Complete Ethiopia
COMPLETE ETHIOPIA
28 |
12 |
BET15 |
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DAYS |
MIN AGE |
TRIP CODE |
LEISURELY/ MODERATE |
ITINERARIES
Blessed Ethiopia tour will be pleased to prepare customized itineraries and price quotes according to our clients’ requirements. We suggest and design tour programs for every client.
FLEXIBILITY
We are very flexible every client’s suggestions to ensure our clients enjoy a perfect holiday. Our purpose and principle is to work with each client, family and group individually. We encourage our clients to discuss their expectations.
» TOUR PROGRAMS – ITINERARIES
Blessed Ethiopia tour will be pleased to prepare customized itineraries and price quotes according to our clients’ requirements. We suggest and design tour programs for every client. All itineraries have been personally researched by our executive tour operators in Addis Ababa.
» VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
Our priority is to ensure our clients a 100% safe and comfortable trip. This is why we continually invest in flotillas of Toyota mini buses, Toyota Coaster Buses and 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers which are equipped with Microphone, seat belts and comprehensive insurance and maintained in a daily basis. Our experienced drivers know the Ethiopian roads pretty well and drive with strict safety measures.
Blessed Ethiopia tours are spent traveling between sites, villages and cities, we have top of the line vehicles and care about the comfort of every visitor. On those off-road journeys, Blessed Ethiopia Tour provides clients with quality, functional camping gear including tents, sleeping bags and mattresses for adventure tours to the Simien and Bale Mountains or camping tours in the South Omo Valley and Danakil Depression.
Blessed Ethiopia tours are spent traveling between sites, villages and cities, we have top of the line vehicles and care about the comfort of every visitor. On those off-road journeys, Blessed Ethiopia Tour provides clients with quality, functional camping gear including tents, sleeping bags and mattresses for adventure tours to the Simien and Bale Mountains or camping tours in the South Omo Valley and Danakil Depression.
» FLEXIBILITY
We are very flexibleio every client’s suggestions to ensure our clients enjoy a perfect holiday. Our purpose and principle is to work with each client, family and group individually. We encourage our clients to discuss their expectations, interest, budget etc., to be able to arrange a custom made tour just for you.
» PAST CLIENTS
The best and most reliable source of information is someone who has first-hand experience on something. Even better than a guidebook, our past clients are a great and reliable source of information. Most of them have stayed in constant touch with us even after going back home and are willing to have their contacts given out to potential clients.
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TRIP OVERVIEW
This incredible overland route between Gondar and Arba Minch will take you from the historical splendors of Ethiopia's north to its remote tribal villages and the Rift Valley in the south. The wonderful country of Ethiopia is an extraordinary land with a unique cultural heritage of opulent monasteries, stunning churches carved out of the mountains, and incredible scenery.
In the North we explore the countries famous historic sites, such as the ancient city of Axum and the historic churches at Lalibela and the islands of the beautiful Lake Tana, before heading off on a wild expedition to explore the Danakil Depression.
We will spend time trekking in the spectacular Simien and Bale Mountains; explore the bustling capital of Addis Ababa, and the historic UNESCO World heritage site of Harar.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: WELCOME TO ETHIOPIA!
Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Airport, a representative from Blessed Tours will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your Hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore the capital and visit sites like the National Museum (home of the world-famous human ancestor fossil Lucy), the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Ethnological Museum, which will give you an insight into the history and culture of Ethiopia.
In the evening you will have the opportunity to sample the famous Ethiopian cuisine and see a cultural show at a restaurant in town before returning to your hotel for the night. (Activities and meals in Addis Ababa today are at your own expense).
DAY 2: TO BAHIR DAR
After breakfast drive to Bahir Dar via Debre Markos a total of 565 kms and on the way after 103 kms drive, visit the 13th C monastery of Debre Libanos which founded by Tekle Haymanot. Further down, you will enjoy the fabulous Blue Nile Gorge, which spans altitudes of around 2,500 to 1,200 m, is comparable in scale to America’s Grand Canyon. After lunch in Debre Markos, keep driving through the beautiful scenery and Amehara peoples’ villages. In the late afternoon arrive in the Bahir Dar and check-in to the Hotel.
DAY 3: HIKE BLUE NILE FALLS / EXPLORE LAKE TANA
In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel and driven to Bole International Airport to catch your domestic flight to Bahir Dar. Once in Bahir Dar you will carry on to the shores of Lake Tana. Lake Tana forms the main reservoir for the Blue Nile River and is the largest lake in Ethiopia. Its most notable features however are the historic monasteries and churches located on the shores of some of the lake’s 37 islands. A boat will take you around to some of these spectacular cultural landmarks.
