Tour Overview & Highlights

ADDIS ABABA

Culture, coffee ceremonies & city life

ETHIOPIAN FOOD

Shared feasts & incredible flavours

Upcoming Tour Dates

• 31st October – 12th November 2026 BOOK NOW

From £3,935* (per person)

• Deposit: £500 (non-refundable)
• 2nd Payment: £25 (due 62 days before the departure date)
• 3rd Payment: $1000 (local payment, paid on arrival)
• Internal Flights: £130 approx. (booked and paid separately – but included in price above)

* subject to current USD to GBP exchange rates

* payment plans available

What’s Included

• 12 nights’ accommodation (twin share basis)
• 12 breakfasts, 12 lunches & 11 dinners
• Rock My Adventure group leader & local guides
• Comprehensive pre-departure information & support
• All activities & park fees as per the itinerary below
• All transport for included activities
• Tips for local guides

Why Travel With Rock My Adventure?

I’ve spent the last 17 years exploring Africa, building genuine local friendships, discovering hidden places and creating the kind of adventures I always wished existed.

Every Rock My Adventure itinerary is personally researched and designed by me, inspired by the friendships I’ve built and the local people who’ve welcomed me into their homes and communities over the last 17 years.

Whether I’m travelling with the group or one of our trusted Rock My Adventure leaders is hosting the adventure, our goal is always the same: to help you experience Africa beyond the tourist trail through genuine local connections, unforgettable wildlife encounters and the kind of moments money simply can’t buy.

I’d love for you to experience it too.

Helen x

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Ethiopia

Arrive in Addis Ababa and transfer to your accommodation for the night.

In the evening, we’ll come together for our first group dinner – complete with a cultural dance show – the perfect introduction to Ethiopian culture.

Your Rock My Ethiopia Adventure starts here.

• Meals: Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
• Activities: Welcome Dinner with Cultural Dancing Show

Day 2: Southbound: Flight to Jinka & Honey Wine Welcome

After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll head to the airport for a morning flight south to Jinka, arriving in time for lunch.

After lunch, we’ll begin the scenic drive to Turmi (around 3 hours). The journey starts on smooth tarmac before turning into dirt roads that wind through rural countryside and villages.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy a traditional dinner and an introduction to Ethiopia, the Hamar people, and our ethical approach to travel in the South Omo Valley.

Later, we’ll head to our guide’s mother’s home to taste tej – Ethiopian honey wine, said to be the best in town – and toast to new friendships and the days ahead.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
• Activities: Hamar Dinner, Tej Tasting

Day 3: Play, Cook & Learn with the Hamar

This morning, we’ll meet the local Hamar family we’ll spend time with throughout the week and enjoy our first Hamar buno (coffee). We’ll learn about children’s roles in the community and play traditional games – plus a few fun icebreakers of our own.

At lunchtime, we’ll join our guide’s mother for a hands-on Ethiopian cooking class. Learn how to make injera, prepare beyonetu sauces, and take home recipes and spice packets to recreate the experience later.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit a Hamar farm to learn about traditional agriculture and survival skills – from making fire with sticks to slingshots and spear throwing. Expect plenty of laughter and friendly competition.

We’ll also meet a Hamar elder fortune teller and learn about fascinating belief systems, from protecting villages from drought to dealing with wrongdoing. Everyone has the chance to have their fortune told in a truly unique way.

As the sun sets, we’ll head out for a short hike to a scenic viewpoint before dinner in town. Later, we’ll visit a local drinking spot to hang out like the locals.

By the end of the day, you’ll stop feeling like a visitor and start feeling like part of the village.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
• Activities: Hamar Tribe Immersion (Games, Cooking Class, Farming, Fortune Teller, Spear Throwing), Sunset Hike & Viewpoint, Local Drinking Spot

Day 4: 24 Hours Living with the Hamar Tribe

Today is all about immersion.

Those who wish can take part in a 24-hour digital detox (optional), handing over phones and stepping fully into Hamar life, where time is told by the sun and social media doesn’t exist.

In the morning, we’ll choose between learning traditional jewellery-making or wood carving under the trees. Create your own piece or commission a local artisan while learning about the cultural meaning behind each design.

In the afternoon, we’ll join a Hamar family to prepare and share lunch. Help grind grain, pick moringa leaves, and make traditional coffee from husks (an alternative meal is available if needed).

Later, we’ll see how Hamar honey is collected from hives in the trees and sample fresh honey alongside bokolo (roasted maize), if in season.

Tonight, we’ll experience a village sleepover – either camping in a tent or sleeping traditionally on a cowskin inside (or outside) a Hamar house – your choice!

