Combined tour north and south – 14 days

Inside Ethiopia Combined tours are aimed at providing the best travel experience during your stay in Ethiopia. Inside Ethiopia Special Tours offer the opportunity to travel through time while taking part in the Ethiopian lifestyles of the different ethnic groups spread throughout the country. The tour starts on the Northern Historical Route to witness Ethiopia’s richest history and continues in the Omo Valley to immerse the traveller in the traditional lifestyles of different tribes. During these combined tours, you will be able to discover highland scenery and wildlife and share unforgettable experiences with the local people in their villages.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ROUTE

Day 1
Arrival to Addis Ababa, you will be welcomed by an Insider at the airport and transferred to the hotel. City tour in Addis Ababa including a visit to the National Museum, the Holy Trinity Church and the largest open market in Africa, Merkato. Overnight in Addis Ababa (hotel).
Day 2
Fly to Bahir Dar. Take a boat trip on the Lake Tana to visit the monasteries of the Zege Peninsula. In the afternoon, drive to the Blue Nile Falls for a hike in the surroundings. Overnight in Bahir Dar (hotel).
Day 3
Drive to Gondar and visit the UNESCO Royal Enclosure, a group of castles from the 17th century. In the afternoon, visit the Debre Birhan Selassie church and the Fasilides bath area. Overnight in Gondar (hotel).
Day 4
Drive to the Simien Mountains National Park for trekking. Overnight in Gondar (hotel).
Day 5
Fly to Lalibela and visit the stunning rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Eight Wonders of the World. Overnight in Lalibela (lodge or hotel).
Day 6
Hike to Asheton Mountain and visit a 13th century rock-hewn monastery. In the afternoon take part in the Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony and learn how to bake injeera, the delicious stapple food of Ethiopia. Overnight in Lalibela (lodge or hotel).
Day 7
Fly to Addis Ababa. In the afternoon visit Entonto Mountains with bird’s-eye views over the city. Overnight in Addis Ababa (hotel).
Day 8
Drive to Arba Minch along the Great Rift Valley Lakes. Overnight in Arba Minch (lodge or hotel).
Day 9
Visit the Nechisar National Park and take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to spot crocodiles, hippopotami and abundant bird species. Continue to Konso and visit the stonewalled terraces and fortified settlements declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Overnight in Konso (lodge).
Day 10
We descend to the Omo Valley, stopping at the first tribe of the valley, the Erboré tribe, settled on the shores of Lake Chew Bahir. We continue to Turmi to meet the Hamer tribe and enjoy the simplicity of local life. Overnight in Turmi (hotel or lodge).
Day 11
Cross the Omo river on local barges to visit the Dassenech tribe whose livelihood depends on the waters of the river. Drive to Murule and visit the Karo tribe, famous for their meticulous body-painting tradition. Overnight in Turmi (hotel or lodge).
Day 12
Today we change scenery to Jinka and its high tropical hills. There we will meet the Ari tribe to discover their local crafts. Visit the Ethnographic Museum, a South Omo research center where we will learn about the history of the tribes. Overnight in Jinka (hotel).
Day 13
Drive to Mago National Park and meet the Mursi tribe, known for the clay plates used by the women on their lower lip. Overnight in Jinka (hotel).
Day 14
Airport drop off for short flight to Addis Ababa. In the evening, Inside Ethiopia Tours offers you a farewell traditional dinner with local dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s ethnic groups. End of the tour.