Tour to Ethiopia-Hidden Treasures Tour

First time visitors to Ethiopia are generally amazed by the stunning natural beauty of a country that is also incredibly rich in culture and history. The striking diversity of landscapes, ancient traditions and people leaves a lasting impression to challenge the misleading stereotype of a land stricken by years of drought and famine.

Brimming with contrasts and extremes, Ethiopia beckons visitors to explore from the tops of its highlands, where mountains soar over 14,100 feet (4,300 meters), to the depths of the Danakil Depression situated below sea level; to discover Abyssinian culture and traditions that date back over 3,000 years; to experience ancient Islamic folklore, as well as the fascinating rituals and sacred ceremonies of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Northern Ethiopia holds the greatest attraction for visitors as one of the country's richest regions for culture, history and natural splendor. The Historic Route takes in the medieval city of Gondar, with more castles, palaces and churches than any other city in Africa; and the ancient capital of the Queen of Sheba and Ethiopia's holiest city, Axum, where the original Ark of the Covenant containing the Ten Commandments is said to rest. Ethiopia's top attraction, however, is undoubtedly the 13th-century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, among the most incredible man-made structures in the world, revered and renowned among Ethiopians and foreigners alike and the venue for some of the most famous religious festivals in Ethiopia. Taking 24 years to complete, the astounding rock churches are believed to have been created with the help of angels.

Southwards, the Rift Valley system is another wondrous region where many other attractions are sited. The six or seven Rift Valley crater lakes are home to a large number of bird and marine life. They are also a paradise for nature and water lovers. National parks with their exotic birds, animals and plant life add to the beauty of the Rift Valley region. Beautiful landscapes and natural features are the most enjoyable components of the system. Salt lakes, active volcano sites and caravan routes still number among Ethiopia's great attractions in the Rift Valley.

Further south is the Omo Valley with its popular ethnic treasures. This is where about 50% of Ethiopia's ethnic groups live: the Konso with their terraced agriculture and rituals; the Mursi with their clay lip plates and barbarian life style; the Hamer with their bull-jumping ceremony, which young men must experience in order to qualify for adulthood; and the Karo with their body painting and adornment. Here unusual traditions such as dance, music and rituals from birth to marriage and burial are still observed in their genuine and original forms.

Ethiopia is used to being overlooked as a tourist destination, but the country's unique attractions are slowly taking pride of place in Africa, and today the oldest independent nation on the continent welcomes visitors to experience her mosaic of ethnicity, a long and proud history, and an abundance of stunning scenery.

Ethiopia is the oldest and most captivating independent country in Africa, which was founded on fascinating stories and myths, dating as far back as Solomon and Sheba. As one of the earliest countries to officially adopt Christianity the ancient capital of Axum, rock hewn churches of Lalibela and the castles of Gondar in the north, map out the historic journey of the early Christian Orthodox church movement. In contrast to the Christian north, the eastern Islamic city of Harar offers insight into the Muslim community dating from the first year of the Islamic calendar. In the South West, the Omo valley offers an insight into tribal Africa.

This is only a suggested itinerary; we are able to offer various activities and accommodation options making Ethiopia very affordable. We specialize in tailor-made holidays so please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discuss your own travel ideas with us.


Ethiopia Holiday

-Explore the Historic Northern Circuit of early Coptic Ethiopian Cities of Axum, Lalibela, Gondar and Bahir Dar

-Discover the great diversity of bird species along the rift Valley and the great lakes

-Visit the beguiling tribes of painted and adorned people of the Omo Valley

-Hike through the geographically stunning Bale Mountains
-Go beyond the ordinary by visiting the areas west of the Omo River

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Combination of Historic Route and Omo valley safari

Duration: - 15 days/14 Nights

Mode of Transport: - Air and Surface

Accommodations: - Best Available Hotels and Lodges.

Itinerary:-

Day 1. ADDIS ABABA- Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole international Airport and be welcomed and transfer to Hotel. If your arrival permits, you will have a sight seeing tour of Addis Ababa. Dinner and Overnight at Elda guest House or Kaleb Hotel.

Day 2. ADDIS ABABA-BAHIRDAR- Early in the morning after breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight to Bahirdar. Up on arrival, transfer to hotel for check-in and then start driving some 35km south-east of Bahirdar to reach the small town of Tiss-Abay named after the waterfalls of the Blue Nile. Cross the small lake by boat to reach the panoramic view point of the waterfalls. The water from Lake Tana drops 150 feet to become the Nile in the Sudan almost 500 miles away. P.M. boat trip on Lake Tana to visit one of the most Interesting churches of the area- The Ura-Kidane Meheret and Azwa-mariam Churches. Please note that you have to walk about 25 min per way to reach the church. Overnight at Kuriftu Restot and Spa.

Day 3. BAHIRDAR-GONDAR- Drive to Gondar (175km), the medieval town and capital of Ethiopia from beginning 17th c. In the afternoon visit the castle compound where you can seethe medieval palaces of Emperor Fasildes, Yohannes, Eyassu, David, Bakkafa and Queen Mentwab. Then you will drive to debre Berhan Sellassie Church which is famous by its ceiling and walls paintings. At the nd of the day, you will visit the so called “Bath of Fasildes”. Overnight at Goha / Florida inter. Hotel.

