Arrival Day: Usually you’ll arrive in the evening, where you’ll be warmly welcomed at Addis Ababa Bole Airport and transferred to your hotel.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed dinner at your accommodation. If you feel up to it, take a short evening stroll nearby to stretch your legs and get a first glimpse of the city’s atmosphere. Then, rest well to prepare for the exciting adventure ahead.

Travel Down South: After a relaxed breakfast, you’ll head to the airport for your 10am flight to Jinka, arriving in time for lunch.

Lunch & Journey to Turmi: Enjoy lunch in Jinka before driving approximately 3 hours to Turmi. The first half of the journey is on tarmac roads, followed by a scenic dirt road through the countryside.

Arrival & Dinner Briefing: Arrive in Turmi by evening and settle into your accommodation. Over a traditional dinner, you’ll receive an introduction to Ethiopia, the Hamar people, and our ethical travel approach in the South Omo Valley.

Evening – Honey Wine Welcome: Visit Geta’s mother’s home to taste Tej (Ethiopian honey wine) — said to be the best in town — as a warm welcome to the region.

Morning – Introduction to Hamar: Meet a local Hamar family you’ll get to know throughout the week. Enjoy your first Hamar buno (coffee) and learn about children’s roles and games in the community. Play traditional games and some fun icebreakers we bring along.

Lunch – Ethiopian Cooking Class: Join my mother at her home for a hands-on cooking class. Learn to make injera, the iconic Ethiopian sour pancake, and take home recipes and spice packets to recreate it yourself.

Evening – Sunset & Dinner: Head to the best sunset viewpoint for magical views and enjoy dinner in town.

Optional – Digital Detox: Hand over your phone for 24 hours and fully immerse yourself in Hamar life, where time is told by the sun and social media doesn’t exist. We’ll take photos for you and provide our number to your key contacts..

Morning – Jewellery Making: Under the trees, learn how Hamar teens make and wear traditional jewellery. Make your own or have a local artisan create a design for you, while learning about its cultural meaning.

Afternoon – Cook & Share a Meal: Join a Hamar family to prepare and enjoy a local lunch. Help grind grain, pick moringa leaves, and make traditional coffee from husks. An alternative meal is available if needed.

Hamar Hairdressing: Spend time with Hamar teens as they show how they create their unique and symbolic hairstyles for different life stages.

Optional – Village Sleepover: Sleep in a tent with a foam mattress and basic facilities, or go fully traditional and sleep on a cowskin inside a Hamar house.

Morning – Hamar Coffee Time: Wake up to village sounds and share bhuno (Hamar coffee) with a local family – a key social ritual. Return to your lodge for a shower, breakfast, and your phone if you digital detoxed.

Market Day – Gaba Rorro: Visit the big weekly market and take on a fun Hamar language challenge before browsing local handicrafts.

Lunch – With Kuna in Turmi: Share a meal with Kuna, a Hamar woman living in town, and hear her inspiring life story.

Afternoon – Bull Jumping (if available): Witness a powerful coming-of-age ritual as a young boy leaps over bulls to become a man.

Evening – Dinner by the River: Enjoy dinner on the riverbed before returning to your accommodation to rest.

Evening – Evangadi Dancing (seasonal): Join the village for night dancing to celebrate the bull jumper’s transition.

Morning – Journey to Konso: We’ll set off early for a 4-hour drive to Konso, traveling on a mix of tarmac and dirt roads. Along the way, enjoy the changing landscapes as we approach this fascinating cultural region.

Konso Visit: Explore the Konso people’s remarkable stone terraces and fortified settlements, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy lunch while learning about their unique carved wooden statues and traditional games, gaining insight into their rich cultural heritage.

Afternoon – Travel to Arba Minch: After Konso, continue on a 2-hour tarmac drive to Arba Minch, known as the “City of 40 Springs.”

Late afternoon – Crocodile Safari: Take a small boat for a private crocodile safari, with a chance to spot hippos in their natural habitat.

Evening – Dinner & Overnight in Arba Minch: Savor a delicious locally caught fresh fish dinner and settle in for a restful night’s stay in this beautiful town.

Morning – Dorze Tribe: Visit the Dorze tribe for a hands-on weaving experience. Learn how they use the false banana tree for food and crafts, and sample traditional food and local liquor.

Lunch: Enjoy freshly caught local fish before heading to the airport.

Flight: Catch the flight to Bahir Dar via Addis Ababa

Evening - relax: Relax at your accommodation ready for another exciting day tomorrow!

Morning – Blue Nile Falls: We’ll depart early for a short drive to the iconic Blue Nile Falls, known locally as “Tis Abay” or “the smoking water.” Stretch your legs on a gentle hike to the viewpoints, where you can admire the falls and lush river scenery.

Midday – Drive to Gondar: After the falls, we’ll begin our 2.5-hour drive to Gondar, passing through rural highlands and small villages along the way.

Afternoon – Explore Gondar: Discover the imperial city of Gondar, visiting the impressive Royal Enclosure, often called the “Camelot of Africa.” You’ll also visit the beautifully painted Debre Birhan Selassie Church, known for its angel-filled ceilings.

Morning – Travel to the Simien Mountains: We’ll set off early for a scenic drive to the Simien Mountains National Park, stopping in Debark to arrange permits and meet our local guides.

