Tour Packages
City Tour of Addis Ababa
- City Tour of Addis Ababa (Full Day): Pick up from the airport/ hotel and you will start your city tour of Addis Ababa that includes a visit to the National Museum that houses Lucy, Emperor Menilik’s palace on the hills of Entoto, the Holy Trinity Church and ‘Merkato’, one of the largest open markets in Africa. You can also choose to St. George Church, Ethnographic Museum which used to be the former palace of Emperor Haile Selassie until 1960.
Day Trip from Addis Ababa
1. Addis Ababa-Wonchi Crater Lake-Addis Ababa: Leave Addis Ababa in the morning for Wonchi. Wonchi is the most scenic highland crater lake found at an elevation of over 3000 meters above sea level and surrounded by indigenous trees that give such a spectacular view from the top of the mountain. You can walk down to reach the shore of the lake for about an hour. But it is preferable to go up by on the back of a mule on the way back. Once you are on the shore of the lake, you can visit the nearby monastery on the shore of the lake. Then drive back to Addis Ababa.
2. Addis Ababa/ Melka Kunture/ Adadi Mariam Church/ Tiya Stelae/Addis Ababa: This is a full day excursion from Addis Ababa a little bit to the southern part of the country that includes a visit to Melka Kunture Archaeological Site, the southernmost Rock-cut church of Adadi Mariam, and Tiya Stele Field. First, drive to the small town of Melka Awash, where you will stop for your first visit at Melka Kunture archaeological site, a place that has an amazing collection of remains of pre-historic hominids and the tools they used. Then proceed to the ancient rock-hewn church of Adadi Mariam and visit this historic church, which according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, is believed to have been built by King Lalibela, the founder of the mighty Lalibela churches (the best option for visitors who don’t have the time to visit the rock-cut churches in Lalibela) Later visit the medieval century Tiya stele field that served in their time as mass grave. Drive back to Addis Ababa late afternoon.
3. Debre Libanos Monastery and Portuguese Bridge: Drive for two hours to the north of Addis Ababa through a beautiful landscape and countryside. Arrive at Debre Libanos Monastery that was founded in the 13th century by a prominent local saint Abune Tekle Haymanot, the only Ethiopian saint known among Christians outside of Ethiopia. This modern church with a beautiful stained glass was built during Emperor Haile Selassie’s reign is dedicated to Saint Tekle Haymanot. The monastery also has a museum with collections of religious artifacts which were used since the founding of the monastery. Stop for taking pictures at the picturesque Jemma River Valley and proceed to the old Portuguese Bridge to enjoy the magnificent scenery. You can have lunch by the bridge, or at the nearby restaurant before heading back to Addis Ababa.
Historic North Ethiopia I
Northern Ethiopia I
Tour Code: EET001 (14 days/ 13 nights by vehicle and Flight)
Tour Description:
This trip will take you to historical and natural sites in Ethiopia including ancient monasteries of Lake Tana and Blue Nile Falls, royal castles of Gondar, rock hewn churches of Lalibela, and the ancient stele of Axum, in 15 days.
Day 1: Arrive at the airport. And transfer to a hotel
Day 2: Addis Ababa: City tour of Addis Ababa that includes a visit to the National Museum that houses Lucy, Emperor Menilik’s palace on the hills of Entoto, the Holy Trinity Cathedral Church and ‘Merkato’, the largest market centre in Africa.
Day 3: Addis Ababa-Debre Markos (7-8 hours) today is a travel day to the northern part of the country to start your trip driving to the historic route. Visit the13th century monastery of Debre Libanos and the Portuguese Bridge. Then stop for lunch in one of the towns on the way. In the afternoon you will make a stop at the Blue Nile river valley to take some pictures before you arrive at Debre Markos town for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Debre Markos- Bahir Dar (5hours) drive to Bahir Dar in the morning, Bahir Dar is the administrative capital of the Amhara National Regional State and one of the fastest growing cities in Ethiopia built on the southern shore of Lake Tana. You will have lunch in Bahir Dar and a visit to the the Blue Nile Water Falls in the afternoon.
