14 Days North & South Ethiopia

Arrival Addis Ababa and meet the Yama Ethiopia Tours representative. Then transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy sightseeing in Addis Ababa.

Take morning flight to Bahir Dar. After a short break, leave the hotel for a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit isolated monasteries. There is excellent birding in the lush forest surrounding much of the lake. Then drive to the thundering Blue Nile Falls.

In the morning drive to Gondar. Then city tour of Gondar including a visit to the Royal Compound, where enchanting 17th-century castles stand. Also visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church, meaning Trinity at the Mount of Light.

Morning after breakfast drive to the jagged panorama of the Simien Mountains National Park, famed for its exclusive landscape, afro-alpine vegetation and unique wildlife — you may spot the endemic Wallia Ibex, Gelada Baboon troops, Bushbuck, and Klipspringer. Then drive back to Gonder.

Morning after breakfast transfer to the airport for Axum. Explore the city of Axum — visit the interesting museum in the stelae field, the impressive Stelae Fields and the grounds of the 16th-century Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion, home of the original Ark of the Covenant.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Lalibela, famous for its rock-hewn churches dating back 800 years. This is the most important stop on the historical route, and from the air the 11 churches, carved into the rugged mountainside, present an awesome spectacle. Afternoon excursion to the most spectacular churches.

Continue excursion to Yemerhane Kirstos cave church outside of Lalibela through beautiful mountainous landscape. In the afternoon visit the second group of rock-hewn churches: Bete Emanuel (house of Emanuel) is architecturally the finest, and Bete Giorgis (the house of George) is the most perfectly carved of all the churches in Lalibela.

Morning after breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight back to Addis and onwards to Awassa in the Rift Valley lakes region.

After breakfast visit Awassa Fish Market and drive to Arbaminch through Chencha village to visit the Dorze people and their remarkable woven hive-shaped houses.

Morning after breakfast, make a boat trip on Lake Chamo to see the largest crocodiles in Africa, measuring up to 7 metres. Then drive to Jinka.

Early morning excursion to the Mursi tribe village — the Mursi are well-known Omo Valley people famous for their lip plates. Then proceed driving to Turmi.

Excursion to Omorate to visit the Dasenach tribes across the Omo River by wooden local boat, then return to Turmi in the afternoon to visit the nearby Hammer tribe village. There is also the possibility to witness special ceremonies like weddings and rituals.

In the morning after breakfast, drive to Arba Minch on the way visiting the remarkable UNESCO-listed Konso tribe village, known for their terraced hillsides and carved wooden grave markers.

After breakfast drive back to Addis Ababa, visiting Tiya and Melka Kunture archaeological site on the way. Evening farewell dinner and transfer to the airport for the flight back home.