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Best of Ethiopia Tour

The Best of the North and South 
Overview

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the heart of Ethiopia, where ancient history meets vibrant, living traditions. This expertly curated 10-day tour takes you from the iconic rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the dramatic landscapes of the Simien Mountains to the fascinating tribal cultures of the South Omo Valley. Immerse yourself in extraordinary cultural encounters—witnessing bull jumping ceremonies, participating in traditional cooking classes, engaging with the Hamar tribe, and exploring the remote beauty of the southern tribes. Designed for those seeking not just to see Ethiopia but to experience it, this tour offers exclusive, immersive moments that will stay with you long after your journey ends.

🌍 A Once-in-a-Lifetime Window
The tribal traditions in the South Omo Valley are rich, beautiful — and changing fast. Younger generations are embracing modern life, meaning authentic experiences like these may not be possible in the future. This tour offers a rare opportunity to witness, celebrate, and support the culture of different tribes at a crucial moment.

Ready to experience the real Ethiopia?

Love this itinerary but want to tweak it? All our tours are fully customisable — whether you want to change the activities, pace or number of days, we’ll tailor it to you. Just let us know what you need!

Experiences Include:​

🥘 Ethiopian cooking class
🍲 Making traditional Hamar lunch
💍 Jewellery making with a Hamar artisan
🔥 Traditional goat roasting
🐃 Bull-jumping ceremony
💃 Watching night dancing
🐊 Crocodile safari boat ride
🌍 Visits to Dorze and Ari tribes

🌊 Blue Nile Falls

🚤 Boat trip on Lake Tana

🥾 Simien mountain trek

🐒 See bleeding heart monkeys

🏰 Ancient Castles of Gondar

🔥 Visit rock-hewn churches in Lalibela

🗓️ Tour Length: 9 Days Standard (Flexible: 6 - 21 days)

🎯 Tailored Experience – Customise it to match your pace and interests

🛖 Tribes Visited: 3

🌍 Wonders: 7 diverse locations 

🏡 Accommodation: Choose between lodges or local guesthouses

✈️ Available From: July 2025

Itinerary

Ready to book your adventure?

Pricing

Your tour is customized around you so pricing varies depending on: group size, season, activites and your choice of luxury lodges and premium 4x4, or authentic guesthouses and standard vehicles.

To give you an idea: a 7-night private tour for two people, staying in high-end lodges, typically costs around £2,700.

We’ll tailor everything to your style and budget — so you get the best possible experience at the best possible price.
👉 Contact us now for a personalized quote.

What’s Included ✔️

✔️ Exclusive Activities: Enjoy a range of exclusive cultural experiences, including visits to historic and religious sites, and immersive activities with local communities. All entrance fees to museums, heritage sites, and attractions are included, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience throughout your tour.
✔️ Accommodation: High-end lodges or authentic local guesthouses
✔️ All Meals & Drinks: All 27 meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks included
✔️ Expert Local Guides: You’ll be accompanied by an expert English-speaking guide, as well as local guides who are experts in the site we are visiting 

✔️ Private Transport: Comfortable AC 4x4 or budget-friendly vehicle option
✔️ Internal Flights: Your internal Ethiopian flights
✔️ Unique Experiences: 80% of activities are exclusive to our tours
✔️ Carbon Offsetting: Travel responsibly — your trip emissions are offset
✔️ Community Charitable Support: 10% portion of your payment directly supports local communities
✔️ LifeStraw Water Bottle: Stay hydrated and safe throughout your trip

✔️ Tree Planting: We plant a tree for every traveler to support reforestation and carbon offsetting efforts

✔️ Photographic Opportunities: Guidance on the best spots and respectful photography practices

✔️ 24/7 In Country Support: Personal assistance from Fiona, a British travel expert based in Ethiopia

✔️ Pre-Trip Travel Advice: Packing lists, safety tips, and cultural etiquette guidance. Ask any additional questions on email or phone call. 

What’s Not Included ❌

❌ International flights to/from Ethiopia
❌ Travel insurance (recommended)
❌ Alcoholic beverages
❌ Personal purchases like souvenirs
❌ Optional extra services (e.g., massages at lodges)

​This isn’t just a holiday — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to chance to experience traditional Hamar life. This tour offers you a unique opportunity to connect with a culture at a turning point, before modernization changes its way of life forever.
Ready to experience the real Ethiopia?
👉 Click here to start planning your adventure.

Ready to book your adventure?