Day 5: Bahir Dar (Full day) this beautiful town is where medieval monasteries on the islands of Lake Tana (the largest lake in Ethiopia) are found. You will have a boat trip in the morning to Ura Kidanemiheret and Azwa Mariam Churches that are found on the Zege Peninsula. You get back to Bahir Dar for lunch and a visit to the summer palace of Haile Selassie I in the afternoon.
Day 6: Bahir Dar-Gondar (3 hours) drive to Gondar in the morning. Once in Gondar you will head for a cultural restaurant in the town to have a taste of the local food and drink. In the afternoon you will visit the Royal Castles of Gondar, the Bath of Emperor Fasiledes, and Debrebirhan Selassie Church with its magnificent paintings.
Day 7: Gondar-Simien Mountains : ( 2 hours) Visit Empress Mentewab’s palace (Gondar) the only palace found outside the Royal Enclosure. Then drive to Simien Mountains National Park and do some hiking and taking pictures of troops of Gelada Baboon. Drive back to Debark Town for an overnight stay.
Day 8: Simien Mountains:(Full day) Drive in the morning to Simien Mountains National park for a full day visit that includes sight to another endemic antelope only found here, the Walya Ibex. Another interesting activity is hiking to the seasonal waterfall. You may also have the chance to see other antelopes like Reedbuck, klipspringer, and bushbuck. Drive back to Debark for an overnight stay.
Day 9: Semien Mountains-Axum (7-8 hours) this route takes you through beautiful topographies of the Tekezze Valley and Semien Mountains in a full day drive.
Day 10: Axum: Today you will have a full day visit of Axum including the Stele, St. Mary’s Church, the Tomb of King Kaleb and Gebremeskel, and a ruined palace referred by local people as Queen Sheba’s Palace.
Day 11: Axum-Makele:(6-7hours) Drive to Makele. Visit the ancient Sabean temple of Yeha (the oldest structure found in the Sub-Saharan Africa) on the way.
Day 12: Makele-Lalibela : ( 8-9 hours) as it is a travel day, leave your hotel in the morning and drive to Lalibela, stopping to take pictures and for lunch on the way. You will arrive at Lalibela late afternoon.
Day 13: Lalibela: (Full day) Visit all the churches in Lalibela including Bete Medhanealem (the largest rock-cut church in the world) Bete Mariam (the house of St Mary) Bete Amanuel(House of Emmanuel) the most beautiful church of Bete Giorges(House of St. George)
Day 14: Lalibela-Addis Ababa (Flight): You will be transferred to the airport for your trip back to Addis Ababa. Once in Addis Ababa you will spend the afternoon visiting coffee shops and souvenir shops in the city. In the evening you will be our guest in one of the cultural restaurants in Addis Ababa to see a variety of Ethiopian traditional dances while enjoying the country’s most delicious food and drinks. Then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
Historic North Ethiopia II
Northern Ethiopia II
Tour Code: EET 002(8 days/7 nights by vehicle)
Tour Description:
This trip will take you to historical and natural sites in Ethiopia including ancient monasteries of Lake Tana and Blue Nile Falls, royal castles of Gondar, rock hewn churches of Lalibela in eight days.
Day 1: Addis Ababa-Debre Markos (7-8 hours) today is a travel day to the northern part of the country to start your trip driving to the historic route. Visit the13th century monastery of Debre Libanos and the Portuguese Bridge. Then stop for lunch in one of the towns on the way. In the afternoon you will make a stop at the Blue Nile river valley to take some pictures before you arrive at Debre Markos town for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Debre Markos- Bahir Dar (5hours) drive to Bahir Dar in the morning, Bahir Dar is the administrative capital of the Amhara National Regional State and one of the fastest growing cities in Ethiopia built on the southern shore of Lake Tana. You will have lunch in Bahir Dar and a visit to the the Blue Nile Water Falls in the afternoon.
