Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa – Coffee Heritage Introduction Land at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa and transfer to a 4-star hotel. Dive into Ethiopia’s coffee legacy with an afternoon visit to the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX), exploring global Arabica coffee trading. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony at a cultural restaurant, learning the art of roasting beans over coals. Overnight in Addis Ababa at Hilton Addis or similar, with breakfast and dinner included.

Day 2: Flight to Hawassa – Sidamo Coffee Gateway Take a 45-minute morning flight to Hawassa, the entry to the Sidamo coffee region. Visit the lively Hawassa fish market by Lake Awassa, spotting aquatic birds. Drive 30 minutes to Yirgalem and tour Yirgalem washing stations at Sidama coffee cooperatives, observing wet-processing of floral Sidamo coffee beans. End with a coffee tasting session to savor regional notes. Overnight in Yirgalem at Aregash Lodge, an eco-lodge nestled in coffee groves, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 3: Yirgalem to Dilla Area – Forest Coffee Exploration Journey 1 hour to the Dilla area for a full-day adventure. Hike through highland forest coffee plantations, discovering wild Arabica coffee origins. Visit local mills to see coffee processing factories (hulling, grading). Take an afternoon detour to the Tutu Fela stelae, ancient UNESCO-tentative grave markers. Wrap up with a village-hosted Ethiopian coffee ceremony by local farmers. Overnight in Dilla at Saron Lodge, a mid-range hotel with scenic views, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 4: Dilla to Yirgacheffe – Premium Coffee Heartland Drive 1.5 hours to Yirgacheffe, famed for its Yirgacheffe coffee farms. Tour cooperatives like the Efico Foundation project or Ferro Cooperative, learning about heirloom varieties and fruity Yirgacheffe coffee flavor profiles. Join a hands-on coffee harvesting experience and a cupping session tasting light-bodied brews. Optionally, visit nearby enset (false banana) fields for Sidama cultural insights. Overnight in Yirgacheffe at a local guesthouse or return to Aregash Lodge, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 5: Yirgacheffe to Bulle Hora – Wild Coffee Adventure Return to Yirgacheffe plantations for a morning dive into single origin coffee tours, focusing on organic farming and women’s cooperatives. Drive 2-3 hours through scenic Rift Valley roads to Bulle Hora, exploring remote Bulle Hora forest coffee zones with wild-harvested beans. Witness traditional drying methods and enjoy a farm-to-cup demo. Overnight in Bulle Hora at an eco-camp or back in Dilla, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 6: Bulle Hora to Hawassa – Coffee Markets & Lakeside Serenity Drive 3-4 hours back to Hawassa, stopping at tribal markets for Sidamo coffee trading insights. Spend the afternoon on a relaxing Lake Awassa boat ride or at a spa in Haile Resort. Enjoy an evening coffee tasting comparing regional blends (Yirgacheffe vs. Sidamo). Overnight in Hawassa at Haile Resort Lakeside, a 4-star retreat, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 7: Hawassa to Addis Ababa – Departure with Coffee Souvenirs Catch a morning flight back to Addis Ababa. Optionally, shop for single origin Ethiopian coffee beans at Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market. Transfer to Bole Airport for departure, reflecting on your Ethiopian coffee origin adventure. Breakfast included; tour concludes in Addis Ababa.

This custom Ethiopian coffee tour supports ethical tourism and local farmers through fair-trade visits. Contact Sunlust Tours to book or tailor your best Ethiopian coffee tour, or extend to Kaffa coffee origins for a deeper dive!