Duration
9-Day
Accra, Ethiopia
9-Day Addis Ababa Lalibela, Danakil & Omo Valley Peoples
Overview
This itinerary masterfully balances Ethiopia's historical, cultural, and natural highlights. It offers a blend of urban exploration, ancient religious sites, volcanic wonders, and vibrant tribal cultures. The pacing is adventurous yet manageable, ideal for travelers seeking an authentic Ethiopian experience.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa
Via Lalibela (Town), Danakil Depression, Arba Minch (City)
Country & park
Ethiopia
Style
Shared safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
10 years
Activities
game drives
Accommodation
Caravan Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Breakfast Included
Meals
Breakfast Included; All Meals Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
EUR
Solo travelers
Can join this group tour
Rates
Rates Per Person
EUR
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
€2.750 EUR
€2.200 EUR
Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027
€2.750 EUR
€2.200 EUR
Before booking
Important To Know
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in Euros (EUR).
This tour accepts children who are 10 years and older. Children under 11 are free.
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 2-3
Lalibela (Town)
Day 4-6
Danakil Depression (Highlight)
Day 7
Arba Minch (City)
Day 8
Turmi (Lower Omo Valley)
End
Addis Ababa (Day 9)
Tour Features
Budget tour
This budget tour includes camping and lodges.
Shared tour
On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 5 people per vehicle.
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 single travelers
Single travelers can join this group tour.
10
Minimum age of 10 years
The minimum age for this tour is 10 years.
Activities & Transportation
Activities: game drives
Game drives: normal 4x4 vehicle
Getting around: normal 4x4 vehicle & air transfer
Book your own international flights when using this operator
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Caravan Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 2
Tabor Hotel Lalibela
Mid-range hotel in Lalibela (Town) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 3
Caravan Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 4-5
Budget camping Danakil Depression (Highlight) – All Meals Included
Danakil Depression (Highlight) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 6
Caravan Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 7
Mora Heights Hotel Budget hotel in Arba Minch (City) – Breakfast Included +7 Photos +6 Photos
Budget hotel in Arba Minch (City) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 8
Emerald Lodge Turmi Mid-range lodge in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) – Breakfast Included +11 Photos +10 Photos
Mid-range lodge in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) – Breakfast Included
Breakfast Included
Day 9
End of tour
(No accommodation)
Breakfast 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
Addis Ababa City Tour
In the morning/afternoon, you'll explore Mount Entoto: Panoramic views of Addis Ababa. Ethnological Museum: Cultural and historical artifacts in the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. St. George Cathedral: Iconic octagonal architecture linked to the Battle of Adwa. Merkato: The Largest open-air market in Africa. Overnight stay: Addis Ababa. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Addis Ababa (City) Stay: Caravan Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2
Fly Addis Ababa to Lalibela
After breakfast, you will take to the airport your flight to Lalibela. You will meet upon arrival, be taken to your hotel. After lunch, you will visit the first group of seven churches lying in rock cradles one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mika’el, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danagl, and Bet Medhane Alem. Bet Medhane Alem, the largest one, is built like a Greek Temple, and its stone floor is so polished by the countless numbers of visitors that it reflects shafts of light from apertures in the walls high above. In a corner are three empty graves symbolically dug for biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Later, you will visit the other groups of Rock churches of Lalibela Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches, which lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the village on a sloping rock terrace. Your overnight stay will be in Lalibela. Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Tabor Hotel Lalibela Mid-range hotel located in Lalibela (Town) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3
Lalibela to Addis Ababa
In the morning, after breakfast, you will visit the remaining churches of Lalibela like Bete Gabriel, Bete Marqorios, Bete Emmanuel, and Bete Aba Libanos. Later, you'll drive to the airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. In the evening, you’ll attend a folkloric dinner where you will have a chance to taste several national dishes and watch dances of the various ethnic groups of Ethiopia. The traditional coffee ceremony will also be served. Finally, you will take to airport for your flight home. Overnight stay will be in Addis Ababa. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Lalibela (Town) Stay: Caravan Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4
Fly to Semera & Drive to Ahmed Ella
After breakfast, you will take to airport your flight to Semera. You will meet upon arrival and drive to Ahmed Ella, visiting the beautiful landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand, and occasional palm-lined oases. After you pass several small hamlets, you'll start visiting Ahmad Ella village total population of more than 500 people, to see the lifestyle of the local Afar people. Finally, you'll proceed to Salt Lake Asale, a huge salty lake where you will swim in a natural pool while enjoying sunset reflections of the salty ground. Overnight camping will be at Ahmed Ella. All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Danakil Depression (Highlight) Stay: Budget camping Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5
Dallol & Erta Ale
You'll have a morning tour drive to Ragad (Asebo), the place where the locals are mining salt. Look at the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it on camels. You'll drive ahead to Dallol and visit the different landscape formed by volcanic activity (125 meters below sea level, one of the lowest and hottest places in the world), colorful salt mining, and different terrestrial places formed by volcanic activity, like a bubbling oily lake creates a different experience of your trip. Then, you'll go back to Ahmad Ella for lunch. Later, you'll proceed to Erta Ale. Dallol: Surreal volcanic landscapes with colorful salt formations. Erta Ale: You'll witness the world’s only permanent lava lake, an incredible volcanic experience. Overnight: Camping at Erta Ale. All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Danakil Depression (Highlight) Stay: Budget camping Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 6