Day 3: Bahir Dar-Gondar (3 hours) drive to Gondar in the morning. Once in Gondar you will head for a cultural restaurant in the town to have a taste of the local food and drink. In the afternoon you will visit the Royal Castles of Gondar, the Bath of Emperor Fasiledes, and Debrebirhan Selassie Church with its magnificent paintings.
Day 4: Gondar-Semien Mountains-Gondar (Full Day): You will have a day trip driving to the Semien Mountains National Park, one of the first natural sites in the world registered by UNESCO. Here you have the chance to see and take a closer picture of a troop of the endemic Gelada Baboon. Despite being home of some of the endemic mammals in Ethiopia, Semien Mountains National Park has breathtaking scenery that gives you a chance to relax and hike.
Day 5: Gondar-Lalibela(7-8 hours) Today is a travel day to Lalibela. Drive to Lalibela in the morning. On the way, you will visit the Awramba village where the inhabitants of the village practice a unique life style, having a shared social and economic responsibility among men and women in the society. You will arrive at Lalibela late afternoon.
Day 6: Lalibela(Full Day) Visit all the churches in Lalibela including Bete Medhanealem (the largest rock-cut church in the world) Bete Mariam (the house of St Mary) Bete Amanuel(House of Emmanuel) the most beautiful church of Bete Giorges(House of St. George)
Day 7: Lalibela-Dessie (6-7 hours) Drive to Dessie. On the way visit Hayk Estifanos Monastery, one of the earliest monasteries in Ethiopia.
Day 8: Dessie-Addis Ababa (7-8 hours) Drive to Addis Ababa. Stop to see markets if there is a local market in one of the towns on the way. In the evening you will be our guest in one of the cultural restaurants in Addis Ababa to see a variety of Ethiopian traditional dances while enjoying the country’s most delicious food and drinks. Then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
Historic North Ethiopia III
Northern Ethiopia III
Tour Code: EET003 (6 days/ 5 nights by flight and vehicle)
Tour Description:
This trip will take you to historical and natural sites in Ethiopia including ancient monasteries on the islands of Lake Tana and Blue Nile water falls, royal castles of Gondar, rock hewn churches of Lalibela, and the ancient stele of Axum in six days.
Day 1: Addis Ababa-Bahir Dar (Flight and Boat Trip) Transfer to the airport for an early flight to Bahir Dar. Once in Bahir Dar, you will have breakfast and a morning visit to the medieval churches of Ura Kidane Miheret on the Zege Peninsula (Lake Tana). You will have lunch and in the afternoon you will drive 37 kilometers to the small town of Tis Abay and visit the Blue Nile Falls. Drive back to Bahir Dar for an overnight stay (If you are interested, you will have the chance to visit the cultural night clubs that display folkloric dances every night)
Day 2: Bahir Dar-Gondar (3 hours) drive to Gondar in the morning. Once in Gondar you will head for a cultural restaurant in the town to have a taste of the local food and drink. In the afternoon you will visit the Royal Castles of Gondar, the Bath of Emperor Fasiledes, and Debrebirhan Selassie Church with its magnificent paintings.
Day 3: Gondar-Semien Mountains-Gondar (Full Day): You will have a day trip driving to the Semien Mountains National Park, one of the first natural sites in the world registered by UNESCO. Here you have the chance to see and take a closer picture of a troop of the endemic Gelada Baboon. Despite being home of some of the endemic mammals in Ethiopia, Semien Mountains National Park has breathtaking scenery that gives you a chance to relax and hike.
Day 4: Gondar-Axum (Flight) you will be transferred to the airport for your full day visit to Axum including the Stele field, St. Mary’s Church, where the first church in Ethiopia was built in the 4th century, the Tomb of King Kaleb and Gebremeskel, and “Queen Sheba’s” ruined palace.
Day 5: Axum-Lalibela (Flight) you will be transferred to the airport for your full day trip to Lalibela and a visit to the 12 rock-hewn churches found in Lalibela. In the morning you will visit the first group of churches including Bete Medhanealem (House of Holy Savior) which is the largest church in the world carved out of a single rock. You will have lunch and in the afternoon you will visit the second group of churches and Bete Giorges (House of Saint George) which is the most magnificent of all the Lalibela churches.
