Monday - Saturday 08:00 - 20:00
Sunday 08:30 - 17:00
Sunday 08:30 - 17:00
Mobile: +251933515161
info@enterethiopiatours.com
info@enterethiopiatours.com
Mickey Leland Street, NB Business Center , 2nd floor, Office # 205. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Related Packages
No related package
Trip highlights
►▼Highlight Information
- Sightseeing in Addis
Ababa
-
Visit royal compound & ornately decorated
church
-
Eve of Timket festival
“ketera”
-
Timket Festival & the
bathing palace of Fasilides
-
Semien National park
-
See the Gelada Baboons & the Waliya Ibex
-
The center of the
Axumite Empire
-
The extraordinary
12th- and 13th-century
rock churches of Lalibela
►▼Hotel Information
|
Place
|
Hotel
|
Hotel
type |
Night
|
Web
|
|
Addis
Ababa |
Sapphire
Addis |
4
Star |
2
Night |
http://www.sapphireaddishotel.com
|
|
Bahir
Dar |
Avanti
Blue Nile |
5
Star |
1
Night |
http://www.bluenileresorthotels.com/
|
|
Gondar |
Goha
Hotel |
3
Star |
2
Night |
http://gohahotel.com/ |
|
Semien
National Park |
Semien
lodge |
Lodge |
2
Night |
http://www.simiens.com/ |
|
Axum |
Yared
Zema |
3
Star |
2
Night |
http://yaredzemainternationalhotelaxum.com/
|
|
Lalibela
|
Maribela
|
4
Star |
2
Night |
https://hotelmaribela.com/ |
Itinerary
►▼
Day 1: Addis Ababa
On Arrival at Bole International airport Enter
Ethiopia Tour Operators representative will welcome you and transfer you to
your reserved hotel. After having some rest you will have highlight of Ethiopia
through visiting the National Museum (home of our ancestor Lucy) and the
Ethnological Museum (Set within Haile Selassie's former palace) followed by an
afternoon drive to the Entoto Maryam Church and the former site of Menelek’s
Capital in the Entoto hills.
Overnight Sapphire Addis Hotel
►▼
Day 2: Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar
Today early morning you will catch your flight to Bahir Dar and transfer to your hotel. After check in you will start your
tour with a boat excursion to visit the island monasteries on Lake Tana. We
will have a visit to Zeghie peninsula
and 2 churches, Azua Mariyam and
Ura Kidane Miheret, including the overview of Kibran Gebriel and Entons Monastery.
These beautifully painted churches were found in or before the 15th century.
After lunch we drive (35km) to Tississat, the waterfalls of the Blue Nile.
Overnight Avanti Blue Nile Hotel
►▼
Day 3: Bahir Dar - Gondar
Following Breakfast we drive to Gondar visiting
Guzara Castle on the way. We will pass through the beautiful scenery of the
Amhara region in-route. The afternoon visit will be to Fasil Ghebbi, the
seven-hectare royal compound containing the 16th and 17th century’s
built-in five castles, and the ornately decorated church of Debre Birhan
Selassie which houses some of the best ecclesiastical art in Ethiopia.
Overnight Gondar Goha hotel or
similar standard
►▼
Day 4:
Gondar - Eve of Timket festival “ketera”
We will spend this day in Gondar
enjoying preparation for the festival. Timket falls on Tirr 11th (January
19th) every year. It is commemoration of Jesus Christ’s baptism in
River Jordan. Celebration of Timket starts on the eve of the main festival, the
eve is known as ’Ketera’ and taken from the Amharic word ‘ketere’ meaning to
make a dam; it is usual to make a dam in some places where there is no enough
river water for the celebration of Timket. Afternoon At about 3 or 4 pm, each
“Tabot” begins the journey to Fasilides;s bathing palace. This involves an even
more colorful ceremony with a variety of religious and traditional songs. The
priests wear astonishing brocade ceremonial clothes and carry decorated
umbrellas, while chanting to the drums and the rhythmic clink of the Sistrum
and other instruments. Although it is colorfully celebrated throughout the
country, Timket is highly regarded in Addis Ababa, Lalibela and Gondar.
Overnight Gondar Goha hotel or similar standard
►▼
Day 5:
Gondar - Timket Festival- Semien National Park
In Gondar,
the bathing palace of Fasilides is still dedicated to this colorful ceremony. It is still filled with
water each year by a canal from the River Keha for the colorful Timket
celebration. Besides the baptism of Jesus Christ, celebration of Timket in Gondar also commemorates the re-baptizing of thousands of people
who have converted from Catholicism to the Orthodox faith. Even though Gondar can be visited at any time of the year, the city is a wonderful place of
visit during this season as it gives one a chance to witness the colorful
ceremonies of the Timket Festival. In the morning at about 10 or 11 am, each “Tabot”
begins the journey back to its church. After noon we drive to the Semien Mountains
via Debark, the Headquarters of the Semien Mountain
National Park. Enjoy the views as you ascend to Sankaber. Troops of Gelada Baboons are
often seen here, grazing along the escarpments.
Overnight Semien Lodge or Sankaber Camp
Overnight Semien Lodge or Sankaber Camp
Today we will enjoy a morning walk along the edge of the escarpment
taking in fantastic views of the highlands. Drive further into the highlands to
Chenek, where we’ll see Gelada Baboons grazing in large troops and, if you are
lucky, the Waliya Ibex, a rare species of mountain goat. Expect to walk for an
hour or two.
Overnight
Semien lodge or Sankaber Camp
►▼
Day 7: Semien National Park - Axum
Morning we drive to Axum, the center of the
Axumite Empire from the first to the seventh centuries and considered the
holiest city in Ethiopia. Enjoy splendid views of the Western Semiens as we cross the Tekeze Valley.
Overnight Yared Zema Hotel or similar standard
Overnight Yared Zema Hotel or similar standard
►▼
Day 8: Axum
Today we visit the historical sites of Axum including St. Mary’s
Church (fabled resting place of the true Ark of the Covenant) and the stelae
field. The afternoon visit will be the former palace
of the Queen of Sheba (Dungur Palace) and the ruins of the former tombs of King Kaleb
and King Gebre Meskel.
Overnight Yared Zema or similar standard
Overnight Yared Zema or similar standard
►▼
Day 9: Axum - Lalibela
Morning we will catch the flight to Lalibela, a striking
town set at over 2,500m in wild, craggy mountains. Here we see the
extraordinary 12th - and 13th century rock churches carved below ground level
and connected by a maze of subterranean passages. Each of the churches is
unique and intricately carved. Wander through the northern and southern
clusters and visit the most famous of the rock-hewn churches, Bete Giyorgis, the house
of St. George. The 1st group churches which are included Bete MedhaniAlem (Chapel of
Holy Savior) which is the biggest and Bete Mariyam (Chapel of Mary):
three aisled with mural
paintings and a covered pillar containing inscriptions about the end of the
world according to the “Gedil” (act) of saintly king. Further visit of Bete Denagel (Chapel of the Virgins), Bete Meskel (Chapel of the cross) and
finally, the “double – church” of Debre Sina and Bete Golghotha (women are not allowed in the latter since it’s where the remains of
King Lalibela are also
because it has the tabernacle of the Holy Trinity). In the Afternoon visit of
the second group of rock-hewn churches that are namely; Bete Gabriel and
Raphael, Bete Merquorios, Bete Emmanuel with unprecedented Axumite style and
the Bete Aba Libanos (Said built by King Lalibela’s consort Meskel Kibra and
visit the Bete Giyorgis which is the cruciform chapel of St. George.
Overnight Mountain View or similar standard
Overnight Mountain View or similar standard
►▼
Day 10: Excursion to Neakutoleab
Optional mule excursion to Asheten Mariyam Church situated on a steep
hill-top with outstanding views. Return to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon drive
to the charming semi-cave church of Neakutoleab, an early 13th century
church with reputedly curative waters.
