Visit Addis abeba Trinity Cathedral,
Addis Ababa
Visit Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Tour the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Make a short drive to Entoto Hills for a view of the city and visit Maryam Church. En-route, stop at Sheromeda traditional cloth market. Visit the Mercato or the Sholla Market, two of Addis Ababa's main markets.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Mado Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Bahir Dar
Addis Ababa - Bahar Dar
Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula. We will visit two of the following monasteries: Ura Kidane Mehiret, Azwa Maryam, Mehal Zege Giorgis, and Bete Maryam. End the day with a sunset visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile River.
- Main Destination:
- Bahir Dar (City)
- Accommodation:
- Kuriftu Resort & Spa Bahir Dar
- Meals & Drinks:
Bahar Dar - Gondar
Bahar Dar - Gondar
Drive through the countryside to Gondar. Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D).
- Main Destination:
- Gondar (City)
- Accommodation:
- Gondar Hills Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Simen mountians
Day 04 Simien Mountain Excursion
Drive to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take an easy hike (2 - 3 hours) to take in the spectacular scenery and spot wildlife such as the endemic Gelada Baboons. Return to Gondar by evening.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D).
- Main Destination:
- Gondar (City)
- Accommodation:
- Simien Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Lalibela
Lalibela
Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic churches were carved directly into the stone mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. In the late afternoon, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and learn the process for baking injera (a staple food for much of Ethiopia.)
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D).
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Panoramic View Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Lalibela
Lalibela
For the morning you have two choices: Take a morning hike with mules to Mount Asheton, with its 13th century rock-hewn monastery and great views of the town; - OR - Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Following either option above continue with tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D).
- Main Destination:
- Lalibela (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Panoramic View Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Visit Langano Lake swiming
Addis Ababa - Lake Langano
Fly to Addis Ababa and then drive to the Rift Valley Lake Langano Relax at the Sabana Lodge Lake Langano is safe for swimming enjoy swimming on Lake Langano-one of the best recreational center in the country.
Overnight Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Langano
- Accommodation:
- Sabana Beach Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Arbaminch
Lake Langano - Arba Minch
Drive to Arba Minch (“Forty Springs”) located in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region. En route, visit a Dorze Village in the Guge Mountains. The Dorze are known for their tall, beehive-shaped bamboo houses. If the base becomes infested with termites, the entire house can be lifted and moved to another location.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D).
- Main Destination:
- Arba Minch (City)
- Accommodation:
- Haile Resort Arba Minch
- Meals & Drinks:
Jinka
Arba Minch - Jinka
Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo and view some of the largest crocodiles in the world sunning on the banks of the lake. Hippopotami and birdlife are also abundant. Drive to Jinka visiting various peoples such as the Gamo and Derashe. Stop at Key Afar's weekly market (if on a Thursday) and wander among the various tribes such as the Benna and Ari that have gathered to barter their goods.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D).
- Main Destination:
- Jinka (Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Eco Omo Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Mago National Park
Mago National Park Excursion
Early morning drive to the Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people. The Mursi women are known for the clay plates they insert into their lower lips. Time permitting, visit the Omo Valley Museum in Jinka.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D).
- Main Destination:
- Jinka (Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Eco Omo Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Turmi
Jinka - Turmi
Drive to Turmi to visit the Hamer people who are well known for the scarring of their bodies, using clay to shape their hairstyles, and the unique practice of "bull-jumping" which every young man must accomplish prior to marriage. En route to Turmi, visit the Benna and Ari people.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D).
- Main Destination:
- Turmi (Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Buska Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Turmi vilage
Omorate Excursion
Excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people, known for their elaborate body-painting. Cross the famous Omo River by canoe close to the Kenyan border. Here, we visit their villages and photograph daily life. This is an arid area with very fine silt soils deposited by the Omo river in the past. After our visit to the Dassanech we go to Dimeka market and in the late afternoon we proceed back to Turmi, perhaps stopping at a Hamar village to get the best of the light in the golden hour. Return to Turmi for the evening
Overnight Lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Turmi (Omo Valley)
- Accommodation:
- Buska Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Konso vilage
Turmi - Konso
Drive to Konso, recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A highland people, the Konso are known for the ancient and intricate terraces that encircle their well-planned villages. We depart early to visit the Konso tribe via Key Afer market. Their stone-walled village fencings with narrow alleyways, iconic thatched huts, colourful skirts of their women, etc. In July 2011 the Konso Community was named as the 9th UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ethiopia for their nine-clan community structure, terraced fields and unique farming skills
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D).
- Main Destination:
- Konso (Cultural Village)
- Accommodation:
- Kanta Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Hawasa
Konso - Hawassa
Drive to Hawassa via the Shenkele game reserve. This Park is the the last pocket of the original Ethiopian Savannah. You will have a chance to spot the endemic Antelope called Swayne`s hartebeast, one the rarest and most elegant animals in all of Africa. Continue to Hawassa and relax at a lakeside resort.
Overnight Resort (B, L, D).
- Main Destination:
- Awasa (City)
- Accommodation:
- Haile Resort Awasa
- Meals & Drinks:
Addis abeba
Hawassa - Addis Ababa
Drive to Addis Ababa stopping at Rift Valley Lakes that are renowned for their endemic birdlife. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, optional souvenir shopping if time permits. Enjoy a Farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure or additional hotel night booked upon request.
- Main Destination:
- Addis Ababa (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: