Cultural · Slow Travel · Private
The Coffee Road
Every great coffee region in one journey — wild forest, royal Jimma, Sidama and Yirgacheffe, and Harar in the east.
The Journey
12 nights, designed around the hours that matter
For coffee lovers and professionals: a complete journey through the country where Arabica began. The wild coffee forests of Kafa, the old coffee kingdom of Jimma, the washing stations of Sidama and the gardens of Yirgacheffe, then a flight east to Harar. Ceremonies, cuppings and farm visits all the way.
Places
- Jimma
- Kafa
- Sidama & Yirgacheffe
- Harar
Tailor-made journey
Priced to your plans
Quoted individually once we know your dates, lodges and group size.
- Duration
- 13 Days · 12 nights
- Best season
- Oct – Feb
- Group size
- 2 – 8 guests
- Style
- Cultural · Slow Travel · Private
Final pricing depends on season, room category and group size. No deposit is taken until the itinerary is right.
Day by Day
The itinerary, as it usually runs
A working draft rather than a fixed schedule — we move days around for weather, festivals and how you are feeling.
Day 1
Addis Ababa
Arrival, a cupping in the capital's roastery district, and a first ceremony to set the palate.
Days 2 – 3
Jimma, the coffee kingdom
South-west to Jimma and the palace of King Abba Jifar II, whose kingdom grew rich on coffee, then farms in the surrounding hills.
Days 4 – 5
Kafa & the Bonga forest
Into the Kafa Biosphere Reserve, the home of wild Arabica, to walk the forest where coffee still grows without cultivation.
Day 6
Back to Addis Ababa
The long drive back to the capital, with a rest evening.
Days 7 – 8
Sidama
South to Hawassa, then smallholder farms and washing stations in the Sidama hills.
Days 9 – 10
Gedeo & Yirgacheffe
The UNESCO forest gardens of Gedeo, the stelae of Tuto Fela, and a cupping with growers in Yirgacheffe.
Day 11
North & east
The drive back to Addis Ababa and an evening flight to Dire Dawa.
Day 12
Harar
The walled city, its coffee merchants, and the eastern highland farms known for fruity, natural-process coffee — with the hyena feeding at dusk.
Day 13
Departure
A flight back to Addis Ababa for your onward journey.
What Is Included
- Domestic flights to Dire Dawa and back
- A private vehicle and a coffee-specialist guide throughout
- Farm, forest and washing-station visits with growers
- Cupping sessions and coffee ceremonies in family homes
- Twelve nights at the best available lodges and hotels
- Breakfast and dinner daily, lunch on farm days
Not Included
- International flights and Ethiopian visa fees
- Travel insurance (required)
- Coffee purchases, shipping and gratuities
Enquire
Make The Coffee Road yours
Send us your dates and we will confirm availability, quote precisely, and suggest the two or three changes we would make if it were our own trip.
Runs Oct – Feb · 2 – 8 guests · priced to your plans
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Speak With a Designer
Questions before you enquire?
Altitude, road time, how hard the walking really is, whether the children will cope. Ask us anything — a designer will answer honestly.
Or call us directly on +1909-450-7246