Day 6: Lalibela-Addis Ababa: You will be transferred to the airport for your trip back to Addis Ababa. Once in Addis Ababa you will have a half day city tour visiting some interesting sites in the city like “Mercato” the largest market in Africa in addition to going to coffee shops and souvenir shops in the city. In the evening you will be our guest in one of the cultural restaurants in Addis Ababa to see a variety of Ethiopian traditional dances while enjoying the country’s most delicious food and drinks. Then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
South Omo
Tour Code: EET004 (7 days/6 nights by Vehicle)
Tour Description:
This trip will take you to the “crocodile market” where you will have the chance to see giant crocodiles and hippos on your boat trip on Lake Chamo. You will also visit the colorful tribes of South Omo, where you will have a chance to learn more about the authentic cultural lifestyles of these people
Day 1: Addis Ababa-Arba Minch (8-9 hours) as this is mostly a travel day, you will leave your hotel early morning to head for Arba Minch. Stop for lunch at Sodo Town. Then drive to Arba Minch visiting the most colorful Dorze tribe on the way.
Day 2: Arba Minch-Jinka (5-6 hours) breakfast and early morning boat trip on Lake Chamo where you visit the “Crocodile Market”, a site with a line of giant Nile Crocodiles that can be seen from very nearby, and hippopotamus on the other side of the lake shore. Then you will drive to Jinka, taking a lunch break at the Konso town of Karat. Continue driving to Jinka. If the day is Thursday, you will have the chance to be in time to attend the most colorful market at Key Afer, attended by at least five different tribes who come from the surrounding provinces.
Day 3: Jinka-Mago-Turmi(Full day)Breakfast followed by morning drive to the village of the Mursi tribe ( Passing through Mago National Park) whose women are noted for their practice of wearing circular clay plates in to their lower lips as a sign of beauty. Drive back to Jinka for lunch and proceed to Turmi, a small town of the Hamer People who are regarded as masters of body painting. Spend the night at Turmi.
Day 4: Turmi-Dassenech-Dimeka-Turmi (4 hours round trip) leave your hotel in the morning for an excursion to another tribe named Dassench who live on the other side of Omo River. Once you get to the nearby town named Omorate, you can use a wooden canoe to cross the river to one of the Dassench villages. Then you will spend time visiting their villages, learning about the tribe and taking pictures before returning to Turmi. If it is a market day in Turmi or Dimeka, you can attend the local market.
Day 5: Turmi-Dimeka-Arba Minch (7-8 hours) Breakfast and leave for Arba Minch. On the way, visit one of the villages of the Konso People who are known for their indigenous techniques of terracing their hilly lands.
Day 6: Arba Minch-Awassa (7-8 hours) Breakfast and leave for Awassa, the capital city of Southern Nations On the way visit Shasemene, a town where a considerably large community of Ras Tafarians have been living for more than half a century. Drive to Awassa for an overnight stay.
Day 7: Awassa-Addis Ababa (4-5 hours) Breakfast and morning visit to the fish market at Lake Awassa. Drive to Addis Ababa and arrive there around noon. Once in Addis Ababa you will spend the afternoon visiting coffee shops and souvenir shops in the city. In the evening you will be our guest in one of the cultural restaurants in Addis Ababa to see a variety of Ethiopian traditional dances while enjoying the country’s most delicious food and drinks. Then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
Bale Mountains Tour
Tour Code: EET00s (4 days/3 nights by Vehicle)
Tour Description:
This trip takes you to Bale Mountains National Park. This Park is home of some of the endemic mammals and birds in Ethiopia. Most of the park is found over 3000 meters elevation including Tulu Dimtu, the second highest peak in Ethiopia with an elevation of 4377 meters above sea level.
Day 1: Addis Ababa-Goba(8-9 hours) Drive in the morning to Bale Mountains National Park which is home of some of the most interesting endemic mammals like Mountain Nyala, Menilik’s Bushbuck, and the Ethiopian Wolf. From the endemic bird species you have a chance to see spot breasted lapwing, wattled Ibis, blue winged goose, and Abyssinian Catbird. At Dinsho you will visit the park’s headquarters with a variety of mammals and birds. Then you will drive to Goba to spend the night.
