We offer a variety of tour packages. They can be standard tourist destinations or off the beaten path. Listed below are pre-planned tour packages. However, we can plan custom itineraries for whatever sites and activities are of interest. Please feel free to browse the tour package descriptions.
Tour packages include:
- airport pickup and drop-off
- the best accomodations
- ground and air transportation
- vehicle with driver
- driver per diem
- entrance fees for parks and museums
- on-demand shuttle service
If you would like to inquire about a tour, whether standard or custom, please contact us.
Tour Package Itineraries
(click on each box to view or hide the tour itineraries)
MLT-001
Kechene | Adadi Maryam | Melka Konture Tour
Day 1 |
The group will be met at the airport and transferred to their hotel. Dinner will be provided in the hotel or outside restaurants depending on the group’s preference. |
Day 2 |
Breakfast and a short meeting to discuss the group’s agenda. Drive to Kechene to meet with the Bete Avraham and visit the synagogue. After lunch, tour the community and visit some weavers, potters and other artisans. Return back to the hotel. Depending on how the day goes, other activities may be added. |
Day 3 |
After breakfast, drive to Kechene. Continue discussions with the Bete Avraham. On the way back, drive to Entoto, the site of Emperor Menelik II’s palace, when he moved the capital city from Ankober, Northern Shewa to Addis Ababa. As we enter the complex there is a small museum mostly about Emperor Menelik II. Then we enter St. Mary’s Church and walk to the back to see the Emperor’s house, constructed from wood and mud. At the same time, get a spectacular view of Addis from the height of Entoto. |
Day 4 |
After breakfast drive to Kechene and continue discussion with Bete Avraham leadership and ENSZO (Ethiopia North Shewa Zionist Organization). After lunch visit the Displaced Jews Development Association compound in Addis Ababa. These are Bete Israeli left behind by NACOEJ, when NACOEJ left Ethiopia in 2005. |
Day 5 |
After breakfast we drive to Fitche. While the main focus is to visit the North Shewa Jews who are engaged as blacksmith, leather tanners, there are other historical sites that we may visit in Fitche and its environ. Fitche is mainly known as the site of Ras Kassa’s house, where Emperor Iyasu was imprisoned in the 1920s after being overthrown by the future Emperor Haile Selassie. Ras Kassa’s house apparently was destroyed during the Derg’s time. Along the way we may visit Debre Libanos, what the Christians claim as the second Jerusalem. Debre Libanos was the center of learning for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church until 1937. In 1937 the Italians massacred the priest and deacons and buried them in mass graves fearing them as the center of resistance to Italian occupation of Ethiopia. The church has been rebuilt and it is revered by many Christians. |
Day 6 |
After Breakfast drive to Adadi Maryam, Melka Kunture and Tiya and back to Addis. To get to Adadi Maryam we drive towards Butajira and then to Melka Awash. Melka Awash is a town on the banks of Awash River. It is about 50 kilometers from Addis. The Awash River Gorge nearby also offers an interesting site seeing. The main attraction of the Awash River Gorge is the Melka Kunture Prehistoric Site. It is best known for numerous Stoneage artifacts unearthed from the river bed. Downstream there is a vast complex of caves. Adadi Maryam lies to the west of Butajira. It is home to a complex of rock hewn churches similar to those found in Lalibela. It is believed that these churches were built by King Lalibela in the 12th century. They served as his southern palace and office complex. If time allows, we will drive to Tiya to see the mysterious engraved stelae that stretch across southern Ethiopia. It is listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Tiya is about 40 km from Melka Awash. |
Day 7 |
Last visit to Kechene and continue with the Addis Ababa tour including the National Museum. |
Day 8 |
Last minute shopping for souvenir. After dinner drive to the airport and depart for United States and other destinations. |
MLT-002
Historic | Religious Interest Tour
Day 1 |
Drive from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar: We start early from Addis Ababa. Along the way we will stop at Mertule Maryam, site of Emperor Susenyos’ coronation. Emperor Susenyos was converted into Catholicism by the Portuguese and for some 16 years Ethiopia’s state religion was catholic. For us the main attraction is that the site is considered as the center of Ethiopian Judaism and it is so identified by the National Museum in Addis Ababa. Also, Weyzazirt Kidhane Mihret located 15km past Mota may be of interest to visitors. It is contains some 17th century paintings. |
