Historical · Cultural · Danakil · Wildlife
19-Day Ethiopia Grand Expedition
Lalibela, the Danakil, Awash, the Rift Valley, Konso and the Omo Valley, Hawassa and the walled city of Harar.
- Duration
- 19 Days
- Season
- November to March
- Group Size
- Private or group
- Price
- Designed Around You
The Journey
18 nights, designed around the hours that matter
An extraordinary private expedition through ancient history, dramatic landscapes, volcanic wonders and culturally rich communities. Explore the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and hike to Asheton Maryam, drive overland into the Danakil Depression for Erta Ale, Lake Afdera, Lake Assale and Dallol, and continue through Awash National Park. Then travel south past the Tiya stelae to Arba Minch and Lake Chamo, meet the Ari, Mursi, Bena, Hamer, Karo, Dassanech, Arbore, Konso and Dorze peoples, and return north via Hawassa before flying east to Harar, its old town and its famous evening hyena feeding, ending with a farewell dinner in Addis Ababa.
Day by Day
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
This itinerary is carefully planned, but minor adjustments may be made due to weather, local festivals, road conditions or your personal interests to ensure the best possible experience.
Day 1
Arrival in Addis Ababa – City Tour
Your adventure begins with a warm welcome at Bole International Airport, where your private guide will accompany you to your hotel. After time to settle in, visit some of the capital’s most significant sites, including the National Museum and the fossil remains of Lucy, Holy Trinity Cathedral and Mount Entoto, with sweeping views across Addis Ababa. If time permits, explore one of the city’s lively markets or cultural neighbourhoods. Overnight: Lobelia or Sabon Hotel, Addis Ababa.
Day 2
Fly Addis Ababa – Lalibela – First Group of Churches
After breakfast, fly to Lalibela, where your driver and guide will welcome you. After lunch, explore the First Group of Churches, a remarkable collection of medieval churches carved directly from the volcanic rock. Walk through ancient passageways, courtyards and tunnels as your guide introduces the history, traditions and spiritual importance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy the changing afternoon light across the stone. Overnight: Honey Land Hotel, Lalibela.
Day 3
Lalibela – Asheton Maryam – Second Group of Churches
Wake early to attend the morning church service with the local faithful, then return for breakfast. Hike to Asheton Maryam, one of the most atmospheric religious sites in the Lalibela highlands, through cultivated fields, traditional settlements and mountain scenery, and enjoy spectacular views from the monastery. Return to Lalibela for lunch and, in the afternoon, visit the Second Group of churches, ending at the iconic Church of St. George, carved downward into the rock in the form of a cross. Overnight: Honey Land Hotel, Lalibela.
Day 4
Lalibela – Semera
After breakfast, begin the long overland journey from the cool highlands of Lalibela to Semera in the hotter, drier Afar Region, with dramatic changes of scenery and stops for refreshments and photographs along the way. In Semera, the gateway to the Danakil Depression, meet your local team; your guide will brief you on the route, desert conditions and the days ahead. Overnight: Assab International Hotel, Semera.
Day 5
Semera – Erta Ale
Total driving distance: approximately 250 km (5 to 6 hours); walking time: about 1.5 hours. After breakfast, meet the Danakil team. You will be warmly welcomed by our experienced team, including skilled 4WD drivers, a professional cook, local guides, and an official tour leader from the Tourism Authority. A police escort will accompany the expedition, and all camping equipment will be prepared before departure. Begin the scenic drive across the dramatic Afar Desert toward Erta Ale Volcano. Upon arrival, continue to the camping area located on the rim of the caldera. In the late afternoon, at around 5:30 PM, start the approximately one-hour hike to the summit. Although the famous lava lake is currently inactive, Erta Ale remains one of the world’s most fascinating shield volcanoes. From the summit, enjoy breathtaking views of the volcanic crater, rugged lava fields, and the unique geological landscape created by centuries of volcanic activity. After spending time exploring and taking photographs, return to the campsite at around 8:00 PM. Spend the night camping under the stars in a peaceful open-air setting, with comfortable mattresses, pillows, clean bed linens, and all essential camping facilities provided. Overnight: Dodom, Camping.