Day 2: Goba-Senetti-Goba(Excursion) Drive to Senetti Plateau to see the Ethiopian Wolf. This is where the highest population of the Ethiopian Wolf is found. There is also a variety of birds like wattled crane, blue winged goose, and Rouget’s Rail on the plateau. Tulu Dimtu, the second highest point in Ethiopia, with 4,377 meters above sea level is found here. You will spend time walking and looking for the animals before heading back to your hotel at Goba.
Day 3: Goba-Awassa(4-5 hours) Drive to Awassa. On the way stop at Shasemene where there is a large Ras Tafarian Community lives. These people have been coming from the Caribbean Islands and Jamaica over the past fifty years to live in Ethiopia as they regarded Ethiopia as the Promised Land and were granted land by the last Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie. After your visit to the Ras Tafarians, head for Awassa to spend the night.
Day 4: Awassa-Addis Ababa (4-5 hours) Breakfast and morning visit to the fish market at Lake Awassa. Drive to Addis Ababa and arrive there around noon. Once in Addis Ababa you will spend the afternoon visiting coffee shops and souvenir shops in the city. In the evening you will be our guest in one of the cultural restaurants in Addis Ababa to see a variety of Ethiopian traditional dances while enjoying the country’s most delicious food and drinks. Then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
Awash and Harar
Tour Code: EET006 (3 days/ 2 nights by vehicle)
Tour Description:
This trip will take you to Awash National park where you will have the opportunity to visit a variety of Rift Valley birds and mammals found in the park. You will also visit the walled Islamic city of Harar with its five gates, museums, Islamic tombs and shrines, and the hyena man show.
Day 1: Addis Ababa-Harar (9-10 hours) as it is a travel day, leave Addis Ababa in the morning. Stop for pictures and lunch before arriving at Harar. In the evening, you will visit the hyena man in Harar as he feeds hyenas coming in numbers. leave for Harar.Stop at Bishoftu Town and visit the crater lakes on the way then stop in Adama town for lunch. Drive to Awash in the afternoon and have a game drive in the park around sunset. Stay overnight at Awash Falls Lodge.
Day 2: Harar-Awash(5-6 hours) In the morning, visit the historic city of Harar with its colorful markets, museums, UNESCO registered Jugol Wall, built in the 16th century to prevent the expansion of other tribes in the town, the Harari traditional house. Drive to Awash National Park and spend the night at Awash Falls Lodge.
Day 3: Awash-Addis Ababa (4-5 hours) have a game drive at Awash National Park, where you will have the chance to see a variety of birds, antelopes, primates. Near the lodge, there is the Awash River Falls which is magnificent to see and has crocodiles that can be seen from very close. Then drive back to Addis Ababa.
COMBINATION TOUR: Historic Route & South Omo
20 Days/19 Nights by vehicle and a flight from Lalibela to Addis Ababa)
Tour Code: EET007 (20 days/ 19 nights by vehicle)
Tour Description:
This trip takes you to historical and natural sites in Ethiopia including ancient monasteries of Lake Tana and Blue Nile Waterfalls, royal castles of Gondar, rock hewn churches of Lalibela, and ancient stele of Axum in 20 days. In addition, your trip to the south gives you the chance to visit the “crocodile market” where you will have the chance to see giant crocodiles and hippos on your boat trip on Lake Chamo. You will also visit the colorful tribes of South Omo, where you will gain such a unique experience learning about the authentic cultural lifestyles of these people.
Day 1: Arrive at the airport. And transfer to a hotel
Day 2: Addis Ababa: City tour of Addis Ababa that includes a visit to the National Museum that houses Lucy, Emperor Menilik’s palace on the hills of Entoto, the Holy Trinity Cathedral Church and ‘Merkato’, the largest market centre in Africa.