Overnight
Mountain View or similar standard
►▼
Day 11: Lalibela - Addis Ababa
We will
catch Morning flight to Addis. The afternoon is free for souvenir shopping in
Addis Ababa before last evening, visit the Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market; attend the Farwell dinner meal at
one of the city’s best traditional restaurants to enjoy a variety of Ethiopian
cuisines and watch traditional dancing, then will transfer you to airport for
the flight back home.
Additional Information
►▼
Cost Inclusions:
- Well-maintained & insured Vehicle for the
whole tour with driver & driver’s allowance
-
Fuel
-
All transfer in & out
-
Hotel Room on Double Occupancy basis (i.e. sharing a Double room) including Breakfast
-
All entrance fees, local guide fee, scout, and boat
fees
-
Bottled natural water every day
-
Service tax
►▼
Cost Exclusions:
- Personal expenses (tips, photo & video fees,
phone calls, table drinks, laundry, etc.)
-
Meals (lunch and dinner)
-
Optional excursions
-
Any other services/expenses not mentioned above
►▼
Remark:
Map goes here
Related Packages
No related package
Trip highlights
►▼Highlight Information
- Sightseeing in Addis
Ababa
-
Visit royal compound & ornately decorated
church
-
Eve of Timket festival
“ketera”
-
Timket Festival & the
bathing palace of Fasilides
-
Semien National park
-
See the Gelada Baboons & the Waliya Ibex
-
The center of the
Axumite Empire
-
The extraordinary
12th- and 13th-century
rock churches of Lalibela
►▼Hotel Information
|
Place
|
Hotel
|
Hotel
type |
Night
|
Web
|
|
Addis
Ababa |
Sapphire
Addis |
4
Star |
2
Night |
http://www.sapphireaddishotel.com
|
|
Bahir
Dar |
Avanti
Blue Nile |
5
Star |
1
Night |
http://www.bluenileresorthotels.com/
|
|
Gondar |
Goha
Hotel |
3
Star |
2
Night |
http://gohahotel.com/ |
|
Semien
National Park |
Semien
lodge |
Lodge |
2
Night |
http://www.simiens.com/ |
|
Axum |
Yared
Zema |
3
Star |
2
Night |
http://yaredzemainternationalhotelaxum.com/
|
|
Lalibela
|
Maribela
|
4
Star |
2
Night |
https://hotelmaribela.com/ |
Itinerary
►▼
Day 1: Addis Ababa
On Arrival at Bole International airport Enter
Ethiopia Tour Operators representative will welcome you and transfer you to
your reserved hotel. After having some rest you will have highlight of Ethiopia
through visiting the National Museum (home of our ancestor Lucy) and the
Ethnological Museum (Set within Haile Selassie's former palace) followed by an
afternoon drive to the Entoto Maryam Church and the former site of Menelek’s
Capital in the Entoto hills.
Overnight Sapphire Addis Hotel
►▼
Day 2: Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar
Today early morning you will catch your flight to Bahir Dar and transfer to your hotel. After check in you will start your
tour with a boat excursion to visit the island monasteries on Lake Tana. We
will have a visit to Zeghie peninsula
and 2 churches, Azua Mariyam and
Ura Kidane Miheret, including the overview of Kibran Gebriel and Entons Monastery.
These beautifully painted churches were found in or before the 15th century.
After lunch we drive (35km) to Tississat, the waterfalls of the Blue Nile.
Overnight Avanti Blue Nile Hotel
►▼
Day 3: Bahir Dar - Gondar
Following Breakfast we drive to Gondar visiting
Guzara Castle on the way. We will pass through the beautiful scenery of the
Amhara region in-route. The afternoon visit will be to Fasil Ghebbi, the
seven-hectare royal compound containing the 16th and 17th century’s
built-in five castles, and the ornately decorated church of Debre Birhan
Selassie which houses some of the best ecclesiastical art in Ethiopia.
