ETHIOPIA – LAND OF ORIGINS 

Tour - Tribal and Imperial Ethiopia  

Duration - 14 Nights and 15 Days.

Transportation - Drive, Flight and Boat ride.

Accommodation - 5* Hotel in Addis Ababa and 3* & 4* Hotels outside Addis Ababa

Trip Highlights:

This adventure begins in the Northern Tier of the country, starting in Bahir Dar, the source of the Nile, continuing to the ancient city of Gondor, often described as the Camelot of African, and on to Axum and its archeological treasures. Finally we arrive in Lalibela, and its famous rock churches – an Unesco World Heritage Site. We explore the interplay of religion and civilization, the role of architecture and how kings used it to legitimize their reigns, and the cultural influences of those eras and how they continue to today.

DAY 1: DEPART FROM YOUR COUNTRY.

 DAY 2: ARRIVAL AND CITY TOUR OF ADDIS ABABA 

On arrival in Addis Ababa our representatives will meet you at Bole International Airport and transfers to your Hotel. An overview of the program and itineraries will be given. The rest of the day we visit historical sites in Addis Ababa including the National Archaeological Museum, where we will view the 3.6 million year old remains of “Lucy”, whose skeleton was discovered in 1974. We also visit the Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, Holy TrinityCathedrals and Mount Entoto which rises up to an altitude of 3200 meters and offers a panoramic view of the metropolis.

Overnight Capital Hotel and Spa (www.capitalhotelandspa.com) or Similar

DAY 3: ADDIS ABABA – BAHIR DAR 

Early morning flight to Bahir Dar and then a drive to the small town of Tiss Abay to visit to the impressive Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire'. The falls throws up a continuous spray of water droplets which drench onlookers up to a kilometre away. Still worth the visit though much of the water has been diverted to power hydroelectric generators, the surrounding area is extremely fertile and the Amhara people who live here farm wheat, sorghumand teff, which injera, the national bread, is made from. After lunch back in Bahir Dar, 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.

Overnight Kuriftu Resort (www.kurifturesortandspa.com) or Similar

DAY 4: GONDAR, CAMELOT OF AFRICA 

On our drive (180km) to this ancient Imperial city, we travel through a fertile landscape of wide open fields of a typical African tableau and then undulating farmland. The town was once the capital of Ethiopia, founded in 1635 by Emperor Fasilides, who built a palace and seven churches. The subsequent five emperors built their own respective palaces. Referred to as the Camelot of Africa, we visit the royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels and raised walkways. Nearby is the Debre Birhan Selassie church with its sensational angelic ceiling  and the bathhouse of Fasil where thousands of Ethiopians celebrate the Timkat festival every January.

Overnight Goha Hotel(www.gohahotel.com) or Similar  

DAY 5: LALIBELA 

Morning flight and then a full day of sightseeing in Lalibela, designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1978. King Lalibela commissioned the construction of the 11 rock churches in the center of town to fulfill his dream of a New Jerusalem. There are no less than 1000 churches in the Lasta Region of Lalibela, some hidden in enormous caves, but it iss exceptional to find 11 churches of such master craftsmanship in one locale. These brilliant feats of engineering and architecture are often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World".

Overnight Mountain view Hotel ( www.mountainviewhotel.com) or Similar

DAY 6: AXUM; HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL WONDERS

Morning flight to Axum.  The city is the heart of ancient Ethiopia, when the Kingdom of Axum was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The archaeological and historical attractions in Axum include: monolithic steles or obelisks, the tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskal, and the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of her ancient palace. We visit the new and the old Cathedral of St Mary of Tsion and the sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the Covenant. The older of the two cathedrals, built in the 16^th century, is believed to be built on an earlier 4th century church, and is theholiest church in Ethiopia.

Overnight Yeha Hotel(www.yehahotelaxum.com) or Similar   

DAY 7: ADDIS ABABA AND ONTO ARBAMINCH 

Morning flight to Addis Ababa and then an afternoon flight to Arbaminch. Upon arrival, you are met by 4WD vehicle and driver and a short drive (40km) later, we visit the Dorze tribe and their village, famed for its beehive-shaped houses. The Dorze people are expert weavers and weaving  is a primary profession for many Dorze. They are also farmers and use ingenious terracing of the mountainside to prevent soil erosion. Around their huts the Dorze plant gardens with vegetables, spices, tobacco and enset (false-banana or musa ensete).