Day 6
Erta Ale – Lake Afdera – Hamed Ela
Total driving distance: approximately 300 km (6 to 7 hours); walking time: about 2 hours. Wake up early, around 5:00 AM, to witness a spectacular sunrise over the volcanic landscape before returning to the campsite for breakfast. After breakfast, drive to Lake Afdera, a beautiful saltwater lake in the heart of the Danakil Depression. Surrounded by dramatic desert scenery, the lake offers a refreshing opportunity to swim in its warm, mineral-rich waters. Continue to Hamed Ela, the gateway to Dallol, where you will set up camp for the night. In the late afternoon, visit Lake Assale (Karum Lake) to admire the breathtaking sunset over the vast salt flats, one of the most unforgettable views in the Danakil Depression. Overnight in an open-air campsite with comfortable mattresses, pillows, clean bed linens, and ample drinking water. Overnight: Hamed Ela, Camping.
Day 7
Dallol – Semera
Total driving distance: approximately 300 km (6 to 7 hours). Wake early in Hamed Ela and, depending on the previous day’s programme and local conditions, make a final visit to the surrounding salt flats and desert landscapes. Then drive across the Afar Desert toward Semera, past expansive salt plains, volcanic landscapes, rugged mountains and remote Afar settlements. Overnight: Assab International Hotel, Semera.
Day 8
Semera – Awash National Park
Total driving distance: approximately 400 to 450 km (7 to 8 hours with stops). After breakfast, travel from the arid Afar landscape into the volcanic and savannah environments of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Depending on your arrival time and local conditions, enjoy an introductory nature drive or visit the Awash Falls. The park is known for its dry savannah, volcanic scenery, wildlife, birdlife and the dramatic Awash River gorge. Overnight: Genet Hotel, Awash.
Day 9
Awash National Park – Addis Ababa
After breakfast, return to Addis Ababa through the Rift Valley, passing farmland and rural communities. The rest of the day is free to relax or, depending on timing, for shopping or a short city experience. Overnight: Lobelia or Sabon Hotel, Addis Ababa.
Day 10
Addis Ababa – Tiya Stelae – Arba Minch
Total driving distance: approximately 460 to 470 km (7 to 9 hours with stops). After an early breakfast, drive south through fertile farmland, rolling hills and villages. Stop at the Tiya Stelae Field, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose carved stones, decorated with mysterious symbols and sword-like carvings, belong to an ancient culture still not fully understood. Continue through the Gurage and Wolayta areas, with lunch on the way, and arrive in Arba Minch, meaning “Forty Springs”, the gateway to Lake Chamo, Lake Abaya, the Chencha highlands and the Dorze cultural area. Overnight: Saro Hotel, Arba Minch.
Day 11
Lake Chamo Boat Trip – Arba Minch – Jinka
Total driving distance: approximately 300 km; boat excursion: about 2 to 3 hours. After breakfast, take a boat excursion on Lake Chamo, famous for its large Nile crocodiles, hippos and diverse birdlife, as your guide explains the lake’s wildlife and its importance to the surrounding communities. Return to Arba Minch and drive on to Jinka through rolling hills, farmland and traditional settlements, stopping for photographs along the way. Overnight: Nasa Hotel, Jinka.
Day 12
Ari Village – Mursi – Bena – Turmi – Hamer Village
After breakfast, visit an Ari village near Jinka, then continue deeper into the Omo Valley. Subject to road conditions, local arrangements and access, visit a Mursi community in the Key Afer area, with an emphasis on respectful cultural interaction. Along the route, meet the Bena people and, if your journey coincides with a market day, visit a traditional market. In the late afternoon, visit a Hamer community near Turmi to learn about their lifestyle, customs, clothing, hairstyles and livestock herding. Overnight: Kizo Lodge, Turmi.
Day 13
Turmi – Karo – Omorate – Dassanech – Turmi
In the morning, drive to Korcho village to visit the Karo, known for their traditional body painting, with beautiful views over the Omo River. Continue to Omorate for lunch, then cross the Omo River by traditional boat to visit the Dassanech people of the delta and learn about their lifestyle and culture. Return to Turmi in the late afternoon. Overnight: Kizo Lodge, Turmi.
Day 14
Turmi – Arbore – Gesergio (New York) – Konso – Arba Minch
After an early breakfast, visit an Arbore village to learn about their culture, customs, clothing and daily life. Continue to Gesergio, known as “New York”, a remarkable landscape of sandstone formations, narrow ridges and towering earth pillars that resemble city streets and buildings. After lunch in Konso, visit a traditional Konso community, with its stone-walled villages and terraced fields, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape, before driving on to Arba Minch. Overnight: Saro Hotel, Arba Minch.
