Journey "All of Ethiopia"
volcanoes, deserts, tribes, temples...
Dates: November 29 – December 13, 2026
For today, January 24, 2026, 5 places from 10 are available on this tour.
Ethiopia is a stunning and unique African country, capable of offering an incredible number of experiences to even the most seasoned traveler. Even if you've already traveled half the world, you're sure to find something to marvel at. One traveler who visited Ethiopia described his experience this way: "I was on another planet without leaving Earth."
On this journey we invite you to join, we've brought together all the country's most interesting and unique sites. You'll be amazed by the contrast between the north, which preserves the unique monuments of religious architecture from one of the first countries to adopt Christianity, and the south, where the indigenous peoples of Africa preserve their traditions and almost primitive way of life.
We'll also admire the country's incredible nature. Our journey will take us through the truly otherworldly landscapes of the Danakil Depression, with its multicolored acid lakes, salt mountains, and sulfur geysers. We'll not only visit the active Erta Ale volcano and see a bubbling lava lake, but also spend the night at its crater, visit the Dallol volcano, located in one of the hottest places on the planet, and observe traditional salt mining methods in the desert.
The registration fee for our trip may seem rather high to some – after all, Ethiopia is a poor country, meaning everything should be cheap there. This is true, but it's important to consider the fact that we explore all of the country's most unique, and therefore well-known and "hyped" attractions, frequented by foreign tourists from all over the world. This means that our prices are tailored to affluent European and American tourists, not the local standard of living. Also, consider the number of days. While other companies offer Ethiopian tours lasting 9-11 days, or a maximum of 13, our trip lasts 15 days—we strive to see all of Ethiopia's most interesting sights in one trip, so you don't have to make two trips. 😎
Trip organizers:
VIKTORIA SHATALOVA
Professional traveler, creator of unique tourist routes, and organizer of original trips with 16 years of experience. She has visited 37 countries around the world and 82 regions of Russia. Organizer and participant of numerous hikes, rafting trips, and climbs, including an ascent of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), road trips and expeditions across Central Asia, Mongolia, the North, and the Far East... Read more
EVGENY ANDROSOV
Professional traveler, climber, mountain guide, and tour instructor with 35 years of experience. He visited every continent, including 82 countries and 72 regions of Russia, organized hundreds of original tours, expeditions, hikes, and climbs, and created many new, innovative tourist routes... Read more
Itinerary day by day:
Addis Ababa
Arrival in Addis Ababa. Check-in at the hotel. This day we'll explore the capital of Ethiopia. The city is located at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level at the foot of Mount Entoto, which rises to 3,200 meters. During our tour of the capital, we'll visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the cathedral of the Ethiopian Church, and St. George's Cathedral. We'll also stroll through Unity Park, where we'll see the palace of Emperor Menelik II. Optionally, we can also visit the National or Ethnological Museum.
We'll spend the night at a hotel in Addis Ababa.
Lalibela
Flight to Lalibela on a morning flight. The city of Lalibela, named after an ancient Ethiopian emperor, is famous for its rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of them were built in the 12th and 13th centuries. There are 11 churches in total, divided into four groups based on the cardinal directions. These truly stunning churches are not built brick by brick, but literally carved into the red volcanic tuff. Moreover, the churches are typically located below ground level, at a depth of 10-12 meters, and can only be accessed through a narrow tunnel.
The most unusual is the Bete Georgis Church (Church of St. George), located in the southern group of churches. It is the best-preserved of the others and features a cruciform tower carved into the rock, the roof of which is at ground level, and the base is deep underground.
We will spend the night at a hotel in Lalibela, so that we can continue exploring the unique churches the next day.
Lalibela
We continue exploring the stone masterpieces of Lalibela. They are truly worth another day.
We spend the night at a hotel in Lalibela.
Semera
We leave Lalibela. A long drive (about 450 km) awaits us to Semera, where we'll stop for the night before heading off to Erta Ale volcano the next day.
Erta Ale Volcano
In the morning, we leave Semera and embark on a journey through the Danakil Depression. Along the way, we admire the unique natural beauty of the Afar region. Along the way, we'll stop for lunch in the town of Afdera, located near the salt lake of the same name.
After lunch, we arrive at the foot of Erta Ale Volcano, and in the late afternoon, when the heat subsides, we'll set off on a three-hour hike to the volcano's summit. The climb up the volcano is not difficult; porters and camels will carry everything we need for the night. We'll ascend to the volcano's crater and see a bubbling lava lake, one of the few permanent lava lakes in the world.
We'll spend the night right at the top of the volcano, not far from the crater, sleeping under the stars on a mattress or in a simple lava rock hut.
Erta Ale - Danakil Depression - Lake Assal - Hamed Ela Village
We rise early to watch the sunrise at the summit of Erta Ale Volcano and take another look at the bubbling lava lake. After breakfast, we descend to the foot of the volcano and drive towards the village of Hamed Ela. During our several-hour journey, we'll see the incredible desert landscapes of the Danakil Depression. By evening, we'll reach Lake Assal, where we can admire a breathtaking sunset and watch the caravans of the Afar people transporting blocks of salt across the desert. Although salt is now mined and transported using machinery in the modern world, in some places the ancient method of extraction and transportation still survives: the Afars cut blocks of salt from the ground, load them onto camels, and transport them by caravan across the desert.
We'll spend the night in the village of Hamed Ela.
Dallol Volcano - Mek'ele
We'll rise early again. We'll head to the Dallol Volcano area, where we'll see a truly otherworldly landscape filled with colorful mineral deposits, bubbling sulfurous hot springs, and acidic pools of fantastically vibrant colors. Dallol Volcano lies below sea level and is one of the hottest places on Earth. After exploring Dallol's otherworldly landscapes, we'll head to Mek'ele, where we'll spend the night at a hotel.
