Some journeys take you somewhere new. Others take you somewhere deeper. Over ten days in Addis Ababa and Lalibela, you'll walk through ancient rock-hewn churches, share meals in Ethiopian homes, participate in coffee ceremonies, and discover the artistry of traditional textiles. You'll cook alongside local hosts, experience music and dance, and welcome Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year, through celebrations rooted in family, food, and ritual.

This is an invitation to slow down, connect with living traditions, and experience a new beginning that stays with you after you return home.

🏷️ $3,100 per person through Dec. 10 (double occupancy)

📅 10 Days / 9 Nights
🏨 Accommodations in Addis Ababa & Lalibela
🚘 Round-Trip Airport Transfers & Private Ground Transportation
✈️ Round-Trip Domestic Flights Between Addis Ababa & Lalibela
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
☕ Guided Cultural Experiences & Coffee Ceremonies

What is Not Included: 
❌ International airfare
❌ Ethiopian visa fees
❌ Travel insurance
❌ Alcoholic beverages
❌ Tips and gratuities

Please note that credit card payments are subject to a transaction fee. Payments made by bank transfer have no additional charge. These fees are applied by the payment platform and do not go to Greater Health Institute.

We recommend flying into Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD).

Arrival: September 3, 2027
Departure: September 12, 2027

Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed by our local tour team and transferred to your hotel in Addis Ababa.

Arrival times will vary based on flight availability. Once we have everyone's travel details, we'll coordinate our welcome gathering around the group's arrival. Your first evening in Ethiopia will begin with a shared meal, an opportunity to connect, and an introduction to the cultural journey ahead.

Begin the morning with breakfast at our hotel before setting out to explore the city.

Explore Addis Ababa on a guided city walk, discovering its neighborhoods, local landmarks, and everyday life. Our local guide will introduce us to the history and culture of Ethiopia's capital.

Visit the National Museum, home to significant archaeological and cultural collections, including the famous fossil remains of Lucy, one of humanity's earliest known ancestors.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, experiencing Ethiopian flavors and regional dishes.

Our journey continues to Lalibela, home to Ethiopia's extraordinary rock-hewn churches. Carved into the earth centuries ago, these sacred structures remain active places of worship and an important part of Ethiopia's cultural and spiritual heritage.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transferring to the airport.

We'll take a domestic flight from Addis Ababa to Lalibela, where our local guide will welcome us and accompany us to the hotel.

Explore the first group of Lalibela's UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches with our local guide. Discover their architecture, history, and continuing significance as places of worship.

Take in the sweeping views of Lalibela's highland landscape as the sun begins to set.

Spend the evening enjoying traditional Sora dance, live music, and an open-air dinner. Guests will have an opportunity to join the dancing and experience the celebration firsthand.

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel before beginning the day's exploration.

Continue our guided exploration of Lalibela's UNESCO World Heritage churches, visiting the second group of these extraordinary structures carved directly into the rock. Learn about their architectural details, religious significance, and the traditions that continue today.

Visit Bete Giyorgis, the Church of St. George, one of Lalibela's most recognizable landmarks. Carved into the earth in the shape of a cross, this remarkable church offers an opportunity to experience Ethiopia's architectural and spiritual heritage.

Gather in an Ethiopian home for a traditional meal, sharing food and conversation with our local hosts. This intimate experience offers an opportunity to connect with Ethiopian hospitality and everyday traditions

Experience a traditional coffee ceremony hosted in a local home. Discover the preparation and serving of Ethiopian coffee and the role this ritual plays in hospitality, conversation, and community.

Our final morning in Lalibela begins with an opportunity to witness the city's living spiritual traditions. As dawn breaks, we'll experience the atmosphere surrounding the rock-hewn churches, where chanting, prayer, incense, and ceremonial drums have been part of Ethiopian Orthodox worship for generations.

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel before preparing for departure. After breakfast, we'll return to Addis Ababa, where the next chapter of our cultural journey begins.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant as we settle back into Addis Ababa.

Gather for dinner and conversation as we reflect on our experiences in Lalibela and prepare for the days ahead.

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel before beginning the day's activities.

Visit the Kechene Women's Cooperative, where local women practice traditional crafts and textile-making. Meet the artisans, observe their techniques, and learn about the skills and cultural traditions behind their work.

