From Omo Valley Tribes to Northern Historical Sites tours
DAY 1: ADDIS ABABA – ARBAMINCH AND THE DORZE
Fly from Addis Ababa to Arbaminch. After settling into your hotel, drive up to the cool highlands to meet the Dorze people. Step inside their remarkable, beehive-shaped homes, woven from bamboo and towering high above the ground. Immerse yourself in their daily life—watch weavers at work, enjoy traditional music and dances, and learn how they turn the false banana plant into kocho, a staple food. As the day winds down, descend back to Arbaminch for the night. Accommodation: Overnight hotel in Arbaminch.
DAY 2: ARBAMINCH TO TURMI VIA KONSO VILLAGE
Today’s drive takes you south toward Turmi, through rugged, breathtaking landscapes. Along the way, visit the Konso Village, a Cultural Landscape registered by UNESCO World Heritage Site—a living testament to the Konso people’s ingenuity. Explore the ancient, walled villages and marvel at the intricate terraced fields that have sustained the Konso people for over 400 years. The road continues crossing through the lands of the Bena and Tsemai tribes before reaching Turmi, the cultural hub of the Hamer people. Accommodation: Overnight lodge in Turmi.
DAY 3: TURMI – DASSANECH TRIBE
Set out early for Omorate, where the mighty Omo River flows through wide, open plains. Cross the river by local boat to visit the Dassanech tribe, known for their resourceful adornments made from recycled materials and their unique adaptation to river life. Returning to Turmi, spend the afternoon exploring Hamer traditions—visit a village, experience the vibrant local market, or, if timing allows, witness the breathtaking Bull Jumping Ceremony, an important rite of passage for young Hamer men. Accommodation: Overnight lodge in Turmi.
DAY 4: TURMI – KARO TRIBE – JINKA
Drive to the scenic village of Korcho to meet the Karo tribe—renowned for their elaborate body painting using white chalk, charcoal, and ochre. Their artistry is not only decorative but symbolic, reflecting identity and celebration. Enjoy views of the Omo River and observe their farming and fishing lifestyle. Later in the afternoon, continue the expedition eastward to Jinka, the administrative center of the Omo Valley region. Accommodation: Overnight lodge in Jinka.
DAY 5: THE ICONIC MURSI AND RETURN TO ADDIS
Your final day begins with a drive into Mago National Park to visit a Mursi village. The Mursi are famous for the distinctive clay lip plates worn by women, a symbol of beauty and cultural identity. Learn about their pastoralist way of life, social structure, and ceremonial donga stick duels. After this unforgettable encounter, return to Jinka Airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa.
DAY 6: ADDIS ABABA TO THE SHORES OF LAKE TANA
Fly from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar. Checking into your hotel, afterward take a boat trip on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile. We go to visit the famous Ura Kidane Mehret Monastery. The church is a circular traditional ethiopia church, on the inside it is covered with incredibly vivid religious frescoes depicting biblical scenes, saints, and martyrs in the unique Ethiopian style. After taking in the vibrant colors and soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of the peninsula, we walked back to our boat to return to Bahir Dar. Overnight: Hotel, Bahir Dar
DAY 7: BAHIR DAR – GONDER
In the morning, driving the scenic route through the Amhara highlands to Gonder, the storied 17th-century Imperial capital of Ethiopia. Upon arrival and lunch, the afternoon was dedicated to tour the city top attractions. We visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Royal Enclosure, or Fasil Ghebbi. Walking through the walled compound, we explored the towering stone castles and palaces built by a succession of emperors, most notably Emperor Fasilides. Next, we visited the Debrebirhan Silase Church, renowned for its magnificent wall paintings. The tour concluded with a visit to the serene Fasilides’ Bath, a large pool and pavilion used for Epiphany celebrations. Overnight: Hotel in Gonder
DAY 8: KOSOYE VIEW POINT, AND THE GELADA BABOONS
Leaving Gonder in the morning, we embarked on a day trip north to the Kosoye View Point, Part of the Simien Mountains, and located on the road to the Simien Mountains National Park. The drive itself was spectacular, unfolding ever more dramatic scenes of the Ethiopian escarpment. At Kosoye, we enjoyed a short, refreshing trek along the ridge, which led us to the day’s main event: the endemic Gelada Baboons. We spent a rewarding time observing their complex social structures and unique grazing behaviors, securing a fantastic wildlife experience before heading back to our hotel in Gonder. Overnight: Hotel in Gonder
DAY 9: FLIGHT TO LALIBELA AND ASHETON MARIAM
In the morning, we flew from Gonder to Lalibela, saving us a day of arduous driving. Upon landing in Lalibela, we will be transferred to our hotel. The afternoon was dedicated to a significant hike up the mountain to the Asheton Mariam Monastery. We have a choice to do a long walk or a short walk by car to the mountain. The hike to Asheton Maryam offered stunning views of the surrounding Lasta mountains and Lalibela town below. The monastery itself, dramatically situated near the peak, was an incredible testament to the early Ethiopian monastic tradition. Overnight: Hotel in Lalibela
DAY 10: THE ROCK-HEWN CHURCHES OF LALIBELA
In the morning after breakfast, we are set to discover the spiritual centerpiece of the journey: a full-day exploration of the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO site justly dubbed the “New Jerusalem.” We spent the day navigating the complex, visiting the eleven monolithic churches grouped into the Northern, Western, and Eastern clusters. We descended into the excavated courtyards and walked through the connecting tunnels, marveling at the incredible feat of carving these structures out of the living rock. The sight of the magnificent cruciform church of Bet Giyorgis (Church of St. George), standing alone in its deep pit, was an unforgettable climax.
DAY 11: LALIBELA – ADDIS ABABA
The final morning was spent preparing for departure. After a final early breakfast and possibly a quick revisit to a favorite Church of Lalibela or local market, we transferred to the local airport and fly back to the bustling capital, Addis Ababa, concluding a spectacular and comprehensive tour of Ethiopia’s historic northern circuit.
End of Tour