Day 4. GONDAR-LALIBELLA- flies to Lalibella and up on arrival you will be transferred to hotel for check-in. Then start visiting The 1st and 2nd group of churches at Lalibella, which considered as the 8th wonders of the world, home of the specially hewned rock churches aged 850 years old and still everyday use for the locals and pilgrimages. Well crafted and designed with unique drainage and drenched systems interconnecting all the rock churches beneath. The 1st group of the rock-hewn churches and the famous Greek shaped st. George with a walk through the villages as old as the churches themselves. Dinner and Overnight Top 12 Hotel.

Day 5. LALIBELLA-AXUM- flies to Axum and transfer to hotel for check-in. on this day, you will visit the historical, archaeological and religious attractions, Museums, St.Marry of Zion Church-a place where it is belived that the Arc of the Covenanat is kept), The stele park, Tombs and ruined palaces of the queen of Sheba. Dinner and Overnight at Sabean Hotel.

Day 6. AXUM-ADDIS ABABA-LANGANO- transfer to airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa. And then drive to Langano on the way visit The three Rift Valley Lakes Ziway, Abyata-Shalla and langano. Visit these lakes rich in birds such as pelicans, flamingoes, storks, hamerkops, Marabou Storks, Herons and More. The lodge is Convenient of leisure and relaxation-here you can water ski and sail, swim or bask in the bazing sun on the slopping sandy beach. Dinner and Overnight at Sabana Lodge.

Day 7. LANGANO-ARBAMINCH-After breakfast, drive towards Arbaminch, on the way the ormomo tribe settlement and the road side colorful tombs that will catch your interest for the longer distance. Lunch en route and continue driving to Arbaminch on the way visit the Dorze people at the town of Chencha. Dore people are famous for their bee hive look alike house styles and staple dining on a plant called false banana or enset. You will see the harvest, fermentation and preparation of this cassava like plant and perhaps you might want to have a bite of this bread. While descending stop for a marvelous view of the twin akes separated by the Bride of God and distinguished with their colors. Reddish is Lake Abaya and Greenish is Lake Chamo. Dinner and Overnight at Paradise Lodge.

Day 8. ARBAMINCH-KONSO-JINKA- In the morning after having your breakfast, you will have a boat trip on Lake Chamo to admire crocodiles(here the crocodiles are some of the longest in Africa with a length of 6m and above); Hippos and Various Birds like African Fish Eagle, Goliath Egret, Flamingos and Pelicans. Then continue driving to Jinka-on the way Visit the Konso people and their village. The konso people are very well known by traditional terracing farming and hierarchal way of life. Dinner and Overnight Jinka Resort Hotel.

Day 9. JINKA-MURSI-TURMI- Drive early in the morning to the Mago National Park to see the musri Villages.Mursi women, on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular clay discs inserted. The larger the disc, the more desirable the wearer. The disc measures up to ten centimeters (4 inch) in Diamter. Lunch at Jinka and continue driving to Turmi en route visit one of the vibrant and dazzling Thursday Market(Depends on the starting day) at key afer for a visit of the Tsemay, Benna, ari people gathering and Excahniging Goods. Dinner and Overnight at Buska Lodge.

Day 10. TURMI-MURULLE-TURMI- In the morning drive to Murulle so as to see the Konso tribe. They are well known by body painting and fascinating houses. Then drive back to turmi and late afternnon visit the Hammer tribes and their village. Diiner and Overnight at Buska Lodge

Day 11. TURMI-YABELLO- Drive to Yabello via konso en route visit the marvelous landscapes of borena and abundant bird species. Here you will admire the borena oromo people and their typical dressing style on your way to yabello. Dinner and Overnight at Yabello Motel.
Day 12. YABELLO-AWASSA- Drive some 300km to Awassa via dilla on the way admiring the green serenity of the area, the famous Sidama Coffee plantations and the local Sidama people who paints their home with interesting paintings. Dinner and Overnight at Lewi Resort.

Day 13. AWASSA-BALE GOBA- In the morning visit the fish market at the shores of lake Awassa and driving to Bale passing through the Arsi plteau. En route admire the very beautiful sxcnery, farming fields and the local arsi oromo people. Dinner and Overnight at Wabisheblle Hotel.

Day 14. Senate Plateau- Nazareth- In the morning drive to Senate Plateau, which has alpine climate and it's the ideal place to see the Endemic Ethiopian Wolf, Mountain Nyala, Menelic Bush Buck and other mammals. Dinner and Overnight at Adama German Hotel

Day 15. Nazareth-Addis Ababa-Departure- Drive back To Addis Ababa and have more sight seeing tour and shopping time. In the evening you will have a traditional welfare dinner party in one of the Ethiopian Traditional Restaurant with folkloric music and dances. Then transfer to airport for your departure to home with a life time memory.


Starting From USD 2125.00
Price Includes

1. 14 nights accommodation as in the itinerary based on a double bedded room sharing.
2. Meals on half Board basis (Breakfast and Dinner) including hot and soft drinks.
3. 4x4 wheel drive jeep with Gasoil & English Speaking Driver who knows the area well for the omo valley part.
4. English Speaking Local Guide service
5. All Entrance and Village fees as per the itinerary.
6. All Surface Transplantation, transfer in and out from/to hotels and airport.
7. Government taxes and Administrative costs.
8. Domestic Airfare as per the itinerary

Price Doesn't Include


1. Alcoholic Beverages
2. Any Personal Expenses in nature such as telephone, e-mail, laundry etc
3. Customary tips for driver and guides
4. Photographic and Filming fees where and if applicable.
5. Any Expense which is not mentioned in the above price inclusion section.

* The domestic air fare is $ 225 at the time of preparing The Package. Please note that the air fare is subject to change with out any prior notice by the airline.
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Description	Distance
Wonchi Creator Lake	140km