Optional Extensions or Substitutions for Your Tour

Each of these options offers a distinct experience and can be easily integrated into your 7-day Northern Ethiopia tour. Depending on your interests, you can swap out a day from the main itinerary for one of these exciting adventures or extend your tour to include it. Whether you’re looking to explore ancient history, venture into unique landscapes, or engage in thrilling wildlife encounters. Below are 4 examples of extensions but you can see all 18 options here. Just let us know which experience appeals to you, and we’ll customize your itinerary accordingly!

Tours

1. Danakil Depression (2-3 Days) - Feel like you're on another planet

For those seeking an extreme and awe-inspiring adventure, a trip to the Danakil Depression is a must. Located in one of the hottest and most inhospitable places on Earth, this surreal landscape is home to volcanoes, salt flats, geysers, and acid lakes. You will experience the otherworldly beauty of Erta Ale, an active volcano with a molten lava lake, and the colorful sulfur springs of Dallol, where vibrant yellow and red mineral deposits create a Martian-like terrain. This trip provides a glimpse into one of the planet’s most unique ecosystems, and you’ll also meet the Afar people, who have lived in this harsh environment for centuries. Note: This option requires a more adventurous spirit due to the remote and rugged nature of the region. We can explain more over an email or phone call!

Looking out of the famous Daniel Korkor church in the Tigray region

2. Gheralta Mountains (2-3 Days) - Incredible churches in the cliffside

 For those interested in history, culture, and dramatic landscapes, the Gheralta Mountains offer a fascinating and less-traveled experience. Located in the Tigray region, these rugged peaks are home to ancient rock-hewn churches, many of which are still active places of worship. You can take scenic hikes through valleys and cliffs to visit these remote monasteries, some of which date back to the 4th century. The area’s unique landscapes, with steep escarpments and striking natural beauty, create an unforgettable atmosphere. Hiking to these cliffside churches offers both a spiritual and physical journey, providing a deeper connection to Ethiopia’s early Christian heritage.

View of Northern stelae field in Axum, Ethiopia

3. Axum (2-3 Days) - Explore Ancient Tombs

 For those seeking to explore the roots of Ethiopia’s ancient civilizations, a visit to Axum is highly recommended. As the former capital of the Aksumite Empire, Axum is home to towering obelisks, royal tombs, and the legendary Ark of the Covenant, believed by some to be housed in the St. Mary of Zion Church. This historical site offers an incredible journey into Ethiopia’s past, with ancient ruins that speak to the power and influence of one of Africa’s oldest kingdoms. The site’s historical importance is complemented by the peaceful atmosphere of the surrounding area, making Axum a truly enlightening experience for history enthusiasts.

A night with hyenas in Harar, Ethiopia

4. Harar – Feed Hyenas (1-2 Days)

For a truly unique and unforgettable experience, spend a day in Harar, one of the most culturally rich cities in Ethiopia. Harar is known for its ancient walls, colorful markets, and vibrant Islamic heritage. However, what sets it apart is the opportunity to feed wild hyenas. In the evening, venture into the countryside where local hyena-feeding rituals have been practiced for generations. Guided by the “hyena man,” you will have the chance to feed the hyenas by hand, witnessing this fascinating tradition up close. This experience offers a rare chance to connect with both the wildlife and people of Harar, combining adventure with cultural immersion in a safe and respectful manner.

Not your typical South Omo tour.

While most tours move quickly from tribe to tribe—offering brief visits and surface-level glimpses—we take a different path. Our deep, respectful partnership with the Hamar people invites you into authentic experiences built on real trust, connection, and learning. We're a believer that everyone does their best until they know better and then they do better. We believe tourism can do better, and we hope more journeys will follow this model in the future.

Typical South Omo Tours:
  • Visit many tribes quickly, little depth

  • Focused on photos, not real experiences

  • Surface-level, sometimes inaccurate information

  • Voyeuristic — tourists watch but don’t engage

  • Heavy use of single-use plastics

  • No carbon offsetting or sustainability focus

  • Short, rushed interactions with locals

  • Tourist groups often overwhelm villages

Our Hamar Immersion Tour (incorporated into this Tour)

  • Deep connection with one tribe (Hamar)

  • Hands-on cultural experiences (cook, dance, craft)

  • Accurate knowledge passed on from Hamar people

  • Respectful, non-intrusive, meaningful exchanges

  • Low-plastic, eco-conscious operations

  • Full carbon offsetting and tree planting

  • Slow travel approach — quality over quantity

  • Small groups for genuine, low-impact experiences

Not your typical tour company:
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