Duration
12-Day
Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
12-Day Ethiopia Historic Route & Omo Valley Cultural Tour
Overview
Discover the very best of Ethiopia on this comprehensive 12-day journey combining the famous northern historic route with the vibrant cultures of the Omo Valley. Visit Addis Ababa, the castles of Gondar, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, and the breathtaking Simien Mountains before heading south to meet the unique tribes of the Lower Omo Valley. This tour is ideal for travelers seeking history, culture, wildlife, and authentic local experiences in one unforgettable trip.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa
Via Bahir Dar (City), Gondar (City), Simien Mountains NP
Country & park
Ethiopia / Simien Mountains National Park
Style
Mid-range safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
18 years
Activities
game drives, nature hikes/walks, canoe/mokoro safaris & boat trip
Accommodation
Best Western Plus Pearl Addis - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included
Meals
All Meals Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Rates
Rates Per Person
USD
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
$5,335 USD
$4,697 USD
Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027
$5,335 USD
$4,697 USD
Before booking
Important To Know
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour is unavailable for children.
Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. Flights may cost more, depending on travel dates. If so, your quote will reflect this.
Quote flow
Request Guidance
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Route
country
Ethiopia
Start
Addis Ababa (Day 1)
Day 2
Bahir Dar (City)
Day 3
Gondar (City)
Day 4
Simien Mountains NP
Day 5-6
Lalibela (Town)
Day 7
Addis Ababa (City)
Day 8
Arba Minch (City)
Day 9-10
Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)
Day 11-12
Jinka (Lower Omo Valley)
End
Addis Ababa (Day 12)
Tour Features
Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour uses lodges and hotels.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
18
Minimum age of 18 years
The minimum age for this tour is 18 years.
Activities & Transportation
Activities: game drives, nature hikes/walks, canoe/mokoro safaris & boat trip
Game drives: normal 4x4 vehicle & minivan
Getting around: normal 4x4 vehicle & air transfer
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Best Western Plus Pearl Addis
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 2
Blue Nile Resort Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Bahir Dar (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 3
Goha Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Gondar (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 4
Simien Lodge
Mid-range lodge inside Simien Mountains NP – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 5-6
Mezena Resort & Spa
Mid-range hotel in Lalibela (Town) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 7
Best Western Plus Pearl Addis
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 8
Haile Resort Arba Minch
Mid-range hotel in Arba Minch (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 9-10
Buska Lodge
Mid-range lodge in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 11
Eco Omo Lodge
Mid-range lodge in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 12
End of tour
(No accommodation)
All Meals Included
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Arrival in Addis Ababa – The Heart of Ethiopia
The moment your plane touches down at Bole International Airport, Ethiopia greets you with warmth and energy. Your guide from Abiy Ethiopia Tours welcomes you, and you are whisked to your hotel to settle in. If time allows, take a short drive to the Entoto Mountains, where the city stretches beneath you, a tapestry of hills, streets, and life. Explore the National Museum and Ethnographic Museum, meet Lucy, the 3.2-million-year-old hominid, and feel the weight of Ethiopia’s deep history. Step into St. George and Trinity Cathedrals, where light and shadow tell stories of faith, and wander Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market, alive with colors, aromas, and energy. Tonight, rest and let the rhythm of Ethiopia seep into your soul. Overnight: Addis Ababa. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: Best Western Plus Pearl Addis Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 2
Bahir Dar – Blue Nile Falls & Lake Tana Monastery's
A morning flight takes you north to Bahir Dar, followed by a drive to the breathtaking Blue Nile Falls, known as the “smoke of fire,” where water cascades with power and mist shimmers in the sunlight. After a lakeside lunch featuring fresh local fish, enjoy a serene boat ride on Lake Tana to explore ancient island monasteries such as Ura Kidan Mehiret. Admire the intricate religious paintings and soak in the sacred atmosphere that has inspired devotion for centuries. If luck is on your side, spot hippos and aquatic birds along the way. Overnight: Bahir Dar. Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Bahir Dar (City) Stay: Blue Nile Resort Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Bahir Dar (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
Gondar, Ancient Capital, Echoes of Imperial Ethiopia