Day 3: Addis Ababa-Debre Markos (7-8 hours) today is a travel day to the northern part of the country to start your trip to the historic route. Visit the13th century monastery of Debre Libanos and the Portuguese Bridge. Then stop for lunch in one of the towns on the way. In the afternoon you will make a stop at the Blue Nile river valley to take some pictures before you arrive at Debre Markos town for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Debre Markos- Bahir Dar : ( 5hours) drive to Bahir Dar in the morning, Bahir Dar is the administrative capital of the Amhara National Regional State and one of the fastest growing cities in Ethiopia built on the southern shore of Lake Tana. You will have lunch in Bahir Dar and a visit to the the Blue Nile Water Falls in the afternoon.
Day 5: Bahir Dar : ( Full day) this beautiful town is where medieval monasteries on the islands of Lake Tana (the largest lake in Ethiopia) are found. You will have a boat trip in the morning to Ura Kidanemiheret and Azwa Mariam Churches that are found on the Zege Peninsula. You get back to Bahir Dar for lunch and a visit to the summer palace of Haile Selassie I in the afternoon.
Day 6: Bahir Dar-Gondar: (3 hours) drive to Gondar in the morning. Once in Gondar you will head for a cultural restaurant in the town to have a taste of the local food and drink. In the afternoon you will visit the Royal Castles of Gondar, the Bath of Emperor Fasiledes, and Debrebirhan Selassie Church with its magnificent paintings.
Day 7: Gondar-Simien Mountains :(2 hours) Visit Empress Mentewab’s palace (Gondar) the only palace found outside the Royal Enclosure. Then drive to Simien Mountains National Park and do some hiking and taking pictures of troops of Gelada Baboon. Drive back to Debark Town for an overnight stay.
Day 8: Simien Mountains:(Full day) Drive in the morning to Simien Mountains National park for a full day visit that includes sight to another endemic antelope only found here, the Walya Ibex. Another interesting activity is hiking to the seasonal waterfall. You may also have the chance to see other antelopes like Reedbuck, klipspringer, and bushbuck. Drive back to Debark for an overnight stay.
Day 9: Semien Mountains-Axum (7-8 hours) this route takes you through beautiful topographies of the Tekezze Valley andSemien Mountains in a full day trip.
Day 10: Axum: Today you will have a full day visit of Axum including the Stele, St. Mary’s Church, the Tomb of King Kaleb and Gebremeskel, and a ruined palace referred by local people as Queen Sheba’s Palace.
Day 11: Axum-Makele:(6-7hours) Drive to Makele. Visit the ancient Sabean temple of Yeha (the oldest structure found in the Sub-Saharan Africa) on the way.
Day 12: Makele-Lalibela:(8-9 hours) as it is a travel day, leave your hotel in the morning stopping to take pictures and for lunch on the way. You will arrive at Lalibela late afternoon.
Day 13: Lalibela: (Full day) Visit all the churches in Lalibela including Bete Medhanealem (the largest rock-cut church in the world) Bete Mariam (the house of St Mary) Bete Amanuel(House of Emmanuel) the most beautiful church of Bete Giorges(House of St. George)
.Day 14: Lalibela-Addis Ababa-Awassa (Flight and 4-5 hours drive) you will be transferred to the airport for your trip back to Addis Ababa. Lunch will be in Addis Ababa. Then you will start your trip to the southern part of Ethiopia in the afternoon driving to Awassa.
Day 15: Awassa-Arba Minch (Full Day) Leave for Arba Minch in the morning. On the way visit a village of Alaba People. Lunch will be at Sodo. In the afternoon you will visit the Dorze Village before arriving at Arba Minch.
Day 16: Arba Minch-Jinka (5-6 hours)Breakfast and early morning boat trip on Lake Chamo where you visit the “Crocodile Market”, a site with a line of giant Nile Crocodiles that can be seen from very nearby, and hippopotamus on the other side of the lake shore. Then you will drive to Jinka, taking a lunch break at the Konso town of Karat. Continue driving to Jinka. If the day is Thursday, you will have the chance to be in time to attend the most colorful market at Key Afer, attended by at least five different tribes who come from the surrounding provinces.
