Tour Code: ATTA 019
Duration: 17 Days and 16 Nights
Means of Traveling: By Flight and Surface
Tour Program of North (Classic Historic Tour) and South (Omo Valley) for seventeen Days (Sixteen Nights) by Surface and Flight
DAY ONE: ADDIS---BAHIR DAR
Fly to Bahir Dar, a busy town on the shore of the lake, and transfer to your hotel.
Afternoon enjoy boat ride over Lake Tana to Zege Peninsula to visit the 15th century Monastery of
Ura Kidane Mihret. O/N Tana Hotel or similar.
DAY TWO: BAHIR DAR
In the morning, drive 35km east of the town to the Blue Nile Falls set in rolling countryside
Countryside unspoiled by tourism, which is a real spectacle. Afternoon, enjoy and more sightseeing of Bahir Dar. O/N Tana Hotel or similar.
DAY THREE: BAHIR DAR---GONDAR
Morning drive to Gondar through the spectacular Tara Gedam Mountain ranges. En route, you will see the 16th c. Castle of Emperor Sartse 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 Fasiledas, The Quesquam enclosure, The Bath Palace of Emperor Fasiledas. O/N Goha hotel or similar.
DAY FOUR: GONDAR—SIEMIN MOUNTAINS—GONDAR
Drive to Simien Mountain (100kms from Gondar), Where the head quarter of the Simien Mountain National Park is found. Here we pay the entrance fees; Scout and Local guide will accompany us. Then we continue driving to Sankaber (37kms) the first campsite of the National park. On this drive you will gain your first impression of the scale and the beauty of this highland region, the extraordinary scenery, enjoying the endemic Gelada Baboon and the bone breaker giant bird called Lammergeyer roaring around, and then Drive back to Gondar, enroute visiting Fellasha village on the way. O/N Goha hotel or similar.
DAY FIVE: 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 Tukul Village or Mountain View hotel.
DAY SIX: LALIBELA (Excursions @ Asheten Mariam or Naacute Leab church)
OPTION I
In the morning, after an early breakfast trek (half way mule or horse ride) to the 13th c rock hewn monastery of Asheten Mariam (over 9,800 feet or 3000 meters high). It is about 8km from Lalibela. The road is very steeply looked like a twisted rope hugged on the wall but very beautiful scenery with a rewarding experience. You hike from 1 - 1 and half hours or on horse ride. O/N Mt.View hotel or Tukul village.
OPTION II
In the morning drive 6km outside of Lalibela town to visit the cave (rock-hewn churches) of Na acute Leab church. The monastery is named after its constructor, the nephew and successor of King Lalibela. Then drive back to Lalibela town then drive back and visit the city and livelihood of the Lalibela people. O/N Mt.View hotel or Tukul village.
DAY SEVEN: 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 Consular or similar hotel.
DAY EIGHT: AXUM (Excursions @ Yeha and Debre Damo)
In the morning, after an early breakfast drive to Debre Damo Monastry in the way visit Yeha Temple and some of the rock hewn churches. Late after noon, drive back tom Axum for overnight stay at Consular or similar hotel.
DAY NINE: 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 TEN: 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 ELEVEN: ARBAMINCH---TURMI
Day drive to Turmi en route visiting of different tribal villages and their way of life, on the way, 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 of Turmi dominated by Hamer people . O/N Buska Lodge or similar.
DAY TEWELVE: 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 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 THIRTEEN: 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. O/N Buska lodge or similar.
DAY FOURTEEN: TURMI--JINKA
Day drive to Jinka en route visiting of different tribal villages and their way of life and also you meet the tribes of Giddole, Derashe, Konso, Tsemay, Benna and Ari. And also 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. Then drive back to Jinka in the afternoon visit of Jinka Museum. O/N Jinka Resort or similar.
DAY FIFTEEN: JINKA---Mago National Park----JINKA
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 Jinka Resort or similar.
DAY SIXTEEN: JINKA-- KONSO--ARBAMINCH
Drive to Arbaminch on the way, you will visit the Konso astonishing walled terracing and villages’ settlement which is registered by UNESCO as world heritage sites in 2011. O/N Paradise Lodge or similar.
DAY SEVENTEEN: ARBAMINCH--ADDIS ABABA--- DEPARTURE
Day drive back to Addis Ababa through the Great Rift Valley Lakes and enjoying their scenic beauty along with the different species of birds. There is also the Abijjata Shalla National Park that comprises the two soda lakes together with their abundant bird life and the Ostrich Farm that worth a visit on your way. Arrive Addis around 5 p.m.