🇪🇹✈️ 14-Day Ethiopia Combined Tour Itinerary

Tour Type: Cultural • Historical • Natural • Tribal
Destinations: Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar – Gondar – Simien Mountains – Axum – Lalibela – Lake Langano – Arba Minch – Jinka – Omo Valley – Addis Ababa

🗓 Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa

• Meet and greet at Bole International Airport

• Transfer to hotel, rest, and refresh

• Afternoon city tour (time permitting):

  • National Museum (home of Lucy)

  • Holy Trinity Cathedral

  • Mount Entoto view and local market visit

Overnight: Addis Ababa

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

• Morning flight to Bahir Dar

• Boat excursion on Lake Tana, visit island monasteries (Ura Kidane Mehret)

• Visit the Blue Nile Falls (short hike and scenic views)

• Sunset walk along the lake shore

Overnight: Bahir Dar

🗓 Day 3: Drive to Gondar – Castles & Churches

• Scenic 3-hour drive to Gondar

• Visit the Royal Enclosure (Fasil Ghebbi), a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Explore Debre Berhan Selassie Church with angel ceiling art

• Visit Fasilides’ Bath

Overnight: Gondar

🗓 Day 4: Simien Mountains National Park Day Trip

• Day trip to Simien Mountains National Park

• Spot Gelada baboons, lammergeyers, and enjoy breathtaking views

• Short trek or scenic stops at Sankaber or Chennek

Overnight: Gondar
(Optional overnight at Simien Lodge if you prefer to stay in the park)

🗓 Day 5: Fly to Axum – Ancient Obelisks & History

• Morning flight to Axum

• Visit:

  • Axum Obelisks

  • Queen of Sheba’s Palace

  • Tombs of Kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskel

  • Church of St. Mary of Zion (legendary home of the Ark of the Covenant)

Overnight: Axum

🗓 Day 6: Fly to Lalibela – Northern Rock Churches

• Flight to Lalibela, one of Ethiopia’s spiritual centers

• Explore the Northern Cluster of rock-hewn churches (UNESCO):

  • Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bete Golgotha

Overnight: Lalibela

🗓 Day 7: Lalibela – Southern Cluster & Bete Giorgis

• Visit the Southern Cluster of churches

• See the iconic Bete Giorgis (St. George) – cross-shaped and carved into solid rock

• Optional: hike or mule ride to Asheten Maryam Monastery

• Traditional coffee ceremony experience

Overnight: Lalibela

🗓 Day 8: Fly to Addis Ababa → Drive to Lake Langano (Rift Valley)

• Fly back to Addis in the morning

• Drive to Lake Langano (3.5–4 hrs)

• En route stop at Lake Ziway for birdwatching

• Afternoon swim or relax at resort by the lake

Overnight: Lake Langano resort

🗓 Day 9: Langano → Arba Minch via Shashamene & Dorze Village

• Drive to Arba Minch (6–7 hours)

• Stop at Shashamene (Rastafarian community)

• Visit Dorze Village – known for weaving, bamboo homes, and enset (false banana) food

Overnight: Arba Minch

🗓 Day 10: Arba Minch – Lake Chamo & Crocodile Market

• Morning boat trip on Lake Chamo

  • Spot Nile crocodiles, hippos, and water birds

• Visit Nechisar National Park for wildlife and Rift Valley views

• Optional: cultural evening with local Gamo music

Overnight: Arba Minch

🗓 Day 11: Arba Minch → Jinka – Gateway to Omo Tribes

• Drive to Jinka (7 hrs) via Key Afer or Konso (UNESCO cultural site)

• Visit the South Omo Research Center or local market (if time permits)

Overnight: Jinka

🗓 Day 12: Visit Mursi Tribe → Drive to Turmi

• Early drive into Mago National Park

• Visit the Mursi tribe, famous for their lip plates and body scarification

• Continue to Turmi, home of the Hamar people

• Optional: attend a Hamar bull-jumping ceremony (if lucky)

Overnight: Turmi

🗓 Day 13: Visit Dassanech Tribe or Hamar Market → Return to Jinka

• Cross the Omo River to visit Dassanech tribe (near Omorate) OR

• Visit Hamar tribal villages or Dimeka market (depending on day)

• Drive back to Jinka

Overnight: Jinka

🗓 Day 14: Fly Jinka → Addis Ababa – Farewell Dinner

• Morning flight from Jinka to Addis Ababa

• Free afternoon: optional shopping or relaxing

• Farewell dinner at a cultural restaurant (e.g., Yod Abyssinia)

• Transfer to airport for evening departure or overnight stay

✅ Tour Inclusions (Typical)

• Domestic flights (Addis – Bahir Dar – Axum – Lalibela – Addis – Jinka – Addis)

• Private 4×4 vehicle with driver in the South and North

• English-speaking professional guides

• All entrance fees (churches, parks, tribal villages, museums)

• Accommodation (3–4 star hotels or eco-lodges)

• Daily breakfast + selected meals

• Bottled water throughout