Gondar invites you to step into Ethiopia’s regal past. After a scenic drive from Bahir Dar, enjoy lunch at Four Sisters Restaurant before exploring the city. Wander through the Royal Enclosure, where palaces of kings and queens rise behind high stone walls, and walk along Fasiladas’ Bath, filled each year during the Timkat festival, feeling centuries of celebration and devotion. Inside Debre Berhan Selassie Church, the painted ceiling of angels seems to gaze down upon you, each brushstroke alive with history. Optionally, visit the Kuskuam Complex, Empress Mentewab’s private compound, or pause at Goha Hotel for sweeping city views. Overnight: Gondar. Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Gondar (City) Stay: Goha Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Gondar (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
Simien Mountain, Adventure, wildlife and scenic splendor
Travel north into the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, meet the last Felasha villagers, whose traditions persist quietly through time. Hike through dramatic peaks and deep gorges, spotting playful Gelada baboons, and perhaps the elusive Simien fox and walia ibex. Feel the presence of Ras Dashen, Africa’s fourth-highest peak, towering above, a reminder of nature’s awe-inspiring scale. Overnight: in Simien Mountain. Mid-range lodge located inside Simien Mountains NP All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Simien Mountains National Park Stay: Simien Lodge Mid-range lodge located inside Simien Mountains NP Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5
Lalibela – Monolithic Marvels of Faith and History
Drive from Debark to Gondar and fly north to Lalibela, a town where every stone tells a story of faith. Explore the first and third clusters of rock-hewn churches, monolithic masterpieces carved from living rock. Wander sunlit courtyards, trace ancient walls, and admire the intricate carvings that reflect centuries of devotion. Experience the sacred atmosphere that makes Lalibela a timeless wonder of Ethiopia. Overnight: Lalibela. Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Mezena Resort & Spa Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 6
Yemrehane Christos and Rock-Hewn Treasures of Ancient Faith
Visit the Yemrehane Christos cave church, an 11th-century hidden gem showcasing ancient Ethiopian architecture and sacred artistry. Later, return to explore the second cluster of Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches, where history, faith, and craftsmanship come alive in sunlit courtyards and intricate carvings. Experience the enduring spiritual energy that makes Lalibela a timeless center of devotion. Over night Lalibela. Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Mezena Resort & Spa Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 7
Return to Addis Ababa – Faith and Market Life
Fly from Lalibela to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, visit St. George and Trinity Cathedrals, where light and shadow tell centuries-old stories of faith. Then wander Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market, vibrant with colors, aromas, and the pulse of daily life. Overnight: Addis Ababa. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: Best Western Plus Pearl Addis Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 8
Explore the Harmony, Nature and culture
Fly from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch. Upon arrival, enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Chamo, where hippos surface lazily, crocodiles bask in the sun, and aquatic birds, especially majestic fish eagles, soar above the shimmering waters. Return to Arba Minch for lunch, then drive to Dorze Village, famous for its tall bamboo houses and intricate weaving traditions. Meet the locals, observe their craftsmanship, and experience a culture deeply connected to daily life. Overnight: Arba Minch. Mid-range hotel located in Arba Minch (City) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Arba Minch (City) Stay: Haile Resort Arba Minch Mid-range hotel located in Arba Minch (City) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 9
Journey from ArbaMinche to Turmi, Explore Konso and Arbore tribes
Drive from Arbaminche to Turmi through the Konso Highlands, stopping at villages with terraced hills and traditional oval-shaped huts. Meet the Arbore people, semi-nomadic agriculturalists, and glimpse a way of life shaped by land, heritage, and community. Arrive in Turmi, a lively town at the heart of the Omo Valley. Overnight: Turmi. Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Stay: Buska Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 10
Explore the Hammer and Karo tribes tradition and the pulse of life
Explore the Murulle Plain and meet the Karo tribe, renowned for intricate body art that tells stories of identity and tradition. Later in the afternoon, visit a Hamer village, where rhythm, song, and ceremony come alive. Witness the remarkable bull-jumping ritual, a rite of passage for young men, and feel the pulse of tribal life. Overnight: Turmi. Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Stay: Buska Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 11
Exploring omo Valley rituals or Dassanech and Banna tribes