Overnight Gondar Goha hotel or
similar standard
►▼
Day 4:
Gondar - Eve of Timket festival “ketera”
We will spend this day in Gondar
enjoying preparation for the festival. Timket falls on Tirr 11th (January
19th) every year. It is commemoration of Jesus Christ’s baptism in
River Jordan. Celebration of Timket starts on the eve of the main festival, the
eve is known as ’Ketera’ and taken from the Amharic word ‘ketere’ meaning to
make a dam; it is usual to make a dam in some places where there is no enough
river water for the celebration of Timket. Afternoon At about 3 or 4 pm, each
“Tabot” begins the journey to Fasilides;s bathing palace. This involves an even
more colorful ceremony with a variety of religious and traditional songs. The
priests wear astonishing brocade ceremonial clothes and carry decorated
umbrellas, while chanting to the drums and the rhythmic clink of the Sistrum
and other instruments. Although it is colorfully celebrated throughout the
country, Timket is highly regarded in Addis Ababa, Lalibela and Gondar.
Overnight Gondar Goha hotel or similar standard
►▼
Day 5:
Gondar - Timket Festival- Semien National Park
In Gondar,
the bathing palace of Fasilides is still dedicated to this colorful ceremony. It is still filled with
water each year by a canal from the River Keha for the colorful Timket
celebration. Besides the baptism of Jesus Christ, celebration of Timket in Gondar also commemorates the re-baptizing of thousands of people
who have converted from Catholicism to the Orthodox faith. Even though Gondar can be visited at any time of the year, the city is a wonderful place of
visit during this season as it gives one a chance to witness the colorful
ceremonies of the Timket Festival. In the morning at about 10 or 11 am, each “Tabot”
begins the journey back to its church. After noon we drive to the Semien Mountains
via Debark, the Headquarters of the Semien Mountain
National Park. Enjoy the views as you ascend to Sankaber. Troops of Gelada Baboons are
often seen here, grazing along the escarpments.
Overnight Semien Lodge or Sankaber Camp
Overnight Semien Lodge or Sankaber Camp
Today we will enjoy a morning walk along the edge of the escarpment
taking in fantastic views of the highlands. Drive further into the highlands to
Chenek, where we’ll see Gelada Baboons grazing in large troops and, if you are
lucky, the Waliya Ibex, a rare species of mountain goat. Expect to walk for an
hour or two.
Overnight
Semien lodge or Sankaber Camp
►▼
Day 7: Semien National Park - Axum
Morning we drive to Axum, the center of the
Axumite Empire from the first to the seventh centuries and considered the
holiest city in Ethiopia. Enjoy splendid views of the Western Semiens as we cross the Tekeze Valley.
Overnight Yared Zema Hotel or similar standard
Overnight Yared Zema Hotel or similar standard
►▼
Day 8: Axum
Today we visit the historical sites of Axum including St. Mary’s
Church (fabled resting place of the true Ark of the Covenant) and the stelae
field. The afternoon visit will be the former palace
of the Queen of Sheba (Dungur Palace) and the ruins of the former tombs of King Kaleb
and King Gebre Meskel.
