THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Explore Ethiopia's landscapes, historic sites and cultural traditions, with planned visits to communities including the Karo. Photograph clothing, body decoration and daily life with residents' consent and in accordance with local access arrangements.
Lalibela rock churches
Photograph Lalibela’s rock churches, religious activities and village life.
Southern villages and daily life
Travel through Arba Minch, Konso, Jinka and Turmi to photograph village life and traditions. Ceremonies depend on local circumstances.
Harar streets
Spend several days exploring Harar’s markets, streets and traditional homes for color and everyday details.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Xavi Zhuang →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
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.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
DAY 15Jan 19 · Africa/Addis_AbabaAddis Ababa–Guangzhou
Arrive in Guangzhou and continue home according to individual travel arrangements.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Xavi Zhuang
- Up to 10 travelers
- IncludedChinese-speaking guide throughout;
Transport
- IncludedAll overland transport abroad;
- IncludedFour domestic flight sectors: Addis Ababa–Lalibela round trip, for the 11 rock-hewn churches, and Addis Ababa–Dire Dawa round trip;
- ExcludedRound-trip transport from your departure city in China to Addis Ababa;
Travel details and reference schedules
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.
Photography
- Lalibela rock churches
- Southern villages and daily life
- Harar streets
Photography details
Lalibela rock churches Photograph Lalibela’s rock churches, religious activities and village life. Southern villages and daily life Travel through Arba Minch, Konso, Jinka and Turmi to photograph village life and traditions. Ceremonies depend on local circumstances. Harar streets Spend several days exploring Harar’s markets, streets and traditional homes for color and everyday details. Lalibela rock churches Southern villages and daily life Harar streets Included · All hotel accommodation, choosing properties closest to photography locations, mainly local 3–4-star hotels; Included · Main entrance tickets to photography locations throughout; Excluded · Tips for photographing people in traditional communities, and admission to festivals encountered locally, such as bull-jumping initiation ceremonies;
Accommodation
- 14 nights
- Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator.
- IncludedAll hotel accommodation, choosing properties closest to photography locations, mainly local 3–4-star hotels;
Accommodation details
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 Day 1 · 2027-01-05 At the airport or in flight Day 2 · 2027-01-06 Tabor Hotel, Lalibela, or equivalent Day 3 · 2027-01-07 Tabor Hotel, Lalibela, or equivalent Day 4 · 2027-01-08 Azman Hotel, Addis Ababa Day 5 · 2027-01-09 Haily Resort, Arba Minch, or equivalent Day 6 · 2027-01-10 Nassa Hotel, Jinka, or equivalent Day 7 · 2027-01-11 Emerald Hotel, Turmi, or equivalent Day 8 · 2027-01-12 Emerald Hotel, Turmi, or equivalent Day 9 · 2027-01-13 Moralodae, Arba Minch, or equivalent Day 10 · 2027-01-14 Azman Hotel, Addis Ababa, or equivalent Day 11 · 2027-01-15 Halaer Hotel, Harar Day 12 · 2027-01-16 Halaer Hotel, Harar Day 13 · 2027-01-17 Halaer Hotel, Harar Day 14 · 2027-01-18 At the airport or in flight; connection to confirm 14 nights Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Included · All hotel accommodation, choosing properties closest to photography locations, mainly local 3–4-star hotels; Excluded · Single supplements for solo occupancy or when room sharing is unavailable; the amount requires confirmation with the operator.
Meals
- IncludedAll meals throughout the itinerary;
- ExcludedAdditional alcoholic and soft drinks with meals abroad, fruit, snacks and similar purchases;
Visa
- IncludedVisa fees;
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
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 based on the actual additional expenditure incurred. We will nevertheless try within our ability to minimise participants' losses;
Other unspecified additional service charges and personal expenses.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] The total is based on two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements.
Portrait photography
Photographing people or attending some ceremonies may involve additional tips or admission charges. Confirm the amounts with the operator and follow the local guide’s arrangements.
Photography credit
Selected photographs: Chuzhong Huang.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Photography plans may change with weather and local conditions. Confirm the date and connection for the overnight international return flight.
Itinerary dates use Africa/Addis_Ababa. Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.