15 days: Historic Route & Omo people in the South | |||
TOUR CODE |
DURATION |
SITE |
TRANSPORT |
AAT-MT-004 | 15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS | HISTORIC ROUTE & RIFT VALLEY LAKES | BY AIR & SURFACE |
ItinerariesDay 1: Arrive in Addis Ababa, city tour of Addis:
On arrival in Addis Ababa you will be met by our representatives and transferred to Ghion Hotel. In the afternoon, city tour of Addis Ababa. O/n Ghion Hotel
Day 2: Fly Bahir Dar. Morning, Blue Nile Falls afternoon Boat trip:
After breakfast fly to Bahar Dar. After check into the Hotel and refreshment, we take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit ancient monasteries. We will visit two of the most accessible and representative of the monasteries, still serving their original function, Ura Kidane Mehret, and Azwa Maryam. In the afternoon we pay a visit to the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire’. Overnight Tana Hotel
Day 3: Drive Gondar & Tour of Gondar:
We experience typically in an Ethiopian African landscape as we drive from Bahir Dar to Gondar- 180 kms over wide grazing land, hilly mountains with numerous farmlands. The rest of the day visit attractions in Gondar. The attractions that we visit in Gondar includes: Castles of Gondar- are included in the World Heritage List. the royal Fasiledes Bath and the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie with its unique murals. Overnight Goha Hotel
Day 4: Excursion to Simien Mountains:
Early departure for Debark town (100 Kms from Gondar), where the head quarter of Semien Mountains National Park is found. Here we pay the entrance fees and a scout and a local guide will accompany us. Then we continue driving to Sankaber (31 Kms) the first campsite of the National Park. On this drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and beauty of this highland region, the extraordinary scenery, enjoying the endemic Gelada Baboons and the bone breaker giant bird Lammergeyer roaring around. Afternoon we drive back to Gondar. O/n Goha hotel.
Day 5: Lalibela:
After breakfast transfer to Gondar Airport to leave for Lalibela, the site of the world wonder. The flight departs Gondar at 9.30 and arrives Lalibela at 10.00 upon arrival transfer 23 kms to Roha (3star). En route, at the footstep of mount Asheten (over 3000 meters high) visit the 13thc built-up-cave church of Na'akutola'ab. After lunch, you visit the first group of the remarkably excavated churches of Lalibela that represent the earthly Jerusalem. Overnight Roha Hotel.
Day 6: Lalibela:
After breakfast a mule ride to the 13thc rock hewn monastery of Asheten Mariam. The church is situated on atop a mountain at an altitude of 3150 metres. This will take about 4 hours. We return back to the town for lunch.In the afternoon, visit of the other groups of Rock churches of Lalibela Bet Giyorgis, possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches, lies somewhat isolated in the southwest part of the village on a sloping rock terrace. It can only be reached through a tunnel. The group of four, south of the Jordan River, comprise of Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Abba Libanos and Bet Gabriel-Rufa'el. Bet Emanuel's elaborate exterior is much praised by art historians. Overnight Roha or Jerusalem hotel
Day 7: Axum:
After breakfast transfer to Lalibela Airport and fly to Axum, the first capital of Ethiopia until the 9th century. The flight departs Lalibel at 9.20 and arrives Axum at 10.10. Upon arrival, transfer to Yeha (3 star). On this day visit the Archeological museum, the Zion Cathedral where the original Arc of the covenant is still found. However, except its one guardian (priest) no one is allowed to enter in to the Sanctuary where the Arc is stayed. Continuing your visit to the stele park where the magnificent single block of stones erected since the 3rd century. Finally, visit the ruin palace and Bath of Queen Sheba who was the mother of king Menelik I of the 950 BC. Overnight Remehay Hotel
Day 8: Fly to Addis Ababa:
After breakfast transfer to Axum Airport and fly to Addis Ababa. The flight departs Axum at 9.55 and arrives Addis Ababa at 12.45 upon arrival transfer to Ghion Hotel.
Day 9: Wendo Genet:
Drive from Addis Ababa to Wondo Genet. Wondo Genet is a green and lush area, inhabited with lots of Grivet Monkeys, Colobus Monkeys and many species of birds. On the other hand, Wondo Genet is an excellent place for fresh tropical fruits and hot spring for which you find an Olympic size swimming pool. The whole afternoon we will be wondering around the Natural forest or swimming in the pool from the natural hot spring. Overnight Wendo Genet Resort Hotel.
Day 10: Arba Minch:
After having breakfast drive to Arbaminch visiting the Fish Market at Awassa. At the Fish Market, the local people buy fish from the fisher men at the shore of lake Awassa. on the way you will see the Wolayta people and their huts. Then drive to Chencha to visit the Dorze people. The village sits high in the mountains north of Arba Minch. The Dorze are recognized in Ethiopia as master weavers and live in interesting igloo- shaped houses. We arrive late in the afternoon at Arba Minch - meaning 'Forty Springs' in Amharic. Arba Minch takes its name from the bubbling streams that cover the groundwater forest occupying the flats of the town. If time permits we can visit the springs. From your hotel you can enjoy panoramic views of the Guge Mountain range, Nech Sar National Park and its bordering lakes of Chamo and Abaya - an area of outstanding beauty and considered as Ethiopia's last great surviving wilderness. O/n Bekele Molla Hotel that is situated on the hilltop having panoramic view over Lake Chamo, Abaya and Nech Sar National Park which lies in between the two rift valley lakes.
Day 11: Arba Minch:
Morning to Nech Sar for game viewing and birding; afternoon boat trip on Lake Chamo. Boat trip on Lake Chamo is along the best anywhere in Ethiopia. One can spot many Hippos and the world's most spectacular concentrations of Giant Crocodiles (It is locally called as "Crocodile Market"). The water birds are great the scenery is truly unforgettable. Fishing for Nile Perch and many other species by locals on their traditional boat is by far the best in the country. O/n Bekele Molla Hotel
Day 12: Jinka:
Aftr break fast drive to Konso where colorfully costumed dress, impressive terracing of the Land and unusually engraved wooden statues used as a grave markers can be seen. Further along the route visit the Woito people live in the area around Woito River and Tsemay village. Continue driving to Key Afer for colorful market (if on Thursday) where you will visit the Benna, Tsemay and rarely the Ari tribes. Late afternoon drive to Jinka for overnight at Jinka Resort for two nights.
Day 13: Jinka- Mursi- Jinka:
After breakfast leave Jinka and drive to Mursi village to visit and appreciate the very attractive culture of Mursi tribe they are renowned for the strange custom followed by their women who, on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular clay discs inserted. Proceed to Mago National Park. After a picnic lunch, you will have game drive to see big mammals and different species of birds and in the late afternoon drive back to Jinka. Overnight Jinka Resort Hotel
Day 14: Jinka –Demeka- Jinka:
After breakfast drive to Dimeka for the visit of Tuesday market of the Hamer people. The market is the best place to see the Hamer people what they produce, buy, sell and the way they interact. After a picnic lunch, drive back to Jinka. Overnight Jinka Resort Hotel
Day 15: Fly to Addis Ababa:
After breakfast fly from Jinka to Addis Ababa: the plane departs at 11.25 and arrives Addis Ababa at 13.30. Free the rest of the day. In the Evening a fare well diner party in one of the Traditional Ethiopian restaurant with dances from the different ethnic Groups. Then after transfer out to the airport for departure back to home.
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