Ethiopia Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Bole International Airport and transfer to your hotel

Day 2:   Addis Ababa – Visit the Ethnographic Museum and tour the Mercato, one of Africa’s largest outdoor markets.

Day 3: Fly to Bahir Dar to visit the marketplace and enjoy a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile and visit ancient island monasteries.

Day 4: Drive to Gondar, tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles and see religious art in a local church.

Day 5:   Fly to Lalibela to see the magnificent rock-hewn churches, another UNESCO World Heritage site.  This group of eleven monolithic churches were carved directly into the stone mountainside at least 800 years ago.  See the largest monolithic church in the world.

Day 6: Fly to Axum, to visit the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years.  

Day 7: Fly to Addis Ababa and then drive to the Rift Valley Lake Langano where enjoy a boat ride.

Day 8: Drive to Arba Minch via a stone-age archeological site; Adadi Mariam, a 12th century rock-hewn church; and Tiya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its mysterious stelae. Also visit a Dorze Village in the Guge Mountains.

Day 9: Arba Minch – Jinka, on Lake Chamo view some of the largest crocodiles in the world and hippos and birdlife are abundant. Meet various ethnic people the Gamo and Derashe. Stop at Key Afar’s weekly market (if on a Thursday) and wander among the various tribes, the Benna and Ari that have gathered to barter their goods.

Day 10: Mago National Park Excursion

Today visit the Mursi people. The Mursi women are known for the clay plates they insert into their lower lips.  

Day 11: Jinka – Turmi to meet the Hamer people who are well known for the scarring of their bodies, using clay to shape their hairstyles, and the unique practice of “bull-jumping” which every young man must accomplish prior to marriage. En route to Turmi, visit the Benna and Ari people.

Day 12: Omorate Excursion to meet the Dassanech people, known for their elaborate bodypainting.  Cross the famous Omo River by canoe.  Return to Turmi for the evening.

Day 13: Turmi – Konso recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A highland people, the Konso are known for the ancient and intricate terraces that encircle their well-planned villages.

Day 14: Hawassa – Addis Ababa – fly home

Visit the Hawassa fish market in the morning. Drive to Addis Ababa making stops at the Rift Valley Lakes. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure home.