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January 5, 2027: Explore Ethiopia, a cradle of human civilization, with Zhuang Xiaowen and discover the rich civilization of the Blue Nile basin.2027-01-05 · Linked trip

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January 5, 2027: Explore Ethiopia, a cradle of human civilization, with Zhuang Xiaowen and discover the rich civilization of the Blue Nile basin.
BEYOND THE FRAME / FIELD JOURNAL 01

Ethiopia

January 5, 2027: Explore Ethiopia, a cradle of human civilization, with Zhuang Xiaowen and discover the rich civilization of the Blue Nile basin.

A photographic expedition

2027-01-05 — 2027-01-19Date timezone: Africa/Addis_Ababa
15 days/ 14 nightsTime to create
Up to 10 photographersGroup size

Go beyond the view.

On Africa's sun-drenched continent, a mysterious and compelling destination awaits. With spectacular natural landscapes, a rich cultural heritage and distinctive ethnic traditions, Ethiopia is a country of civilizations stretching back thousands of years and an inspiring destination for photography. Ethiopia offers many traditional community subjects, including lip-plate communities, people using red ochre and the Karo. Their distinctive cultures, lustrous skin, expressive eyes and traditional clothing offer powerful photographic impressions of the continent's heritage.

01

Lalibela rock churches

Photograph Lalibela’s rock churches, religious activities and village life.

02

Southern villages and daily life

Travel through Arba Minch, Konso, Jinka and Turmi to photograph village life and traditions. Ceremonies depend on local circumstances.

03

Harar streets

Spend several days exploring Harar’s markets, streets and traditional homes for color and everyday details.

THROUGH THE LENS

The journey in pictures

Leading photographers: XAVI Zhuang →

Destination illustrations · select a photo to explore

A different way of seeing.

Portrait of XAVI Zhuang

XAVI Zhuang

Graduated from the Photography Department of South China Normal University. Specializes in landscape, documentary, mobile and drone photography. He has provided photography lectures and training for the municipal library, the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, the news agency of South China Normal University, the Senior Photographers Association, China Southern Power Grid, the Bao'an land bureau, UnionPay International, Standard Chartered, Ping An Bank, Bank of China, Industrial Bank, China Merchants Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Jiangsu, the coastal administration, the Capital Institute, SF Express and local community offices. Photography journeys He has led photography groups to Turkey, the Balkans, Japan, Eastern Europe, Semporna, Israel, Cuba, Iran, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Spain, Namibia, Bangladesh, Russia, Cambodia, Chiang Mai, Myanmar, Italy, Portugal and Morocco. Destinations in China include Longji, Weizhou Island, Yuanyang, Puzhehei, Bashang, Xuexiang, Beijing, Niubei Mountain, Guangwu Mountain, Huangshan, Wuyuan, Poyang Lake, Nanjing, Wuxi, Nyingchi, the Yellow River in Shaanxi, the Qiantang River, Hainan, Xiaodongjiang, Zhangjiajie, Zhongwei, Xiapu, Daocheng–Shangri-La and Ejina Banner. Selected awards and exhibitions 15th National Art Photography Competition; 2nd Shenzhen Photography Annual Exhibition; 10th PSAChina International Photography event; 2015 Toronto International TIPF Annual Excellence Award; multiple acceptances in the Austrian circuit, 2017–2019; exhibition at the 7th Dali International Photography Festival, 2018; silver award in the first Beautiful China Aerial Photography competition; second prize in the People category of the China division of the 2019 National Geographic Global Photography Contest.

A rhythm shaped by light.

Shooting locations, accommodation and transport are subject to confirmation before departure and may change with the weather.

Photography plans may change with weather and local conditions. Confirm the date and connection for the overnight international return flight.

Itinerary dates and text times without their own zone use: Africa/Addis_Ababa。Exact times use your selected timezone; dates alone and descriptions such as “morning” are not converted.

DAY 01Jan 5 · Africa/Addis_AbabaMeet at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport

Plan to meet at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport before 7 pm on January 5 for an early-morning flight the following day to Addis Ababa. Confirm the terminal, meeting time and flight.