Overnight at Paradise Lodge (www.paradiselodgeethiopia.com) or Similar

 DAY 8: ARBAMINCH – JINKA

Our next village to visit belongs to the Konso. A pagan society, the Konso erect eerie wooden totems replete with phallic symbols over the graves of the dead and have numerous cults based around the breeding and veneration of serpents. The cornerstone of Konso culture, however, is a highly specialized and successful agricultural economy that, through terracing buttressed with stone, enable these people to extract a productive living from the none-too-fertile hills and valleys that surround them. An excellent day to meet the people, take photographs with them and learn of a culture that has had very little outside influence. Later afternoon arrival in Jinka, located at the foot of Mago National Park.

Overnight at Eco Omo Lodge (www.eco-omo.com) or Similar

 DAY 9: JINKA – MURSI – JINKA

We leave Jinka and drive to a Mursi village. The tribe is renowned for the unusual custom followed by their women who, on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular clay discs inserted. Return to Jinka and after lunch visit the Ari Village compound and learn how the local people process different foods and alcohol. 

Overnight at Eco Omo Lodge or Similar

 DAY 10: TURMI

After breakfast, we drive to Turmi, through Dimeka, to visit the Hamer people and their village. Hamers have remarkable hairstyles made from ochre, water, and binding resin. They rub the mixture into their hair then twist the strands repeatedly to create copper-colored locks. This is a sign of wealth and welfare. Hamers are considered to be masters of body decoration.

Overnight at Buska Lodge (www.buskalodge.com) or Similar

DAY 11: TURMI – MURULLE – TURMI

Turmi is our new base as we explore the region and meet the different tribes who share this valley but live a life uniquely their own. This day we drive to the Murulle area. Murile  (also spelled Muelle and Murli) lies on the banks of the Omo River, and is a popular base for exploring this area. The two main tribes who live here are the Karo and the Hamer, both of whom practice scarification and have elaborate hairstyles. The Karo are experts in body painting, using clays and locally available vegetable pigments to trace fantastic patterns on theirfaces, chests, arms and legs. These designs have no special symbolic significance but are created purely for fun and aesthetic effect, each artist vying to outdo his fellow artist. Karo men also sculpt and shave their hair into extravagant shapes, with special ochre "caps" of hair usually containing several ostrich feathers.

Overnight at Buska Lodge or Similar

 DAY 12: DRIVE TO ARBAMINCH

Drive back to Arbaminch: on the way visit the Cushitic speaking Arbore people and their villages. The Arbore people adorn themselves with beads and aluminum jewelry.

Overnight paradise Lodge or Similar

 DAY 13: BOAT TRIP ON LAKE CHAMO AND DRIVE TO LAKE LANGANO

In the morning we will take a refreshing boat trip on Lake Chamo, home to huge crocodiles, hippos and a variety of birdlife.  We stop in Sodo for lunch, and then continue on to the Abiyata Shalla National Park, where we visit the two namesake lakes; including the hot Springs at Shalla and the flamingos at Abiyata. Proceed to the Sabana Lodge on the shore of Lake Langano. 

Overnight at Sabana Lodge (www.sabanalodge.com) or Similar 

DAY 14: LAKE LANGANO – ADDIS ABABA AND DEPARTURE

Morning breakfast and then we start our drive to Addis Ababa, stopping at Lake Ziway to view birdlife, and then continuing on. In the evening, we celebrate the trip with a farewell dinner in one of the traditional Ethiopian restaurants, with dances from different ethnic groups. Transfer to the airport for departure.

What’s Included:

• Meet and greet at airport.
• All accommodation based on Twin room occupancy.
• Three Meals in a day with soft drinks and bottled purified water.
• All entrance fees. 
• All transfers and visits according to the itinerary.
• All ground transportation with late model 4WD Toyota Landcruiser, including   fuel, in the south and Coaster Bus for the North Historic route tour.
• Local Guide in each sites and scout fees in parks.
• English Speaking Guide throughout the trip. - Boat trip on Lake Chamo and Omo River.
• Farewell dinner in Addis to enjoy traditional Ethiopian food and Music
• Government taxes- Porter fees  

Extras you pay for:

• International and Domestic flights - Any kind of Alcoholic Drinks.
• Videography fees at selected sites.
• Tips and items of personal nature like laundry, souvenirs, etc