Overnight Yared Zema or similar standard
Overnight Yared Zema or similar standard
►▼
Day 9: Axum - Lalibela
Morning we will catch the flight to Lalibela, a striking
town set at over 2,500m in wild, craggy mountains. Here we see the
extraordinary 12th - and 13th century rock churches carved below ground level
and connected by a maze of subterranean passages. Each of the churches is
unique and intricately carved. Wander through the northern and southern
clusters and visit the most famous of the rock-hewn churches, Bete Giyorgis, the house
of St. George. The 1st group churches which are included Bete MedhaniAlem (Chapel of
Holy Savior) which is the biggest and Bete Mariyam (Chapel of Mary):
three aisled with mural
paintings and a covered pillar containing inscriptions about the end of the
world according to the “Gedil” (act) of saintly king. Further visit of Bete Denagel (Chapel of the Virgins), Bete Meskel (Chapel of the cross) and
finally, the “double – church” of Debre Sina and Bete Golghotha (women are not allowed in the latter since it’s where the remains of
King Lalibela are also
because it has the tabernacle of the Holy Trinity). In the Afternoon visit of
the second group of rock-hewn churches that are namely; Bete Gabriel and
Raphael, Bete Merquorios, Bete Emmanuel with unprecedented Axumite style and
the Bete Aba Libanos (Said built by King Lalibela’s consort Meskel Kibra and
visit the Bete Giyorgis which is the cruciform chapel of St. George.
Overnight Mountain View or similar standard
Overnight Mountain View or similar standard
►▼
Day 10: Excursion to Neakutoleab
Optional mule excursion to Asheten Mariyam Church situated on a steep
hill-top with outstanding views. Return to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon drive
to the charming semi-cave church of Neakutoleab, an early 13th century
church with reputedly curative waters.
Overnight
Mountain View or similar standard
►▼
Day 11: Lalibela - Addis Ababa
We will
catch Morning flight to Addis. The afternoon is free for souvenir shopping in
Addis Ababa before last evening, visit the Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market; attend the Farwell dinner meal at
one of the city’s best traditional restaurants to enjoy a variety of Ethiopian
cuisines and watch traditional dancing, then will transfer you to airport for
the flight back home.
Additional Information
►▼
Cost Inclusions:
- Well-maintained & insured Vehicle for the
whole tour with driver & driver’s allowance
-
Fuel
-
All transfer in & out
-
Hotel Room on Double Occupancy basis (i.e. sharing a Double room) including Breakfast
-
All entrance fees, local guide fee, scout, and boat
fees
-
Bottled natural water every day
-
Service tax
►▼
Cost Exclusions:
- Personal expenses (tips, photo & video fees,
phone calls, table drinks, laundry, etc.)
-
Meals (lunch and dinner)
-
Optional excursions
-
Any other services/expenses not mentioned above
►▼
Remark:
Map goes here
Trip highlights
Tour
code:-ETNS003
Tour type: Historic, Nature and Hiking
Duration: 17 Days/ 16 Nights
Transport: - Flight & surface
Tour type: Historic, Nature and Hiking
Duration: 17 Days/ 16 Nights
Transport: - Flight & surface
►▼Highlight Information
- Sightseeing options in Addis Ababa, visit National
Museum, Trinity Cathedral
-
Bahir Dar Boat trip on Lake Tana, Visit
monastery
-
Gondar, visit to the royal enclosures of Fasil Gibi,
famous Debre Birhan Selassie and visit to Emperor Fasilides’ Bath.
-
Simien Mountains National Park, endemic animals,
such as the Walia Ibex and the Simien fox.
-
Axum, visit Axum stelae or obelisks, Maryam Zion
Church, tombs of the kings Kaleb and Gebre Meskel.
-
Visit Gheralta Mountains, Wukro Cherkos and
Abreha We Atsbeha, among the most famous churches of the Tigray region.