Accommodation:At the airport or in flight

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 02Jan 6 · Africa/Addis_AbabaAddis Ababa–Lalibela

After arriving in the capital, transfer to Terminal T1 for ET120, 11:35–12:50, to Lalibela. Its 11 rock-hewn churches, known as an 'African wonder', accompany a rich religious and cultural life. The churches form 3 groups. After lunch, photograph the first group, then visit Lalibela village for cultural photography.

Accommodation:Tabor Hotel, Lalibela, or equivalent

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 03Jan 7 · Africa/Addis_AbabaLalibela

A full day of photography in Lalibela. After breakfast at 4:30, visit the rock-hewn churches to photograph morning worship: devotees in white robes and head coverings hold small torches while reading the Bible, creating a striking scene. Then photograph the rich local character of the agricultural market.

Accommodation:Tabor Hotel, Lalibela, or equivalent

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 04Jan 8 · Africa/Addis_AbabaLalibela–Addis Ababa

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for ET121, 13:20–14:35, back to Addis Ababa. Take a short city tour and visit the National Museum of Ethiopia, associated with humanity's origins, then check in and rest.

Accommodation:Azman Hotel, Addis Ababa

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 05Jan 9 · Africa/Addis_AbabaAddis Ababa–Arba Minch; 8 hours by road / 400 kilometers

After breakfast, drive to Arba Minch, stopping for lunch and selecting photography subjects along the way. Check in at the hotel in the evening.

Accommodation:Haily Resort, Arba Minch, or equivalent

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 06Jan 10 · Africa/Addis_AbabaArba Minch–Jinka; 7 hours by road / 280 kilometers

Travel to Konso village for terraced landscapes, daily life and traditions. Continue after lunch to the Benna community for stilt-related cultural photography.

Accommodation:Nassa Hotel, Jinka, or equivalent

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 07Jan 11 · Africa/Addis_AbabaJinka–Turmi; 8 hours by road / 320 kilometers

Drive 3 hours in the morning to visit the Mursi lip-plate community in Mago National Park. In the afternoon, visit the red-ochre community near Turmi to photograph daily life. With luck, a distinctive bull-jumping ceremony may be taking place. This ceremony cannot be staged for the group, so seeing it depends on chance.

Accommodation:Emerald Hotel, Turmi, or equivalent

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 08Jan 12 · Africa/Addis_AbabaTurmi

Visit the Dassanech canoe community early in the morning. In the afternoon, photograph the Karo community and its body-painting traditions, then return to the hotel to rest.

Accommodation:Emerald Hotel, Turmi, or equivalent

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 09Jan 13 · Africa/Addis_AbabaTurmi–Arba Minch; 6 hours by road / 260 kilometers

After breakfast, drive to Arba Minch, photographing the Arbore community en route. Arrival will be near dusk, allowing photographs of local life around the hotel and sunset over Lake Chamo.

Accommodation:Moralodae, Arba Minch, or equivalent

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 10Jan 14 · Africa/Addis_AbabaArba Minch–Addis Ababa

Return to Addis Ababa after breakfast, photographing Muslim villages and distinctive scenes of everyday life along the way. Arrive near dusk, have dinner and check in.

Accommodation:Azman Hotel, Addis Ababa, or equivalent

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 11Jan 15 · Africa/Addis_AbabaAddis Ababa–Dire Dawa–Harar

After breakfast, transfer to Airport Terminal T1 for ET214, 08:15–09:25, to Dire Dawa. Continue by road to colorful Harar, described as 'Ethiopia's Morocco', for a full day of photography.

Accommodation:Halaer Hotel, Harar

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 12Jan 16 · Africa/Addis_Ababafull day photographing Harar

Spend the day photographing Harar’s markets, streets, traditional homes and surroundings of mosques, following local arrangements and guide advice.

Accommodation:Halaer Hotel, Harar

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 13Jan 17 · Africa/Addis_Ababafull day photographing Harar

Set on a plateau more than 1800 meters above sea level, the city is enclosed by a fortified wall 4 meters high with 5 gates. Low traditional houses fill its 362 intersecting lanes, through which old cars struggle to make their way.

