Ethiopia was a trip that was decided in a few days as a result of some developments that I had not planned before. Why EthiopiaI chose Ethiopia itinerary I wanted to share what I paid attention to while determining, and what kind of route would I make if I made an Ethiopian travel route, in this article.
Why Ethiopia?
First of all, let me tell you a little bit about why I wanted to go to a lesser-known Africa like Ethiopia. I had an opportunity and almost 2 weeks of my time turned up. I wanted to travel alone to a place I had never been before. First of all, I chose a continent and decided that Africa, which I had tasted in my previous travels to Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, would be a good option.
Yes, I wanted to go somewhere in the African continent, I took the map in front of me and looked at the Kiwi.com website from Istanbul to the countries in Africa I had not been to and where to find the cheapest flight tickets to the countries I wanted to see. I bought my plane ticket.
The ticket was then 1500TL, Turna.comI had 300TL flight points in . In other words, I have taken care of the flight ticket for 1.200TL.
Does Ethiopia Require a Visa?
Ethiopia wants visa from Turkish citizens, but it only has an Embassy in Ankara. My dear friend İsmail, who frequently goes to Ankara for his work, handled the Ethiopian visa application part for me.
Click for all the details about Ethiopia visa.
Although we had stresses such as visa delays due to the arrival of the Ethiopian President in our country, the visa issue was also taken care of.
Ethiopia Travel Route
The most important and challenging part of this trip was to create the Ethiopian itinerary and to deal with it with an affordable budget. I had 11 days in Ethiopia excluding the road and I wanted to use this time in the most efficient way.
First of all, I quickly looked at the blogs of my traveler blogger friends who had been to Ethiopia before, and immediately started to correspond with them and get ideas. While doing this, I started to correspond with guides and tour companies from Ethiopia, which I found on the internet. Just to have some idea about prices.
The first price I bought came in at 11 USD for 4.000 days to include Lalibela, Blue Nile, Gonder and Omo Valley. At that time, when there was a risk that the visa would not arrive, "I wonder if I should cancel the plane ticket?" I started to think. Then 3.000 USD, then 2.750, and prices started to drop. The main problem here was: I wanted to see a lot of places in a short time and I was the only one. Being alone for the vehicle, guide and accommodation increased my cost a lot. This time, I started asking hostels and tour companies if there was a group I could join, and I started to simplify my route a little more.
At the End Explore.com Recommended by Fatih, the owner of the blog Ethiopia Travel & Tours ETT firm We agreed with Usd 1.670 for the package that includes Addis Ababa accommodation, Lalibela, Omo Valley.
When I went to Ethiopia, I realized that it is possible to make this trip much cheaper by taking local minibuses to the cities of Arbaminch or Awassa for a trip to Omo Valley and finding a car/guide from there or being included in the cars of those who go.
Similarly, you don't need to go to Lalibela with a tour, you can plan this trip much cheaper by going to Lalibela by plane or bus and arranging a local guide there.
However, as I said at the beginning, I wanted to see a lot of places in a limited time, so I eliminated those options and bought my whole trip as a package.
in the last case Ethiopia itinerary I'm planning It was as follows;
Ethiopia Trip Day 1
18:15 Egypt Airways flight to Addis Ababa via Cairo.
Addis Ababa Airport Details about it in this article.
Ethiopia Trip Day 2 Addis Ababa
03:15 Landing in Addis Ababa. In the package tour I bought, they also arranged to pick me up from the airport in Addis Ababa and stay there. I reserved this day for a trip to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Overnight in Addis Ababa.
Addis Ababa places to visit Check out my post.
Ethiopia Trip Day 3 Lalibela
08:10 connecting flight from Bahir Dar to Lalibela. 10:10 Landing at Lalibela. I'm going to visit Lalibela and the churches all day.
Ethiopia Trip Day 4 Lalibela
17.February.2017 Lalibela trip continues.
Lalibela travel notes Be sure to read my post too.
Ethiopia Trip Day 5 Addis Ababa
12:00 flight from Lalibela to Addis Ababa. The rest of the day is in Addis again. Overnight stay in Addis.
Ethiopia Trip Day 6 Omo Valley
Departure for the Omo Valley on the sixth day of the Ethiopia tour. Accommodation in Awassa. Omo Valley now starts here and tribal visits will continue for the next 5 days.
All the details of my 8 day Omo Valley tour in this text.
Ethiopia Trip Day 7 Omo Valley
20.Feb.2017 Accommodation in Arbaminch and visiting the surrounding tribes.
Ethiopia Trip Day 8 Omo Valley
21.Feb.2017 Accommodation in Jinka and visiting surrounding tribes.
Ethiopia Trip Day 9 Omo Valley
22.Feb.2017 Accommodation in Jinka and visiting surrounding tribes.
Ethiopia Trip Day 10 Omo Valley
23.February.2017 Accommodation in Turmi and visiting the surrounding tribes.
Ethiopia Trip Day 11 Omo Valley
24.February.2017 Accommodation in Turmi and visiting the surrounding tribes.
Ethiopia Trip Day 12 Omo Valley
25.Feb.2017 Return to Arbaminch and 15:40 flight to Addis.
Ethiopia Trip Day 13 Omo Valley
Return to Istanbul via Cairo on 26.February.2017 at 04:15 in the morning.
Ethiopia was much more costly than my estimation. Let's say the side effects of quick decision making. But I should not pass without mentioning that it is a wonderful experience worth every penny.
If you enjoyed my articles, check out my Youtube Channel; Read a lot, Travel a lot
You can follow my instant posts on Instagram; Read a lot, Travel a lot
Stay on the Road!
13 Comments
It was a very nice and full trip. Did you take the tour you took there before you left here or there? And what did the $1670 you paid for the tour include? Thank you very much.
I arranged the tour before I went, we handled it by correspondence via e-mail. There is a link to the company in the article, you can also write to me.
If I'm not mistaken in the tour I set; airport pickup, half day Addis Ababa city tour (with private vehicle and driver), they already give these for free. Lalibela round trip flight, Lalibela accommodation, Lalibela entrance fee, Omo Valley excursion (3 people in one vehicle, chauffeur and local guide services), Omo Valley accommodation, transportation (I did the return flight by car, air ticket included). I guess I missed something. In summary, I spent money on lunches and my own private expenses apart from the tour.
By the way, you can just take the Omo Valley tour and go to Lalibela by yourself, it will be much cheaper. I think you read but Ethiopia There is also an article with my suggestions for Lalibela under the category.
HELLO, I've been wanting to travel to Ethiopia for a long time too, I couldn't find any friends, will I have any difficulties if I go alone? Have you had any negative experiences? Can a woman walk alone there comfortably?
Hello Ms. Ulku,
Ethiopia is one of the safest countries in Africa. I went alone and had no problems.
How do you spend your time to the fullest?
I could have attended if you had planned first. I've been wanting to go for a long time.
I don't travel with anyone other than my close friends, you can go alone it's very safe
I wish you a good holiday 🙂
Have a nice watch
Thank you so much
I wish you a good holiday.
Thank you so much