Midday – Into the Highlands: Hike into the heart of the park, with a chance to spot Gelada Baboons or 'bleeding heart monkeys' because of their red chests, Ibex wolf, soaring cliffs, and rugged escarpments. We’ll walk to some of the best viewpoints.

Evening – Overnight in the Simien Mountains: Settle into your mountain lodge or set up camp for the night, surrounded by stunning highland scenery. Overnight in the Simien Mountains (camping/lodge).​

If hiking’s not your thing, we can easily switch these two days for a trip to Axum or another location, details here or you can relax at the lodge and go on shorter walks (90 minutes), just let us know

Morning – Simien Mountains Exploration: After breakfast, we’ll spend the morning exploring more of the park’s dramatic landscapes. You can opt for a gentle walk to Jinbar Falls, one of the park’s most picturesque spots. For those feeling more adventurous, there’s the option to hike to Imet Gogo, a stunning panoramic viewpoint offering sweeping views across the rugged escarpments and deep valleys of the Simien Mountains. Keep an eye out for gelada baboons, walia ibex, and soaring birds of prey as we explore.

Afternoon – Return to Gondar: We’ll begin the 2.5 to 3-hour drive back to Gondar. We’ll arrive in Gondar by late afternoon, with time to relax at your hotel or explore the local area at your own pace before dinner.

If hiking’s not your thing, we can easily switch these two days for a trip to Axum or another location, details here or you can relax at the lodge and go on shorter walks, just let us know.

Morning – Fly to Lalibela: After breakfast, we’ll take a short domestic flight from Gondar to the highland town of Lalibela. Lalibela is one of Ethiopia’s most iconic destinations, world-famous for its extraordinary rock-hewn churches, carved entirely by hand from solid volcanic rock.

Afternoon – Lalibela Churches: We’ll begin exploring these remarkable 12th and 13th-century churches, still in use today and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is something undeniably special about these churches — for those with a spiritual connection, many describe it as a moving experience. But even if faith doesn’t resonate with you, it’s hard not to be awestruck by the sheer scale, intricate detail, and human ingenuity that went into carving these incredible structures over 800 years ago, directly into the rugged mountain rock.

Overnight: Dinner and overnight in Lalibela. 

Morning– Traditional Coffee Ceremony: After a delicious lunch, you’ll be invited to take part in a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. The coffee is brewed in a special clay pot called a jebena, then served in small cups alongside snacks like popcorn or roasted barley. This is more than just a drink — it’s a beautiful social ritual that brings people together, offering a moment to pause and connect with local culture.

Visit St. George’s Church: Next, we’ll visit any churches we didn't see yesterday including Bete Giyorgis (St. George’s Church) — arguably Ethiopia’s most iconic and photographed rock-hewn church. Carved into the shape of a cross, this magnificent 12th-century church stands as a masterpiece of architecture and spiritual devotion. 

Evening – Dinner at a local Restaurant: To round off the day, enjoy dinner at a favourite local spot that serves up traditional Ethiopian dishes. 

Morning – Relax in Lalibela: A peaceful final morning to soak up the views or visit any sites you missed.

Midday – Flight to Addis Ababa: We’ll take a short flight back to Addis Ababa, arriving by early afternoon.

Afternoon – Unwind in Addis: Enjoy a local lunch and choose to explore craft shops, walk to explore the city or simply recharge. 

Dinner: Have dinner at one of Addis Ababa's best traditional spots. 

Morning – National Museum & Adwa Museum: We’ll start with the National Museum, home to Ethiopia’s most famous fossil, Lucy, along with ancient artefacts, royal treasures, and cultural displays. Next, we’ll visit the newly opened Adwa Museum, a striking architectural landmark celebrating Ethiopia’s victory at the Battle of Adwa and the country’s histpry of resistance. 

Afternoon - Market Exploration: Next, dive into the vibrant energy of Mercato, Africa’s largest open-air market. We’ll focus on a curated area known for its spices, baskets, coffee, and crafts — plenty to experience without the chaos. 

Dinner - Rooftop Pizza: Fresh wood-fired pizza on a rooftop terrace, where you can soak up panoramic city views while enjoying delicious food. 

Optional Evening – Explore Addis Nightlife: For those with energy, there’s the option to check out Addis Ababa’s buzzing nightlife scene. Choose from cosy jazz bars, lively cultural spots, or local favourites for live music and atmosphere. 

Morning - Friendship Park & Unity Park & Science Museum: Explore Unity Park to discover Ethiopia’s imperial palace, beautifully restored gardens, the zoo, and regional cultural pavilions. Next, stroll through Friendship Park, an urban green space with gardens, fountains, and art installations. Finally, see the modern, interactive Ethiopian Science Museum. 

Afternoon – Shiro Meda & Entoto Park: For lunch, we’ll head towards the mountains via Shiro Meda, Addis’s famous textile market where you can browse traditional clothing. From there, it’s a short drive up to Entoto Park where you can 'choose your own adventure': Hike scenic trails, try the zipline, go horse riding, have a massage or simply relax with coffee and mountain views.

Evening – Yod Abyssinia Cultural Show: We’ll wrap up the trip with dinner at Yod Abyssinia, famous for its lively dance performances. It’s the perfect finale to your Addis experience before we drop you to the airport for your late night flight.