Accommodation:Halaer Hotel, Harar

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 14Jan 18 · Africa/Addis_AbabaHarar–Dire Dawa–Addis Ababa–China

Continue photography in Harar, then transfer to Dire Dawa Airport after lunch for a planned flight to Addis Ababa and the international return connection. Confirm the evening transfer, overnight departure date and flight.

Accommodation:At the airport or in flight; connection to confirm

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief
DAY 15Jan 19 · Africa/Addis_AbabaAddis Ababa–Guangzhou

Arrive in Guangzhou and continue home according to individual travel arrangements.

Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure brief

Where we stay

Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Day 1: At the airport or in flight Day 2: Tabor Hotel, Lalibela, or equivalent Day 3: Tabor Hotel, Lalibela, or equivalent Day 4: Azman Hotel, Addis Ababa Day 5: Haily Resort, Arba Minch, or equivalent Day 6: Nassa Hotel, Jinka, or equivalent Day 7: Emerald Hotel, Turmi, or equivalent Day 8: Emerald Hotel, Turmi, or equivalent Day 9: Moralodae, Arba Minch, or equivalent Day 10: Azman Hotel, Addis Ababa, or equivalent Day 11: Halaer Hotel, Harar Day 12: Halaer Hotel, Harar Day 13: Halaer Hotel, Harar Day 14: At the airport or in flight; connection to confirm

Getting there

Instructor flight references, not confirmed group bookings: January 6 Guangzhou–Addis Ababa ET607 00:10–06:00 January 19 Addis Ababa–Guangzhou ET606 00:30–15:40 Four domestic sectors connect Addis Ababa with Lalibela and Dire Dawa. Confirm the January 18 airport transfer, overnight departure date and all connections before booking.

Know what is included.

USD 4,894.26 Original CNY 32,780 · Reference rates 2026-09-18 · Frankfurterperson, from

Platform service fee to be confirmed

Deposit USD 2,986.12 Original CNY 20,000 · Reference rates 2026-09-18 · Frankfurter / person

Included

All hotel accommodation, choosing properties closest to photography locations, mainly local 3–4-star hotels;

All meals throughout the itinerary;

All overland transport abroad;

Four domestic flight sectors: Addis Ababa–Lalibela round trip, for the 11 rock-hewn churches, and Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa round trip;

Visa fees;

Chinese-speaking guide throughout;

Main entrance tickets to photography locations throughout;

No organized shopping-store visits; independent browsing and shopping are permitted.

Not included

Round-trip transport from your departure city in China to Addis Ababa;

expenses arising from airline delays or changes, meals during airport waits or connections, transport disruption, strikes and other force majeure events;

Tips for photographing people in traditional communities, and admission to festivals encountered locally, such as bull-jumping initiation ceremonies;

Additional alcoholic and soft drinks with meals abroad, fruit, snacks and similar purchases;

Single supplements for solo occupancy or when room sharing is unavailable; the amount requires confirmation with the operator.

In force majeure circumstances such as natural disasters, war or strikes, or exceptional events including flight delays or cancellations and consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or modify the itinerary. Additional expenses, including visas, accommodation, meals, transport and national airfare adjustments, may be charged at expense. We will nevertheless try within our ability to minimize participants' losses;

Other unspecified additional service charges and personal expenses.

Service fees, supplements, taxes and the final total are subject to written confirmation.

Clarity before departure.

Availability and registration

Register your interest in this trip. Departure confirmation, availability, the final total and booking conditions require confirmation with the operator.

