Ethiopian Christmas.
Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Ethiopia, a land of rich history, diverse cultures, and breathtaking landscapes. This tour seamlessly combines the wonders of Northern Ethiopia , home to UNESCO-listed sites, ancient churches, and majestic mountains, with the Southern Omo Valley , where unique tribal traditions have remained unchanged for centuries. Witness the architectural marvels of Lalibela , the grandeur of Gondar’s castles , and the natural beauty of the Simien Mountains , before venturing south to immerse yourself in the fascinating lifestyles of the Hamer, Mursi, and Konso tribes . This tour offers a deep dive into Ethiopia’s past and present, making it a perfect adventure for history and culture enthusiasts alike.
Itinerary:
15 Days tour to Northern Historic route & Southern Omo Valley
(Christmas in Lalibela 2026)
Day. 01 (Jan.04/ 2026) Arrival of Addis Ababa Arrival of Addis Ababa Meet Sunlust Tours representative at Bole International airport and transfer to your hotel.
Day. 02 (Jan.05/ 2026) Sight Seeing of Addis Ababa In the morning make sightseeing in Addis Ababa. The sightseeing includes the national museum (where you can see (the Lucy fossil skeleton found) the Ethnological museum, Trinity cathedral church and Entoto hills.
Day. 03: (Jan. 06/2026) Fly to Lalibela & Visit churches & attend Ethiopian Christmas ceremony After breakfast transfer to airport to fly to Lalibela and transfer to the hotel. After short break excursion to visit the first group of the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are carved out of living volcanic tuff with super architectural skill that the world has never seen, yet elsewhere. UNESCO registers these churches as world heritage. Among churches of this group Bete Medahine Alem (house of the redeemer) is the largest with 5 aisles, 72 pillars, vaulted dome and molding decoration. Bete Mariam (house of St. Marry) is the most decorated among the rock hewn churches. Evening attend Ethiopian Christmas ceremony.
Day. 04: (Jan. 07/2026) Full day in Lalibela visiting the churches and Christmas ceremony Early in the morning attained the Christmas Ceremony and late day visit the remaining churches of Lalibela and surroundings.
Day. 05: (Jan. 08/2026) Fly to Gondar and sightseeing of Gondar In the morning transfer to Gonder. Sightseeing to the legendary city and world heritage site of Gondar. Gondar Known as the Camelot of Africa, and it was the 17th and 18th century capital city of Ethiopia and was a home to number of Emperor’s and war lords and Kings who built several castles in one compound. Visit that royal enclosure that is surrounded by high stone walls. (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Also, visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church meaning Trinity at the Mount of Light. It has rectangular structure and ceilings are decorated with beautiful winged angels, and its walls with impressive scenes depicting biblical events, and the Bathing pool of King Fasiledes (now baptism place during Ethiopian Epiphany).
Day. 06: (Jan. 09/2026) Drive to Simien Mountains National park Today head to a UNESCO world heritage site and the jagged panorama of the Simien Mountains National Park, famed for its exclusive landscape, afro-alpine vegetation, and unique wildlife and birds, Lunch will be served by lunch boxes on top of the view. spend the day within combination of short hiking and drive. here you will see the endemic troops of Gelada Baboons. and drive back to the lodge for overnight.
Day. 07: (Jan. 09/2026) More Excursions in Simien NP. and Drive Back to Gonder Spend more time in an amazing the Simien Mountains National Park: the incredible mountain scenery is breathtaking. Hike along mountain trails enjoying the endless unique flora and fauna of this elevated region (Giant Lobelia). Drive to Chenek and trek see Wallia a unique species indigenous to Ethiopia and the Simien Mountains. in the late afternoon drive Back to Gonder.
Day. 08: (Jan. 10/2026) Sightseeing of Gondar and drive to Bahir Dar Morning after breakfast visit Debre Berhan Selassie Church meaning Trinity at the Mount of Light. It has rectangular structure and ceilings are decorated with beautiful winged angels, and its walls with impressive scenes depicting biblical events, including the life of Christ, Mary, and the saints and martyrs. There is also a painting of the church’s founder, Emperor Iyasu I. In the afternoon drive to Bahir Dar.
Day. 09: (Jan. 11/2026) Excursion in Bahir Dar (Lake Tana and Blue Nile Falls) Morning after breakfast start your journey by Make boat cruise on the beautiful highland Lake Tana and visit beautifully decorated thatched roof monastery with their distinctive colorful frescoes of religious scenes and old manuscripts. After Lunch break take a scenic drive to the little town of Tiss Abay to visit the famous Blue Nile Falls and drive back to Bahar Dar for Over Night.
