Tour options and Prices

We are pleased to offer three small group tours, two options covering the popular Historic Northern Route and the third option, exploring the little-visited Rift Valley Lakes and the Bale National Park.

We explore Ethiopia’s principle historic sites, travelling by a choice of plane, or unusually, by 4WD Landcruiser. It should be noted that some of the flights used on the flying itinerary are just 20 minutes in duration, so travel by land is an acceptable option. During our 4WD discovery we will also have plenty of opportunity to stop at small towns and villages, not often visited by tourists. Not only do we get to visit such wonders as the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the spectacular Simien Mountains, our driving tour allows us ample opportunity to meet the Ethiopian people, delving deep into their culture and fascinating history.

Our Rift Valley Lakes and Bale National Park itinerary, also based on transport by 4WD, offers a similar opportunity to meet the local people, in areas of the country where tourism is an unknown concept. This area of Ethiopia is known for its abundant wildlife, including many species of birds. We believe that this a rare opportunity to explore and trek in an area of the country, yet to realise its full tourist potential. Now is the time to visit.


12 Day Historic Route by Air - Click here for Prices

Tour Rating: Traveller

Itinerary

Day 1- London to Addis Ababa
Overnight flight to Addis Ababa arriving the next day

Day 2 – Arrive Addis Ababa
Arrival Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of the capital. Visit Entoto Mountains, with very nice view over the capital, the National Museum, St George Church and the Merkato, biggest open air market in Africa.
Overnight De Leopol Hotel or similar

Day 3 – Drive to Rift Valley Lakes
Drive to the Rift Valley lakes of Shala, Abyata and Langano, admiring wonderful views, many birds, pelicans, flamingoes and more. Then relax at the Wenney Eco-lodge, secluded in a natural paradise on the shore of Lake Langano and near to Munessa Forest. Possibility of trekking, bird-watching, horse-riding, boat excursions, cycling and more.
Overnight Wenney Eco-lodge

Day 4 – Villages of the Rift Valley
Continue our journey south meeting the Wolayta people as we go, passing through little visited villages and admiring spectacular green hills, to Arbaminch. Afternoon drive to Chencha, for the Dorze people, with their unique culture, houses, and traditions. Our base for the next two days will be the Swaynes Hotel, with spectacular views over Chamo and Abaya Lakes.
Overnight Swaynes Hotel

Day 5 – Visit Chencha
Morning drive to Chencha, to see the Dorze people, with their unique cultures, houses and traditions. In the afternoon we take a boat trip to view the crocodiles on the Chamo lake.
Overnight Swaynes Hotel

Day 6 – Tsemay Market and Jinka
Continue to Jinka, admiring the Derase, Tsemay, Ari and Benna people. Stop at the village market of Tsemay and meet the Erbore people.
Overnight Resort Hotel or similar

Day 7 – Mago National Park
Enter the Mago National park and visit the Mursi people and villages. The women in this area put round plates into their lips as a sign of beauty.
Overnight Resort Hotel or similar

Day 8 – Jinka to Turmi
Drive to Turmi, admiring on the way the very colorful Hamar, Karo and Dassanech people, with a stop at Dimeka village, where there is an interesting marketing.
Overnight Evangadi Lodge (Bungalows or camping depending upon availability)

Day 9 – Karo People
Drive to visit the Karo people, known for their very interesting decoration and scarification all over their body; and spectacular views over Omo River from Kortcho village. Back then to the very interesting villages of the Hamer people.
Overnight Evangadi Lodge (Bungalows or camping depending upon availability)

Day 10 – Turmi to Arbaminch
Drive to Arbaminch, visiting the villages of the Erbore and Konso people.
Overnight Swaynes Hotel

Day 11 – Arbaminch to Addis Ababa
Morning drive back to Addis Ababa. There is a bit of time for souvenir shopping, before the evening meal with traditional dancers.
Overnight De Leopol Hotel or similar

Day 12 – Depart Ethiopia
This morning you will be transferred to the airport, where you will arrive back in the UK on the same day.




