Tour Duration: 21 nights/22 days
Means of Transport: Flights and Road Transport
Description:
It is the highlight of the Classic historic Route, Semien mountain, the far southern part of the Omo valley and the Great Rift Valley lakes with its immense , Natural, cultural Attractions of the country.
Tour Program
Day 1: Arrival Ethiopia
Arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and met one of our staff member who gives you Transfer to your Hotel.
Day 2: Fly Addis /Bahirdar
Early Morning flight to Bahirdar. Transferred to hotel and boat excursion over Lake Tana to the Zeghie peninsula and visit the two beautifully painted churches that are found hidden in the small forest: Azoa Mariam and Ura Kidane Miheret on the way you will have the chance to over view Kibran Gebriel and Entos Monastery and the outlet of the Blue Nile river.
Day 3: Bahirdar
Morning drive 35KM to visit Tississat named after the water falls of the Blue Nile river (the life blood for the Sudanese and Egyptians) o/n Tana hotel. P.m drive to the previous Haileselasie palace for the panoramic view of the town, lake Tana and Blue Nile river.
Day 4: Drive Bahirdar/ Gonder
Morning driveto Gondar. Transferred to hotel and you will be taken to visit the castle compound where you can see the medieval castle of king Fasilidas, King Yohannes, King Eyasu, King Dawit, King Bakafa and Queen Mentewab further visit of the churches of Debre Birhan Selassie with awesome wall paintings and the bath of King Fasilidas O/n Goha hotel.
Day 5: Semien Mountain.
Drive and trek to Semien mountain. Visit the endemic animals of Chilada Baboon, Walya Ibex and birds.
Day 6: Semien Mountain- Gonder.
Full day explore things at Semien Mountain National park, Trek some distance, enjoy the marvellous landscape and late afternoon drive to Gonder.
Day 7: Fly Gonder/ Axum
Morning flight to Axum. Transferred to hotel and start to visit the historical sites of Axum including the St. Mary church (where the Arc of the covenant is said to be kept) and the stele park. P.M visit the ruins of the former palace of Queen of Sheba (Dungur Palace) the ruins of the former tombs of King Kaleb and his successor King Gebre Meskel o/n hotel.
Day 8: Fly Axum /Lalibela
Morning flight to Lalibela, the world heritage city. Transferred to hotel and start to visit the 1st group churches which are included Bieta Medhanialem (Chapel of Holy Savior) which is the biggest and Bieta Mariam (Chapel of Mary): three aisled with mural paintings and a covered pillar containing inscriptions about the end of the world according to the gadl (act )of saintly king. Further visit of Bieta Denagel (Chapel of the Virgins), Bieta Meskel (Chapel of the cross) and finally, the “double – church” of Debre Sina and Bieta Golghotha (women are not allowed in the latter since it’s where the remains of King Lalibela are and also because it contains the tabernacle of the Holy Trinity.
PM Visit of the second group of monolithic rock-hewn churches that are namely: Bieta Gabriel and Raphael, Bieta Merquorios, Bieta Emmanuel with unprecedented Axumite style and the Bieta Abaa Libanos (said to have been built by King Lalibela’s consort Meskal Kebra and visit the Bieta Ghiorghis which is the cruciform chapel of St. George o/n hotel.
Day 9: Lalibela
Early morning you will have optional mule excursion to Asheten Mariam church situated at a very hill top to see the town of lalibela and the surrounding attraction. Return to the hotel for lunch.
P.M drive to the charming semi – cave church of Neakutoleab, a church of the early 13th century and bearing the name of its builder. One amazing thing about this church is the year round water that wells from its ceiling that is said to have curative power. 2nd overnight Hotel.
Day 10: Fly Lalibela/ Addis
Morning after having your breakfast, flight to Addis and free to relax.
Day 11: DriveAddis/ Arbaminch
Drive with 4WD Land cruiser south west of Addis Ababa via Hossana , one of the fertile and evergreen place in the country ,over viewing the Oromo, Silte and the Gurage tribes way of life with their thatched roof circular house surrounded by enset “ false banana” trees. Over viewing lake Abaya and chamo , o/n hotel.
Day 12: Arbaminch
Morning game drive to park if the weather condition and road is good ( optional) and visit Zebras, Swaynes hertbist, Gazel and Bustard bird. Or you will have Boat trip to the Nech Sar National, visit the crocodile market, Hippopotamus and beautiful aquatic birds P.M drive to Chencha, the largest Dorze Village with their unique weaved bee-hived shaped bamboo house.
Day 13: Arbaminch /Turmi
Early Morning drive to Turmi Visit the konso, Tsemy, Bena, Erbore tribes up on arrival visit the Hammer villages and the colorful Monday market at Turmi visit the Hamer, Ari, Bena and Dassanech tribes. Witness Hamer dances (Evangadi) and seasonal marriage ceremonies with bull-jumping if you are lucky o/n Lodge.
Day 14: Turmi/Omorate/Turmi
Morning excursion to Omorate, on the banks of the Omo River,to visit the Dassanech tribes. Then back to Turmi o/n Lodge.
Day 15: Turmi / Murulle / Turmi
Drive to Murulle to visit the Karo people, with their interesting body decorations and scarification; admire the view of the Omo river from Kortcho village Back to Turmi o/n lodge.
Day 16: Turmi/Keyafer /Jinka
Drive to Jinka, on the way you will enjoy the colorful Hamer, Karo and Dassanech people in the market at Keyafer. Visit the Ari tribes and Proceed to Jinka and o/n hotel.
Day 17: Jinka/Mursi/Mago/Jinka
Enter Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people and their villages. Here for beauty women insert round clay plates in their lips. The men practice scarification based on the number of enemies or wild animals they have killed in battle o/n Jinka hotel.
Day 18: Jinka/ Konso/Yabello
Morning drive to Konso on the way visit Bena, Ari tribes and admire the agricultural terracing practices of the Konso. Further visit of the Konso village, Gargesiyo, “the southern New York”, a place which is the out come of food for a long period of time and looks like the previous New York sky sculpture buildings in USA proceed to Yabello o/n hotel.
Day 19: Yabello/Yirgalem
Morning visit the Elsod, a place in with the local people extract salt, singing well, drive to Yirgalem, visit the Sidama people way of life, enjoy the evergreen place of the country, one of the most known coffee plantation field, and proceed to Dila, Further drive to for overnight hotel/Lodge, a place which is full of Jingle with animals and beautiful birds.
Day 20: Yirgalem/ Wdogenet
Morning visit the fish market and drive to wendogenet, the most natural evergreen forest with birding life and animals inside. Enjoy the natural hot spa.
Day 21: Wdogenet/Addis Ababa
Late afternoon drive to Addis Ababa through the rift valley. Some stop over at lake Zeway, Langano for birding. Proceed to Debrezeit, visit one of the creator lake O/n hote.
Day 22: Depart for home
Full day Addis Ababa city tour and flight to your homeland.
What is Included in the above Tour Package
21 night’s room service in good hotel and lodges with breakfast.
All entrance fee as per the itinerary.
Boat excursion on lake Tana and Chamo.
4x4WD land cruiser cobra 1997/98 model with fuel out of Addis Ababa and Mini Van in Addis ,
Experienced English speaking driver and his allowance.
English speaking local Guide.
Half day mule excursion to Asheten Mariam church at Lalibela.
What is not included in the tour package
International flight and Domestic flight.
Meal (Lunch & Dinner)
Alcoholic drinks.
Other expense of personal nature like telephone call, laundry etc
What is not included in the inclusive part.
End of services
