Ethiopian Travel Itineraries
Mystic North Classic Tour
City Tour of Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa, headquarters of the African Union and home to over 100 embassies. Visit the National Museum where the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy lie. Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral and enjoy a panoramic view of the capital from the Entoto Hills
Visit Bahir Dar and embark on a cruise of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile. Also visit the Blue Nile Falls.
Visit Gondar, the ancient capital of Ethiopia, known as the Camelot of Africa for its medieval castles and churches.
Excursion to the Simien Mountains, Ethiopia’s most popular hiking destination hosting the fourth highest mountain in Africa.
Visit Axum, the land of the Queen of Sheba and the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
Visit Lalibela, the “Jerusalem of Africa”, home of the fascinating rock-hewn churches from the 12th century.
The Mystic North Classic Tour is usually an itinerary of 7 to 12 days. It can be combined with other tour packages.
Southern Mosaic Tour
City Tour of Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa, headquarters of the African Union and home to over 100 embassies. Visit the National Museum where the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy lie. Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral and enjoy a panoramic view of the capital from the Entoto Hills
Visit Lake Langano, a Rift Valley lake with a beautiful scenery for nature-lovers and bird-watchers.
Visit Arba Minch, one of the biggest towns in the southern region and a gate to the Omo Valley. Cruise Lake Chamo, the home of a substantial number of hippopotamus and crocodiles.
Visit the Dorze people, famous for their skills in cotton-weaving. They are also known for their intricate bee-hives looking huts
The Omo Valley is a cradle of a unique kaleidoscope of cultures who have kept traditions alive for generations. Visit the Mursi Tribe whose women are famed for wearing large plates in their lips and ears.
Visit Turmi, home of the Hamar tribe. The women wear elaborately decorated goatskin and decorate their hair with clay and butter. A Hamar man comes of age by leaping over a line of cattle.
Visit Murulle, the area where the Karo people live. Scarification plays an important role in Karo body decoration. The Karo men are best known for the elaborate body painting they indulge before important ceremonies.
Visit the Konso people who are famous for their terraced agriculture and for their practice of sculpting wooden totems called ‘Waka’ to mark their graves.
Visit the town of Yirga Alem, one of the main regions for coffee plantations in Ethiopia.
The Southern Mosaic Tour is usually an itinerary of 8 to 14 days. It can be combined with other tour packages.
Combined Tour
City Tour of Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa, headquarters of the African Union and home to over 100 embassies. Visit the National Museum where the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy lie. Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral and enjoy a panoramic view of the capital from the Entoto Hills
Visit Bahir Dar and embark on a cruise of Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile. Also visit the Blue Nile Falls.
Visit Gondar, the ancient capital of Ethiopia, known as the Camelot of Africa for its medieval castles and churches.
Visit Axum, the land of the Queen of Sheba and the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
Visit Lalibela, the “Jerusalem of Africa”, home of the fascinating rock-hewn churches from the 12th century.
Visit Lake Langano, a Rift Valley lake with a beautiful scenery for nature-lovers and bird-watchers.
Visit Arba Minch, one of the biggest towns in the southern region and a gate to the Omo Valley. Cruise Lake Chamo, the home of a substantial number of hippopotamus and crocodiles.
Visit the Dorze people, famous for their skills in cotton-weaving. They are also known for their intricate bee-hives looking huts
The Omo Valley is a cradle of a unique kaleidoscope of cultures who have kept traditions alive for generations. Visit the Mursi Tribe whose women are famed for wearing large plates in their lips and ears.
Visit Turmi, home of the Hamar tribe. The women wear elaborately decorated goatskin and decorate their hair with clay and butter. A Hamar man comes of age by leaping over a line of cattle.
Visit Murulle, the area where the Karo people live. Scarification plays an important role in Karo body decoration. The Karo men are best known for the elaborate body painting they indulge before important ceremonies.
Visit the Konso people who are famous for their terraced agriculture and for their practice of sculpting wooden totems called ‘Waka’ to mark their graves.
Visit the town of Yirga Alem, one of the main regions for coffee plantations in Ethiopia.
The Combined Tour is usually an itinerary of 13 days
Danakil Adventure
The Danakil region is the lowest point of Africa and also one of the hottest. This deep depression in the desert is the result of the rifting process which formed the Red Sea and the great African Rift Valley. Until today, volcanic action can be noticed, for example by watching the lava in the Erta Ale Volcano crater. The area also contains salt lakes and sulfur formations, which look like a landscape from another planet. Travelling through this harsh environment is not something that everyone can handle. It is an ideal travel destination for real adventurers.
You will start your trip with a city tour of Addis Ababa, the diplomatic capital of Africa, headquarters of the African Union and home to over 100 embassies. Visit the National Museum where the 3.5 million-year-old bones of Lucy lie. Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral and enjoy a panoramic view of the capital from the Entoto Hills.
Visit the Awash National Park, home of the antelopes and gazelles as well as 400 species of bird.
Encounter the Afar people, proud and nomadic herdsmen, who can be seen along the streets with camel caravans, bringing salt bars to the highlands.
Do a night time hike to the crater rim of the Erta Ale active volcano.
Visit a salt extraction site and the colorful landscape of sulfur formations in Dallol, the hottest and deepest part of the Danakil Depression.