-
Lalibela: - visit the 11-renowned rock hewn
churches of Lalibela, also known as the “8th wonder of the world” Stelae of
Tiya
-
Chencha (Dorze people, Boat Safari (Lake Chamo),
Nechisar national park
-
Omo Valley with unique tribes, Colorful markets
of Key Afer and Dimeka in the Omo Valley
-
Konso landscape / Mago National Park (Mursi
people)/ Karo people (body painting) /
The Tribes (Derashe people, Tsemay people, Benna people, Ari people, Hammer)/
Omorate (Dassanech people)
►▼Hotel Information
|
Place |
Hotel |
Hotel type |
Night |
Web |
|
Addis Ababa |
Sapphire Addis |
4 Star |
2 Night |
http://www.sapphireaddishotel.com
|
|
Bahir Dar |
Avanti Blue Nile |
5 Star |
1 Night |
http://www.bluenileresorthotels.com/
|
|
Gondar |
Goha Hotel |
3 Star |
1 Night |
http://gohahotel.com/ |
|
Semien national park |
Simien lodge |
lodge |
2 Night |
http://www.simiens.com/ |
| Axum |
Yared Zema |
3 Star |
1 Night |
http://yaredzemainternationalhotelaxum.com/
|
| Mekele |
Planet |
4 star |
1 Night |
http://www.planetinternationalhotel.com/
|
|
Lalibella |
Maribela |
4 Star |
2 Night |
https://hotelmaribela.com/ |
|
Arba Minch |
Haile resort |
Resort |
2 Night |
http://www.hailehotelsandresorts.com/arbaminch-resort
|
|
Jinka |
Eco omo |
Lodge |
1 Night |
https://www.eco-omo.com/ |
|
Turmi |
Paradisie lodge |
lodge |
2 Night |
www.paradiselodgeethiopia.com
|
|
Konso |
Kanta Lodge |
Lodge |
1 Night |
www.kantalodge.com |
Itinerary
►▼
Day 1:
Addis Ababa
Upon arrival at Bole
International Airport you will be greeted by Enter Ethiopia Tours
representative and be taken to your reserved hotel. Depending on your arrival
time, we have various sightseeing options: - Mount Entoto with the best views
over the capital, National Museum which among other exhibits the 3.5-million-year-old
bones of Lucy, Trinity Cathedral: the cathedral is the most magnificent of its
kind in the country, ornamented with carvings, mosaics and other artistic
works. If time allows visit Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa.
Overnight: - Sapphire Addis Hotel or
standard
►▼
Day
2: Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar (flight)
In the morning fly to Bahir Dar, after check-in to the Hotel we
undertake a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore the nearby monasteries of Ura
Kidane Mihret and Azoa Maryam
churches built in late 13th
and 14th century. They are known for their
incredible jumble of murals.
After lunch we will visit the
Blue Nile Falls,
it is about 35 km/1 hour drive
from town. After
having moment there we
drive back to Bahir Dar and discover the market if the day is market day.
Overnight Avanti Blue Nile
Resort or similar standard
►▼
Day 3: Bahir Dar - Gondar
After breakfast we drive to Gondar 17th
century royal city of Ethiopia, sometimes referred Camelot of Africa. On
arrival we visit the Debre Birhan
Selassie church, the only church that was saved from Mahdist invasion in the
1880s. The walls and ceiling of this church are completely covered with murals
- the angels’ faces on the ceiling have become a common motif in Ethiopian
design.
Afternoon we explore the town of Gondar
as imperial seat in 1636 and the city was both the capital and a great
commercial center from 17th to the mid-19th century.
We visit the Royal Enclosure or Fasil Gibi within the compound and also the
castles built by the various emperors of Gondar. A 2 km drive from the town center will
take you to the bath of King Fasilides, where during Timket
(Ethiopian Epiphany) a nearby river is diverted to fill an area of the size of
a small swimming pool. Worshippers plunge into the cold water in a re-enactment
of the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan.
Overnight Goha
hotel or similar standard
►▼
Day 4:
Gondar - Simien Mountains National Park (120 km)
Early morning, continue our visit to the Simien
Mountains National Park. The park has been declared a UNESCO world nature
heritage site in 1996 due to its unique landscape, endemic fauna and wild life.
The Simien Mountains National Park presents perhaps the most dramatic scenery
in Africa – great volcanic plugs, formed some million years ago. In this park
visitors can see the endemic Gelada or bleeding heart baboon, the Walia Ibex, the
Ethiopian Wolf and more from birds. We drive up to Sankaber and admire the
impressive scenery with its deep gorges and valleys and the highest waterfall
in Ethiopia. Here a gentle walk would take us about 2 hours
and then we return to the lodge.
