Ethiopia tour to the Historic Route & Omo valley

Activity/Tour

Ethiopia is old as one can imagine as its history and culture goes back to the 3000 year ago, even to the early human evolution as Ethiopia is the cradle of human kind, which goes back to 3.5 million to our ancestor “Lucy” or “Dinkinesh” which was found in 1974 on the eastern part of the country. Ethiopia has wide rage of Tourist attractions that enables you to take the opportunity to visit all the Ethiopia's wonders- nature, culture and history in just one trip. Pharez Ethiopia Tour operator will provide the best tours and travel services in Ethiopia which will be lifetime memory.

Typical Day

Through out of the Year , Ethiopia has wide rage of Tourist attractions that enables you to take the opportunity to visit all the Ethiopia's wonders- nature, culture and history in just one trip. Pharez Ethiopia Tour operator will provide the best tours and travel services in Ethiopia which will be lifetime memory.

Age range, type of group

At any age group,Ethiopia is a country with its fabulous three thousand years history. This history has left an incomparable heritage of art and antiquities. Its striking mountains, magnificent crater lakes, the Grate Rift valley system with its lined lakes, characterized by fabulous aquatic life, Omo valley with its numerous ethnic groups with drivers culture and traditions, and a number of National parks with stunning view, incomparable history that makes Ethiopia astonishing country.

Sleeping and meals

Tourist standard Hotels, Lodges, Resort Hotels, Eco-Lodges, camping by igloo type tent.Ethiopia is one of the most beautiful and attractive countries under African skies; a destination with a variety of fascinating scenery to show off. It is a very popular tourist destination because of it's:

Other Information

Services Pharez Travel & Tour promises to give you service with an utmost expression of appreciation during your stay in Ethiopia. Behind this tours and travel agency are Ethiopian tourism experts who have vast experience in Ethiopian tourism. With us, you will fully explore Ethiopia’s three-in-one gift: nature, culture and history. Pharez Travel & Tour is at your service, anytime, if you need any of the following services: Tailor made Tours, Chattel service.Group Tours, Individual Tours,Ethnological tours, Bird watching,Nature sightseeing, Wild life safaris,Trekking and hiking, Photo safaris,Hotel booking, Air ticket.

Discounts Offered

ETHIOPIAN
Ethiopia is old as one can imagine as its history and culture goes back to the 3000 year ago, even to the early human evolution as Ethiopia is the cradle of human kind, which goes back to 3.5 million to our ancestor “Lucy” or “Dinkinesh” which was found in 1974 on the eastern part of the country.

Ethiopia is a country with its fabulous three thousand years history. This history has left an incomparable heritage of art and antiquities. Its striking mountains, magnificent crater lakes, the Grate Rift valley system with its lined lakes, characterized by fabulous aquatic life, Omo valley with its numerous ethnic groups with drivers culture and traditions, and a number of National parks with stunning view, incomparable history that makes Ethiopia astonishing country.

The population of Ethiopia is about 75 Millions, composed of people with the most diverse and the most colorful, ethnic backgrounds. Starting with the oldest known inhabitants if the Hermitic (Cushitic) stock related to the Berbers of the North Africa and ancient people from all over the Middle East, Therefore; Ethiopia has one of the most colorful people to be found in Africa.

