18 days: Erta Alle, Historic Route & Omo people in the South | |||
TOUR CODE |
DURATION |
SITE |
TRANSPORT |
AAT-MT-006 | 18 DAYS/17 NIGHTS | HISTORIC ROUTE & RIFT VALLEY LAKES | 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 to Mekele, Meet vehicles and drive to Berhaile
Drive from Mekele to Berhaile, beautiful town in amazing rock formation and the best place for picture of the Camel Caravan with the African Sunset. O/n Camping
Day 3: Ahmed Lale
Drive from Berhaile to Ahmed Lale passing thought settlement of the Afar nomadic people to. Overnight Camping
Day 4: Drive to Lake Asale, visit salt workers Camel Caravans then after drive back to Berhaile
After every early breakfast drive to the Lake Asale, salty Lake and visit the salt workers and the merchant from the highland the salt market and the lake and proceed 17 km to Dalol and enjoy the spectacular view and small hill which is colorful by hot spring in several places. The hot spring out with the sulfurs, potash and salt it forms spectacular formation. Then After drive back to Berhaile for an overnight stay, camping.
Day 5: Mekele
Drive from Berhaile to Mekele-the capital of Tigray region on the way visit the Afar village over the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley system to the western highland. Overnight Mekele Axum Hotel.
Day 6: Axum
Drive to Axum to visit some of the rock-hewn churches of Tigray mainly Wukro Churkos Abreha Atsebeha and Digum Selassie, and lunch at Adigrate and In the late afternoon, a short visit of Yeha for its over 2500 years old Temple of the Moon and the church of Aba Aftse and on the way Admire the Adwa mountains. Overnight Remhay Hotel. Day 7: Axum
After breakfast city tour of the ancient capital of Ethiopia (1st - 7th C) that includes the Stele Park, Tombs, Museum that houses different archeological findings, Palace ruins and the old and the new churches of St. Mary of Zion that is believed the ark of the covenant is rest here. Overnight the same hotel.
Day 8: Gondar
On this day, you drive long (360kms) but enjoying very beautiful and spectacular landscape along Tekeze Gorge and the Semien Mountains. Overnight Goha (3*) hotel for two nights. The hotel is situated in a good view to the town and there is also spectacular sunsets from the Goha hotel, dinner in hotel and tour of Gondar by night to “Azmari Bet” to see the traditional dance which the Gonderine people are famous. Overnight Goha Hotel.
Day 9: Drive to Bahir Dar
After having breakfast you will visit the town of Gonder, the old capital city and commercial center of Ethiopia in 17th C. and visit the palace compound of Emperor Fasiledous and his successors, which is registered as one of world heritage, Debre Berhan Selasie church which is famous for its mural painting and the bath of Fasiledous which is now the locals use it for celebrating of Ethiopian Epiphany. In the Afternoon drive from Gonder to Bahir Dar (180kms) through Fogera plane by crossing the out let of Blue Nile River and arrive at Bahir Dar Overnight Tana Hotel
Day 10: Bahir Dar
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 11: Lalibela
On this day, you drive long (380kms) but enjoying very beautiful and spectacular scenery along South of Gondar and the Wello Mountains to Lalibela. Mountains standing as a castle are seen close to each other. This drive is also good opportunity to experience the rural; life of Amhara people residing in Gondar and Wallo highlands. Overnight Roha Hotel.
Day 12: Lalibela
After breakfast you visit the first group of the remarkably excavated churches of Lalibela that represent the earthly Jerusalem.this churches include Bete Medehanealem, Bete Mariam, Beta Meskel and Bete Debresina - Gologota Afternoon, visit the second group of churches, which represent the Heavenly Jerusalem ( Bete Gebrel- Rufael, Bete Merqorios, Bete Emanuel and bete Aba Libanos. At last, visit the most beautiful and monolithic cruciform church of St. George. It is said to be the symbolization of Noah’s Arc. Overnight the same hotel.
Day 13: Addis Ababa
After an early breakfast trek (half way mule or horse ride) to the 13thc rock hewn monastery of Asheten Mariam (over 3000 meters high). It is about 8 kms from Lalibela. The road is steeply looked like a twisted rope hugged on the wall but very beautiful scenery and rewarding to experience it. The view on top of the monastery setting , looks like flying over the town of Lalibela and its surroundings. Inside the monastery you find the 13thc hand and processional crosses of king Na’akutola’ab who ruled Ethiopia for 40 years just after king Lalibela. After lunch transfer to Lalibela Airport for your flight to Addis Ababa. The flight departs Lalibela at 04:10 and arrives Addis Ababa 05:10. Overnight Ghion Hotel.
Day 14: Drive Arba Minch
Drive to Arba Minch via Wolayta Sodo. En route, visit Chencha for Dorze villages. 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. Overnight Bekele Molla hotel that is situated on the hilltop having panoramic view over Lake Chamo, Abaya and Nech Sar National Park situated in between the two rift valley lakes
Day 15: Drive Turmi
After early breakfast drive to the lower Omo valley to Turmi, the small town which is the base to visit the Hamer people. You have to leave Arma Minch early to arrive at Turmi about Lunch time so as to attend the “Monday Market” at Turmi. Proceed through the valley and visit Tsemay and Erbore ethnic groups en route. Finally we arrive at Turmi about lunch time. The rest of the day visits the Monday Hamer Market at Turmi. Overnight is camping at Turmi campsite.
Day 16: Drive Jinka
After breakfast drive to Jinka via Dimaka If Tusday visit the Market. After spending some time at the market drive to Jinka. Overnight Jinka resort hotel.
Day 17: Drive Jinka – Mursi- Jinka
After breakfast drive to Mago National park and continue driving to the edge of the park via the Mago River Bridge into the high land to visit the Mursi people, the Mursi are well known for the large clay discs that the women wear, inserted in their slit lower lips. Mursi men wear very little. Then drive back to Jinka. O/n Jinka resort hotel.
Day 18: Fly from Jinka to Addis evening fare well diner, then departure.
After breakfast fly from Jinka to Addis Ababa: the plane departs at 11.25 and arrives Addis Ababa at 13.30. The rest of the day sight seeing tour of Addis Ababa. Evening a fare well diner party in one of the Traditional Ethiopian restaurant with dances from the different ethnic Groups. Transfer out to the airport for departure back to home.
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