Day 2 |
Bahir Dar – Lake Tana Boat Tour: The boat ride in Lake Tana will take us to Tana Kirkos, where the Ark of the Covenant sat for almost 900 years. |
Day 3 |
Drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar: Along the way we can visit Beles Melka and where the Kemant reside. The Kemant claim to be Jews who arrived to Ethiopia during the time of Avrahm. They maintain the same tradition as of the time of Avraham. They worship in the woods. |
Day 4 |
Tour Gondar and its environs: We will visit with the Bete Israeli waiting for Aliya. We will tour the famous palace and castle of Emperor Fasiledes and the various historical churches scattered around. We will also visit the Bete Israel village Ambober. |
Day 5 |
Drive from Gondar to Axum: Along the way we will see and make a stop at the foot of Simien Mountain. Once up on a time it was a strong hold of Ethiopian Jews. From the mountain they resisted attempts of several kings and emperors to convert them into Christianity at the behest of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The Simien Mountain National Park also offers hiking, camping and wild life and bird watching. |
Day 6 |
Tour Axum: Axum is an important holy city for Ethiopian Christians. It also houses the true Ark of the Covenant. It was the capital of Ethiopia from ancient times. |
Day 7 |
Drive from Axum to Mekele. |
Day 8 |
Drive from Mekele to Lalibela. |
Day 9 |
Tour Lalibela: Lalibela was the capital of Ethiopia during the rein of the Jewish King, King Lalibela. The rock hewn structures, which now have been converted into church complexes, were constructed by King Lalibela. The structures formed his palace and office complexes for his government. We will also visit the Jewish village on the outskirts of Lalibela. |
Day 10 |
Drive from Lalibela to Kombolcha: The Yegof Forest on the ridge overlooking Kombolcha supports a population of Menelik’s bushbuck, vervet monkey, leopards, and other mammals. |
Day 11 |
Drive from Kombolcha to Addis Ababa: We drive past Dessie and Debre Berhan. We could also visit Makdala Hill where Emperor Tewodros fought the British in 1868. He was betrayed by the future Emperor Yohannes and chose to commit suicide instead of capture by the British. |
Day 12 |
Depart to the United States from Addis: Relaxation and Departure to Washington, DC |
MLT-003
Omo Valley Cultural | Wildlife Tour
Day 1 |
Airport pickup and transfer to hotel: You will be picked up from the airport and driven to your hotel. Dinner will be provided in the hotel restaurant. |
Day 2 |
Drive from Addis to Awassa: This is a drive through the Rift Valley going south towards Kenya. We pass through Debre Zeit a town known for its crater lakes; and proceed to Ziway. Lake Ziway is one of the Rift Valley lakes with a surface area of 430 km2. On Lake Ziway on the Tullo Gudo Island there is Maryam Zion Monastery where the Ark of the Covenant was kept safely away from the Italian occupiers between 1937 and 1941. It was also the place where the Ark of the Covenant was hidden during the war between the Jewish Empress of Ethiopia, Yodit and the Christian rebels around the 9th century. From Ziway we pass through Langano. There are several tourist hotels and lodges around Lake Langano. Across from Lake Langano we have Lake Abiata and Lake Shala known for flamingos and other birds. From Langano we drive to Shashemene. Shashemene is home of the Rastafarian community. 20km from Shashemene is Wondo Genet where Emperor Haile Selassie had a private lodge, where you can bathe and take a shower in the hot natural spring water. From Shashemene, Awassa is a short drive. The main attraction of Awassa is its lake (Lake Awassa) and the morning fish market on the banks of the lake at Amora Gedel. |
Day 3 |
Drive from Awassa to Arbaminch: The drive to Arbaminch passess through Wolamo Sodo. There is nothing significant about Wolamo Sodo. Stay over night in Arbaminch. |
Day 4 |
Tour of Arbaminch: Arbaminch offers the Rift Valley lakes Chamo and Abaya. Nechisar National Park also offers a variety of wild animals including zebra, gazelles, foxes, etc. Once upon a time there were plenty of crocodiles along the shores of Lake Chamo and Lake Abaya today you can only find a few wild crocodiles. However, there is now a crocodile farm worth visiting. One can also see hippos around the two lakes. We can also take a detour to Chencha to visit the Dorze people, renowned for cotton weavers and their tall beehive-shaped dwellings. |
Day 5 |