Overnight: - Simien lodge
►▼
Day 5: Simien
Mountains - Axum
After breakfast drive to Axum through the
Tekeze Gorge. Axum was the seat of an Empire which extended across the Red Sea
to Arabia trading with India and China, is considered a holy city in Ethiopia
where Ethiopian Christianity is said to have begun, dating
back over 2000 years and reckoned, in
the 4th century as one of the four great powers of the ancient World.
Overnight: - Yared Zema International
Hotel or similar standard
Today we will have the city tour of Axum.
The visitor can see Stella, the tombs and castles of King Kaleb, Gebre Meskel, Queen of Sheba,
Inscriptions of Ezana, archeological Axum Museum and Maryam Tsion Church, built on the site of
Ethiopia’s first church. A chapel within the church compound is believed by
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians to house the Ark of the Covenant, or the original
tablets of Moses.
Overnight: - Yared Zema International
Hotel or similar standard
►▼
Day 7:
Axum - Yeha - Mekelle
Morning After breakfast, we will visit
the temple of Yeha. Yeha was a pre-axumite settlement and is famous for its
well-preserved stone temple estimated to be 2,500 years old. We will drive through the
amazing rocky landscapes of Tigray to Mekelle On the way; we will visit the
churches of Gheralta Mountains, Wukro Cherkos and Abreha We Atsbeha among the
most famous churches in the Tigray region.
Overnight:-Planet hotel or similar standard
►▼
Day 8:
Mekelle - Lalibela
Today
morning we drive through ever changing landscapes to Lalibela. We will reach
Lalibela in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Maribela Hotel in Lalibela or similar standard
Overnight: Maribela Hotel in Lalibela or similar standard
►▼
Day 9:
Full Day in Lalibela
Today we will
visit the 11-renowned rock hewn churches of Lalibela, also known as the “8th
wonder of the world”. The Lalibela rock hewn churches are physically carved
from the rock on which they stand. Some are sculptured out of a solid volcanic rock; others are
connected by long underground tunnel and mazes. Some are quarried enlargements
of caves. The first group of six churches lies in rock cradles, one behind the
other: Bete
Golgotha, Bete
Mikeal, Bete
Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete
Dangal and Bete
MedhaneAlem.
After lunch we will visit to the second group of churches located to the south of the river Jordan. The second group comprises of four churches of Bete Emanuel, Bete Mercurios, Bete Aba Libanos and Bete Gabriel and Rufeal. The last will be Bete Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches. The church lies somewhat isolated to the southwestern part of the village on a slopping rock terrace and can only be reached through a tunnel.
Overnight: Maribela Hotel Lalibela or similar standard
After lunch we will visit to the second group of churches located to the south of the river Jordan. The second group comprises of four churches of Bete Emanuel, Bete Mercurios, Bete Aba Libanos and Bete Gabriel and Rufeal. The last will be Bete Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches. The church lies somewhat isolated to the southwestern part of the village on a slopping rock terrace and can only be reached through a tunnel.
Overnight: Maribela Hotel Lalibela or similar standard
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Day 10:
Lalibela - Addis Ababa (Flight)
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Day 11:
Addis Ababa - Arba Minch
In
the morning after breakfast, you will drive to Arba Minch, on the way you will visit the Tiya Stelae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You will stop for
lunch at Wolaita Sodo, here you will
visit the Wolayta people museum and then proceed
driving to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch. The Dorze people
are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton
weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of
these industrious people. You will reach to Arba Minch late afternoon.
Overnight: - Haile
resort or similar standard
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Day
12: Arba Minch - Lake Chamo - Arba Minch
In the morning, after breakfast
you will visit the nearby Nech Sar National Park (a natural habitat for many
wild animals: Zebra, Gazelle, & Antelope etc.). You will have lunch break at Arba Minch, then take
a boat trip on Lake Chamo and view some of the largest crocodiles in the world
sunning on the banks of the lake; hippos and
beautiful aquatic birds are also abundant.
