14 Days Northern Circuit and Omo Valley Trip in Ethiopia

Hosted by

Molla

Guided trip
What's special?
special Most Inclusive attraction experience
Travel with me to North and Southern part of Ethiopia and experience the most astonishing Nature, History, Religion, Culture and so much more are included in this package! What's the plan? The tour begins at the capital where you will visit the most important museums, the open-air market which is one of the biggest open-air markets in Africa continent, beautifully designed cathedrals, The panoramic view of Addis Ababa known us Entoto etc. On the second day, you will have a flight to Gondar visit Gondar where you can find the medieval period civilization castles, and continue the next day to Simien Mountains National Park There will be a 100km drive to Debarik (headquarter) highlighted with Simien mountain national park. Finally, back to Gondar for overnight. Next day drive to Bahir Dar, a destination attractive for its island monasteries found on Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls. The final Destination of the north circuit is Lalibela, the home of the rock-hewn churches fly to Addis Ababa for the southern trip where the next day will be a full day drive to Arbaminch. Next day city tour on lake chamo and Dorze village. Then day by day to Jinka and Turmi towns exploring Konso, Tsemay, Ari, Mursi, Hamer, and Dasenech villages in the lower Omo valley. Finally, drive back to Arba Minch and the next day fly to Addis for your international flight.

About me! I am the founder of a leading high-end, full-service DMC in Addis Ababa covering the Horn of Africa. I am a trained travel consultant and travel manager with over 10 years of experience. I have traveled both in the destinations in my portfolio and in the source markets. I own and manage the first Ethiopian Travelife-certified DMC. Being socially responsible and environmentally friendly is of vital importance to us.  We were the first Ethiopian company to receive a sustainability award, and we implement a wide range of projects that benefit local communities.

Details about the accommodation: All Accommodations (14 nights) in a shared room as per itinerary. Extra USD 404.00 per person for single room supplement. Comfort accommodations are included with breakfast and optional for a full board meal. ADD-GDQ, LLI-ADD, and AMH-ADD are discounted domestic airfares as part of international flights with Ethiopian Airlines. Additional USD 409.00 per person if the international flight is with another airline. Let me know if you have any questions, we can have a video call, or you can let me know in the Q&A section!

What's included?
Domostic flights
Ground Transportation
All entrance fees
Bottled mineral water in the vehicle
Airport Transfers
Local guides
Government tax associated with the trip.
Accommodation (Private rooms)
Your Booking includes free protection from Trip cancellations.
Learn More
Meet Your TripLeader
Phone Verified
Identity Verified
15 Countries
3 Trips Completed

I am the founder of a leading high end, full service DMC in Addis Ababa covering the Horn of Africa.

You can chat with Molla once you reserve your spot.
Trip Itinerary
1

Addis Ababa

Day 1-2
Our team will meet you at Bole International Airport then transfer to your hotel for some rest. The tour starts around 0930 am. It will kick off from the National Museum, where you see the famous fossil Lucy, who is 3.2 million years old; visit the Ethnographic Museum, visit Entoto the view of Addis, St. Mary Museum and St.Trinity Cathedral church. The tour will roughly end at 0600 pm with a drop off at your hotel. SIGHTSEEING - The National Museum of Ethiopia - Holy Trinity Cathedral - Ethnographic Museum of Ethiopia - Merkato Open Air Market - Overnight Stay at Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel or Similar, Addis Ababa.
2

Gondar

Day 2-3
After checking in at the hotel, we will visit Gondar, the first capital city with the reign of Fasilides. In Gonder, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more of European than African origin. In the afternoon, we visit Fasiladas' Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one! We continue going to the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs and paintings. Debre Berhan Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting-place of the Ark of the Covenant of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632 . SIGHTSEEING - Royal Enclosure of Gondar - Debre Birhan Selassie Church - Overnight stay at Goha Hotel or similar, Gondar.
3