Cancellation and breach provisions

Before departure, participants and the organizing team may sign a written travel contract or give notice terminating the trip agreement. The contract is legally binding. If termination is requested more than 30 days before departure, excluding day 30, neither party is liable for breach. Days are calculated by subtracting the date the termination notice is received from the departure date; the same calculation applies below. If the organizing team terminates the agreement, all travel fees must be refunded without deducting visa or entry-permit fees. If a participant terminates after a visa or entry permit has been processed or a flight booked, the relevant visa, entry-permit and flight cancellation charges are deducted. The organizing team must refund the travel fees within 5 working days of receiving the termination notice. If either party terminates within 30 days of departure, including day 30, the terminating party bears liability for breach. [Liability of the organizing team] If the organizing team terminates the trip agreement within 30 days of departure, including day 30, it must refund all travel fees without deducting visa, entry-permit or similar charges, and pay compensation according to the following schedule: 30 to 15 days before departure: compensation of 2% of the total trip fee; 14 to 7 days before departure: compensation of 5% of the total trip fee; 6 to 4 days before departure: compensation of 10% of the total trip fee; 3 to 1 days before departure: compensation of 15% of the total trip fee; On the departure date: compensation of 20% of the total trip fee. If this compensation does not cover the participant's actual losses, the organizing team must compensate those actual losses. The organizing team must refund the full trip fee and pay compensation within 5 working days of receipt of the cancellation notice. [Participant liability] Participants terminating the agreement within 30 days of departure must pay the organizing team a business-loss charge according to the following schedule: 30 to 15 days before departure: 5% of the total trip fee; 14 to 7 days before departure: 15% of the total trip fee; 6 to 4 days before departure: 70% of the total trip fee; 3 to 1 days before departure: 85% of the total trip fee; On the departure date: 90% of the total trip fee; If these percentages do not cover the organizing team's actual losses, the participant must compensate the actual losses, up to the total trip fee. After deducting the business-loss charge, the organizing team must refund the remaining travel fees within 5 working days of receiving the participant's cancellation notice.

Trip information

[Registration] Registration for this trip is confirmed upon receipt of the deposit. [Transport] 1. Flights booked by the organizing team are economy-class group tickets. Once issued, they cannot be endorsed to another carrier or refunded. 2. Actual flight, driving and boat travel times on the day apply. 3. Airlines and flight schedules above are for reference only. Changes to flight times may require minor itinerary adjustments; the departure notice takes precedence. [Accommodation] The amount is based on 2 people sharing 1 room. We will try to pair solo participants with another participant of the same gender. Participants who do not wish to share, or cannot be matched, must pay the single supplement for a room of their own. [Group meals] We try to choose meals suited to Chinese tastes and ensure that every guest receives an adequate portion. [Photography] 1. Photography activities follow the itinerary. In exceptional circumstances, time spent photographing each location will depend on the actual conditions that day. 2. Please read this itinerary carefully and choose a photography trip suited to your circumstances. If you give up part of the itinerary for personal reasons, including health, or request to forgo accommodation or transport, this is considered voluntary withdrawal. expenses already incurred are non-refundable. You are responsible for your personal safety while not participating in the itinerary. 3. Participants may not leave the group without permission during group photography activities, except during free time. Leaving partway through the trip is considered a breach by the participant. Unused photography activities, meals, accommodation and vehicle services are non-refundable, and the organizing team is not responsible for accidents occurring while the participant is away from the group. 4. If force majeure events such as typhoons or blizzards prevent travel according to the agreed itinerary, additional or reduced expenses following changes will be settled according to the travel agency's actual group operating expenses. [amount adjustments] the organizing team reserves the right to adjust amount if major fluctuations in international oil amount cause substantial increases in fuel surcharges. If the increase is within what we can absorb, the trip fee will not be adjusted. [Departure notice] 1. The departure notice will be sent no later than 1 day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed earlier, we will notify you as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the departure notice, the departure notice takes precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from organizing or arranging optional activities at additional expense, guests wishing to join such activities should contact the service provider themselves for information, amount and participation. If language difficulties lead you to ask a guide or tour leader for additional assistance, any paid or unpaid help is provided solely in that person's individual capacity, not on behalf of the organizing team or the local receiving agency. the organizing team has no involvement in the expenses, transaction amount or service standards of free-time activities; guests bear the outcomes themselves.

Portrait photography

Portrait photography and some ceremonies may require additional tips or admission. Confirm amounts with the operator and follow local guide arrangements.

Photography credit

Selected photographs: Huang Chuzhong.

Fitness, equipment and conditions

Equipment and fitness requirements will be provided by the operator.

USD 4,894.26 Waitlist · person, from
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