Arrival at Bole International Airport
Upon arrival, New Gate Tours will welcome all guests, regardless of arrival time. If arriving in the morning, you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, the tour will start the following day.
Day 1: Addis Ababa
Start your adventure by exploring the National Museum or the Ethnographic Museum, perfect introductions to Ethiopia’s culture and history. Next, visit Mercato, one of Africa’s largest outdoor markets, and Trinity Cathedral, the resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.
Overnight: Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 2: Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar
Fly to Bahir Dar via Ethiopian Airlines. Explore the local marketplace before embarking on a boat tour of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile. Visit ancient island monasteries along the lake.
Overnight: Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 3: Bahir Dar – Gondar
Drive through the beautiful Ethiopian countryside to Gondar. Visit the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with five castles from the 17th century. See Debre Birhan Selassie Church, renowned for its ceiling of painted angels.
Overnight: Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 4: Gondar – Simien Mountains National Park
Travel to Sankabar, the gateway to Simien Mountains National Park. Enjoy a light 2–3 hour hike in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to dramatic landscapes and wildlife such as Gelada baboons.
Overnight: Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 5: Simien Mountains – Axum
Drive to Axum, the ancient capital of the Axumite Empire. Enjoy scenic stops along the way and arrive in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 6: Axum
Explore the stelae fields, which have stood for over 2,000 years. Visit the Archaeological Museum, as well as royal tombs and other historic sites.
Overnight: Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 7: Axum – Hawzein
Drive through the historic Adwa battle field, where Emperor Menelik II defeated the Italians in 1895. Visit the ancient moon temple at Yeha, then continue to Hawzein.
Overnight: Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 8: Hawzein – Mekele
Visit several remote rock-hewn churches in the Tigray region, including Abraha Atsbeha, Wukro Chirkos, and Medhane Alem Kesho, before continuing to Mekele.
Overnight: Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 9: Mekele – Ahmedela
Meet your support vehicles and drive to Ahmedela via Berhaile. Camp in the desert and enjoy the sight of camel caravans and dramatic desert sunsets.
Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)
Day 10: Lake Asale & Dalol
Visit Lake Asale to observe traditional salt workers harvesting salt from the lake bed. Continue to Dalol to see extraordinary geological formations created by sulfurous hot springs.
Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)
Day 11: Trek to Erta Ale
Drive to Dodom, then begin a 15-kilometer trek to the Erta Ale volcano. Arrive around midnight to witness the glowing lava lake.
Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)
Day 12: Return to Mekele
Trek back to Dodom, then drive to Mekele to rest and refresh.
Overnight: Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 13: Mekele – Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela, arriving in the afternoon. Upon arrival, visit the iconic rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These monolithic masterpieces, carved over 800 years ago, are an enduring symbol of Ethiopian spirituality. Enjoy a stunning sunset from your hotel terrace.
Overnight: Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 14: Lalibela – Yemrehane Kirstos – Lalibela
Begin with visits to the second cluster of churches, including Bete Gabriel-Rufael, Bete Abba Libanos, Bet Lehem, Bet Emanuel, and Bete Mercurios , some believed to predate King Lalibela. Then visit the iconic Bet Giyorgis. After lunch, take a scenic 42 km drive to Yemrehane Kirstos, a beautiful church set in a cave.
Overnight: Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 15: Lalibela – Addis Ababa – Dire Dawa
Fly to Dire Dawa via Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, explore the outdoor market and experience this vibrant eastern city.
Overnight: Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 16: Harar
Drive to Harar, a 16th-century walled city. Visit the home of poet Arthur Rimbaud, the National and Harari Museums, and witness the famous “Hyena Man” feeding hyenas just outside the city walls.
Overnight: Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 17: Harar – Awash National Park
Drive to Awash National Park, where you’ll visit the Awash Falls and enjoy a sunset game drive, with chances to see wildlife like gazelles and hyenas.
Overnight: Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 18: Awash National Park – Lake Langano
After an early morning game drive, head to Lake Langano, a Rift Valley lake known for birdlife and swimming.
Overnight: Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 19: Lake Langano – Arba Minch
Drive to Arba Minch, stopping en route at the Dorze village in the Guge Mountains. The Dorze are known for their beehive-shaped bamboo houses and skilled weaving.
Overnight: Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 20: Arba Minch – Jinka
Enjoy a boat tour on Lake Chamo, where you may see crocodiles, hippos, and birds. Drive to Jinka, stopping at the Key Afar market to meet various tribes such as the Benna and Ari.
Overnight: Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 21: Mago National Park
Visit the Mursi people in Mago National Park, famous for their distinctive lip plates and traditional culture. Optionally, visit the Omo Valley Museum in Jinka.
Overnight: Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 22: Jinka – Turmi
Drive to Turmi, home to the Hamar people, known for their body scarring and bull-jumping ceremonies. En route, visit Benna and Ari villages.
Overnight: Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 23: Omorate
Cross the Omo River by boat to visit the Dassanech people, known for their body painting and pastoral lifestyle. Return to Turmi in the evening.
Overnight: Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 24: Turmi – Konso
Drive to Konso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its terraced villages and wooden totems (wagas).
Overnight: Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 25: Konso – Hawassa
Drive to the lakeside city of Hawassa and relax at a resort by the lake.
Overnight: Resort (B, L, D)
Day 26: Hawassa – Bale Mountains
Visit the Hawassa fish market in the morning. Then drive to Bale Mountains National Park, where you’ll enjoy a relaxed hike and spot endemic wildlife such as the Ethiopian wolf or mountain Nyala.
Overnight: Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 27: Bale Mountains – Addis Ababa
Fly or drive back to Addis Ababa through the scenic Arsi/Bale region. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant with live music and dance. Later, transfer to the airport for your **