Simien Mountains

Day 3-4
After breakfast, drive to Simien Mountain National Park. Debark is a small market town at an altitude of 2700 meters close to the boundary of the Simien Mountains National Park. Corrugated–iron–roofed buildings surround the colorful and busy market area. Before entering the park, you have to register at the park headquarters just outside town. Here, an armed scout – one of the park regulations, joins you. Then drive through for the best view. En route, pass through pretty country, the foothills of the Semen Mountains, with carefully tended fields, open pasture with grazing horses, stands of trees and distant rocky peaks. At the high point of the road, there are superb views across the weirdly eroded foothills of the range and you may also be lucky enough to spot your first Lammergeiers and Gelada Baboons of the trip. Drive back to Gondar for overnight. SIGHTSEEING - Stunning Landscapes - Wildlife and Local Lifestyle - Overnight stay at Goha Hotel or similar, Gondar.
4

Bahir Dar

Day 4-5
Early in the morning, drive to Bahir Dar(183 km), the Blue Nile Falls, this is known locally as Tissisat (smoking waterfall): 100 m (328 ft) wide, the water plunges for 45m, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. In the afternoon, Have a boat trip on Lake Tana. On Lake Tana, there are 37 islands and 32 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. We visit the monastery church of Ura Kidane Mihret, which is the best known of the monasteries and has an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries A.D. and finish the day with a lovely sunset over Lake Tana. SIGHTSEEING - Lake Tana and its island monasteries - Blue Nile Gorge - Overnight Stay at Jacaranda Hotel or Similar, Bahir Dar.
5

Lalibela

Day 5-6
In the morning, proceed driving to Lalibela via Woreta, passing through Amhara state. You will have stunning views of the Guna Mountains as you travel through these dramatic landscapes since 67% of African mountains are found in the northern part of Ethiopia. Overnight in Lalibela (hotel). SIGHTSEEING - Panoramic view of Northern Highlands - Overnight at Maribela Hotel or Similar, Lalibela.
6

Lalibela

Day 6-7
The Rock-Hewn Ethiopian orthodox Christian churches of Lalibela, are one of the eighth wonders of the world. It’s a collection of churches, some connected by fascinating internal channels, with hermit holes where people lived and died. The connecting walls are full of religious symbols. The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century. Some are beautifully painted inside. Visit the first and the third group of churches, they include seven rock churches. After lunch visit the second group of four rock churches. After dinner, you will visit cultural houses and be entertained with Ethiopian traditional music and you can taste Ethiopian honey vine. SIGHTSEEING - Bet Medhane Alem(House of the world savior)-The largest monolithic church on the earth - Bet Giyorgis(House of St. George)-Known for its unique architecture. - Nine More rock-hewn churches - Overnight at Maribela Hotel or Similar, Lalibela.
7

Addis Ababa

Day 7-8
Take a morning drive to Nakute -Leab, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Nakute -Leab will also be the way to the airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. The cave church has many chronicles from 13c. Highlights: - Nakute -Leab - Overnight stay at Swiss Inn Nexus or similar, Addis Ababa.
8

Arba Minch

Day 8-9
Early in the morning, Depart addis to Arba Minch on the way to visit Tiya stelae and Adadi mariam rock-hewn church (11km from the main road). Tiya Megalithic site is located 80 km south of the capital, Addis Ababa in the small town of Tiya. It is a World Heritage Site registered by UNESCO in 1980. It is very accessible to any visitor destined for or passing by it, as it is a few hundred meters off the road from the main paved road of Addis Ababa – Butajira. The Core conservation zone is properly fenced with wooden post and wire mesh enclosing and demarcating the entire archaeological and megalithic /monolithic monumental of the stelae. Highlights: - Tiya stelae - Adadi Mariam rock-hewn church - Overnight stay at Haile Resort or similar, Arbaminch.
9

