Best of Ethiopia Tour: The Historic North and Omo Valley; 16 Days / 15 Nights
Tour Itinerary CO15
Arrival Bole International Airport
Awaze Tours will meet all clients arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, you may begin your tour the following day. |
Select Map to Enlarge
|
Tomb of Haile Selassie at Addis Ababa's Trinity Cathedral.
|
Day 01 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. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) |
African Fish Eagle watching over Lake Tana.
|
Day 02 Addis Ababa - Bahar Dar
Fly to Bahar Dar on Ethiopian Airlines. 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. Overnight Lodge (B, L, D) |
Island monastery on Lake Tana.
|
Day 03 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) |
Simien Mountains
|
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) |
Royal Enclosure in Gondar
|
Day 05 Gondar - Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines 700 kilometers north of Addis Ababa. 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) |
Ancient text on display at Nachtelob church near Lalibela.
|
Day 06 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) |
|
Day 07 Lalibela - Axum
Fly to Axum on Ethiopian Airlines. Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum. See St. Mary Tsion Church, which houses the Ark of the Covenant according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (no one is allowed to see the Ark.) Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits. Overnight Hotel (B, L, D) |
|
Day 08 Axum - 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. Overnight Lodge (B, L, D) |
|
Day 09 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) |
Shields on display at Omo market.
|
Day 10 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) |
Mago National Park
|
Day 11 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) |
|
Day 12 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) |
A Hamer village
|
Day 13 Omorate Excursion
Excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people, known for their elaborate body-painting. Cross the famous Omo River by canoe. Return to Turmi for the evening. Overnight Lodge (B, L, D) |
|
Day 14 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. Overnight Lodge (B, L, D) |
|
Day 15 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) |
Day 16 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.
(B, L, D)
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.
(B, L, D)
End of Tour
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.)
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.)
For Information and Pricing: CO15
|
Other Discovery Tours:
|
Tour Categories |