Erta Ale – Lake Afdera – Semera – Addis Ababa
After breakfast, you will drive to Afdera, which is used for salt extraction. It is named after the saline Lake Afdera, located in the southern part of the Afar Depression. It is a major source of salt extraction in Ethiopia, where the Lake water is pumped to saltpans for solar evaporation. Overnight stay: Addis Ababa. Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Danakil Depression (Highlight) Stay: Caravan Hotel Mid-range hotel located in Addis Ababa (City) Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 7
Fly to Arba Minch & Visit Konso Village
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Arba Minch. You will meet upon arrival and drive to southwards to Konso village. One of the UNESCO sites in Ethiopia is known for its terracing in order to protect against soil erosion from the sporadic and often heavy rainfall in the region. Turmi Hamer Village: Learn about the Hamer people's bull-jumping tradition and cultural adornments. Overnight stay: Turmi. Budget hotel located in Arba Minch (City) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Arba Minch (City) Stay: Mora Heights Hotel Budget hotel located in Arba Minch (City) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 8
Turmi – Karo – Jinka
Karo Peoples: Renowned for intricate body painting. Today, you will drive to Murulle, where you can find the Karo people. Karo People are very famous for their splendid body decoration, which they paint their bodies and faces with white chalk to prepare for a ceremony. The women scar their chest, believing it makes them beautiful. Ari People: Expert artisans in pottery and traditional liquor. Overnight stay: Jinka. Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Stay: Emerald Lodge Turmi Mid-range lodge located in Turmi (Lower Omo Valley) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 9
Jinka – Mago National Park – Addis Ababa
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll take a day excursion to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village (70 km). We devote half a day to the study of the Mursi culture. The Mursi women, like their Surma cousins, live on the other bank of the Omo River, and are famous for their large, round (and not only) lip plates worn by women. Mursi people: Unique lip plates and scarification customs. Fly back to Addis Ababa. Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: No major destination visited Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
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)
Camping equipment
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)
Drinking water (On all days)
Sleeping bag
Bath towels
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
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Addis Ababa
Book your own international flights when using this operator
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
Essence Ethiopia Tours
5.0 operator rating
80 reviews
We always offer you an itinerary that is personally tailored to your needs at competitive prices. We are passionate about creating exciting and unique trips with our customers at the heart. Our specially crafted itineraries include historic routes, cultural tours, short holiday stays, business trips, one-day excursions, trekking and wildlife expeditions – according to your needs and budget.
Office In
Ethiopia
Size
10-20 employees (Founded in 2018)
Tour Types
Custom budget & mid-range 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
5.0/5He is very helpful
Overall, my trip with this company was excellent. All the activities and sites listed were fully covered during the journey, and most importantly, they were very flexible with the traveler’s wishes—whether you want to change something or cancel an activity. They have excellent tour guides who speak fluent English, and the prices are suitable for all budgets. In the end, I highly recommend this company. Thank you.
Abdelaziz · United Arab Emirates
Exceptional
This is a great tour company! Tsahaynew knows so much and shares it easily with his guests. He is extremely friendly and accommodating. You won't regret using him for your tour!
Don · United States
Tension Free Travel
Essence Ethiopia and Mr Tsechay referred by one of my friend ,But from the first WhatsApp Message to End other tour he did a greate coordination and Tension free travel. He was really concerned about the small things that could be missed from our side. Even reminder of early flights and time lines.i Strongly recommend this team if any of you planning to Visit Ethiopia. All the best Essence Ethiopia
Sanu Sivashankar · Qatar
Well-organized tour
The tour was well organized. Big pros: When any issues arose, the organizer immediately intervened and rectified the situation. Points: 3-star hotels. All were clean, with showers, breakfast included. Transfers: I was met and seen off everywhere, and they helped with our luggage. There was a slight hitch when we arrived in Ethiopia at the airport. I expected to be met at the arrivals exit (this is usually the case). It turned out I had to exit the airport and walk to the parking lot, which I should have mentioned in advance. Transportation: I had private tours around Addis Ababa. The vehicle was clean and good. Around the salt lake, we traveled in a large Land Cruiser, with a driver and three tourists. No problems at all. Guides: Guides with good English. Both the guides and drivers were friendly, helpful, informative, and answered questions. No tips were required. Everything was fine. Additionally: In the area of the volcano and salt lake, you have to sleep outside. I even liked it – the view of the star is stunning. Cons: no shower or proper toilet.
Evgeny · Russia
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 Euros (EUR).
Can children join this tour?
This tour accepts children who are 10 years and older. Children under 11 are free.
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?
Caravan Hotel - Mid-range hotel in Addis Ababa (City) – Breakfast Included. Meals: Breakfast 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 Essence 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 Essence Ethiopia Tours.
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