Temples of the Tigray Region
We'll explore the amazing rock-cut temples of the Tigray region. More than 120 churches, dating from the 4th to 9th centuries, are nestled among the region's mountainous landscapes. We'll visit several churches located in the Geralta mountain range. Each church is very different in style, but each is stunningly beautiful in its own way. The Abuna Yamata Guh Church requires special patience to climb; you must hike up a meter-wide ledge to reach it. At the entrance, there's a small cave and a wooden door built into the rock. Since this small church is built entirely out of the rock, light comes only from the doorway; there are no side entrances or additional lighting. The beautiful frescoes can be viewed with a torch, creating a unique, mystical atmosphere.
The Mariam Korkor Church is one of the largest and most complex rock-cut churches in Tigray. It is located on one of the high mountains of Geralt, overlooking the village of Megab. The church has a white façade carved into the rock face. A hiker can reach the summit in just over an hour of easy walking. During the climb, one can enjoy panoramic views of the Khozen Plain and a breathtaking view of the Abuna Yamata Church. The church's interior is beautifully decorated with arches, and the enormous high ceilings are supported by twelve freestanding columns. The walls and columns are decorated with paintings depicting stories from the Bible, the Old and New Testaments. The church also contains a rich collection of parchment manuscripts, archaic Bibles, and crosses.
Daniel Korkor is a small rock-hewn church located just a few minutes' walk from Maryam Korkor. The path between the churches runs along a narrow mountain ledge, offering picturesque views. The church is beautifully and thoughtfully decorated with paintings and frescoes that are in very good condition.
After exploring the rock churches of Tigray, we return to the hotel in Mekele.
South of the country. The city of Arba Minch
We leave northern Ethiopia and head to the south of the country, where we'll have a fascinating encounter with the indigenous tribes of the Omo River Valley, who have preserved their culture and traditions for centuries. We'll fly to Arba Minch with a transfer in Addis Ababa. Upon arrival, we'll check into a hotel and relax.
Lake Chamo - Dorze Tribe Village
We'll start the day with a boat ride on Lake Chamo. The lake is located within the Nechisar National Park and is known as a habitat for hippos, crocodiles, and pelicans.
After lunch, we'll head to the Dorze tribe village. The Dorze are renowned masters of weaving. From natural, local Ethiopian cotton, they create incredibly beautiful items, despite a complete lack of technical equipment. The Dorze dwellings are intriguing: rather tall, they are built from false banana leaves and shaped like the head of a word. The reason for their height is that termites eat away at the foundations over time, causing the house to sink.
We'll return to the hotel in Arba Minch for the night.
Turmi Town - Hamer Tribe Village
We'll move on to Turmi, from where we'll travel to a Hamer village. This is one of the most fascinating tribes in Ethiopia. They live a traditional lifestyle, raising livestock and doing everything by hand (collecting water, grinding flour, and making clay pots). Hamer women decorate their hair with a special mixture of ocher and clay, creating unusual hairstyles. Women wear special neckbands that indicate their married status or special status, such as first and main wife (the Hamer have a tradition of polygamy). The number of scars on a woman's body is also an indicator of her beauty.
After meeting the Hamer tribe, we'll spend the night in Turmi.
Nyangatom and Dasenech Tribes
Today we'll meet two more tribes: Nyangatom and Dasenech.
The tribes live close to each other, but are very different. The Nyangatom are nomadic herders, surrounded by larger tribes, and are often forced to fight with neighboring tribes for their position along the river. They were among the first in the Omo River Valley to arm themselves with firearms. Scars on a man's shoulders indicate that he has killed two or more rivals from other tribes. Nyangatom women wear a large number of beads around their necks, which they wear throughout their lives. The beads are worn from infancy: the first are given by the father, then the woman buys them herself, and upon marriage, the husband puts them on. Thus, they wear a colorful cluster of beads weighing up to eight kilograms around their necks.
The Dasenech people are deeply connected to their ancestral lands, which are characterized by vast pastures, riverbanks, and a semi-arid climate. Their traditional way of life includes livestock breeding, agriculture, and fishing. The traditional Dasenech dwelling is a portable, hemispherical tent.
The appearance of this people is interesting, especially the women, who shave the front of their heads from the hairline, leaving only the back of the head and a small forelock in front. Married women typically wear their hair pulled back, while unmarried women wear it forward. Local women adorn their hairstyles, which can be quite intricate, with numerous braids, with objects unusual for European tourists: on their heads, you can see metal and plastic bottle caps, cartridge caps, plastic buttons, keychains, old keys, and even plastic cases from old push-button cell phones.
We return to the town of Turmi for the night.
Mursi Tribe - Jinka
Today we will visit the Mursi tribe, the most famous tribe of nomadic herders. Of particular interest is the distinctive appearance of local women: wearing lip bands. In adolescence, a girl receives an incision under her lower lip, which gradually stretches over time, and a clay band is inserted into it. The diameter of this "ornament" can eventually reach 30 cm, and to wear it, a woman must lose two lower front teeth.
After visiting the Mursi tribe, we will travel to the city of Jinka.
A spare day is recommended in case of travel delays or flight delays. If you don't need a spare day, you can visit the South Omo Museum and Research Center. The museum was founded by a German anthropologist who came here over 30 years ago to study the peoples living in the Omo River Valley. The museum displays his observations and comparisons, hours of video footage documenting cultural traditions, and numerous collected objects relating to each ethnographic group.
To home
Flight from Jinka home with a transfer in Addis Ababa.