24 Days North, East and South Ethiopia with Danakil Depression Tours

Day 1: Arrival & Addis Ababa City Tour

Meet on arrival and explore Addis Ababa: Entoto Maryam Church, panoramic Entoto Hills, Ethnological Museum, National Museum (Lucy & Selam fossils), and Merkato—Africa’s largest open-air market.
Overnight: Aya Addis Hotel

Day 2: Fly to Semera – Drive to Ahmed Ela

Fly to Semera, drive via Lake Afdera salt fields to Ahmed Ela. Visit Afar villages and enjoy a sunset swim at Lake Asale.
Overnight: Camping

Day 3: Dallol & Salt Mining – Drive to Erta Ale

Witness salt-mining caravans at Ragad, explore the colorful hydrothermal landscapes of Dallol, then continue to Erta Ale for a night visit to the world-famous lava lake.
Overnight: Camping

Day 4: Drive to Hawzen via Mekelle

Travel north with a stop at the 4th-century rock-hewn church of Abreha we Atsbeha.
Overnight: Gheralta Lodge

Day 5: Abuna Yemata Guh – Drive to Axum

Climb to the cliff-top church of Abuna Yemata Guh with breathtaking views. Continue to Axum with a stop at the ancient Temple of Yeha (700 BCE).
Overnight: Sabean Hotel

Day 6: Axum Tour – Fly to Addis

Visit Saint Mary of Zion, the Ark chapel, Stele Park, royal tombs, Ezana’s inscriptions, and Sheba sites. Fly back to Addis.
Overnight: Aya Addis Hotel

Day 7: Fly to Bahir Dar – Blue Nile Falls & Lake Tana

Visit Blue Nile Falls and enjoy a Lake Tana boat ride to Ura Kidane Mehret Monastery.
Overnight: Naky Hotel

Day 8: Drive to Gondar

Explore the medieval castles of Gondar, Debre Birhan Selassie Church, and Fasilides Bath.
Overnight: Haile Resort

Day 9: Simien Mountains National Park

Drive to the Simiens for hiking, stunning escarpments, and encounters with Gelada baboons. Return to Gondar.
Overnight: Haile Resort

Day 10: Fly to Lalibela – First Church Cluster

Visit Lalibela’s northern and western rock-hewn churches, including Bete Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, and the iconic Bete Giyorgis.
Overnight: Maribela Hotel

Day 11: Na’akuto La’ab & Asheton Maryam

Visit cliff-side Na’akuto La’ab Monastery and the hilltop church of Asheton Maryam.
Overnight: Maribela Hotel

Day 12: Lalibela’s Second Cluster – Fly to Addis

Explore the southeastern churches: Bete Gabriel-Rufael, Bete Emmanuel, Bete Abba Libanos. Fly back to Addis.
Overnight: Aya Addis Hotel

Day 13: Drive to Shashemene via Abijatta-Shalla Park

Discover acacia woodlands, alkaline lakes, gazelles, ostriches, and more birdlife.
Overnight: Jalo Hotel

Day 14: Drive to Bale Mountains (Dinsho)

Arrive at Bale Mountains HQ for a forest walk to spot Mountain Nyala and Menelik’s Bushbuck.
Overnight: Nurobe Hotel

Day 15: Harenna Forest Exploration

Trek through cloud forest and bamboo zones—habitat of the Bale monkey, forest hogs, colobus monkeys, and endemic birds.
Overnight: Nurobe Hotel

Day 16: Sanetti Plateau – Drive to Hawassa

Cross Africa’s largest Afro-alpine plateau, look for Ethiopian wolves, and pass near Tullu Dimtu peak before descending to Hawassa.
Overnight: Haile Resort Hawassa

Day 17: Hawassa – Dorze Village – Arba Minch

Visit the lakeshore and fish market, then continue to Dorze village to see their famed weaving and bamboo houses.
Overnight: Haile Resort Arba Minch

Day 18: Lake Chamo – Konso – Turmi

Take a boat trip to see giant crocodiles and hippos. Visit UNESCO-listed Konso terraced villages, then drive to Turmi.
Overnight: Paradise Lodge

Day 19: Nyangatom – Karo – Hamer

Visit Nyangatom warriors, the decorated Karo tribe along the Omo River, and Hamer communities known for body art and bull-jumping traditions.
Overnight: Paradise Lodge

Day 20: Dassanech – Mursi – Jinka

Cross to Dassanech villages, then continue to the Mursi—famous for lip plates and scarification.
Overnight: Eco Omo Lodge

Day 21: Ari Village – Fly to Addis

Explore Ari culture and crafts before flying back to Addis.
Overnight: Aya Addis Hotel

Day 22: Drive to Awash National Park

Discover acacia plains, Awash Falls, hot springs, and wildlife such as oryx, gazelles, baboons, and crocodiles.
Overnight: Doho Lodge

Day 23: Drive to Harar – Hyena Feeding

Arrive in Harar and witness the famous evening hyena feeding ritual.
Overnight: Royal Sunshine Hotel

Day 24: Harar City Tour – Fly to Addis

Visit the walled old city (Jegol), colorful alleys, mosques, shrines, and Rimbaud House. Drive to Dire Dawa and fly back to Addis.
Tour Ends