Day 15
Arba Minch – Dorze Village – Hawassa
After breakfast, drive into the Guge Mountains to visit a traditional Dorze village, renowned for its weaving, agriculture and elephant-shaped houses built from local materials; you may also see traditional weaving and food preparation. Continue north through the Great Rift Valley to Hawassa, a pleasant city on the shores of Lake Hawassa, and, depending on your arrival time, enjoy a walk by the lake, watching the fishermen and birdlife. Overnight: Oasis International Hotel, Hawassa.
Day 16
Hawassa Fish Market – Addis Ababa
Wake early to visit the Hawassa fish market and watch the fishermen bring in their fresh catch. After breakfast, drive north to Addis Ababa through the Rift Valley, with short stops for refreshments and photographs along the way. Overnight: Lobelia or Sabon Hotel, Addis Ababa.
Day 17
Fly Addis Ababa – Dire Dawa – Harar – Hyena Feeding
After breakfast, fly to Dire Dawa and continue about 55 km by road through the eastern highlands to Harar. After lunch, explore Harar Jugol, the fortified old city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its ancient walls, narrow alleyways, colourful traditional houses, historic mosques and vibrant markets, as your local guide introduces the history, traditions and Islamic heritage of the Harari people. In the evening, witness the famous hyena feeding outside the old city walls, where the hyena men feed wild spotted hyenas by hand. Overnight: Ferej Hotel, Harar.
Day 18
Harar – Dire Dawa – Fly to Addis Ababa – Farewell Dinner
After breakfast, continue exploring Harar, including the Arthur Rimbaud House, the city’s historic gates, traditional Harari architecture, handicrafts and colourful markets. Then drive about 1.5 to 2 hours to Dire Dawa Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. In the evening, celebrate the end of your journey with a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant, with authentic cuisine, music and cultural dance. Overnight: Lobelia or Sabon Hotel, Addis Ababa.
Day 19
Addis Ababa – Departure
After an early breakfast, transfer to Bole International Airport for your flight home. Thank you for choosing Extraordinary Ethiopia Tours; we hope you return home with unforgettable memories of Ethiopia, its people, culture, history and landscapes, and we look forward to welcoming you back. What to bring for the Danakil Depression: a torch or head lamp for walking at night, a small backpack for the hike up the volcano, closed and comfortable hiking shoes, sun protection such as sunscreen and a hat, a jacket for the night on the volcano, tissues, and a sleeping bag, pillow or blanket (these can also be provided).
What Is Included
- Meet-and-assist at Bole International Airport and all transfers
- Domestic flights as shown in the itinerary
- Private 4x4 vehicle with an experienced driver
- Licensed English-speaking guide (other languages on request)
- 18 nights of accommodation: Hotels, Lodges & Open-air Camping
- Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- 4x4 vehicles with experienced desert drivers
- Afar regional permits, local Afar guide and police escort
- Camping equipment with mattresses, pillows and clean bedding
- Drinking water: around six litres per person per day
- Boat excursion on Lake Chamo
- Entrance fees to all sites and churches in the itinerary
- Farewell dinner with traditional music and dance
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Photography fees in Omo Valley villages (paid locally)
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
Before You Book
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Guest reviews
What our guests say
Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor and Google, and 4.9 on SafariBookings.
“My tour operator was very communicative even before the trip began and very responsive on WhatsApp. He booked all my domestic flights and arranged all my airport pick-ups and drop-offs. He had professional guides in all the regions I visited, the itinerary was clear, and he was flexible with any changes. There were no extra costs. He is reliable, communicative and well experienced. I will be back with the same company.”
Sarah · Kenya · August 2026
Read more reviews on SafariBookings“Excellent services provided by Maereg and his team. The local guides and the drivers – Geta (my fave) – were all great. They were patient, professional, knowledgeable and took great care of us. Everything was seamlessly coordinated and they were always on time for pickups and made sure we were briefed in advance of the itinerary and any changes. One of my top travel destinations in Africa, with some of the kindest and warmest people. Maereg went above and beyond! First-class service, always with a smile!”
D Thomas · Google review · May 2026
Read more reviews on GoogleEnquire
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Runs November to March · Private or group · A quote made for your journey
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