Drive from Arbaminch to Mago National Park through Jinka: We drive to Jinka and make a stop to visit the South Omo Research Center & Museum. It is an excellent anthropological museum regarding the South Omo people. From there we drive straight to the Mago National Park and set camp. The Mago National Park is located on the eastern bank of the Omo River and ranges in altitude from 450 to 2,528 meters above sea level. We tour the park to view wild life and also drive to the Mursie village, whose women have the custom of expanding their lower lips using disks that gradually get larger and larger. |
Day 6 |
Drive from Mago National Park to Turmi: We drive to Tumri. Along the way we pass through a vast meadowland with shrubs and “umbrella” acacia trees. We pass through the village of Omorate on the Omo River. We encounter the Galeb people, who use the river to bathe and wash their clothes. We arrive to Tumri and camp overnight in a square under mango trees. |
Day 7 |
Tour Turmi: Turmi is well known for its Monday market. If we arrive on a Monday we visit the colorful markets of the Hammer, Karo and Dassanech tribes respectively. These tribes are famous for their hairstyles, and ornaments. |
Day 8 |
Drive from Turmi to Yabello: We drive to Yabello. Along the way we visit the Konso village to see their famous Totems (grave markers), land terraces and unique houses. En route, visit the village of Erbore tribe. Stay overnight in Yabello. |
Day 9 |
Drive from Yabello to Awassa: Stay overnight in Awassa. |
Day 10 |
Drive from Awassa to Addis. |
Day 11 |
Addis: Relaxation, shopping and Departure to Washington, DC |
MLT-004
Bale National Park | Awash National Park | Harrar Tour
Day 1 |
Drive from Addis to Wondo Genet. This was once Emperor Haile Sellassie’s relaxation place. It is now converted into a resort hotel. There is hot spring shower for those interested. Stay overnight. |
Day 2 |
After breakfast drive from Wondo Genet to Bale Dinisho Park. Stay overnight. |
Day 3 |
Bale National Park trekking and looking for wildlife, then drive to Sanetti Plateau to look for the Ethiopian Red Fox, etc. Stay overnight in Goba. |
Day 4 |
Drive to Awash National Park through scenic Arsi. Stay overnight in Awash and do some sight seeing and look for wildlife. Once there were lions in this park. |
Day 5 |
Drive from Awash to Harrar. It said that the city of Harrar was occupied by the Turks during the Ottoman Empire. Some of the resident of the city claim ancestry from the Turkish settlers. It was also the strong hold of Ahmed Granne. Stay overnight in Harrar and after dinner visit the hyena man feeding the hyenas by hand. |
Day 6 |
Tour the city of Harrar and surrounding towns. Emperor Haile Sellassie grew up in Harrar while his father, Ras Mokonnen, was governor of the province. Stay overnight in Harrar. |
Day 7 |
Drive from Harrar to Nazeret. Stay overnight. |
Day 8 |
After breakfast drive to Soderie, the hot springs resort. Take a hot shower or just visit and continue driving to Addis. Stay overnight in Addis. |
Day 9 |
Relaxation, last minute shopping, dinner and airport transfer for departure. |
MLT-005
Addis Ababa Day Tour
9:00 AM |
Drive to Entoto: Entoto was the capital of Emperor Menelik II before Addis Ababa was founded in 1887. Here in Entoto, Emperor Menelik build his palace and the St. Mary church where he was crowned as Emperor in 1882. There is a small museum, which has interesting religious and ceremonial clothing dating from Emperor Menelik’s time. Past 2kms from St. Mary’s church there is a 13th century rock-hewn church of Kidus Raguel. From the heights of Entoto one can also have a panoramic view of Addis Ababa. |
10:00 AM |
Drive to the Kechene Synagogue and meet with the young Zionists who established the synagogue and learn about the Ethiopian Jewish community. The Kechene community which was settled from North Shewa during the time of the arrival of Emperor Menelik II to Entoto are a break away group of the Bete Israeli of the Gondar region. They are known for their skills as weavers, potters, masons, and black smith. |
11:00 AM |
Drive to the Addis Ababa University Museum. The Addis Ababa University Museum has a collection of items that tell the history and culture of Ethiopia. You can also see the bedroom of Emperor Haile Selassie at the time the University was his palace. |
12:00 PM |
Break for lunch. |
1:00 PM |
Drive to the National Museum. The National Museum showcases Ethiopia as the cradle of life. You can see fossils collected from various parts of Ethiopia including that of Lucy. |
2:30 PM |
Drive to the Trinity Church. This church is one of the most beautiful in all of Africa. |
3:30 PM |
Drive to Meskel Square and take a tour of Ras Imur’s house, which is converted into a cultural museum. |
4:30 PM |
