Tour Code: ATTA 016
Duration: 16 Days and 15 Nights
Means of Traveling: By Flight and Surface
Tour Program of the Northern Classic with Siemen Mountains and South Omo Valleys with Rift Valley Lakes by Surface (4x4) and Flight for 16 days
DAY 01: ADDIS-----BAHIR DAR.
In the early morning fly to Bahir Dar. Upon arrival meet Alpha staffs and be transferred to your hotel. After quick refreshment, drive 35km to Blue Nile Falls and to the Portuguese Bridge. In the afternoon boat trip to visit the 15th century Medieval Monasteries of the Zeghie Peninsula Ura Kidane Mihret and to the out let of the Blue Nile River. O/N Tana hotel or similar.
DAY 02: BAHIRDAR----GONDAR.
N.B: There is no flight between Bahir Dar & Gondar
Morning drive 186km (asphalt) to Gondar through the spectacular Tara Gedam Mountain ranges. Enroute, you will see the 16th c. castle of Emperor Sarsa Dengel and drive further to Gondar. After lunch, you will see the Church of Debre Birhan Selassie which is painstakingly decorated by a local monk and historical sites such as the royal palace of Emperor Fasiledes, the Quesquam Enclosure, and the Bath Palace of Emperor Fasiledes. O/N Goha hotel or similar.
DAY 3: GONDAR—SEMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
In the morning drive 100km (asphalt) to Debark town then 37km (gravel) to the marvelous Semien Mountains. You will have a short stop at the breath taking scenery of Kossoye before reaching Debark. At Debark (which is 100 km away from Gondar), you will collect the entrance fees, a park guide and park ranger to drive further into the inner part of the park. From Chinkwanit, where the spectacular scenery begins, you will start your first day trekking following the abyss. You will enjoy the views and the herds of unique GeladaBaboons.
Then, drive to Chenek to see the endemic Walia Ibex and the breath-taking scenery of Enatye and Imet Gogo. Here, the elevation is 3600 meters above sea level and the flora and the fauna is becoming unique. Continue driving further to Buahit to VIEW the majestic Ras Dashen-the highest pick of Ethiopia (4620meters above sea-level). You will be dropped with guides and hike for about 3 hours before you reach the lodge. O/N Semien lodge in Sankaber (3200m ASL).
DAY 4: SEMIEN MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK ---GONDAR
After a relaxing breakfast, drive back to Gondar, en route visiting Fellasha Villages and Scenic view. O/N Goha hotel or similar.
DAY 5: GONDAR---LALIBELA
After a relaxing morning, transfer to Gondar Airport to fly to Lalibela and be transferred to your hotel then, Visit of Lalibela brings you to yet more wonder – The 3 groups rock-hewn churches (12 rock-hewn churches). O/N Roha Hotel.
DAY 6: LALIBELA---AXUM
Be transferred to Lalibela Airport for your fly to Axum. You will be transferred to your hotel. Then, you will start the sightseeing of historical sites in Axum such as the Stele Park, Tombstones of King Kaleb, King Gebre Meskal and King Bazen and the Churches of Mary Zion, the Archaeological Museum and the Bath and the Palace of Queen Sheba. O/N at Sabean hotel or similar.
DAY 7: AXUM---ADDIS
Be transferred to Axum Airport to fly back to Addis. PM city tour in Addis to visit museums, churches and shopping such as National Museum, Natural History Museum, St.George Cathedral and St. Trinity Cathedral, Shopping at African Grand Market, called Merkato and others if the time will be permitted. O/N Addis Ababa.
DAY 8: ADDIS---ARBAMINCH
Early morning, drive to the south via Addis-Butajira road. Here, you will visit the archaeological site of Melka Kunture, Tiya Stele and through the beautiful mountainous country you will drive 35 km through another junction to visit the tribal village of Chencha. This tribe is known for its art of weaving and unique house building. Here you will see also the preparation of false banana how it is scrapped and used to be bread and porridge. Then drive to Arba Minch. O/N at Paradise Lodge or similar.
DAY 9: Monday ARBAMINCH---TURMI
Day drive to Turmi en route visiting of different tribal villages and their way of life, and you meet the tribes of Arbore, Konso villages and their age old astonishing terracing practices and also attend one of the most unique & colorful market of Monday market at Turmi dominated by Hamer people. O/N Buska Lodge or similar.
DAY 10: Tuesday TURMI— Omorate –TURMI
Morning drive through the lush forest to Omorate. Then, crossing the Omo River with wooden ferry to visit the Dasenetch tribal villages and also attend one of the most unique & colorful market of village of Dimeka more than three tribes congregated for Tuesday Market. Then, drive back to Turmi. O/N Buska Lodge or similar.
DAY 11: TURMI --Murulle—TURMI
Day drive to Murulle to visit the Karo Village at Korecho. After a picnic lunch, you will cross the Omo River to visit the Bume people at Kangate and also attend one of the most. Then, drive back to Turmi. O/N Buska Lodge or similar.
DAY 12: Thursday TURMI—JINKA
Drive to Jinka, on the way; you will attend the village of Key-Afer, more than three tribes congregated for Thursday Market, namely Ari, Benna, Hammar, Tsemay and Mali with their unique decoration can easily identified here. O/N Jinka Resort or similar.
DAY 13: JINKA -Mago National Park-- ARBAMINCH
Drive to the Mursi people by crossing the Mago National Park. The Mursi are mostly known who adorned by using clay and wooden lip plate on their lip and ear lobes. Then drive back to Arbamionch. O/N Paradise Lodge or similar.
DAY 14: ARBAMINCH (Netchsar N.P, & Lake Chamo)
Morning drive to the Netchsar National park where you find the panoramic view and many wild animals such as Burchill Zebra, Swayne’s Hartebeest, grant’s Gazelle, Lesser and Greater Kudu. In the afternoon, you will have a boat ride on Lake Chamo to see the Hippos and Nile Crocodiles. O/N Paradise Lodge or similar.
DAY 15: ARBAMINCH---WONDOGENT
After breakfast drive to Wondogent along the scenic road, In the afternoon walking in the forest which is heaven for bird life and relax in the natural hot spring bath’s and swimming pool. The surrounding vegetation and favorable climate offers great relaxation. Colombus and velvet Monkey are frequently observed, O/N at Wabi Shebelle Hotel.
DAY 16: WONDOGENT-- ADDIS
After breakfast drive back to Addis via Shashamene with lunch stops through the rift valley lakes enjoying their scenic beauty along with the different species of birds. There is also the Abijjata Shalla Lakes National Park that comprises the two Soda Lakes together with their abundant bird life, Antelopes, and the Ostrich Farm that worth to be visited and also Lake Ziway; abundant aquatic bird life. After visit and enjoyed at this ideal places drive back to Addis en route visiting the creator Lakes around Debrezeit before arriving in Addis. O/N at Addis.