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.

Morning – Fly to Lalibela: After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll take a short domestic flight 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: After arriving in Lalibela, we'll spend the afternoon discovering your first group of the remarkable 12th and 13th-century rock-hewn churches. Still active places of worship and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they offer an unforgettable introduction to one of Ethiopia's greatest treasures. Whether you're drawn by their spiritual significance or simply their extraordinary engineering, it's hard not to be amazed by the immense scale, intricate craftsmanship, and human ingenuity that carved these magnificent churches directly into the mountainside more than 800 years ago..

Overnight: Dinner and overnight in Lalibela. 

Full Day – Lalibela Churches: Today we'll continue exploring the remaining rock-hewn churches, each with its own fascinating history, unique architecture, and enduring role in Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. As you wander through hidden passageways, tunnels, and courtyards connecting the churches, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the vision behind this extraordinary complex. From the iconic Church of St. George to the less-visited sanctuaries tucked into the rock, today offers the chance to fully appreciate why Lalibela is considered one of the world's most remarkable religious and architectural achievements.

Overnight: Dinner and overnight in Lalibela. 

Morning – Fly to Gondar: After breakfast, we will catch a 1 hour flight to Gondar

Lunch: At a traditional restaurant in Gondar

Afternoon – Explore Gondar: Today you'll explore the imperial city of Gondar, once the capital of the Ethiopian Empire. Visit the impressive Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the "Camelot of Africa," where you'll wander through centuries-old castles and palaces that tell the story of Ethiopia's powerful emperors. You'll also visit the beautiful Debre Birhan Selassie Church, famous for its vibrant murals and iconic ceiling covered with the faces of angels. Together, these remarkable sites offer a fascinating insight into Ethiopia's rich history, culture, and enduring religious traditions.

Evening: Dinner and overnight in Gondar

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 upgrade on request).​

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.

Morning – Flight: Catch the flight to Arba Minch via Addis Ababa

Afternoon: 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.

Evening - relax: Enjoy a fresh fish dinner overlooking the lakes. Relax at your accommodation ready for another exciting day tomorrow! 

Morning – Journey to Konso: We’ll set off early for a 2-hour drive to Konso, traveling on a tarmac road.

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 Turmi: After Konso, continue on a 4-hour drive on a mix of dirt and tarmac roads to Turmi, the town at the centre of the Hamar region

Arrival & Dinner Briefing: Over a traditional dinner, you’ll receive an introduction to Ethiopia, the Hamar people, and our ethical travel approach in the Omo.

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

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 or Stool Carving: 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 Skills: Learn how to start a fire with 2 sticks, or throw a slingshot, or milk a goat or join in with whatever is happening that day!

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 buno (Hamar coffee) with a local family – a key social ritual. Return to your guesthouse for a shower, breakfast, and your phone if you opted to digital detox.​

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.

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.

Travel to Jinka: Enjoy a final traditional breakfast, before driving approximately 3 hours to Jinka. The first half of the journey is on tarmac roads, followed by a scenic dirt road through the countryside.

Flight: Jinka to Addis. 

Lunch: Enjoy a delicious lunch in Addis

Exploration: Choose to explore some of Addis on your own or head to a women's craft collective to browse their amazing souvenirs. 

Evening – Dinner: Have dinner at one of our favourite Addis spots. Option to see some of Addis' live music and nightlife if you would like.

Morning - National Museum & Unity Park: Visit the National Museum to see Lucy, then explore Unity Park’s imperial palace, gardens, and cultural pavilions.

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 from a variety of experiences - you can hike scenic trails, try the zipline, go horse riding, have a massage or simply relax with coffee and mountain views.

Evening – Cultural Show: We’ll wrap up the trip with dinner at a restaurant 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.