The birthplace of humanity, Ethiopia is a cornucopia of interesting sights. On this 10-day tour, you will see not only the capital Addis Ababa in the middle of the country, but also southern Ethiopia and the north of the country.

In the southern Omo Valley, you'll meet a wide variety of tribes, including the Mursi, Hamer and Konso. The tribes are very different from each other, both in terms of lifestyle and culture. In addition to its cultural diversity, the Omo Valley is part of the East African Rift Valley, which offers a stunning array of diverse wildlife. You can even go on safari here if you wish! The Omo Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The absolute highlight of northern Ethiopia is Lalibela and its rock-hewn churches. They date back to the 700s to 1200s – after all, Christianity arrived in Ethiopia very early. Today, these 11 rock-hewn churches are deservedly on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

With us, you will experience the country with a knowledgeable and reliable guide. Safely, of course.

Day 1

Arrival in Addis Ababa (if you arrive by Ethiopian Airlines from Europe, arrival is around 6-8 am). Pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel. After rest, city tour of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa. As we are all (in Ethiopian terms) originally from Ethiopia, one of the main places to visit is the National Archaeological Museum, the highlight of which is the "skeleton" of the 3.2 million year old "Lucy", discovered in 1974. Other attractions include the Ethnological Museum, Addis Ababa University, the Holy Trinity Cathedral and Mount Entoto, a mountain reaching 3,200 metres above sea level, which offers spectacular views down to Addis Ababa.

Overnight at Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Day 2

Breakfast, followed by hotel pick-up and transfer to Addis Ababa airport. At 12.20 pm, departure for Jinka, southern Ethiopia. Arrival in Jinka at 13.35, followed by check-in at Eco Omo Lodge. After lunch, a walking tour of an Ari village to learn about their life and customs.

Overnight at Eco Omo Lodge in Jinka.

Day 3

Breakfast, followed by a 6.00 am departure from the hotel and a 75 km drive to the Mursi village in the heart of the Mago National Park. The Mursi are a famous warrior people and the women of the tribe wear large "lip plates" to look more beautiful. We will explore the tribe, then return to Jinka, where we will continue our 120 km journey to Turmi. Turmi is the territory of the Hamer and Bena tribes. The trip should be timed to be in Turmi on Monday, as it is a weekly market day, providing an excellent opportunity to observe and even participate in traditional trading. There is a wide range of handicrafts on sale.

The total daily driving time is 280 kilometres, of which 235 kilometres are on good gravel roads.

Overnight at Buska Lodge in Turmi.

Day 4

Another early wake up, breakfast and departure from the hotel at 7.00. We drive 75 km to the village of Omorate, where we cross the Omo River by boat and then explore the village inhabited by the Dasenech people. After visiting the village, we drive back to Turmi (same 75 km), from where we continue 60 km to the village of Alduba. We will visit the market, which is popular among the Hamer, Tsemhay, Bena and Ari people. We return from Alduba back to Turmi (same 60 km).

The total daily driving time is 270 kilometres.

Overnight at Buska Lodge in Turmi (the same place as the previous night).

Day 5

After breakfast, we drive about 50 kilometres to a village inhabited by the Karo people. The people are known for body painting. On the way to the village, it is possible to spot bird species typical of the area. From Karo we return to Turmi, from where we continue to Konso, the land of the Konso people. We meet the Konso and see that they have shaped their mountainous environment into terraces since ancient times, to prevent erosion. The Konso are also known for their grave monuments known as waga. From Konso we continue to the town of Arba Minch.

The total daily driving time is 325 kilometres.

Overnight at Haile Resort in Arba Minch.

Day 6

After breakfast at 7.00 am. departure to nearby Lake Chamo, which is about 12 km drive from the hotel. We will take a 1.5 hour boat trip on the lake, which is part of the Nech Sar National Park. The park itself is famous for being home to zebras, gerenuks and the endemic Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei antelope. During the boat trip, we try to spot hippos and some of Africa's largest crocodiles - Ethiopia is home to '"extraordinary long" crocodiles, after all! At the end of the boat trip, we drive to the village of Chencha, home to the Dorze people. The Dorze are known for their 8-12 metre high beehive-shaped bamboo houses. In the evening we arrive in Langano.

The total daily driving time is 270 kilometres.

Overnight at Sabana Beach Resort in Langano.

Day 7

After breakfast, we drive to Abijata Shalla National Park, with a spectacular view of the two lakes surrounding it. Again a chance for birdwatching. Lunch break at Lake Ziway, home to pelicans and flamingos. From the lake we drive back to Addis Ababa.

The total daily driving time is 200 kilometres.

Overnight at Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Day 8

After breakfast, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for an approximately one-hour flight to Lalibela, in northern Ethiopia. Lalibela is known for the 11 rock-hewn churches built by King Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today we will visit the first six churches, Bet Golgotha, Bet Mika'el, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danagl and Bet Medhane Alem. The latter is the largest of the churches and somewhat resembles a Greek temple. In the corner of the church are the tombs of the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, though only symbolically so.

Overnight at Mountain View Hotel in Lalibela.

Day 9

After breakfast, at 8.00 am, we continue our tour of the churches of Lalibela. Bet Giyorgis, in the south-west corner of the village, is perhaps the most beautiful of the churches in Lalibela. Due to its peculiar location, the church is accessed through a tunnel. We will also visit the churches of Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Abba Libanos and Bet Gabriel-Rufa'el.

Overnight at Mountain View Hotel in Lalibela.

Day 10

After breakfast, we drive about 24 kilometres to Lalibela airport. On the way we have time to stop at the cave church of King Ne'akutole'ab. Flight back to Addis Ababa, where we have time for shopping, for example. After dinner, transfer to the airport and flight home.