Explore Shiro Meda, one of Addis Ababa's best-known markets for traditional Ethiopian clothing and handwoven textiles. Discover fabrics, patterns, and garments that reflect Ethiopia's cultural heritage.

Choose fabrics and meet with a local tailor to have measurements taken for traditional Ethiopian clothing. This experience introduces us to the craftsmanship behind the garments worn during important celebrations, including Enkutatash.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant during our exploration of Addis Ababa.

Gather for dinner and conversation after a day of discovering Ethiopian craftsmanship and textile traditions.

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel before beginning the day's activities.

Return to our local tailor for fittings and adjustments to the traditional Ethiopian garments selected. Learn more about the craftsmanship and details that make these garments part of Ethiopia's cultural identity.

Experience Addis Ababa as preparations for Enkutatash begin to take shape. Our local guide will introduce us to the customs and activities surrounding the holiday, including the role of traditional clothing, food, and family gatherings.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant during our day in Addis Ababa.

Gather for dinner and conversation as we look ahead to the New Year celebrations.

As Ethiopia prepares to welcome the New Year, we'll experience the traditions that bring families and communities together. From bustling markets to the preparation of a celebratory meal, today offers an opportunity to participate in the rituals and customs surrounding Enkutatash.

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel before beginning the day's activities.

Explore local markets as families shop for ingredients and prepare for the New Year. Experience the colors, aromas, and energy of Addis Ababa during this festive season while learning about the foods and traditions associated with Enkutatash.

Join a local Ethiopian family as they prepare Doro Wat, a traditional chicken stew served during special occasions and celebrations. Learn about the ingredients, spices, and preparation techniques, with opportunities to participate alongside our hosts.

Enjoy lunch as part of our day's cultural experiences.

Experience an Ethiopian Orthodox New Year's Eve church service, subject to local arrangements and visitor access. Observe the prayers, chanting, and spiritual traditions that accompany this important time of renewal.

Gather for dinner and conversation as we prepare to welcome the Ethiopian New Year.

Gather for a traditional honey wine (tej) tasting and experience one of the region's oldest social customs. Discover how this handcrafted, aromatic honey wine is prepared and served in custom glass flasks (berele), sharing stories and raising a glass to local hospitality.

We'll welcome Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year, a celebration marking the end of the rainy season and the beginning of a new year. Families and communities come together through food, music, traditional clothing, and time-honored rituals.

Alongside our local hosts, we'll take part in the festivities, sharing in the traditions and joy of a celebration rooted in gratitude, renewal, and new beginnings.

Hotel breakfast included.Enjoy breakfast at our hotel as we prepare for the New Year festivities.

Join our local hosts for an Ethiopian New Year celebration. Experience the customs, music, and traditions that make Enkutatash a meaningful occasion for families and communities.

Spend time with a local Ethiopian family, sharing conversation, food, and cultural traditions. This gathering offers an opportunity to experience Enkutatash through the people who celebrate it.

Gather around the table for a celebratory Ethiopian meal, sharing stories and reflecting on our experiences together as we welcome the New Year.

After ten days of exploring Ethiopia's history, sharing meals, experiencing living traditions, and celebrating Enkutatash, our journey comes to a close.

We'll leave Ethiopia carrying memories of the people we've met, the stories we've shared, and the cultural experiences that brought us together.

Gather over breakfast to share stories and reflections from our time together before heading to the airport. Private transfers will be coordinated around your departure, as you leave Ethiopia carrying memories of ancient Lalibela, shared meals, living traditions, and the joy of celebrating Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year.

We're here to help with booking, itinerary questions, and preparing for your journey to Ethiopia. If you have any questions along the way, please reach out. We're happy to help.

Greater Health Institute creates environments where the body can exhale, the nervous system can settle, and people can engage more deeply with themselves and the world around them.

We approach travel as an opportunity to slow down, experience different cultures, and connect with people through shared meals, storytelling, and everyday traditions. Our residencies invite participants to listen, learn, and experience a place through the perspectives of those who call it home.

From Bali and Morocco to our upcoming journey through Ethiopia, each residency brings together cultural exploration, somatic awareness, and storytelling. These experiences create opportunities for meaningful connection, personal reflection, and the preservation of stories that deserve to be remembered.