see this ceremony.)
Day 14
Konso Highlands
This morning you’ll drive to Arba Minch and on the way, you’ll stop to visit Konso village.
The Konso Cultural Landscape is a 55km2 arid property of stone-walled terraces and fortified settlements in the Kondo highlands. A registered UNESCO site, it constitutes a spectacular example of a living cultural tradition stretching back 21 generations (more than 400 years) adapted to its dry hostile environment. Konso people are known for their intricately terraced hillsides, fine woven materials and the carved totems in which they decorate their graves.
At Konso, visit the village ofMachekieand on the way toMachekiethere is the home of all Konso tribes king which is well worth visiting.
In the late afternoon, you’ll enjoy a boat trip over Lake Chamo and enjoy seeing hippos and crocodiles at a close range. This is a good place to watch the large number of crocodiles on the shore of Lake Chamo. The place is known as “Azo-Gebeya”, meaning Crocodile Market, and it offers one of Africa’s most impressive displays of big crocs.
Day 15
Awassa
Today after breakfast you’ll depart towards Awassa, En route you will visit the home of the Dorze people at Chencha, renowned cotton weavers whose tall beehive-shaped dwellings are among the most distinctive traditional structures to be seen anywhere in Africa.
The main occupations of the region are subsistence farming and weaving. The shama cloth produced around Chencha is regarded to be the finest in Ethiopia: plain white gabbi robes and brightly coloured scarf- like netalas are sold along the roadside.
Day 16-17
Bale Mountains
This morning you’ll drive to Arba Minch and on the way, you’ll stop to visit Konso village.
The Konso Cultural Landscape is a 55km2 arid property of stone-walled terraces and fortified settlements in the Kondo highlands. A registered UNESCO site, it constitutes a spectacular example of a living cultural tradition stretching back 21 generations (more than 400 years) adapted to its dry hostile environment. Konso people are known for their intricately terraced hillsides, fine woven materials and the carved totems in which they decorate their graves.
At Konso, visit the village ofMachekieand on the way toMachekiethere is the home of all Konso tribes king which is well worth visiting.
In the late afternoon, you’ll enjoy a boat trip over Lake Chamo and enjoy seeing hippos and crocodiles at a close range. This is a good place to watch the large number of crocodiles on the shore of Lake Chamo. The place is known as “Azo-Gebeya”, meaning Crocodile Market, and it offers one of Africa’s most impressive displays of big crocs.
Day 18
Langano
Today after breakfast you’ll head to Langano, which is located in the Great Rift Valley at an elevation of 1,585 meters to the east of Lake Abijata. Lake Langano, which is brown in colour, is 18 km long and 16 km wide, with a surface area of 330km2 and depths reaching 46m.
As it is free of Bilharzia (schistosomiasis), unlike all other freshwater lakes in Ethiopia, Lake Langano is popular with tourists and city dwellers for its swimming, water sports, horse riding, forest walking and mountain biking activities. One can also experience a variety of wildlife around the lake, including hippos, monkeys, baboons, warthogs, and a huge variety of birds.
Day 19-20
Addis AbabA
In the morning enjoy your time at the resort before driving back to Addis, which is 200km away and will take approximately 4hrs. En route you will visit Lake Ziway and the largest of the northern group of Rift Valley Lakes. It lies about 1.5 km east of the town of Ziway and is best known for its bird life.
After lunch, you’ll visit The National Archaeological Museum which ranks among the most important museums in sub- Sahara Africa. It houses the 3.5 million-year-old bones of ‘Lucy’. Lucy is believed to be the ancestor of all Human-kind and is one of a wealth of ancient exhibits there which reflect the importance of Ethiopia as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’. Its historic rooms feature finery worn in the wars, including crowns and weapons, alongside pictures of wartime heroes and kings.
You’ll have lunch at the gate of the Museum – the famous Lucy Gazebo Restaurant serves both local and international dishes.
Then you’ll go to St. George’s Cathedral (Giorgis Cathedral) which lies at the north end of Churchill Road. Designed in the traditional octagonal shape, this cathedral was built in 1896 to commemorate Ethiopia’s victory over the Italians at the Battle of Adwa. The Cathedral houses the work of Afewerk Tekle, the renowned Ethiopian artist responsible for the stained-glass windows of the Africa Hall, and also houses a small museum in the compound.
Your last night in Ethiopia will be a memorable farewell dinner at one of Addis Ababa’s wonderful cultural or international restaurants.