Day 17: Jinka-Mago-Turmi(Full day)Breakfast followed by morning drive to the village of the Mursi tribe ( Passing through Mago National Park) whose women are noted for their practice of wearing circular clay plates in to their lower lips as a sign of beauty. Drive back to Jinka for lunch and proceed to Turmi, a small town of the Hamer People who are regarded as masters of body painting. Spend the night at Turmi.
Day 18: Turmi-Dassenech-Dimeka-Turmi: (4 hours round trip) Leave your hotel in the morning for an excursion to another tribe named Dassench who live on the other side of Omo River. Once you get to the nearby town named Omorate, you can use a wooden canoe to cross the river to one of the Dassench villages. Then you will spend time visiting their villages, learning about the tribe and taking pictures before returning to Turmi. If it is a market day in Turmi or Dimeka, you can attend the local market.
Day 19: Turmi-Dimeka-Arba Minch (7-8 hours) Breakfast and leave for Arba Minch. On the way, visit one of the villages of the Konso People who are known for their indigenous techniques of terracing their hilly lands.
Day 20: Arba Minch-Addis Ababa (8-9 Hours) Drive back to Addis Ababa early morning. Once in Addis, it is you can visit coffee shops and souvenir shops in the afternoon. In the evening you will be our guest in one of the cultural restaurants in Addis Ababa to see a variety of Ethiopian traditional dances while enjoying the country’s most delicious food and drinks. Then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
COMBINATION TOUR: South Omo, Bale and Awash National Park
20 Days/19 Nights by vehicle and a flight from Lalibela to Addis Ababa)
Tour Code: EET007 (20 days/ 19 nights by vehicle)
Tour Description:
This trip takes you to historical and natural sites in Ethiopia including ancient monasteries of Lake Tana and Blue Nile Waterfalls, royal castles of Gondar, rock hewn churches of Lalibela, and ancient stele of Axum in 20 days. In addition, your trip to the south gives you the chance to visit the “crocodile market” where you will have the chance to see giant crocodiles and hippos on your boat trip on Lake Chamo. You will also visit the colorful tribes of South Omo, where you will gain such a unique experience learning about the authentic cultural lifestyles of these people.
Day 1: Arrive at the airport. And transfer to a hotel
Day 2: Addis Ababa: City tour of Addis Ababa that includes a visit to the National Museum that houses Lucy, Emperor Menilik’s palace on the hills of Entoto, the Holy Trinity Cathedral Church and ‘Merkato’, the largest market centre in Africa.
Day 3: Addis Ababa-Debre Markos (7-8 hours) today is a travel day to the northern part of the country to start your trip to the historic route. Visit the13th century monastery of Debre Libanos and the Portuguese Bridge. Then stop for lunch in one of the towns on the way. In the afternoon you will make a stop at the Blue Nile river valley to take some pictures before you arrive at Debre Markos town for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Debre Markos- Bahir Dar : ( 5hours) drive to Bahir Dar in the morning, Bahir Dar is the administrative capital of the Amhara National Regional State and one of the fastest growing cities in Ethiopia built on the southern shore of Lake Tana. You will have lunch in Bahir Dar and a visit to the the Blue Nile Water Falls in the afternoon.
Day 5: Bahir Dar : ( Full day) this beautiful town is where medieval monasteries on the islands of Lake Tana (the largest lake in Ethiopia) are found. You will have a boat trip in the morning to Ura Kidanemiheret and Azwa Mariam Churches that are found on the Zege Peninsula. You get back to Bahir Dar for lunch and a visit to the summer palace of Haile Selassie I in the afternoon.
Day 6: Bahir Dar-Gondar: (3 hours) drive to Gondar in the morning. Once in Gondar you will head for a cultural restaurant in the town to have a taste of the local food and drink. In the afternoon you will visit the Royal Castles of Gondar, the Bath of Emperor Fasiledes, and Debrebirhan Selassie Church with its magnificent paintings.
