16 Days Northern & Southern Ethiopia Tours

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

Arrive at Bole International Airport and meet your Enat Ethiopia Tours representative. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and rest. In the afternoon, begin your city tour with visits to Entoto Hills, the National Museum (home to Lucy), Mercato, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Overnight: Hotel, Addis Ababa

Day 2: Bahir Dar – Lake Tana & Blue Nile Falls

Fly to Bahir Dar and transfer to your hotel. Take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit ancient island monasteries like Ura Kidane Mihret and Azua Mariam. In the afternoon, visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tis Issat (“Waterfall of Smoke”).

The Blue Nile tumbles into mist—nature’s roar meets sacred silence.

Overnight: Hotel, Bahir Dar

Day 3: Drive to Gondar – Castles & Churches

Drive to Gondar and check into your hotel. Visit the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi) with its ancient castles and palaces. Explore Debre Birhan Selassie Church with its angelic frescoes and visit Fasilides Bath, tied to the Epiphany festival.

Overnight: Hotel or Resort, Gondar

Day 4: Simien Mountains National Park

Drive to Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO site known for dramatic escarpments and endemic species. Enjoy short hikes and breathtaking views, spotting Gelada baboons and possibly Ethiopian wolves. Return to Gondar in the evening.

Overnight: Hotel, Gondar

Day 5: Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches

Fly to Lalibela and visit the world-famous rock-hewn churches—eleven monolithic structures carved from volcanic rock, including Bet Medhane Alem and Bet Giyorgis. This spiritual site is one of Ethiopia’s holiest pilgrimage destinations.

Bet Giyorgis—cross-shaped legacy carved from stone and devotion.

Overnight: Hotel, Lalibela

Day 6: Excursion to Asheton or Yemrehanna

Choose between a morning mule trek to Mount Asheton for sweeping views and monastery visit or a scenic drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a cave church that predates Lalibela’s monuments. Continue touring Lalibela’s remaining churches in the afternoon.

Overnight: Hotel, Lalibela

Day 7: Fly to Axum

Fly to Axum, Ethiopia’s ancient capital. Tour the stelae fields, tombs, archaeological museum, and sites linked to Queen of Sheba lore. Walk through 2,000 years of history etched in stone.

Overnight: Hotel, Axum

Day 8: Langano Retreat

Fly to Addis and drive south to Lake Langano. Relax at Sabana Lodge on the lake’s safe shores. Enjoy birdsong, swimming, and calm views of the Rift Valley escarpment.

Overnight: Lodge, Langano

Day 9: Arba Minch – Dorze Village

Drive to Arba Minch through lush Sodo countryside. Visit Dorze village in the Omo Highlands, known for towering woven huts, handwoven cotton, and their signature kocho “pizza” made from false banana.

Dorze homes—architectural beehives layered with culture and craft.

Overnight: Lodge, Arba Minch

Day 10: Lake Chamo – Drive to Jinka

Morning boat cruise on Lake Chamo—spot crocodiles, hippos, and exotic birds. Drive to Jinka, stopping to meet the Gamo and Derashe peoples. Visit Key Afar market (Thursday only) to encounter Benna and Ari tribes.

Overnight: Lodge or Hotel, Jinka

Day 11: Mago National Park – Mursi Tribe – Turmi

Visit Mago National Park en route to the Mursi village. Witness the famous clay lip plates worn by women as symbols of strength and beauty. Drive to Turmi via Dimeka, with a chance to visit its colorful market (Saturday or Tuesday).

Overnight: Lodge, Turmi

Day 12: Karo & Dassanech Tribes

Morning visit to Korocho village to meet the Karo people, known for body painting and scarification. Later, cross the Omo River to visit the Dassanech, who dwell in the delta and express culture through repurposed adornments and oral tradition.

Overnight: Lodge, Turmi

Day 13: Arbore & Konso

Visit Hamer village for insight into hair styling rituals and bull-jumping ceremonies. Drive to Konso via Arbore, where girls undergo ceremonial circumcision before marriage. In Konso, explore grave markers and learn about generational architecture.

Konso wagas—wooden souls guarding memory, legacy, and village history.

Overnight: Lodge, Konso

Day 14: Konso – Hawassa

Explore Konso’s stone-walled villages, terracing systems, and Moras (boys’ dormitories). Drive to lakeside Hawassa to unwind at a serene resort.

Overnight: Resort, Hawassa

Day 15: Hawassa – Return to Addis Ababa

Visit Hawassa’s fish market before returning north via scenic Rift Valley lakes. Arrive in Addis Ababa and enjoy a final overnight stay.

Overnight: Hotel, Addis Ababa

Day 16: Departure

Spend free time shopping for Ethiopian crafts. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with live cultural music and dance. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

End of Tour