Drive to the area of the Railroad Station and the National Theater. The railroad that services the towns between Addis Ababa and Djibouti was built during Emperor Menelik’s time. Leasing the Port of Djibouti to the French government for 99 years paid the cost. |
5:30 PM |
Drop off at your hotel to rest and relax. |
7:00 PM |
Dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant with traditional dancers. |
MLT-006
Suba (Menagesha) National Forest Day Tour
9:00 AM |
Drive to Menagesha National Forest for bird watching and scenic tour. As noted above, it is basically an indigenous forest reserve. The forest is inhabited by various large mammals and offers a variety of birds. It is one of the oldest national forests in Africa. The forest was protected by imperial decree since the time of Emperor Zara Yaqob who ruled in the mid 15th century. |
10:30 AM |
Drive to Suba National Forest. Visit the park museum. Walk and hike to view wildlife. |
12:30 PM |
Have BBQ lunch in the park. |
2:00 PM |
More walking and hiking. |
3:00 PM |
Drive to Sebeta to visit the monastery for women. |
4:30 PM |
Drive to Mogilee Lodge for snacks and happy hour. |
6:00 PM |
Dinner at Mogilee Lodge. |
9:00 PM |
Last shuttle to hotel. |
MLT-007
Suba (Menagesha) Forest | Ambo | Wenchi Day Tour
9:00 AM |
Drive to the Menagesha National Forest for bird watching and scenic view. Then Drive to Lake Wenchi through Ambo. In Wenchi, take a boat to the island and tour the church. Ambo a bustling city has a couple of therapeutic hot spring resorts. Emperor Haile Selassie used to come to Ambo to bathe in the hot springs. Teltele Gedel and Guder Falls offer spectacular water falls in the out skirts of Ambo. While in Wenchi take a boat ride to visit Wenchi Chirkos monastery. |
12:00 PM |
Have lunch in Wenchi. After lunch drive to Suba National Forest. Visit the museum. Walk and hike to look for wild life. |
4:00 PM |
Drive to Mogilee Lodge for snacks and happy hour. |
6:00 PM |
Have dinner at Mogilee Lodge. |
9:00 PM |
Last shuttle to hotel. |
MLT-008
Weliso | Wenchi Crater Lake | Suba Forest Day Tour
9:00 AM |
Leave for Weliso. Visit the Weliso Maryam church with its holy water. It is believe that the holy water flowing into church has the power of healing the sick and driving out the demons from people’s bodies. The museum in the church shows of the walking sticks and crutches left behind by those that were healed. We will also stop by Negash Lodge for coffee break and watch some monkeys playing on the grounds. |
11:00 AM |
From Weliso drive to Wenchi Crater Lake. Wenchi offers indigenous forest reserves, attractive waterfalls and hot springs resort. On one of the islands stands the venerate monastery of Wenchi Chirkos founded by Emperor Zera’a Yaqob in the 15th century. |
12:00 PM |
Have lunch in Wenchi. |
1:00 PM |
After lunch drive to Suba National Forest. Drive to the top of the mountain and visit the museum. Then walk around to look for wildlife. |
4:00 PM |
Drive to Mogilee Lodge for happy hour drinks. |
6:00 PM |
Dinner at Mogilee Lodge. |
9:00 PM |
Last shuttle to hotel. |
MLT-009
Suba Forest Hiking & Camping Overnight Tour
Day 1 |
|
9:00 AM |
Drive to the Suba National Forest. At Suba National Forest, we are dropped off at the gate. We will hike to the top of the mountain to visit the museum. |
12:00 PM |
Have lunch in the park. |
1:00 PM |
After lunch continue hiking and walking searching for wildlife. |
6:00 PM |
Campfire, dinner and story telling. Camp overnight. |
Day 2 |
|
9:00 AM |
Have breakfast and do more hiking and walking. |
12:00 PM |
Drive to Mogilee Lodge for lunch. |
1:00 PM |
After lunch drive to hotel. |
MLT-010
Arussi | Bale Mountain Trekking & Camping Tour
Day 1 |
Drive from Addis Ababa to Assela-Dodola National Forest. Begin trekking and set up camp. Stay overnight in camp. |
Day 2 |
Continue trekking. Move camp and stay overnight. |
Day 3 |
Continue trekking. Move camp and stay overnight. |
Day 4 |
Continue trekking. Move camp and stay overnight. |
Day 5 |
After breakfast drive to Dinisho (Bale Mountain National Park). Continue trekking and set camp. Camp overnight in the park. |
Day 6 |
After breakfast continue trekking. Move camp and camp overnight. |
Day 7 |
Drive to Goba and stay overnight in Goba. |
Day 8 |
After breakfast drive to Sof Umar cave. The Sof Umar cave system features a large network of limestone caverns. It was form by the Bale Mountain's Wube River. The caves are named after a 12th century Muslim leader who used the caves as refuge and they remain an important Muslim site. One can find some rare birds including the Salvadori’s serin. |
Day 9 |
Drive to Sodere resort and stay overnight. |
Day 10 |
Drive back to Addis Ababa. |