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping/Traditional Hut (Bedding Provided)
• Activities: Hamar Tribe Immersion (Jewellery Making, Cooking, Honey Collection, Village Sleepover)

Day 5: Market Day & Bull Jumping Ritual

Wake to the sounds of village life and share morning buno with a local family – a key social ritual. Afterwards, we’ll return to freshen up, enjoy breakfast, and retrieve phones if you joined the digital detox.

We’ll visit the weekly Gaba Rorro Market, one of the largest in the region. Take on a fun Hamar language challenge before browsing local produce and handicrafts.

Lunch is shared with Kuna, a Hamar woman living in town, who will tell her inspiring life story.

In the afternoon, if timing allows, we may witness the powerful bull jumping ceremony, a coming-of-age ritual marking a boy’s transition into manhood. You may have seen this on Bruce Parry’s ‘Tribe’ documentary series.

As evening falls, we’ll enjoy dinner set on the riverbed – romantic, beach-style vibes in the heart of the Omo Valley.

If the bull jumping takes place, we’ll join the village for Evangadi night dancing, celebrating the jumper’s achievement.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
• Activities: Morning Buno, Gaba Rorro Market, Lunch with Kuna, Bull Jumping Ceremony, Riverbed Dinner, Evangadi Night Dancing

Day 6: Terraces & Textures: Konso, Dorze & Arba Minch

We’ll start the day with pull, a traditional southern Ethiopian breakfast and a group favourite.

Departing early, we’ll travel to Konso (around 4 hours), passing through changing landscapes along the way. On arrival, we’ll explore the Konso people’s extraordinary stone terraces and fortified settlements, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Over lunch, we’ll learn more about Konso culture, including their distinctive carved wooden statues, traditional games and unique social systems.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue on to Arba Minch (around 2 hours), known as the “City of 40 Springs”, where we’ll settle into our beautiful lodge overlooking the lakes and surrounding landscapes.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy a fresh fish dinner and a relaxed night at the lodge.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Lodge (Ensuite)
• Activities: Pull Breakfast, Konso Settlement & UNESCO World Heritage site, Dorze Highlands Cultural Experience (Beehive Houses, Traditional Weaving, Kocho, Dancing)

Day 7: Dorze Culture & Arba Minch Chill Time

This morning, we’ll head into the mountains above Arba Minch to spend time with the Dorze people, famous for their distinctive beehive-shaped houses and incredible weaving traditions.

This community-developed tourism experience gives us the opportunity to step inside traditional Dorze homes, learn how local food is prepared and see how their colourful woven fabrics and traditional clothing are made.

And be warned – there’s usually plenty of music and dancing involved, and it’s very difficult not to join in!

Afterwards, we’ll head back towards Arba Minch for lunch at a local fish restaurant before enjoying a rare free afternoon. Relax by the pool, read a book, enjoy the views over the lakes or simply do absolutely nothing for a few hours.

In the evening, we’ll have dinner back at the lodge.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
• Activities:Dorze Cultural Experience (Traditional Houses, Food, Weaving & Dancing)

Day 8: Lake Life & Lazy Boats: Arba Minch to Hawassa

After breakfast, we’ll leave Arba Minch behind and make our way north through Ethiopia’s beautiful southern landscapes towards Hawassa.

Arriving in this laid-back lakeside city in the afternoon, we’ll settle into our resort before heading out onto Lake Hawassa for a private boat trip. Keep an eye out for hippos, African fish eagles and local fishermen using traditional fishing techniques.

The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy Hawassa at your own pace – stroll the palm-lined streets, snack on fresh pineapple or dates, wander beside the lake or simply relax at the resort.

In the evening, we’ll head out for dinner, with the option to experience some of Hawassa’s surprisingly lively nightlife afterwards.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
• Activities: Bale Mountains Forest Walk

Day 9: Into the Highlands: Bale Mountains

We’ll begin the day with a visit to Hawassa’s bustling fish market, where locals prepare the morning’s catch – followed, for those who fancy it, by possibly the freshest fish breakfast you’ll ever eat!

From here, we’ll head east, climbing steadily into the Ethiopian highlands. The scenic drive takes us through Shashamane and Dodola, passing rolling farmland, eucalyptus forests and rural Oromo villages along the way.

Arriving in Dinsho, the headquarters of Bale Mountains National Park, in the afternoon, we’ll meet our local guides before heading out on a gentle forest walk.

