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Awaze Tours of Ethiopia
  • Home
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Discover Ethiopia with Awaze Tours

These tours cover Ethiopia's most famous cultural and historical sites.  All of these tours go to the main historical sites in the north and the Omo Valley.  At this time none of our tours can go into Tigray (Axum and Mekele) nor into the Danakil.
To view an itinerary, select a tour name below.   We can customize or alter certain itineraries upon request. (Tours are listed in order of duration.)
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Ethiopian Holiday - CO13a
  • 13 Nights
  • 5 Domestic Flights
Bahar Dar/Lake Tana; Gondar; Lalibela;  Omo Valley 
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Ethiopian Holiday - CO13b
  • 13 Nights
  • 4 Domestic Flights
Bahar Dar/Lake Tana; Gondar; Lalibela; Omo Valley
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Best of Ethiopia - CO15
  • 15 Nights
  • 4 Domestic Flights
​​​Bahar Dar/Lake Tana; Gondar; Lalibela; Simien Mountains;
​Omo Valley
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The North and Omo - CO16a
  • 16 Nights
  • 2 Domestic Flights
​​​Bahar Dar/Lake Tana; Gondar; Lalibela; Simien Mountains;
​Omo Valley
Featured Itinerary  (See Below)
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Ethiopian Explorer - CO19
  • 19 Nights
  • 4 Domestic Flights
​Bahar Dar/Lake Tana; Gondar; Axum; Lalibela; Simien Mountains; Awash Park; Harar; Omo Valley; Bale Mountains
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Ethiopian Depth - CO20
  • 20 Nights
  • 2 Domestic Flights
Bahar Dar/Lake Tana; Gondar; Axum; Lalibela; Simien Mountains; Tigray Churches; Omo Valley; Bale Mountains
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Ethiopian Adventure - CO26
  • 26 Nights
  • 2 Domestic Flights
Bahar Dar/Lake Tana; Gondar; Axum; Lalibela; Simien Mountains; Tigray Churches; Danakil; Awash Park; Harar; Omo Valley; Bale Mountains

 

Featured Itinerary:

The Historic North and Omo Valley; 17 Days / 16 Nights (CO16a)