Overnight:
- Haile resort or similar standard
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Day 13:
Arba Minch - Konso - Key Afer Market - Jinka
In the
morning, we will have breakfast and drive to Jinka, upon arrival at Konso, you
will visit the Konso Village famous for their colorfully costumed dresses;
impressive terracing of land, recently registered as World heritage by UNESCO,
and engraved wooden statues grave markers. We will have lunch at Konso.
From Konso continue our journey
to the colorful market of Key Afer (Thursdays only) frequented by several
tribes of the Omo valley Derashe, Tsemay, Benna and Ari. Then we drive to Jinka and
check into a resort. We will have dinner and spend the night at the resort.
Overnight stay in Jinka Resort or Jinka Eco-Omo
Lodge
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Day
14: Jinka - Mago National Park
(Mursi) – Turmi
Early
morning drive to the Mago National Park to visit the Mursi ethnic-group popularly known for their
attractive culture, women wearing large clay plates into their lower lips and
the stick fight among young boys - if available at time of arrival. Then we 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. On the way you will pass
through the village of
Weyto which
is home to the Tsemai ethnic group.
Overnight stay in Paradise or Turmi Lodge or similar
standard
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Day
15: Turmi - Karo - Turmi
Morning we drive to Karo
people, although most ethnic groups in southern Ethiopia practice body
painting, the Karo are famous for elaborated decoration of their body.
Different types of pattern are used for certain ceremonies then after we drive
back to Turmi.
Afternoon after lunch we experience the
culture of the Hamer people. Hamer people are well known for traditional events and with some luck we will even
participate in a Hamer marriage ceremony, with their bull jumping ceremony and
more! In the late afternoon, we will also visit a nearby Hamer village and
encounter the tribe in their daily life surroundings with some luck, we may
even witness a moonshine dance (Evangadi), a traditional dance of young Hamer
men and women.
Overnight: paradise lodge Turmi
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Day 16:
Turmi - Omorate - Konso
Morning we drive to Omorate.
Omerate is only 30 km away from Kenya and South Sudan and functions as a border
post. At only 375 meter above sea level it is the lowest place in the Omo
Valley and often very hot and dusty. We take an excursion to visit the
Dassanech Ethnic group famous for their nomad lifestyle and very interesting
decoration and scarification on their bodies.
There are also great views of
the Omo River when crossing in a dugout canoe. Here you can cross the Omo River
with local boat and enter to Dassench village. In the afternoon after lunch we
drive back to Turmi and proceed to Konso. We will reach the well-kept Kanta
Lodge in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Kanta Lodge, Konso
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Day 17: Konso - Arba Minch - Addis Ababa (flight)
In the morning drive from Knoso to
Arba Minch. Afternoon you fly back to
Addis Ababa, on arrival at Bole International Airport you will visit a market
to do some shopping for souvenirs. Finally, you will be taken to a farewell
dinner depending on your scheduled flight; then will transfer you to Bole
International Airport for return flight back home.
Additional Information
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Cost Inclusions:
- Well-maintained & insured Vehicle for the
whole tour with driver & driver’s allowance
-
Fuel
-
All transfer in & out
-
Hotel Room on Double Occupancy basis (i.e
sharing a Double room) including Breakfast
-
All entrance fees, local guide fee, scout, and
boat fees
-
Bottled natural water every day
-
Service tax
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Cost Exclusions:
- Personal expenses (tips, photo & video fees,
phone calls, table drinks, laundry, etc.)
-
Meals (lunch and dinner)
-
Optional excursions
-
Any other services/expenses not mentioned above
Telephone calls, tips for the tour staffs etc...
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Remark:
- Ethiopian Airlines Passengers –
Discounted Rate: $ 255 Per Person (Subjected to change)
- Other Airlines Passengers -
Regular Rate: $ 520 Per Person (Subjected to change)
Map goes here