Arba Minch

Day 9-10
Exploring Arba Minch Area - Lake Chamo and Dorze Village After breakfast, drive to Lake Chamo boat trip(3hr) – and visit Dorze village. You will take a short boat ride on Lake Chamo after breakfast. Lake Chamo is famous for its big Nile crocodile and hippo population, which draws a lot of tourists. A boat ride on Lake Chamo is ideal for viewing and watching the aquatic birds and wild mammals. After lunch drive to Dorze village. The Gamo Highlands in southern Ethiopia is home to the Dorze people. Their huts are renowned for having a shape like both an elephant’s face and a beehive. Three huts make up the typical Dorze family compound: the main hut in the middle, and two smaller cottages on either side. Dorze houses are made entirely of natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and enset leaves. A garden surrounds the huts, where coffee and cotton are farmed. There are also many enset, or false banana plants. Highlights: - Lake Chamo - Dorze village - Overnight stay at Haile Resort or similar, Arbaminch.
10

Jinka

Day 10-11
After breakfast, drive to Konso, and visit the honey bin on the way, and Konso village. The Konso dwells in a remote location in the basalt hills of the Lower Omo Valley in Ethiopia’s Southern Nations province. The terrain is characterized by steep rocky hills. A stone wall that serves as a defensive barrier can be built around a Konso settlement. Their settlement is built on a mountaintop and is divided into communities, each with its own main hut. In 2011, the Konso Cultural Landscape was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Key Afer is the lower Omo Valley market town(Saturday) mainly for the Hamer, and Benna tribes. Finally, proceed to Jinka for the night. Highlights: - Konso village - Key Afer market(if market day ) - Ari village - Overnight Eco Omo Lodge or similar hotel, Jinka
11

Turmi

Day 11-12
In the morning, you will drive 55 kilometers one way to Mursi village to meet them.The Mursi tribe lives in an inaccessible location between the MAGO and Omo rivers. The Mursi are well-known in the outside world for their body paintings and lip plates. The lip plate represents feminine social adulthood. Mud lip plates are customarily worn by brides and child-bearing women,returning to Jinka for lunch. After lunch, drive to Turmi on the way to visit Demeka market town. Demeka is the lower Omo valley market town(Saturday) mainly for the Hamer,Benna tribes. Highlights: - Mursi Village - Demeka Market - Overnight Buska Lodge or Similar Hotel, Turmi
12

Omorate

Day 12-13
After breakfast, a 72 km (1 hour) drive to Omo Rate town to genuinely experience the culture and way of life of the Dassanech tribe. It is the last town near the Kenyan border, you will go to the immigration post before heading to the Dassanech village. You will cross the Omo River by a dugout canoe and walk for about 10 minutes to get to the village. Return to Turmi for lunch, after lunch you may attend a tribal market on a market day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday). Or visit Hamer village. You may also see the Bull Jumping Ceremony (if any matrimony available). Highlights: - Dassanech village - Hamer village - Overnight stay at Buska Lodge or similar, Turmi
13

Arba Minch

Day 13-14
After breakfast, Drive back to Konso, Konso people maintain a unique tradition of erecting generation marking stones, called daga-hela, which are quarried and transported through a ritual process. In addition, they are known for their waga sculptures, statues that memorialize deceased members of the community.. And continue driving to Arbaminch Highlights: - Konso market (if market day) - Landscapes of Konso - Overnight Haile Resort or Similar, Arbaminch
14

Addis Ababa

Day 14
After a short flight to Addis Ababa in the morning shop around in Addis and have leisure time before processing you to the airport for an international flight. The tour ends with a drop at Bole International Airport. On this day, there won't be any accommodations included in Addis Ababa.
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hotel & Bed & Breakfast & Other
14 days trip
Addis Ababa, Gondar & 12 more
Transportation
Plane, Car
What's excluded?
Video recording fee
Alcoholic Expenses
Bull jumping
Tips for Service Providers
What is NOT included on the “Included”
Why JoinMyTrip?
Trusted platform used by 150K+ TripMates
Have A Question?
Live Chat with our experts 24x7
Unique Trips hosted by Experienced Travellers
Secure Payments to ensure your money is always safe