Tour Summary

This tour covers many of Ethiopia's most famous cultural and historical sites.  We offer variations of this tour that are a bit shorter or longer.  Let us know if you would like to see these options.  At this time we are not going into the Tigray region until the situation there improves. 
  • Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a World Heritage site
  • Royal Enclosure of Gondar, a World Heritage site
  • Lake Tana, source of the Nile
  • Beautiful Simien Mountains National Park
  • Indigenous Tribes of the Omo Valley
Departure Dates
Request Information
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Arrival   Bole International Airport
Awaze Tours meets all guests 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.  
Tour Itinerary CO16a
King Menelik Statue in Addis Ababa
Statue of King Menelik II in Addis Ababa
Day 01   Addis Ababa
Visit Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.  Tour the Ethnographic Museum, a wonderful introduction to Ethiopian culture and history.  Take a short drive to the Entoto Hills for a view of the city and visit Maryam Church. En-route, stop at Sheromeda traditional cloth market.  Visit either the Mercato or the Sholla Market, two of Addis Ababa's main markets.
Overnight Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Papyrus Boat on Lake Tana
A traditional papyrus boat or "tankwa" on 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 Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Tis Abey Waterfall
The Blue Nile Falls or "Tis Abey"
Day 03   Bahar Dar - Gondar
Morning excursion to "Tis Abey" the Blue Nile Falls.  After lunch, drive to Gondar, north of Lake Tana. ​
Overnight Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Royal Enclosure in Gondar
The Royal Enclosure in Gondar, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Day 04   Gondar - Simien Mountains
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 Lodge
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Geladas in Simien Mountains
A pair of the endemic Geladas in the Simien Mountains
Day 05   Simien Mountains - Gondar
Sightseeing and light hiking (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
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
St. George Church Lalibela
The Church of St. George in Lalibela
Day 06   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
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Orthodox Priest.
An orthodox priest in Lalibela
Day 07   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
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Sabana Lodge
The open-air restaurant at the Sabana Lodge.
Day 08   Lalibela - 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 Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Dorze Village Ethiopia
The beehive shaped homes of the Dorze
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 Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Shields on display at Omo market.
Making pottery in an Ari village.
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 Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Mursi Girl Omo Valley
A girl of the Mursi tribe
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 Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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Hamer women decorating their hair with red clay
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 Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Dassanech man Omo Valley
A young man from the Dassanech tribe
Day 13   Omorate Excursion
Excursion from Turmi to Omorate.  Crossing of the Omo River via a traditional canoe (a recently built bridge now also allows for optional crossing via tour vehicle.).  Visit the Dassanech, a semi nomadic people who are one of the more numerous tribes (population about 70,000) in the Omo. A highly egalitarian society, involving age sets and clan lineages, the Dassanech are primarily "agro-pastoralists” and cultivate sorghum, maize, and beans and raise livestock such as cattle and sheep.  To supplement their crops and livestock Dassanech men will also fish and hunt crocodiles at night.   
Return to Turmi for the evening.
Overnight Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Karo Children in Omo Valley
Karo children decorated with body paintings
Day 14   Murele and Kangatan Excursion
Drive to Kangatan and visit a Nyangatom village.  Divided into roughly 20 patrilineal descent clans, the Nyangatom live on sorghum, maize, beans, and tobacco cultivation.  The Nyangatom are know for their “oratory” gifts and songs.   Continue towards Murele and visit the Karo people, known for their elaborate body-painting by both the men and women.  Karo women will also create intricate patterns of scars on their bodies but cutting with a knife or razor.   Scars on a man’s chest indicate he has killed an enemy or dangerous animal.   A small tribe, the Karo population is estimated at between 6,000 and 9,000.  
Return to Turmi for the evening.
Overnight Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hamer Boy in Omo Valley
A Hamer boy milking his goats
Day 15   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 Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
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The "generation pole" in a Konso village
Day 16   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 Hotel
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Awaze Tours Logo
Day 17   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.
Meals:  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
End of Tour
(Awaze Tours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.)
Inclusions
  • Entrance fees for all sites and parks mentioned in the itinerary
  • All excursions listed on the itinerary
  • Experienced, multilingual tour guides and guides' expenses
  • Ground transportation via tour vehicle (including driver and fuel)
  • All domestic flights listed on itinerary (actual flight number/schedule may change)
  • All meals mentioned on itinerary
  • Lodging for each night on tour
  • All hotel/airport transfers during the tour
Exclusions
  • Any expenses of a personal nature
  • Alcoholic Drinks
  • International airfare
  • Tips or gratuities
  • Photography or video fees if required at certain sites
  • Visa costs
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Departure Dates: CO16a

Please contact us regarding current prices for our tours.  If you book a tour we will not cancel the tour or increase the price.
*If these dates do not fit your schedule, check with us about additional departures.   
Tour Begins
Tour Ends
18 September, 2022
4 October, 2022
16 October, 2022
1 November, 2022
13 November, 2022
29 November, 2022
11 December, 2022
27 December, 2022
01 January, 2023*
*This departure date visits Lalibela during Ethiopian Christmas.
17 January, 2023
05 February, 2023
21 February, 2023
05 March, 2023
21 March, 2023
 

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Other Tour Categories
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Lalibela Tours
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Omo Valley
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Harar and the East
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Discover Ethiopia Tours
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Danakil Depression
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Telephone
+251 911623376
Email
info@awazetours.com
Address
Haile Gebrselassie Street, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
© 2022 Awaze Tours
  • Home
  • Ethiopian Tours
    • Day Tours
    • Discover Tours
    • Historic Route
    • Overnight Treks
    • Omo Valley
    • Danakil Depression
    • Eastern Ethiopia
    • Birding Tours >
      • Birding Tour 11 Nights
      • Birding Tour 15 Nights
  • Attractions
  • Visitor Information
    • Visas to Ethiopia
    • Money and Foreign Exchange
    • Health and Safety
    • Ethiopian Food
    • Map of Ethiopia
  • Our Blog & More
    • Abyssinia Blog
    • East Africa Tourism Information >
      • Djibouti Tourism Snapshot
      • Kenya Tourism Snapshot
      • Rwanda Tourism Snapshot
      • Somalia Tourism Snapshot
      • Somaliland Tourism Snapshot
      • South Sudan Tourism Snapshot
      • Sudan Tourism Snapshot
      • Tanzania Tourism Snapshot
      • Uganda Tourism Snapshot
    • Only Africa >
      • Flags of Africa
      • Population of Africa
  • Film/Video
  • About Awaze
  • Contact Us