Vegan Culinary & Eco-Tourism Experience in Ethiopia

Travel time: 3h; km:60
Start your vegan adventure in Addis Ababa with dishes like Shiro Wot and Misir Wot. Explore Ethiopian culture with visits to the National Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and local markets.

Food Description:

Normal Shiro Wot (ነጠላ ሽሮ ወጥ) – This is the most common version of Shiro. It is made by slow-cooking shiro powder (chickpea or pea flour mixed with spices) in water, with oil, onions, garlic, and sometimes tomatoes. It is smooth, thick, and served with injera. 
Misir Wot (ምስር ወጥ): A deeply spiced lentil stew made with the same berbere spice blend, simmered to create a rich, aromatic, and flavorful dish. The dish is naturally vegan and traditionally served with injera.
Activities:

National Museum of Ethiopia: Discover Ethiopia’s rich history and see Lucy, one of the world's oldest hominid fossils.
Holy Trinity Cathedral: Admire the grand architecture and historical significance of this important Ethiopian Orthodox church.
Merkato: Explore Africa’s largest open-air market, where you can find handmade crafts, spices, and cultural artifacts.
Traditional Coffee Ceremony: Experience Ethiopia’s coffee culture, learning about its deep-rooted traditions while sipping on locally roasted beans.

Meals:B/L/D

Accommodation: Monarch Hotel https://monarchaddis.com

Travel time: 5-6h; km: 300 km,
Stay at Mulu Eco-Lodge in the Choke Mountains, experiencing farm-to-table vegan meals like Gomen, Keke Wot, Injera Firifr Dinech Wot  and Kik Alica while trekking through lush landscapes.

Food Description:

Gomen (ጎመን): Ethiopian Collard Greens (stewed collard greens) A traditional Ethiopian dish made from sautéed collard greens. Often cooked with garlic, onions, and a blend of spices, this dish has an earthy, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with injera.
Kik Alica: A mild, lightly spiced chickpea stew, often accompanied by fresh vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and peas. The simple yet flavorful dish is a vegan favorite. 
Keke Wot (ከከ ወጥ) – Ethiopian Spiced Stew is a traditional Ethiopian stew made from chickpea flour or pea flour, cooked with spices, onions, and sometimes clarified butter (niter kibbeh). It is similar in texture to shiro wot but has a distinct flavor and is often enjoyed with injera or bread.
Dinish Wot (ድንሽ ወጥ) – Ethiopian Potato Stew is a flavorful Ethiopian potato stew, often prepared with a blend of spices, onions, and tomatoes. It is a vegetarian-friendly dish and is commonly served with injera (Ethiopian sourdough flatbread).
Injera Firfir – Injera with Spicy Sauce (scrambled injera)(እንጀራ ፍርፍር)  is a popular Ethiopian dish made from torn pieces of injera mixed with a spicy stew or sauce, typically made from berbere, tomatoes, and onions. It’s often enjoyed with spicy lentils, meat, or vegetables, giving it a rich, tangy flavor and satisfying texture.
Activities:

Trek through the Choke Mountains, a less-traveled but breathtaking destination in Ethiopia. Enjoy scenic views and wildlife sightings like the Bale monkey and Ethiopian wolf.
Visit Mulu Eco-Lodge’s organic farm, where you'll see sustainable farming practices in action and learn about growing organic, plant-based produce.
Experience a local cultural exchange with communities who live in harmony with nature, practicing sustainable agriculture and preserving traditional ways of life.
Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Mulu Eco Lodge mululodge.com  

Travel time: 5-6h; km:260

Explore Bahir Dar, visit the Blue Nile falls, and taste the best of Ethiopian vegan cuisine, including Beyaynetu (a vegan platter) and Misir Wot.

Food Description:

Ethiopian Fasting Platter Ye'Tsome Beyaynetu (የጾም በያነቱ): A quintessential Ethiopian vegan platter, featuring a variety of lentils, vegetables, and greens, often served during fasting periods. The combination of textures and flavors creates a wholesome, satisfying meal.
Misir Wot (ምስር ወጥ): A spicy lentil stew, slow-cooked with berbere (a hot chili and spice blend), niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter) or Olive oil, garlic, and ginger. It's rich, comforting, and typically served with injera.
Activities:

Hike to Blue Nile Falls: Trek through scenic trails to witness the powerful “Tis Issat” (Water that Smokes) waterfall.
Birdwatching: Spot native bird species, including kingfishers, ibises, and African fish eagles.
Organic Farm Visit: Engage with local farmers, learning about traditional irrigation techniques and organic crop cultivation.
Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Jacaranda Hotel (https://www.jacarandahotelethiopia.com/)

upgrade high-range category possible: Kuriftu Resort & Spa kurifturesorts.com/bahir-dar

Travel time: 2h; km:90

This morning, embark on a peaceful boat cruise for an incredible bird watching experience, heading towards the Zeghe Peninsula. Here, you'll discover ancient monasteries, dating back 700 years, nestled within the lush coffee forests of the Lake Tana Biosphere Reserve.

