14-Day North and South Ethiopia Tour with Lalibela and Omo Valley

Arrive at Bole International Airport, check in to your hotel, and enjoy a city tour including the National Museum and Entoto Hill.

Overnight: Addis Ababa

Catch a morning flight to Bahir Dar. Take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit ancient island monasteries such as Ura Kidane Mehret, Azewa Mariyam, and Betre Mariyam.

Overnight: Bahir Dar

Take a scenic drive to the little town of Tis Abay to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls, then drive back to Bahir Dar. After lunch, enjoy a city tour of Bahir Dar.

Overnight: Bahir Dar

Head to the legendary city and World Heritage Site of Gondar, known as the "Camelot of Africa." It was the 17th- and 18th-century capital city of Ethiopia and home to a number of emperors, warlords, and kings who built several castles within one compound. Visit the royal enclosure, surrounded by high stone walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight: Gondar

Drive to the jagged panorama of Simien Mountains National Park, famed for its exceptional landscape, Afro-alpine vegetation, and unique wildlife, where you may spot the endemic Walia Ibex, Gelada Baboon troops, Bushbuck, and Klipspringer. During the visit, enjoy dramatic scenery and troop-friendly Gelada Baboons at very close distance, along with birds such as the Chestnut-naped Francolin, Mountain Thrush, Thick-billed Raven, Lammergeyer, White-collared Pigeon, and Ankober Serin, to name a few.

Overnight: Gondar

In the morning, transfer to the airport and fly to Lalibela, then transfer to your hotel. After a short break, set out on an excursion to visit the first group of the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, carved from living volcanic tuff with unmatched architectural skill. UNESCO has registered these churches as World Heritage Sites. Among this group, Bete Medhane Alem (House of the Redeemer) is the largest, with 5 aisles, 72 pillars, a vaulted dome, and molded decoration, while Bete Mariam (House of St. Mary) is the most decorated of the rock-hewn churches.

Overnight: Lalibela

Fly from Lalibela back to Addis Ababa, and connect or continue toward the southern Rift Valley region, such as Langano or Arba Minch.

Overnight: Arba Minch

Drive to Arba Minch and visit the Dorze people to see their towering beehive-shaped bamboo houses and local weaving.

Take a boat ride on Lake Chamo to spot giant crocodiles and hippos, then drive onward to Jinka.

Take an excursion into Mago National Park to visit a traditional Mursi village known for their iconic clay lip plates.

Drive to Turmi, stopping en route to visit the Karo tribe overlooking the Omo River.

Cross the Omo River by local canoe to visit the Dassanech homesteads, returning to Turmi for local evening cultural dances (Hamer bull-jumping if lucky).

Drive back toward Arba Minch, stopping at the UNESCO-listed Konso terraced agricultural villages and wooden totem graves.

Drive or fly back to Addis Ababa, stop for souvenir shopping, and enjoy a farewell traditional dinner with a coffee ceremony before your international departure.