Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa; meet your guide holding a Green Land Tours sticker and transfer to hotel. O/N (overnight) 4-star hotel.
Day 2: Full day tour of the capital. Visit the Entoto Mountains, with its view over the capital, the National Museum and Trinity Church. Afternoon visit to the Merkato, the biggest open-air market in Africa and shopping. Meals on your own; O/N in a 4-star hotel. You may also arrive on this day, depending on international flight schedules.
Day 3: Fly to Bahir Dar, and transfer to hotel for check-in. Morning drive to admire the Blue Nile falls. Lunch back to Bahir Dar. Afternoon boat trip of about 4-5 hours on Lake Tana to admire the island monasteries, e.g. Ura Kidane Mehret, Mahal Zeghie Gyorgis and, if time permits, Asua Mariam. O/N in Bahir Dar.
Day 4: Morning drive to Gondar, city of castles and churches. Afternoon visit of castles and churches in Gondar: visit the castle compound, Debre Birhan Sellasie church (light of Trinity) with its wonderful murals, King Fasiladas' bath, the old Qusquam monastery, Empress Mentewab's palace. Meals and O/N Gondar.
Day 5: Fly to Lalibela, defined as the eighth wonder of the world, and in the afternoon visit the first group of rock-hewn churches. Meals and O/N in Lalibela.
Day 6: Morning visit to one of the churches outside of town. We propose an excursion by mule to Asheten Mariam Church and its spectacular views. Or travel by car to the cave church of Naktuleab. Afternoon visit to the remaining churches in Lalibela.
Day 7: Fly to Addis Ababa and drive to Langano, admiring the crater lakes of Debre Zeith, the Rift Valley lakes of Shala and Abyata, numerous birds, pelicans, flamingoes, hot springs, and more. Continue to Langano and O/N Wenney Eco-lodge, secluded in a natural paradise for vegetation, birds, mammals and tranquility, on the shores of Lake Langano and near the Munessa forest. Available activities here are trekking, bird watching, horse riding, boat excursions, cycling, team-building activities, mini-soccer and beach volley ball.
Day 8: Continue to Arba Minch with some stops to visit the Wolayta people and their houses on the way. These people cultivate the false banana from which they extract their local bread, called kotcho. Afternoon drive to the mountains of Chencha to visit the houses, weaving, sorghum and false banana cultivations of the Dorze people. If it is Saturday, visit the Dorze market. Dinner and O/N at Arba Minch in Swaynes Hotel.
Day 9: Drive to Turmi and on the way admire the Konso, Derase, Tsemay and Hamer people, famous for their hairstyles and unique cultures and traditions as well as body ornaments. The Konso are famous for their agricultural terracing and village traditions. O/N tented bungalows at Evangadi Lodge, Turmi.
Day 10: Morning excursion to Omorate on the banks of the Omo river to visit the Dassanech villages. If it is Monday, return to Turmi to visit the market of the Hamer, Karo and Dassanech people. Then free day to visit with the Hamer people, their villages and ceremonies. If possible, you will observe a Hamer marriage ceremony with its unique celebrations such as the bull-jumping. O/N Turmi.
Day 11: Cross into the Karo region and visit the village of Kortcho with its beautiful view over the Omo river. The Karo are famous for their extravagant hairstyles in the men and for their various ornaments and body paintings. O/N camping in Mago Park.
Day 12: Game ride and visit to the Mursi people and villages. Here for beauty women insert round clay plates in their lips. Men practice scarification based on the number of enemies or wild animals they have killed in battle. O/N Jinka, local hotel.
Day 14: Drive back to Arba Minch visiting the Ari, Benna, Tsemay, Derase and Konso people on the way. If it is Thursday, visit the Tsemay and Erbore market at Key Afer. O/N Swaynes Hotel, Arba Minch.
14. In the morning, visit Netch Sar Park, sanctuary of the endemic Swayne's hartebeest and zebra; admire views over the Rift Valley lakes of Chamo and Abaya. In the afternoon take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to see hippos and 6-meter-long crocodiles. Meals and O/N Arba Minch, Swaynes Hotel.
Day 15: Drive back to Addis Ababa. In the late afternoon, visit the Merkato, the biggest open-air market in Africa, souvenir shops and art galleries. O/N 4-star hotel. Departure can be made this evening.
Photo copyright 2005.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Internal flights: $250 - $490
SERVICES Included: Vehicles for the entire tour plus English-speaking driver. 4-star hotel in Addis Ababa on B&B basis and 2-3-star hotels outside of Addis Ababa on FB basis in double room occupancy (hotels as available). Camping when required, with camping gear and 3 meals a day. Meals outside of Addis Ababa in restaurant, camping or on the road, as programmed and required, including non-alcoholic drinks during meals. Entrance fees for parks, museums, monasteries, etc. Driver-cook for nights camping or additional cook if number of clients is equal to or more than 6 (six) clients. Boat on Tana or Chamo lakes as on the program.
Government taxes.
Not included: Drinks and meals in Addis Ababa. Alcoholic drinks and drinks outside of meals for entire tour. All flights, including embarkation fees, airport porters and taxes. Tips. Any personal expenses.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Ethiopia
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
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