Drive from Turmi to Omo Rate and Cross the Omo River by dugout boat to meet the Dassanech, a semi-nomadic people whose lives revolve around the river, cattle, and seasonal farming. Known for their distinctive jewelry, body art, and traditions, the Dassanech blend survival with rich cultural expression. Continue to the Key Afer market, where tribes gather to trade, socialize, and celebrate community. Here, witness the Banna boys performing the traditional stick dance, and admire the intricate body painting that tells stories of identity, courage, and heritage. End the day in Jinka, reflecting on the vibrant cultures and rituals of the Omo Valley. Overnight: Jinka. Mid-range lodge located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) Stay: Eco Omo Lodge Mid-range lodge located in Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 12
Explore Mursi Tribe & Farewell to Ethiopia
A final excursion takes you to Mago National Park, home to the remote Mursi tribe, known for their lip plates, scarification, and fiercely independent, untouched culture. Witness their living traditions, where body and spirit carry centuries of history. Return to Jinka for lunch, then fly to Addis Ababa for shopping, city strolls, and a farewell dinner at a cultural restaurant, celebrating the music, flavors, and memories of Ethiopia. After dinners transfer to the airport for your international flight. End of Journey. All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Jinka (Lower Omo Valley) Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All flights during the tour
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
Fly to/from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD - Check price)
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
Abiy Ethiopia Tours
5.0 operator rating
5 reviews
Abiy Ethiopia Tours is a travel company based in Ethiopia found on 2017 and always committed and passionate about our service, keen to look after our clients in all ways, especially their primary needs, wants, and requests. In our itineraries, we emphasize creating the best socially interactive and environmentally friendly tour experiences, supporting the local inhabitants to the fullest extent possible. Our years of experience and personalized services make your travels truly unique.
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
10-20 employees (Founded in 2017)
Member Of
Ministry Of Tourism & Ethiopian Tour Operator Association
Tour Types
Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
Destinations
Ethiopia
Traveler feedback
Reviews
Overall
5.0/5Communication
5.0/5Accuracy
5.0/5Value
5.0/5Safety clarity
5.0/5Cultural value
5.0/5Best trip in Ethiopia
I had a wonderful trip in Ethiopia thanks to Abiy from Abiy Ethiopia. Everything was well organized, and he made sure we were comfortable and enjoying every moment. His knowledge of the country, culture, and history made the experience even more special. I highly recommend him to anyone planning to visit Ethiopia.
Chloris Ankunda ( Chloe Uganda) · Uganda
Great Tour operator
Abiy Ethiopia Tours delivered an outstanding travel experience in Ethiopia. The service was honest, reliable, and professionally organized from start to finish. As a local tour operator he brings exceptional knowledge of Ethiopian wildlife, history, culture, and local communities, making the journey both educational and truly memorable. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned, accommodations and transportation were seamless, and safety was always a top priority. For anyone seeking an authentic Ethiopia safari or a high-quality private or customized tour, I highly recommend Abiy Ethiopia Tours.
Luisa Yu · United States
Our excellent experience with top Tour guide Abiy
Abiy picked us up in the hotel in Lalibela and showed and explained us some of the most impressive Rock Hewn Churches. His knowledge of history was great. As other highlights I want to point out Axum, the capital of the ancient empire of the Queen of Saba and of course the National Museum in Addis Abeba showing the story of mankind starting with Lucy!
Elisabeth · Austria
Friendly personal service from an efficient, knowledgeable operator
I have now travelled twice with Abiy Ethiopia Tours and each time found the planning and delivery of the tour immaculate. Abiy is prompt replying to queries, generous with advice, and always knowledgeable, courteous and fluent in English. We enjoyed the first tour so much that we trusted Abiy to arrange our second experience of Ethiopia. We found going through a trustworthy Addis-based tour operator proved excellent value for money. We were again impressed with the friendly efficiency of all involved and the personal interest Abiy took in ensuring that we got the maximum enjoyment from the trip. Well done Abiy Ethiopia Tours!
Laurence · United Kingdom
Practical answers
Tour FAQs
Are rates charged per person?
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Which currency is this tour priced in?
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
Can children join this tour?
This tour is unavailable for children.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Best Western Plus Pearl Addis - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included. Meals: All Meals Included
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Abiy Ethiopia Tours, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Abiy Ethiopia Tours.
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