Day 21
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $TBC per person
When to travel
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The optimum time to visit Ethiopia is from mid-October to January when the rainy season has come to an end and the countryside is still quite green. This is also the peak tourist season, so facilities and sites of interest tend to be busier than at other times. It is well worth aiming to be in Lalibela or Gondar for Timkat (Ethiopian Epiphany), another wonderfully colourful celebration held on 19 January (except on leap years). Dry season, from February to May, is also a good time to visit, though the scenery tends to become drier and browner towards the end of this period, except in the far south where the first rains often start as early as April. Wildlife can be observed throughout the year, November to March – is particularly rewarding for bird watching.
Ethiopia in January has a dry season with mostly sunny days and temperatures ranging from 17°C to 24°C. It is the perfect time to visit the country and explore its many attractions and cultural sites. The nights can be cool, so it is advisable to bring warm clothes.
February is the driest month in Ethiopia, with warm temperatures and bright sunshine. The average temperature is around 25°C during the day, and 15°C at night. It's the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities and explore Ethiopia's natural beauty.
March is the hottest month in Ethiopia with temperatures ranging from 21-30 degrees Celsius. The weather is sunny and dry with little chance of rain. Ethiopia is a great destination for travelers looking to experience warm temperatures and sunny days.
April in Ethiopia is generally warm and dry with temperatures ranging from 18-25°C. Rainfall is minimal with rain showers occurring mainly in the evening. It is an ideal time to visit for those who want to explore the country and take part in outdoor activities.
The weather in Ethiopia during May is characterised by gradually increasing temperatures and a higher chance of rainfall. The average daily temperature ranges from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, providing a pleasant and relatively warm climate. However, it is important to note that the weather can vary depending on the specific region within Ethiopia. The temperatures are generally cooler in the northern highlands, while in the lowland areas, it can be hotter. As the rainy season approaches, sporadic showers and thunderstorms become more frequent, especially towards the end of the month. These showers help to cool down the temperature and bring much-needed relief from the dry months.
As the country enters its summer months, the rainfall gradually increases, bringing much-needed relief from the dry and hot conditions of the preceding months. The average temperature in June ranges between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, depending on the region. The rainfall is more pronounced in the central and northern parts of the country, while the southern areas experience relatively less precipitation. June marks the beginning of a greener landscape as the rain rejuvenates the vegetation, creating a vibrant and lush environment.
This is a period of significant rainfall across the country, with varying intensity depending on the region. Ethiopia’s central and southern parts experience heavy rainfall, while the northern highlands receive moderate precipitation. The temperatures during this month are relatively mild, with average highs ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. The rainy season brings lush green landscapes and helps support agricultural activities in the country.
A mix of rainy and dry conditions characterises the weather in Ethiopia during August. It is part of the country's rainy season, with precipitation occurring in various regions. However, rainfall can vary significantly depending on the specific location. In general, the highlands experience more rainfall compared to the lower-lying areas. Temperatures during this month are generally mild to warm, with average highs ranging from around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Carrying an umbrella or raincoat when travelling to Ethiopia in August is advisable, as sudden showers can occur.
In Ethiopia, the weather in September is characterised by the transition from the rainy to the dry season. Throughout the month, the country experiences a decrease in rainfall, leading to drier conditions than the previous months. The average temperature during September ranges from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius, depending on the region. In the northern highlands, temperatures tend to be slightly cooler, while in the lowlands, temperatures can be hotter.
In Ethiopia, the weather in October is characterised by the transition from the rainy to the dry season. The average temperature during this month ranges between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, providing pleasant and mild conditions. As the rainy season ends, the precipitation decreases significantly, and the skies become clearer. However, carrying an umbrella or raincoat is still advisable, as occasional showers may still occur.
In general, the temperatures start to cool down as the month progresses. During the day, the weather is usually pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. However, in some parts of the country, especially in higher elevations, temperatures can drop significantly, reaching as low as 10 degrees Celsius at night. Rainfall decreases significantly in November, with only occasional showers or drizzles in some areas.
December marks the beginning of the dry season in most parts of the country. The northern highlands experience cooler temperatures, with average highs ranging from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius and lows dropping to 6 degrees Celsius. In contrast, Ethiopia’s lowlands and eastern parts can be significantly warmer, with average highs reaching 30 degrees Celsius or more. While rainfall is scarce during this time, some areas may still experience occasional showers or drizzles.
Add on’s
There is a multitude of options to add to your Ethiopian Tour, for example, extend your tour to trek Simien Mountains National Park or spend more time birdwatching.
Visit the Danakil region, which is the lowest point in Africa and also one of the hottest. This deep depression in the desert resulted from the rifting process that formed the Red Sea and the great African Rift Valley visit neighbouring countries like Tanzania, Kenya or Sudan,
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