Day. 10: (Wen. Jan. 12/2026) Fly to Arba Minch Via Dorze village In the morning transfer to airport to fly back Addis and Connect your flight to Arba Minch. after some rest drive back to Chencha Village to visit Dorze people. Among their very interesting cultures are their houses built from bamboo way of life and cultivation of the false banana (from which they extract their local bread, called Kotcho.
Day. 11: (Thu. Jan. 13/2026) Boat trip on Lake Chamo and drive to Turmi via Key Afer market In the morning after breakfast make boat trip excursion on Lake Chamo to see some crocodiles, Hippos and a lot of water birds.Then drive to Turmi on the way visit Konso tribe village. Konso tribe is known for their unique social life structure and practicing the agriculture terracing. and Heading to Turmi on the way attend Key Afer Market, you will be able to join in the local weekly Banna and Tsemay market, same a very Colorful market that attracts neighboring tribes in the region - the Aris from Jinka, the Tsemay from Weyto and the Hamers from Dimeka area and are known for their local made showy decorative dressings and bunting hair style as well as dye striped.
Day. 12: (Fri. Jan. 14/2026) Excursion to Omorate Excursion to Omorate to visit the Dasenach tribes across the Omo river by wooden local boat then come back to Turmi in the afternoon to visit the nearby hammer tribe village, also possibility to see special occasion ceremonies like wedding and ritual.
Day. 13: (Sat. Jan. 13/2026) Drive to Jinka via Karo Village via Dimeka (Saturday) market Early morning Excursion to Karo village. Where the Karo people are referred as master of body painting of this region. And practice body decorations and scarification; Then drive to Jinka. via Dimeka to attend the Saturday market which tracts neighboring tribes from the area like Hammer, Karo and sometimes Dassanech tribes.
Day. 14: (Sun. Jan. 14/2026) Excursion to Mursi village and drive to Arba Minch Early morning excursion to Mursi tribes village. Mursi tribes is the most famous tradition includes the lip plate worn by the women. The origin of this tradition is not known but the Mursi themselves consider it as something that makes them distinguish from the surrounding tribes. Then drive to Arba Minch.
Day. 15: (Mon. Jan. 15/2026) Drive back to Addis and departure Early morning after breakfast drive back to Addis and en route you can visit Tiya stelae. Evening fare well dinner and transfer to airport to fly back home.
End of the Tour.
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Our tours run on carefully selected dates to align with Ethiopia’s best weather conditions and major cultural events. We offer multiple departures in December, January, April, July, and October to ensure an optimal travel experience.
· Tour Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights
· Price: Starting from $2,500 per person
· Includes: Accommodation, meals, domestic flights, guided tours, entrance fees, and ground transportation
· Excludes: International flights, personal expenses, travel insurance, and optional excursions
Optional tour extensions, including trips to the Danakil Depression and Bale Mountains, are available upon request.
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To secure your spot on one of our tours, we require a deposit payment at the time of booking. The full payment must be completed before departure.
· Deposit Required: 30% of the total tour cost upon booking
· Final Payment: Due 60 days before departure
· Payment Methods: We accept bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and PayPal
For last-minute bookings made within 30 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.
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We understand that plans can change. Below is our cancellation and refund policy:
· Cancellations 60+ days before departure: Full refund minus the deposit
· Cancellations 30-59 days before departure: 50% refund of the total cost
· Cancellations less than 30 days before departure: No refund
· No-shows or early departures: Non-refundable
If the tour is canceled by us due to unforeseen circumstances, a full refund or rescheduling option will be provided.
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Most travelers require a visa to enter Ethiopia. Below are the general visa guidelines:
· E-Visa: Available online for most nationalities through the official Ethiopian e-visa portal
· Visa on Arrival: Available for selected nationalities at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
· Tourist Visa Duration: Typically valid for 30 to 90 days
· Requirements: A valid passport (with at least six months of validity), a passport-sized photo, and proof of onward travel
We recommend applying for your visa at least two weeks before travel to ensure a smooth entry process.
For further assistance, feel free to contact us, and we’ll guide you through the visa application process!
Trip Leaders:
Our experienced local guides are passionate about Ethiopia’s history, culture, and landscapes. With deep knowledge of the country’s historical sites and close connections to the communities of the Omo Valley , they ensure a truly immersive and respectful travel experience. Our team includes expert historians, anthropologists, and nature specialists who will bring Ethiopia’s rich heritage to life, offering unique insights that go beyond the typical tourist experience.
what the Trip is like :
This journey is designed for travelers seeking a mix of adventure, cultural discovery, and historical exploration . Expect some moderate hikes in the Simien Mountains , scenic road trips, and close cultural encounters. Accommodations range from comfortable hotels in cities to eco-lodges and tribal homestays in the Omo Valley, ensuring an authentic experience. This trip is perfect for those eager to embrace Ethiopia’s diverse landscapes, ancient traditions, and warm hospitality , creating memories that will last a lifetime.