Surrounded by a forest of coffee trees, Ura Kidane Mehret with its magnificent frescos is regarded as the most beautiful of the churches. It is located on Zegge Peninsula, a one-hour boat ride from Bahir Dar.
After lunch at a local restaurant in Bahir Dar, we carry on by car to the village Tiss Issat, and from there we continue on foot on a 2-hour walk to the Blue Nile Falls. The trail is incredibly scenic, passing through pastoral scenes, giving you a first glimpse of rural life in Ethiopia. At the start of your walk, you will cross a beautiful old stone bridge that was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. From here the path ascends steeply, passing through a small settlement before reaching a viewpoint for the falls. Due to a dam put in place to provide electricity for the surrounding communities only about 10% of the former water volume now reaches the falls. To see the falls at their most dramatic it is best to do this walk in the rainy season (July-September).
On your descent to the foot of the falls, you will cross a small canyon by way of a modern Swiss-constructed bridge. As you approach the waterfall, be prepared to get a bit wet! The trail continues up to the Blue Nile River, where you will cross by boat and be picked up on the other side and driven back to Bahir Dar.
DAY 4: EXPLORE GONDAR
In the early morning you will leave Bahir Dar and depart for the royal city of Gondar. The three-hour drive takes you through wonderful natural sites and rural villages, giving you a glimpse of the Amharic culture.
After checking in to your lodge in Gondar and having lunch at a local restaurant, you will begin a fascinating exploration of the royal and ancient city of Gondar.
First visit to the fortress city Fasil Ghebbi, also known as the Royal Enclosure. This 70,000-sq meter UNESCO World Heritage site was once the seat of emperor Fasiledes and his successors in the 16th and 17th centuries. The numerous castles and palaces that remain within the walls of the enclosure are a testament to the royal capital’s former splendor.
The cultural tour continues with a visit to Fasiledes’ Bath. Emperor Fasiledes built this rectangular pool to convince the people that he was a true believer of the Orthodox faith. Although the complex was used for bathing it was also used for religious celebrations, some of which carry on to this day. Once a year, during the Timkat festival, the pool is filled with blessed water and devotees are invited to swim and frolic in the pool in a ceremonial replication of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River.
Before heading back to the Hotel in the late afternoon, you will visit the Debre Berhan Selassie church with its beautifully painted ceilings.
DAY 5: SIMIEN MOUNTAINS N.P
After breakfast we drive to Debark on the edge of the Simien Mountains. In the late morning we drive up into the mountains for some spectacular views of this unique ecosystem. We take an optional 1.5hr walk, mostly flat or downhill, and hope to see the endemic Gelada baboons, Klipspringers, Lammergeyer vultures, and bushbuck. The scenery is truly breathtaking and there will be time for a walk around the Sankaber region of the National Park. The maximum altitude we reach is 3250m.
DAY 6: TO AXUM
After morning breakfast, continue on the rugged road for a full day’s drive to the ancient city of Axum via the lowlands of the Simien Mountains and Tekeze River gorge. Though this is a long drive the spectacular views make time slide away. This full day drive affords some excellent photo opportunities of this dramatic landscape. In the late afternoon after checking into the hotel, there will be time to relax in this town that was once the capital of a large empire.
DAY 7: EXPLORE CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS IN AXUM
If you are enthusiastic about archaeology, today will be one of the highlights of your trip.
The ruins of the ancient city of Axum are a testament to the city’s former historical and political significance. Located in the heart of ancient Ethiopia, the ruins are remnants of a time when the Kingdom of Axum was one of the most powerful empires in the world, equal to Rome and Persia.
The remaining structures, which date from between the 1st and 13th century A.D., include enormous stelae, monolithic obelisks, royal tombs, monasteries and the ruins of ancient palaces.
For foreign visitors, the main attraction is the giant stele which was erected by the Axumite in the pre-Christian times, presumably for religious purposes. One of these granite structures, the Great Stelae, is the biggest monolith in the world, measuring over 33 meters. It fell over sometime in the 4th century while it was being erected and remains in pieces on the ground to this day.
This tour will also include stops at the Bath and Palace of the Queen of Sheba and the tombs of King Kaleb and King Bazen, which are thought to be some of the earliest discovered structures.