Wandering among juniper and Hagenia trees, we’ll keep an eye out for endemic mountain nyala, Menelik’s bushbuck, warthogs and colourful highland birds.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner and gather around the campfire before settling in for our first night in the Bale Mountains.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping (Bedding Provided)
• Activities:Hawassa Fish Market, Bale Mountains Forest Walk

Day 10: Ethiopian Wolves, Sanetti Plateau & Harenna Forest

Today we’ll venture into one of Ethiopia’s most extraordinary landscapes – the vast Sanetti Plateau, one of Africa’s highest roads and an otherworldly Afroalpine wilderness sitting at more than 4,000 metres above sea level.

This is one of the best places in the world to search for the rare Ethiopian wolf, the world’s rarest canid and one of Ethiopia’s most iconic endemic animals. We’ll also keep watch for giant molerats and soaring lammergeiers as we travel across the plateau, stopping for a warm drink surrounded by incredible moorland views.

In the afternoon, the landscape changes dramatically as we descend from the plateau into the lush, misty Harenna Forest. Here we’ll discover ancient trees and wild coffee plants while looking out for wildlife including Bale monkeys and colobus monkeys.

As evening falls, we’ll settle in for a warm dinner and another night surrounded by the wild landscapes of the Bale Mountains.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Camping (Bedding Provided)
• Activities:Sanetti Plateau Wildlife Safari, Ethiopian Wolf Search, Harenna Forest

Day 11: Mountain Life to Addis Ababa

We’ll wake up surrounded by the mountains and enjoy breakfast in the crisp highland air before beginning our journey out of Bale.

As we descend, we’ll watch the landscapes change once again, passing through rural villages and beautiful highland scenery on our way to Bale Robe Airport.

From here, we’ll swap the road for the skies and take a domestic flight back to Addis Ababa, saving us a long day of driving.

After arriving in the capital, we’ll transfer to our hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening and dinner in Addis.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
• Activities:Scenic Bale Mountains Drive, Domestic Flight to Addis Ababa

Day 12: Ancient Stones & Rock-Hewn Churches

Today we’ll head out of Addis for a day exploring some of the fascinating historic sites south of the capital.

Our first major stop will be the Tiya Stelae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where mysterious carved stone pillars mark ancient burial grounds. Decorated with intriguing symbols, the stones offer a glimpse into a little-understood chapter of Ethiopia’s history.

We’ll also visit Adadi Maryam, a small rock-hewn church believed to date back to the medieval period. Carved directly into the rock, it offers a fascinating contrast to the grand rock churches found elsewhere in Ethiopia.

After our day of exploring, we’ll return to Addis in the evening, where you’ll have free time to choose where you’d like to have dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel (Ensuite)
• Activities:Tiya Stelae UNESCO World Heritage Site, Adadi Maryam Rock-Hewn Church

Day 13: Addis Finale & Departure Day

We’ll spend our final day exploring Ethiopia’s lively capital, beginning at Shiro Meda, Addis’s famous textile market, where you can browse beautiful handwoven clothing, colourful fabrics and traditional Ethiopian designs.

From there, we’ll head into the Entoto Hills to visit Entoto Maryam Church and take in panoramic views across Addis Ababa.

In the afternoon, it’s time to choose your own adventure at Entoto Park. Hike through the forest, try ziplining or archery, go horse riding, relax over coffee with a mountain view or treat yourself to a massage – the choice is yours.

For our final evening together, we’ll head to one of Addis Ababa’s famous cultural restaurants for dinner, live music and energetic traditional dancing – the perfect way to celebrate the end of our Ethiopian adventure.

After dinner, we’ll say our goodbyes and transfer those flying home tonight to the airport, or back to the hotel if you’re staying an extra night.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: None – Additional Night Available on Request
• Activities:Shiro Meda Textile Market, Entoto Maryam Church, Entoto Park & 1 Activity, Farewell Dinner with Cultural Dancing

Essential Info

What’s Not Included

• International & local flights
• Airport transfers before and after the tour (we’re happy to arrange these for you)
• Visas (where applicable)
• Travel insurance (required)
• Vaccinations, antimalarials and personal medications
• Drinks and meals not listed in the itinerary
• Optional activities and associated transport
• Tips for hotel staff, porters and optional activity guides (at your discretion)

Trip Notes

• The price is based on twin/double occupancy.
• This trip is one of our ‘Exploratory’ trips, meaning it’s our very first time running a group tour to this incredible country!
• We’ve crafted an exciting itinerary based on thorough research and local connections, but as with all great adventures, a spirit of flexibility and openness is essential.
• This experience is perfect for travellers who are adventurous, laid-back, and excited to embrace the unexpected!
• You will need to book 2 local flights in Ethiopia, we will advise on this. The local flights are usually cheaper if you book your international flights with Ethiopian Airlines.
• We include almost everything, so aside from your trip costs and flights, the only thing you need to pay for is 1 dinner, drinks and souvenirs!