Aspire Ethiopia Tours

I was traveling to Ethopia for 11 days as a single female and know it was generally safe and learn that it was highly recommended to get some help piecing things together. I got in touch with Aspire for suggestions and we had a chat about the things I was interested in. My bespoke trip of the North was all set after a few email exchanges. Communication was brilliant so I was very confident I made the right choice to go with them. I was accompanied mostly by Gashaw who was sharp, very knowledgeable and amiable. I felt like I was traveling with a friend more than a guide. He opened up the world of Ethopian culture, beauty and history to me. I was also accompanied for 2 days by Morgas who was really sweet, funny and a nature lover for a hike up the highlands with breathtaking views for a wonderful homestay experience with a local family with warm hearts in their humble home. That’s definitely recommended! I also had the picturesque Danakil Depression trip added and guided by KB who was very professional and caring. It was spectacular! There were too many great experiences, it’s hard to highlight which ranks as a favourite. They listened to everything I wanted and made it happen or offered suitable alternatives and that was crucial to make the trip very special. I do not hesitate to recommend the professional team from Aspire for your trip. I know I’ll contact them when I am ready to return to explore the south !

In spite of having only 10 days, Aspire organized for us a really interesting itinerary including Dallol, in Danakil depression (one of the most amazing places I’ve known) and a trekking through the impressive mountains near Lalibela, sleeping with the “highlanders”. Gashaw, our guide, speaking perfect English, not only was very professional but a very easy and friendly companion for the trip. I recommend Aspire absolutely.

We are two seasoned travelers in our 70’s. I have now visited well over 100 countries. We traveled in Ethiopia for three weeks in 2018, visiting the historical sites in the northern highlands, the tribal areas in the south, and Harar to the east. The tour consisted of my wife and I, Gashaw Newt as guide, and local drivers. The trip included several long drives and 6 internal flights. Gashaw speaks very good English, is knowledgeable about each part of the country and was always interesting company during the long rides. He planned out the daily details, knew the best points to stop, took us to the best available restaurants, and made changes to the itinerary, with our approval, whenever he thought it would be an improvement. He taught us Ethiopian history and also introduced us to Ethiopian music which he played in the car. We found Ethiopia to be a truly fascinating country. It has its own cuisine, national language, music, calendar, time, and of course history. We spent several days hiking around Simien National Park at heights approaching 10,000 feet. We went to Gondar for the extraordinary Timket Festival, and he helped us climb through the tricky rock hewn churches of Lalibela. In the Omo Valley, in the far south, the tribes we visited each have their own language and unique customs. Thanks to Gashaw’s relationships with local guides and government officials we were able to interact with the villagers and get more out of each visit than just taking photos. I teach at Columbia University and simply put he was everything one would want in a teacher, or a guide. We think he is a gem.

We had an awesome day today in and around Addis Abeba with Moges, our tour guide. This tour is the best recommendation ever for anybody who wants to get in touch with authentic life in Ethiopians Capital as well as the very long and interesting history of this country. Moges has a profound knowledge of Ethiopians History and Culture and he shows it in so many interesting stories and examples that I truely had not any single moment when I did not listen curiously, asking all the little questions that still came up. And still Moges understood it perfectly to plan the day around our needs as his guests, so it was a good mixture of sightseeing, taking a rest, and getting to know all the little places that show authentic Ethiopian Lifestyle - places that you would never find with a tourguide book. So all thumbs up here and all the best wishes for the future!

Gashaw was very accommodating & knowledgeable of the Addis Ababa & surrounding areas. It was a pleasure touring with Aspire Ethiopia Tours.... we took a city tour of Addis one day....then a day trip to Bishoftu another.