The legendary Ark of the Covenant believed to be kept in a chapel near the St. Mary of Zion Church. It is guarded by a priest who is responsible for its care and preservation for life and nobody else is allowed to see it. Men can walk up to the chapel, but women are unfortunately not allowed on the site.
After a day of visiting these incredible ruins, you will look forward to a bit of rest and a good meal at your hotel.
DAY 8: DRIVE AND VISIT YEHA AND ADWA: CONTINUE TO GHERALTA
Today we head east from Axum to Yeha, said to be Ethiopia’s oldest settlement, probably dating back almost 3,000 years. A large temple, dedicated to the moon god Ilmuqah, is related to other pagan temples to the same god in Yemen, indicating connections across the Red Sea from the earliest times. The temple was later converted into a church in the 6th century, but still has wonderful friezes of ibex carved into the façade. We shall also make a visit to the important town of Adwa, set amidst rugged mountains. It was at Adwa that the Ethiopians became the first African nation to repel a colonial power, when they defeated the Italian army in 1896. Since then, Ethiopia has been a symbol of African independence, free from European control. This afternoon we continue to the town of Adigrat.
DAY 9: VISIT TIGRAY CHURCHES; CONTINUE TO MEKELE
Today we will explore this rarely visited corner of Ethiopia and discover the remarkable Rock-cut Churches in this region. These architectural gems were created prior to the 16th century and unknown to the outside world until the 1960s. About 150 are now known to be in existence with all but a handful still in active use by the orthodox Christian community. We look to explore two clusters including Abreha We Atsbeha and Degum Selassie at Gheralta and the sandstone church of Chirkos at Wukro with its cruciform pillars and barrel vaulted ceiling. In the afternoon enjoy the wonderful serenity of the Tigray landscapes and proceed to the town of Mekel.
DAY 10: TO LALIBELA
Today you will have quite a long drive to Lalibela. During the journey, you encounter the scenic beauty of the Alamata mountain chain and observe the daily life of the Tigray and Amhara people in the villages that you pass along the way. During the next two nights Lalibela.
DAY 15: EXPLORE THE CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS IN LALIBELA
Today you will spend the day exploring Lalibela, which is regarded as one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities (second only to Axum) and an important center of pilgrimage. Religious rituals are central to the life of the town and there are often processions of priests and crowds of singing and dancing devotees. This in combination with Lalibela’s extraordinary history and architecture gives this small town a timeless and biblical atmosphere.
The most famous attractions in Lalibela are the monolithic rock-hewn churches, which are the biggest monolithic temples in the world, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The rest of today will be dedicated to exploring these architectural wonders. Nothing will prepare you for what you are about to see. Every individual church is unique in shape, size and perfectly carved and decorated by hand. Some of the churches you will see along your tour today are the historically interesting churches Bet Medhane Alem (the largest monolithic church in the world and home to the Lalibela Cross) and Bet Maryam (possibly the oldest of the churches).
You will have a local guide showing you around who will be able to tell you everything you want to know about these churches.
At the end of the day you will return to the Hotel to relax and enjoy a nice dinner
DAY 12: EXPLORING LALIBELA FURTHER AFIELD
There are several fascinating churches and monasteries carved into the landscape surrounding the town of Lalibela itself, and today we will go on an excursion to visit one of them. After breakfast, you will drive 50 km outside of Lalibela to the beautiful Yemerehana Christos Monastery, one of Ethiopia’s best-preserved late Axumite churches.
In contrast to the other churches you have seen on this tour, this 11th century monastery is constructed using both stone and wood. Be sure to go inside to look at the walls that have been painted with murals depicting scenes from the Bible.
You will have a packed lunch with you on the trip, which you can enjoy as you gaze at the incredible mountain views.
After this morning excursion you will head back to Lalibela to continue your exploration of the churches. The most iconic and visually spectacular of these churches is the Bet Giyorgis (St. George’s Church). The 15-meter high structure is carved out of rock, excavated externally and internally into the shape of the Greek Ross. This church is often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and is therefore a must see on this trip!
In the late afternoon you will return back to the Hotel to relax and enjoy a nice dinner.
DAY 13: TO KOMBOLICHA
After breakfast drive to Kombolicha and on the way we will have a stop to visit the famous Lake Hayik and the ancient church of Hayik Estifanos and keep driving to Kombolicha.
