Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa; meet your guide holding a sticker and transfer to hotel. Overnight in 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; Overnight 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. Overnight 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 Overnight in 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 Overnight 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 Overnight in 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 Overnight 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. Overnight 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. Overnight in 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. Overnight in 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. Overnight in 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. Overnight in Swaynes Hotel, Arba Minch. 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 Overnight in 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. Overnight in 4-star hotel. Departure can be made this evening. Notes: Price Includes:
Also see tour packages in: Africa Ethiopia Local Culture Cultural Journey National Parks Email it to a friend: Click here to email this vacation to a friend
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