Visit the city of Mekele, where the salt caravan route ends and from where the salt is distributed to the rest of the country.
The Danakil Depression Adventure Tour is usually an itinerary of 4 to 9 days. It can be combined with other tour packages.
Trekking Adventure
Ethiopia is a perfect country for trekking. Besides the main trekking areas in the Bale and Simien Moutains National Parks, there are lots of trek paths in different areas, all in breathtaking landscapes and with beautiful scenic views.
Our trekking programs include the company of a experienced trekking guides, scouts and cooking staff . Mules will carry your luggage and trekking materials. Accommodation is usually in tents in a camping site or in other secure protected areas.
The Simien Mountains National Park is Ethiopia’s most popular hiking destination. The Simien is the steepest mountain in Ethiopia. Its highest peak, Ras Dashen is 4,543 meters above sea level, making it the fourth highest mountain in Africa. The national park is graced by exceptional botanical phenomena that are so unique, abundant and rare. Simien is famous for being the home of the three wonderful endemic mammals: the Walia Ibex, the Gelada Baboon and the Ethiopian Wolf.
The Bale Mountains National Park is known for its wildlife. Over 60 mammal species and 260 bird species have been recorded here. The lush forests of the Bale Mountains National Park are perfect for trekking, horseback riding, and walking amongst wildlife. You can explore the deep gorges, alpine lakes, and waterfalls. On your hike, you can observe the endemic Mountain Nyala, the Menelik Bushbuck, and the Ethiopian Wolf.
The Trekking Adventure tour can be customized to fit different itineraries that can take from 5 to 10 days. It can also be combined with other tour packages.
Birding Tour
Ethiopia is one of the most interesting countries in the world for bird watchers. More than 800 bird species have been counted, many of which are endemic. The best time for birdwatchers to visit is from September to March. Our birding tours will have you explore every direction of Ethiopia. Important birding areas include: Debre Libanos, Awash National Park, Bahir Dar’s island monasteries, Bale Mountains, Yabello, Nech Sar National Park and the Rift Valley Lakes. Some of Ethiopia’s rare beautiful endemic birds include: Abyssinian Catbird, Ruspoli’s Turaco, Wattled Ibis, Blue-winged Goose, Harwood’s Francolin, Spot-breasted Plover, and Yellow-fronted Parrot.
The Birding Tour is usually an itinerary of 10 to 15 days. You are guaranteed to see most of the endemic birds as well as hundred of species. If you are inclined to search for all of Ethiopia’s endemic birds, please allow a minimum of 3 weeks.
Extension to Harar & Dire Dawa
The medieval walled city of Harar stands amid green mountains, on the east wall of the Great Rift Valley near the Somali border. Harar’s heritage is almost entirely Muslim and Oriental; with its 90 mosques and shrines. Harar is considered to be the fourth most sacred center of the Islamic world. Harar is a labyrinth of small streets surrounded by old city walls. Its architecture reflects a strong Islamic influence. We will take a walk through the old city
Exploration of the old Walled town of Harar includes; the Harari Museum, Rimbaud House, the 16th century grand Mosque with its elegant twin towers and slender minaret, the church of Medhane Alem, which houses a gallery with traditional religious artworks, the tomb of Abu Said an early Muslim ruler, and the colorful Shoa Gate Market where one can shop indigenous handicrafts and jewelries. In the evening, you can visit an exciting attraction known as “the hyena man show” where you will get a chance to feed hyenas.
An hour drive from Harar is Dire Dawa, which is Ethiopia’s second largest city and a historic railway hub that connected Djibouti to Addis Ababa.
On your way to Dire Dawa, you can visit the Awadai khat market. Khat is a leafy plant that acts as a stimulant when chewed and is widely consumed in the region.
The Extension Tour to Harar and Dire Dawa is usually an itinerary of 3 to 4 days. It can be combined with other tour packages.
Extension to Neighboring Countries
We have partnered with neighboring countries to offer you different extensions from Africa’s highest point Mt. Kilimanjaro to the lowest point Lake Assal.
Tanzania
Take a safari adventure in the Serengeti’s Ngorongoro Crater. Marvel at ‘The Big Five’ and over three dozen other species in natural wild. Get a view of Africa’s highest mountain Mount Kilimanjaro standing tall in the background.
Zanzibar
Explore the island’s narrow streets from Stone Town to the sandy beaches. Stone Town, a UNESCO world heritage site was a historic trading center in the Indian Ocean where the cultures of Africa, Middle East and Asia mixed. Luxurious beach side resorts offer deep sea fishing, windsurfing, waterskiing and sailing.
Kenya
Home of the ‘Great Migration’. Take a scenic game drive through this safari paradise. Experience time-tested, reliable, expeditions to the Masai Mara with a tradition of excellence.
Djibouti
Prime beachfront perfect for diving coral reefs and witnessing whale sharks in the Gulf of Tadjourah. Take a trip to the lowest point in all of Africa, the unbelievable Salt Lake of Assal.
Seychelles
Archipelago paradise of private white powdered beach resorts surround by a lush jungle, Relax where vanilla and cinnamon trees grow. Honeymoon and family friendly beach sides offer water sports, bird watching, and hiking long tropical trails.
The Neighboring Countries Extension Tour can be combined with other Ethiopian-based tour packages.
For a detailed itinerary or to discuss your tailor-made package, please contact us.
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