DAY 14: TO AWASH NATIONAL PARK
Today we will drive to the Awash National Park through the small town of mila. In the afternoon arrive in the park The scenic Awash National Park located in the dry acacia savanna of the Rift Valley. The skyline of the park is dominated by the jagged edges of Mount Fantelle, a dormant volcano whose crater towers above the surrounding bush. This aftenoon we will have an opportunity to visit its splendid waterfall spilling into a 150m gorge. We may also have the opportunity to spot some of the parks wildlife. The most visible large mammals are the Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s gazelle and the Slat’s dik-dik.
DAY 15: TO HARAR
Today we drive to Harar on the way we will visit the town of Aweday famous as the site of the country’s largest chat market and farming place (an stimulating plant). Harar is a walled city. The city walls are pierced by 5 gates topped by 25 towers. The 16th century mosque with its slender minaret and the narrow streets lined with small shops all give the impression of having wandered into a city from the Arabian nights. In the evening, we will go to one of the gates of the Harar wall to see the Hyena Man feeding his hyena friends.
DAY 16: EXPLORING HARAR ON FOOT AND DRIBE BACK TO DIRE DAWA
Harar is the cradle of Islam in Ethiopia and by the Middle Ages, Harar had become known as the fourth most sacred city in the Islamic world.The City Wall, the Gates and the narrow streets lined with traditional Harari Gegar houses, the colorful Muslim and Christian markets (known for basketry). After lunch visit the Hareri museum, Rimbaud House, a fine traditional house dating from the period when the French poet Rimbaud lived in Harer. Finally visit the traditional Hararie house within the famous walled city. In the afternoon, you will transfer to the Dire Dawa for the overnight stay.
DAY 17: TO LAKE LANGANO
This day, we drive to Lake Langano and enjoy more of the Rift Valley landscape and the stunning views over the Lakes of Abijata and Shala. We have the possibility of visiting the Ostrich farm at Abijata Shala National Park. In the afternoon we will relax on the shore of Lake Langano, side resort for our overnight.
DAY 18: TO ARBA MINCH & VISIT WITH THE DORZE TRIBE OR NATURE WALK
After breakfast your journey will continue farther south to the Guge Mountains and the highland town of Chencha where you will get a chance to meet the people from the Dorze tribe.
The Dorze are famous for their cotton-weaving techniques and for their uniquely designed bee-hive shaped dwellings. Visiting the Dorze used to be one of the highlights of this region and part of our standard offering, but lately it has become very busy with tourists and a bit commercial. Despite this recent development, the village is in a beautiful location and you may enjoy this experience if you are interested in seeing how the Dorze live. You will also be able to sample some local food and drink.
Should you prefer to skip the Dorze tribe visit you can instead take a lovely walk in the forests nearby. Lunch will be arranged at a local restaurant in a very picturesque setting (not included).
After your visit to Chencha you will continue on to the city of Arba Minch (a 1-hour drive), where you will spend the night at Paradise Lodge.
DAY 19: VISIT THE CHENCHA VILLAGE AND BOAT TRIP ON LAKE CHAMO
Morning drive 40kms northwest of Arba Minch to Guge Mountains to visit the Dorze and Chencha villages. Once warriors, the Dorze have now turned to farming and weaving to earn a living. They speak an Omotic tongue and the Dorze name is synonymous with the best woven cotton cloth. The “elephant huts” of the Dorze are unique and worth seeing. Also, the Dorze beehive-shaped houses are constructed entirely of organic material and has its own small garden surrounded by beds of spices, cabbage and tobacco.Some of Ethiopia’s best woven cottons come from Chencha, which is located 8 km northwest of Dorze Village. Men weave and women spin. Afternoon a boat trip on clear blue waters of Lake Chamo to see the crocodiles, hippos & aquatic bird species. The northern shores of Lake Chamo are famous for its large crocodiles, which can be seen in great numbers lounging in the heat. The lake is about 32km long and provides a lush wetland habitat for many species of flora and fauna.
DAY 20: TO JINKA - MORE TRIBES AND NATURE!
Today you will get an early morning start on your drive to Jinka. The journey will take you through the Omo Valley, where you can experience a variety of landscapes and the tribes and animals that inhabit them.
Through the Omo Valley runs the Omo River, which is the lifeblood to all living creatures in this valley. Among the tribes that you may encounter on this trip are the Gummaide, Konso, Tsemai, Banna, and the Ari. Their way of living varies from pastoralists to agricultural traditions. We will stop to visit some of the tribes during the journey.