15 Day Historic Route by 4WD - Click here for Prices Back to top

Tour Rating: Traveller

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Addis Ababa
Overnight flight to Addis Ababa arriving the next day

Day 2 – Arrive Addis Ababa
Arrival Addis Ababa and transfer to hotel. Subject to time you will have an afternoon tour of the capital. Visit Entoto Mountains, with very nice view over the capital, the National Museum, St George Church and the Merkato, biggest open air market in Africa.
Overnight De Leopol Hotel or similar

Day 3 – Fly to Bahirdar
Fly to Bahirdar and transfer to hotel for check-in. If time permits, visit Bezait Palace, with very a nice view over Tana Lake and the Blue Nile. Afternoon boat trip on Lake Tana to admire the ancient and secluded monasteries of Lake Tana. Visits may include Ura Kidane Mehret and Mahal Zeghie Gyorgis.
Overnight Tana Hotel or similar

Day 4 – Blue Nile Falls and Gondar
Morning drive to visit the Blue Nile Falls. After lunch continue by road to Gondar, a city famous for its old castles and palaces.
Overnight Goha Hotel or similar

Day 5 – Gondar
A full day to visit the sights of Gondar. Sightseeing includes the Debre Birhan Sellasie Church (Light of Trinity) with wonderful murals, the King Fasiladas bath, the old Qusquam Monastery and Empress Mentewab Palace and more.
Overnight Goha Hotel or similar

Day 6 – Simien Mountains
Excursion to the Semien mountains. Enjoy a short walk taking in the spectacular views, spot some endemic mammals, including he gelada baboons and as well as various species of birds. We will also visit some of the local Amhara people and their villages, before continuing to our hotel in Debark.
Overnight Green Land Hotel

Day 7 – Axum
Today we drive to Axum through some spectacular views. In the afternoon, visit the steles, the bath and the palace of the Queen of Sheba and St Mary of Tsion Church. Legend says this is where the Ark of the Covenant is located).
Overnight in Axum

Day 8 - Fly to Lalibela
The 8th wonder of the world. In the afternoon after our flight arrival we will visit some of the famous rock-hewn churches.
Overnight in Lalibela

Day 9 – Lalibela
Morning visit to one of the churches out of the town, followed by an excursion by mules to the Asheten Mariam Church, known for its wonderful views. Alternatively a visit will be arranged by car to the cave church of Naktuleab. Afternoon visit to the remaining churches in Lalibela.
Overnight Yemereha Hotel or similar

Day 10 – Fly to Addis Ababa
A morning flight takes us back to the capital. The afternoon is free and you can visit the Merkato, the biggest open air market in Africa. In the early evening you will be invited to a traditonal restaurant for dinner accompanied by folk dances.
Overnight De Leopol Hotel or similar

Day 11 – Addis Ababa
An excursion is organised to the Debre Libanos monastery, where you can admire the wonderful views over Jemma gorge, the old Portuguese bridge and you will get to see the Gelada baboons.
Overnight De Leopol Hotel or similar

Day 12 – Depart Ethiopia
This morning you are transfered to the airport for your flight back to the UK. You arrive the same day.




11 Day Rift Valley/Bale Park - Click here for Prices Back to top

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Tailormade Tours - Back to top

What is a Tailormade Tour?

If you want the freedom to plan your own trip, without being restricted to the consensus of the group, then a Tailormade Tour is a great way to travel. It really is the next best thing to travelling independently and will appeal to the traveller, who perhaps would normally travel this way. The practicalities of independent travel should not be underestimated. Expert local knowledge and help is essential if you are to make the most of your trip. A private tour offers extremely good value. You will enjoy the flexibility and freedom to simply stop when and where you like, and control the pace of your trip.

Give us a call, so we can informally talk about your plans, what your interests are and what you hope to get out of your trip. We will liaise with our overseas colleagues to ensure that we offer you sound and relevant advice.

Alternatively, complete and submit the Tailormade Tour Quotation Request form. We aim to get back to you within 2 working days with details of options and costs.

Tailormade Tours Quotation Request

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