Day 7: Gondar-Simien Mountains :(2 hours) Visit Empress Mentewab’s palace (Gondar) the only palace found outside the Royal Enclosure. Then drive to Simien Mountains National Park and do some hiking and taking pictures of troops of Gelada Baboon. Drive back to Debark Town for an overnight stay.
Day 8: Simien Mountains:(Full day) Drive in the morning to Simien Mountains National park for a full day visit that includes sight to another endemic antelope only found here, the Walya Ibex. Another interesting activity is hiking to the seasonal waterfall. You may also have the chance to see other antelopes like Reedbuck, klipspringer, and bushbuck. Drive back to Debark for an overnight stay.
Day 9: Semien Mountains-Axum (7-8 hours) this route takes you through beautiful topographies of the Tekezze Valley andSemien Mountains in a full day trip.
Day 10: Axum: Today you will have a full day visit of Axum including the Stele, St. Mary’s Church, the Tomb of King Kaleb and Gebremeskel, and a ruined palace referred by local people as Queen Sheba’s Palace.
Day 11: Axum-Makele:(6-7hours) Drive to Makele. Visit the ancient Sabean temple of Yeha (the oldest structure found in the Sub-Saharan Africa) on the way.
Day 12: Makele-Lalibela:(8-9 hours) as it is a travel day, leave your hotel in the morning stopping to take pictures and for lunch on the way. You will arrive at Lalibela late afternoon.
Day 13: Lalibela: (Full day) Visit all the churches in Lalibela including Bete Medhanealem (the largest rock-cut church in the world) Bete Mariam (the house of St Mary) Bete Amanuel(House of Emmanuel) the most beautiful church of Bete Giorges(House of St. George)
.Day 14: Lalibela-Addis Ababa-Awassa (Flight and 4-5 hours drive) you will be transferred to the airport for your trip back to Addis Ababa. Lunch will be in Addis Ababa. Then you will start your trip to the southern part of Ethiopia in the afternoon driving to Awassa.
Day 15: Awassa-Arba Minch (Full Day) Leave for Arba Minch in the morning. On the way visit a village of Alaba People. Lunch will be at Sodo. In the afternoon you will visit the Dorze Village before arriving at Arba Minch.
Day 16: Arba Minch-Jinka (5-6 hours)Breakfast and early morning boat trip on Lake Chamo where you visit the “Crocodile Market”, a site with a line of giant Nile Crocodiles that can be seen from very nearby, and hippopotamus on the other side of the lake shore. Then you will drive to Jinka, taking a lunch break at the Konso town of Karat. Continue driving to Jinka. If the day is Thursday, you will have the chance to be in time to attend the most colorful market at Key Afer, attended by at least five different tribes who come from the surrounding provinces.
Day 17: Jinka-Mago-Turmi(Full day)Breakfast followed by morning drive to the village of the Mursi tribe ( Passing through Mago National Park) whose women are noted for their practice of wearing circular clay plates in to their lower lips as a sign of beauty. Drive back to Jinka for lunch and proceed to Turmi, a small town of the Hamer People who are regarded as masters of body painting. Spend the night at Turmi.
Day 18: Turmi-Dassenech-Dimeka-Turmi: (4 hours round trip) Leave your hotel in the morning for an excursion to another tribe named Dassench who live on the other side of Omo River. Once you get to the nearby town named Omorate, you can use a wooden canoe to cross the river to one of the Dassench villages. Then you will spend time visiting their villages, learning about the tribe and taking pictures before returning to Turmi. If it is a market day in Turmi or Dimeka, you can attend the local market.
Day 19: Turmi-Dimeka-Arba Minch (7-8 hours) Breakfast and leave for Arba Minch. On the way, visit one of the villages of the Konso People who are known for their indigenous techniques of terracing their hilly lands.
Day 20: Arba Minch-Addis Ababa (8-9 Hours) Drive back to Addis Ababa early morning. Once in Addis, it is you can visit coffee shops and souvenir shops in the afternoon. In the evening you will be our guest in one of the cultural restaurants in Addis Ababa to see a variety of Ethiopian traditional dances while enjoying the country’s most delicious food and drinks. Then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
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