Which of the tribes we visit depends on your preference as well as the whereabouts of the tribes themselves, as some are nomadic and don't stay in one place for long. With an early start, there will be plenty of time to stop for pictures along the way as well as a lunch stop at the lovely Lodge in Konso.
DAY 21: VISIT THE MURSI TRIBE
Today you will visit one of the most famous tribes in the Omo Valley, the Mursi. On your way to the Mursi village, you will pass through Mago National Park with some chances of mammal and bird spotting. The landscape rolling by outside your window will be mostly dry savannah, interspersed with forested riverbeds. The main highlight of the day is experiencing the way of life of the Mursi tribe. The Mursi women are well-known for their lip-plate wearing tradition, and the men for their fierce stick fighting duels.
About the Mursi experience:
The appearance and lifestyle of the Mursi have long been a fascination with the outside world and over time the tribe has become accustomed to posing for the tourist’s camera in exchange for a couple of Birrs. With the increase in tourism to the area, and the subsequent income opportunities that this has created for the Mursi, the environment in the Mursi village when tourists stop by can be experienced as rather frenzied.
Some visitors find it overwhelming and stay only for a short moment in the village, while others embrace the exchange and take the rare opportunity to photograph this very photogenic and fascinating tribe. In either case, be prepared for tribesmen and women to grab and pull you in their direction to get your attention. If you are not a keen photographer, also be aware that the Mursi now expect you to take photos and maybe a bit dismissive of you for attempting to have a more in-the-now experience.
Whether you venture out to visit the Mursi, or do any of the optional activities today lunch will be enjoyed in Jinka where there are plenty of things to explore. The town houses an Ethnographic Museum with an interesting exhibition on the various cultures and ways of life of the people living in and around Omo Valley. You can combine a visit to the museum with an afternoon walk through the village to observe the daily life of the Ari people who live there.
DAY 22: VISIT HAMER TRIBES
Today you will visit the Hamer who inhabit the lands east of the Omo River. The Hamer people are known for their elaborate hairstyles, dyed with ochre and adorned with feathers and other decorations. The women distinguish themselves by wearing leather skirts, decorated with shells, several copper bracelets around their arms and heavy iron necklaces around their necks. Around midday you will enjoy a packed lunch and spend the rest of the day visiting this fascinating tribe before returning to the lodge.
Optional activity: Bull jumping ceremony
Your visit with the Hamer tribe may coincide with a wedding or a coming of age ceremony. The latter is traditionally held when a father decides that his son is ready to become a man. During these ancient traditions men and women are tested on their strength and endurance.
Men have to take giant leaps over an impossibly long row of bulls – without falling. If completed successfully the men gain respect within the tribe and are allowed to marry and carry a weapon. During the ceremony, the women get their backs whipped by the men who have completed the bull jumping. Although this whipping is extremely painful and can break the skin, the women are not allowed to show that they feel the pain. Their scars are considered a sign of devotion to the men. This is an optional activity that depends on the timing of the event, and whether you are interested in witnessing this tradition.
DAY 23: TURMI – MURULLE – TURMI
This morning we drive 2-hours to Murulle to visit the Karo Tribe, travelling along rough tracks and passing through vast meadowlands covered with shrubs and umbellifers ('umbrella' acacia trees).
The Karo people are the smallest ethnic group in the Omo Valley and are experts in tatooing and body painting - using clay and vegetable pigments to paint fantastic patterns on each other's faces, chests, arms and legs. The scars are cut with a knife or razor blade and ash is rubbed in to produce a raised effect, with the scarification of a man's chest indicating that he has killed an enemy or a dangerous animal. These decorations are an elaborate process, ranging from fine detail to rough but striking paintings, traced with the palms or fingers. One of the most beautiful combines white (chalk), black (charcoal), yellow, ochre and red earth - often imitating the spotted plumage of a guinea fowl. Karo men also sculpt and shave their hair into extravagant shapes, with special grey and ochre clay hair buns that usually contain several ostrich feathers. We then drive back to the village of Turmi.
DAY 24: EXCURSION TO OMORATE
After having your early breakfast, you will have an excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people ‘people of the Delta’, who lives on the northern shore of Lake Turkana, and they live on the east and west bank of the Omo River. They are agro-pastoralist and herd cattle and practice flood retreat cultivation on both sides of the river. The Geleb Covering a large territory, the Geleb live along the western banks of the Omo River, having been forced out of the Turkana region by conflict in the 18th century.Originally nomadic pastoralists, the more fertile surroundings of the Omo River has caused them to put down more permanent roots based around fishing and agriculture. The Geleb live in small huts that befit their nomadic origins, as they could be easily and quickly dismantled. Women wear a pleated cowskin skirt with necklaces and bracelets. Men wear a checkered cloth around their waist only. Then drive back to our base Turmi.