Visit Awra Amba, Ethiopia’s self-sustaining community, and enjoy a plant-based meal of Shiro Wot and Injera Firfir. Learn about sustainable living, gender equality, and eco-friendly farming.

Food Description:

Shiro Feses (or Fesesa Shiro) – This is a thinner and lighter version of Shiro Wot, often made by diluting the shiro sauce with extra water. It is usually eaten when people want a mild, easy-to-digest version of Shiro.
Injera Firfir – Injera with Spicy Sauce (scrambled injera)( እንጀራ ፍርፍር)  is a popular Ethiopian dish made from torn pieces of injera mixed with a spicy stew or sauce, typically made from berbere, tomatoes, and onions. It’s often enjoyed with spicy lentils, meat, or vegetables, giving it a rich, tangy flavor and satisfying texture
Activities:

Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, to explore ancient monasteries, including Ura Kidane Meheret and Azewa Maryam, both famous for their stunning murals and religious significance.
Explore Awra Amba, a progressive community where gender equality and self-sufficiency are core values. Learn about their farming techniques and sustainable practices.
Participate in eco-tourism activities focused on sustainability and ethical farming.
Spend time with local families, gaining insights into daily life and Ethiopian cultural values.
Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Awura Amba Community Guesthouse visitawraamba.com

Travel time: 3h; km:130,

Discover Gondar’s Royal Enclosure, ancient castles, and taste delicious vegan dishes like Timatim Lebleb, Normal Shiro and Injera Firfir, a classic Ethiopian meal.

Food Description:

Timatim Lebleb: A spicy, sautéed chickpea dish with tomatoes, onions, and Ethiopia’s famous spice blend. It's a deliciously savory dish that pairs well with injera.
Injera Firfir: A unique way of serving injera, torn and mixed with a spiced vegetable stew. This hearty dish is popular for breakfast or lunch and is a great introduction to Ethiopian culinary traditions.
Normal Shiro Wot (ነጠላ ሽሮ ወጥ) – This is the most common version of Shiro. It is made by slow-cooking shiro powder (chickpea or pea flour mixed with spices) in water, with oil, onions, garlic, and sometimes tomatoes. It is smooth, thick, and served with injera. 
Activities:

Explore the Fasil Ghebbi (Royal Enclosure), a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring ancient castles and royal residences.
Visit the Debre Berhan Selassie Church, renowned for its stunning frescoes and beautiful murals.
Wander through Gondar’s local markets to discover traditional crafts and fresh produce.
Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Inn of the Four Sisters innofthefoursisters.com 

Travel time: 3-4h; km:150;

 Hiking: 2h, 4km (difficulty: easy/medium, altitude difference: ↑100m, ↓150m)

Hike through the stunning Simien Mountains and enjoy plant-based meals like Shiro Wot and Dinesh Wot made with chickpeas or beans. Perfect for nature lovers and eco-conscious travelers and Dinish Wot.

Food Description:

Shiro Wot : A more minimalist version of Shiro Wot, made with chickpeas or beans. It's lightly spiced with vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions, and is commonly served during fasting periods.
Shiro Feses (or Fesesa Shiro) – This is a thinner and lighter version of Shiro Wot, often made by diluting the shiro sauce with extra water. It is usually eaten when people want a mild, easy-to-digest version of Shiro.
Dinish Wot is a flavorful Ethiopian potato stew, often prepared with a blend of spices, onions, and tomatoes. It is a vegetarian-friendly dish and is commonly served with injera (Ethiopian sourdough flatbread).
Activities:

Trekking in Simien Mountains National Park: Hike through breathtaking landscapes, witnessing dramatic cliffs and valleys.
Wildlife Spotting: See Gelada baboons, Ethiopian wolves, and Walia ibex in their natural habitat.
Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Simien Lodge simiens.com

Travel time: 4-5h; km:180; 

Hiking: 2-3h, 6km (difficulty: easy/medium, altitude difference: ↑100m, ↓450m)

Taste traditional vegan dishes like Shimbra Asa (fish-shaped chickpea), Sunflower fitfit and Misir Wot, and immerse yourself in Gondar’s rich history with royal castles and monasteries.

