ABOUT US

TRIP BY BIRR

Trip by Birr was created from a simple idea: discovering the world should not require expensive, mass-produced tours organized by large travel companies. We believe that the true value of travel is not only in visiting famous places, but in experiencing them — understanding their history, meeting local people, and discovering cultures that are still alive.

Many of the world's most famous attractions — such as the Colosseum in Rome or the Taj Mahal in India — welcome millions of visitors every year. Their beauty remains extraordinary, but the scale of tourism often makes it difficult to experience these places in a quiet and personal way.

We want and can take you to places where authentic experiences are still possible. Ethiopia is one of these places. It is a country of ancient history, remarkable landscapes, unique traditions, and diverse cultures. Compared with many famous tourist destinations, Ethiopia is still visited by relatively few travelers. This means fewer crowds, more peaceful sightseeing, and more opportunities for genuine contact with local communities.

Trip by Birr offers authentic journeys created with local knowledge and experience — without the costs of large international travel companies. By working directly with local partners, we can create meaningful experiences while keeping travel affordable.

Why Trip by Birr?

Birr means silver in Amharic. For centuries, silver was closely connected with money in Ethiopia, and the word eventually became the name of the country’s currency. Today, the birr is simply the money people use every day — but for us, it also represents something more: Ethiopia, its history and its people.

Of course, you cannot explore Ethiopia for one birr. But compared with many popular travel destinations around the world, Ethiopia is still a relatively affordable country to visit. Its prices make it possible for many travelers — including backpackers — to discover the country without a huge budget.

At the same time, Ethiopia is not always an easy country to travel through. Long distances, local transportation, limited accommodation in some areas and the very different conditions between regions can make independent travel challenging. A backpack is enough to start the journey, but local knowledge can make a huge difference once you leave the main tourist routes.

Our local partner in Ethiopia

The person behind our Ethiopian journeys is Kassahun Biset — an Ethiopian tour guide and travel organizer based in Lalibela. Kassahun holds a Master's degree (MA) and has a tourism business license issued by the Lalibela Tourism Office. For many years, he has been helping travelers from around the world discover Ethiopia — from the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela to lesser-known regions of the country.

He has organized journeys for individual travelers, groups, journalists, filmmakers, and researchers. He has guided trips in both northern and southern Ethiopia, working together with local guides, drivers, and service providers in different parts of the country. Kassahun can arrange complete travel experiences, including transportation, domestic flights, local guides, accommodation, and other services needed to make each journey comfortable and well organized.

For Kassahun, tourism is not only about showing famous attractions. It is about helping visitors discover the real Ethiopia — its people, culture, traditions, and everyday life.

How to start your adventure?

It’s simple — go to the Contact page and get in touch with Kassahun in whichever way is most convenient for you.

Before you do, you can take a look at our approximate prices to get a general idea of what you can expect and how much it may cost.

And don’t be afraid to dream :-) Ask about anything related to Ethiopia and traveling around the country. Have an idea for an unusual trip? Want to visit somewhere off the beaten track? Just ask!

And then... give us a little time to reply. In Africa, time moves a little more slowly — Hakuna Matata! :-)