Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela at golden hour, Ethiopia

Where the World Began

Rock-hewn churches, highland kingdoms, and a landscape unlike anywhere else — shaped into a journey built entirely around you.

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Our Philosophy

A country that rewards slow travel

Ethiopia was never conquered by a European power, never fully mapped by outsiders, and has kept its own calendar, its own script and its own church for longer than most nations have existed. Almost nothing here was built for a visitor.

We exist to open that country properly, without flattening it into a package tour. Founded and run from Addis Ababa, our team has spent more than ten years building the relationships — with monks, elders, drivers and guides — that make a genuinely private itinerary possible, in ten languages and counting.

Our story

Travellers walking a highland path through Ethiopia’s northern landscape

01We ask firstbefore we assume what you want

02We build oncea single itinerary, never a shelf product

03We stay accountableto the communities whose land we visit

Signature Destinations

One country, several extremes

From rock-hewn highlands to a volcanic basin below sea level, each region tells a genuinely different story.

National Park

Simien Mountains

3 – 10 days · Private

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Imperial City

Gondar

2 – 3 days · Private

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UNESCO Heritage

Lalibela

2 – 3 days · Private

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Slow Travel

Lake Tana & Blue Nile

1 – 2 days · Private

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Expedition

Danakil Depression

3 – 4 days · Private

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Cliff Churches

Gheralta

2 – 4 days · Private

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Ethiopian wolf territory in the Bale Mountains

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Featured Tours

A starting point, not a fixed itinerary

Each of these routes exists to open a conversation. What you actually travel gets reshaped around your pace and interests.

4 Days · 2 – 8 guests · Cultural · Hiking · Private

Lalibela, Beyond the Churches

The eleven churches at their best hours, then out into the hills for the ones most visitors miss.

See the Journey

4 Days · 2 – 8 guests · Cultural · Hiking · Private

Gondar & the Simien Rim

The castles of Gondar, then three nights on the escarpment edge — every walk, no tents.

See the Journey

2 Days · 2 – 8 guests · Hiking · Cultural · Private

Wenchi Crater Lake Escape

Into a volcanic crater on foot or horseback, by boat to an island monastery, and down to the hot springs.

See the Journey

6 Days · 2 – 6 guests · Expedition · Small Group

Danakil Expedition

Sulphur terraces, salt caravans, and a night on Erta Ale — one of the lowest, hottest basins on earth.

See the Journey

6 Days · 2 – 6 guests · Cultural · Hiking · Private

Gheralta & Axum

Cliffside churches reached on foot, then the granite stelae of Ethiopia's oldest empire.

See the Journey

2 Days · 2 – 8 guests · Cultural · Family · Private

Addis Ababa in Depth

Lucy, Entoto, the emperors' palace and Africa's biggest market — the capital properly, in two unhurried days.

See the Journey

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Ways to Travel

Private, family, luxury or expedition

However you like to travel, there's a route built for it — and every one can be reshaped around you.

PrivateYour own guide, vehicle and dates, with every day shaped around you.37 journeys

FamilyShort drives, family rooms and days that mix one big sight with time to play.4 journeys

LuxuryThe finest lodge at every stop, private guides, and nothing rushed.3 journeys

Small GroupSet departures with other travellers — shared crews, same senior guides.8 journeys

ExpeditionLong, demanding journeys: summits, deserts and the far corners of the country.4 journeys

Ways to Explore

Every way into Ethiopia, one team behind them all

Mountain Climbing

Stand on the roof of Ethiopia

Guided ascents of Ras Dashen at 4,550 metres, Bwahit, Tullu Dimtu and Abune Yosef — walking summits with no ropes, just altitude, weather and some of the finest views in Africa.

Ras Dashen Summit Climb

Photography

Travel with the light, not the clock

A photographer-guide times every stop to its best hour — Imet Gogo at sunrise, the Lalibela trenches at first light, the salt flats as the heat goes — with portraits only ever taken with consent.

Ethiopia Through the Lens

Running

Run where champions train

Dawn on the forest trails of Entoto, around 3,000 metres up, then the highland town of Bekoji — birthplace of Derartu Tulu, Kenenisa Bekele and the Dibaba sisters. Time it to the Great Ethiopian Run in late November.

Run with Ethiopia's Champions

Cooking & Food

Pour injera in a family kitchen

Learn to pour injera on the mitad, cook the stews that go with it, and share one platter the Ethiopian way — then taste tej, tella and areki on an evening with azmari musicians.

Injera & an Ethiopian kitchen

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In Their Words

What guests actually said afterward

Tripadvisor5.047 reviews

Excellent tour company and great staff, 30 days breathtaking trip to Ethiopia!

“Simien Ethiopia Tours organized the most amazing trip for us – 30 days in total… Simien Ethiopia Tours are very skilled at crafting bespoke itineraries, adding flights if required to reduce long-distance drives, and offering a range of accommodation, meal and guide options.”

EemmaOmo Valley & Northern Route · Jan 2019

A great company to hire for your Ethiopian travel

“Our trip included Simien trekking, Gheralta churches, the Danakil Depression, and Awash park. From the first contacts, Mihiretab was super responsive to all our questions and ideas… All the segments of our trip went smoothly and we were very well taken care of.”

DdnjgraberFair Oaks, California · Nov 2019

Excellent Ethiopian Adventure, wonderful Tour Company!

“My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience in Ethiopia omo valley for one main reason the flexibility, navigation skills and resourcefulness of our personal guide… our drivers and guide were also very helpful and hospitable.”

RRaynaLos Angeles, California · Aug 2021

Simien Ethiopia Tours, Life Time Experience!

“The trip was by far one of the greatest and rawest experiences we had ever. The organization was perfect. Mate is very professional and knowledgeable about his country… All the hotel and the lodge were above our expectations.”

Uusher ATrekking Simien Mountains · Feb 2020

All perfect!

“Friend and I from Germany spent three days and 2 nights in simien national park with simien Ethiopia tours and must say: Breathtaking! Incredible experience, perfectly organized, awesome food served… Felt safe during the entire trip!”

FFabian RSimien Mountains · Oct 2019

Wonderful service! Ethiopia is great.

“We had a simply wonderful time with Simien Ethiopia Tours team… we particularly will never forget the whole Afar Dankil Volcano, Simien Mountain experience… we would not hesitate to recommend your company and the places you sent us.”

MMatty GCouples · Mar 2022

Spectacular experience

“The trip was great. It was perfectly organized. The manager did a great job on this trip. He arranged the trip according to my interest. The driver and the guide are also amazing people they made the trip so much fun.”

FfriendlyadventureStockholm, Sweden · History Route, 10 Days

Excellent organisation

“They organised a trip for my wife and me in the north of the country for two weeks. Excellent driver, very good car, nice hotels... everything perfect. Moreover, they are very flexible and very easy to work with.”

LLuc ANorthern Ethiopia · Aug 2019

Captured Moments

Lalibela

First light reaching the trench walls of Bete Maryam.

Where It Begins

A journey shaped entirely around you

There's no fixed package to adapt — just a conversation about where you want to go, how you like to travel, and how much time you actually have. From there, a designer builds a route made specifically for that trip, and nothing else.

Planned in Addis, guided by people who live here
One quote up front, no add-ons later
A single point of contact from first email to touchdown home