Food Description:

Shimbra Asa: A chickpea flour-based dish molded into fish shapes and cooked in a spicy stew. It’s an innovative take on traditional fish stew, made with plant-based ingredients.
ሱፍ ፍትፍት (Sunflower seeds) is a traditional Ethiopian dish made with suf (sunflower seeds) and typically mixed with broken pieces of injera (Ethiopian sourdough flatbread). It is a nutrient-rich and flavorful dish enjoyed for its taste and health benefits.
Misir Wot: A lentil stew simmered in a hot, flavorful berbere sauce, offering a rich, spicy flavor that’s characteristic of Ethiopian cuisine.
Activities:

Drive to higher altitudes all the way to Chenneck Camp, perched at the edge of a dramatic cliff at 3,600 meters above sea level. Here, you can observe endemic wildlife, savor a traditional local meal, and then journey back to Gondar in the afternoon.
Explore the Gondar market for a chance to shop for local crafts and spices.
Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Mayleko Lodge maylekolodge.net 

Flight time: 0,5h; 

Travel time: 1-2h; km:60

Vegan cooking class before your departure. Learn to prepare iconic Ethiopian vegan dishes and immerse yourself in history.

Food Description:

Ye’Ts’Om Beyaynetu (የጾም በያነቱ): A delightful mix of lentils, vegetable stews, and collard greens, expertly combined to create a wholesome and satisfying meal. This platter is rich in flavor and provides a variety of textures from each component.
Ye’abesha Gomen" (የአበሻ ጎመን): Ethiopian collard greens sautéed with onions, garlic, and spices to create a savory, earthy flavor. It’s a traditional and comforting dish, commonly served with injera.
Activities:

Participate in a hands-on vegan cooking class with a local Ethiopian family. Learn how to prepare traditional dishes like Beyaynetu and Gomen, gaining an authentic cooking experience.
Explore the local Lalibela market, where you can find artisan crafts, local spices, and unique souvenirs before heading to the airport for your departure.
Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Sora Lodge soralodgelalibela.com

Travel time: -

Experience Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches and enjoy Sunflower firfir plus Injera firfir

Food Description:

ሱፍ ፍትፍት (Sunflower seeds) is a traditional Ethiopian dish made with suf (sunflower seeds) and typically mixed with broken pieces of injera (Ethiopian sourdough flatbread). It is a nutrient-rich and flavorful dish enjoyed for its taste and health benefits.
Injera Firfir – Injera with Spicy Sauce (scrambled injera)( እንጀራ ፍርፍር)  is a popular Ethiopian dish made from torn pieces of injera mixed with a spicy stew or sauce, typically made from berbere, tomatoes, and onions. 
Activities 

Visit the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, one of Ethiopia’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites. These stunning churches are carved directly into the rock and are a remarkable feat of engineering and religious devotion.
Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: Sora Lodge soralodgelalibela.com

Flight time: 1 h; 

Travel time: 1h; 30km

After a relaxed morning a domestic flight will take you back to the capital of Addis Ababa. Here you can still use a couple of hours to buy souvenirs or other things. After a nice traditional and of course vegan farewell dinner your driver will transfer you to the airport.

Meals: B/L/D

Accommodation: -

• All domestic flights in Ethiopia with Ethiopian Airlines in tourist class (extra of $60 if the international flight is not booked with Ethiopian Airlines)
• All accommodations in double rooms with private toilet/shower in hotels or lodges; supplement for single room $330
• All transfers and travels in Ethiopia with private car
• Full board (1 drink per meal included, alcoholic drinks excluded)
• All entrance fees and permissions at tourist attractions, churches, museums and national parks
• For the trekking: entrance, scouts and rangers
• All persons for safety and security (when prescribed)
  All tips for meals
• All (mandatory) local guides in the single destinations
• Experienced SimienEcoTours tour guide (fluently English & Amharic speaking)

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Visa in Ethiopia
• Sleeping bag
• Alcoholic drinks
• Tipping
• Photo and video fees (if any)
• all extras and personal expenditures