DAY 25: DRIVE FROM TURMI TO YABELLO
This day we will drive to Yabello visiting the Erbore people en route. After lunch stop at Konso, continue to the region of Oromo Borena and visit their village. The drive this day will let you to experience the life of the Oromo Borena People who is well known in cattle rearing. We also visit the Oromo Borena People villages and their ‘singing well’ from which they cater water to their own thousands of cattle by singing.
DAY 26: EXCURSION TO EL SOD CRATER LAKE
This morning we will proceed to the crater lake of El Sod,known locally as the House of Salt. El Sod’s deep crater is famous for the black salt that has been extracted from its inky depths for centuries. We will view the lake from the rim and take a short walk along the top. Probably, ubiquitous donkeys can still be seen winding their way up the side of the crater loaded with the valuable mineral. Then, we will drive back to Yabello, famed for its unique position as home for two of Ethiopia’s Endemic birds; the white-tailed swallow and Stresemann’s bush crow.These birds can only be found in the acacia scrubland around Yabello.
DAY 27: DRIVE TO YIRGALEM
After Breakfast, we drive to Yirgalem over a beautiful Sidamo mountains and coffee plantation. On the way, we stop at Wenago to visit the Tutu Fella stelae field – an unusual collection of carved stones. Yirgalem is a coffee region, and the scenery is extraordinarily lush and evergreen. The accommodation at Aregash Lodge is a traditional Sidamo House, a pleasant peaceful lodge with walks through gardens and forests. There are more than 100 bird species recorded in the area, and on our walks we can see hyena, jackals, and Columbus and velvet monkeys.
DAY 28: DRIVE BACK TO ADDIS ABABA AND DEPARTURE
This day, we drive to the Lake Awassa, one of the Rift Valley Lakes. Keep driving to Addis and enjoy more of the Rift Valley landscape and the stunning views over the Lakes of Abijata and Shala. We have the possibility of visiting the Ostrich farm at Abijata Shala National Park. We will arrive in Addis Ababa in early afternoon and transfer to the Hotel and have a room as a day use for wash/change and get ready for the evening flight. You might be interested for the last minute souvenir shopping at the markets. In the evening, we will go out to one of the best cultural restaurant for the Farewell Dinner at traditional restaurant with live traditional dances program. Then, we will transfer to airport for flight home. The trip ends here.
DAY 1: Welcome to Ethiopia!
Upon arrival in Ethiopia, a representative from Blessed Tours will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and take you to your Hotel, which is located just 5 km from the airport.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore the capital and visit sites like the National Museum (home of the world-famous human ancestor fossil Lucy), the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Ethnological Museum, which will give you an insight into the history and culture of Ethiopia. In the evening you will have the opportunity to sample the famous Ethiopian cuisine and see a cultural show at a restaurant in town before returning to your Hotel for the night.
DAY 2: To Bahir Dar
DAY 3: Hike Blue Nile Falls / Explore Lake Tana
DAY 4: Explore Gondar
DAY 5: Simien Mountains N.P
DAY 6: To Axum
DAY 7: Explore Cultural Highlights in Axum
DAY 8: Drive and Visit Yeha and Adwa: Continue to Gheralta
DAY 9: Visit Tigray Churches; Continue to Mekele
DAY 10: To Lalibela
DAY 11: Explore the Cultural Highlights in Lalibela
DAY 12: Exploring Lalibela Further Afield
DAY 13: To Kombolicha
DAY 14: To Awash National Park
DAY 15: To Harar
DAY 16: Exploring Harar on Foot and Dribe Back to Dire Dawa
DAY 17: To Lake Langano
DAY 18: To Arba Minch & Visit With the Dorze Tribe or Nature Walk
DAY 19: Visit the Chencha Village and Boat Trip on Lake Chamo
DAY 20: To Jinka - More Tribes and Nature!
DAY 21: Visit the Mursi Tribe
DAY 22: Visit Hamer Tribes
DAY 23: Turmi – Murulle – Turmi
DAY 24: Excursion to Omorate
DAY 25: Drive from Turmi to Yabello
DAY 26: Excursion to El Sod Crater Lake
DAY 27: Drive to Yirgalem
DAY 28: Drive Back To Addis Ababa and Departure