Ethiopia is the only few country in Africa; which never lose its sovereignty, and it’s in the only country by having its own written language, and divers ethnic system with 83 language which dialect to 200. Pharez Ethiopia Tours wants to be your Guide while you are discovers this wonderful country. Our mission is to give you utmost service by providing competitive price.
Ethiopia is one of the most beautiful and attractive countries under African skies; a destination with a variety of fascinating scenery to show off. It is a very popular tourist destination because of it's:
 Geographical structure;
 Unique collection of wild animals, bird and plant life (being a land of extreme endemism);
 Ancient historical background, with matchless reveal of ancient relics;
 And different nationalities with their different languages, culture, living in harmony.
GEOGRAPHICAL STRUCTURE OF THE COUNTRY:- Ethiopia is located in the North Eastern part of Africa, bounded North East by Eritrea and Djibouti, East and South East by Somalia, South West by Kenya, and West and North West by Sudan. It is known as the roof of Africa, thanks to the Semien (Northern) and South Eastern extended mountain ranges with associated plateaus. The average elevation of the plateau is about 1680m, and the highest mountain- Ras Dashen- is 4620 m.a.s.l.
Ethiopia is also seen as the water tower of East Africa, being host to enormous water bodies, rift valley and highland lakes, and long traveling rivers. The river Abay, which becomes the Blue Nile River after joining the White Nile River in Sudan, is located in this country.
Ethiopia covers an area of 1,133,380 km2. The Great Rift Valley splits Ethiopia’s land features into the North Eastern highlands and South Western highlands, causing lowlands due to the drift from the South West to the North East. The climate of Ethiopia varies mainly according to elevation above the sea level. The principal rainy season occurs between mid June and September, followed by a dry season that may be interrupted in February or March by a short rainy season.
Being most favored by nature’s generosity, this can only be an attempt to describe Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journey Travel will help you explore, learn, discover and enjoy yourself. Together, we will unravel Ethiopia’s beautiful, ever-precious secrets.

AXUM: An ancient capital of Ethiopia, Axum boasts of an extremely rich culture of civilization, symbolized by the remaining sites and treasures, most of which were constructed using concrete. The Axumite Empire (1st C BC – 9th C AD) was one of the four great empires of the world- it had great control over trade routes of the Read Sea and Indian Ocean; an economically, politically, and socially stable state stretching from Saudi Arabia to Central and Southern Africa. Christianity, coin mintage, a special language and a special alphabet are other reflections of Axum’s early civilization. Great sites to visit in Axum include: the great Steles, the earliest church in Africa, ancient underground tombs, and the ruins of the palace of the queen of Sheba.
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT
The original Ark of the covenant has still exist in Ethiopia at Axum Tsion church, It seems likely that the Ark was brought to Ethiopia when Menelik the I returned to Aksum from his visit to his father, the Bible King Solomon. The Ark of the Covenant is the most reserved holy relic of God's incarnate and became part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christian belief after the adoption of Christianity in the 4th C. The original Ark of the Covenant since then kept in a small chapel which stands at the premise of St.Mary of Tsion church. This makes Axum the holies ground in Ethiopia, all the Ethiopian orthodox churches have the replica of the ark of the covenant known as the Tabot (The Tablet), the replica is kept in the holily of holies of every church which indicates that the church has been duly consecrated and the belief in the Ark of the Covenant exerts a profound influence on the imaginations and spiritual lives of many Ethiopians.

YEAH: Yeah is and old temple found 65KM East of Axum; Yeah was served as a temple of Moon; which goes back to the 6th Century BC; the temple of is impressive rectangular edifice, the ruins stands by some twelve meters in heights and fifteen meters wide, consists of single roofless oblong chambers; but after the spared of Christianity on the 6th Century by one of the nine saints yeah has been changed to as a Christian Temple by constricting a church immediately to old Temple; this modern church is dedicated to Abune Aftse one of the nine saints from Syria who spread Christianity in the north Ethiopia.

DEBRE DAMO: 76KM east of Axum on the way to Mekele you will find the oldest existing intact church (monastery) called Debre Damo. Debre Damo was founded by Abune Aregawi one of the nine saints in the 6th Century. The church is founded on the top of Tabular Mountain which is accessible only by the use of rope pulley and it is only allowed for male: (Closed for females).

TIGRAY ROCK HEWN CHURCHES: Over 125 rocks hewn churches are recorded in Tigray region. Some of these rock hewn churches are pre-Christian temples, which was changed to church after the spread of Christianity in the northern Ethiopia. Most of this churches are not accessible fro the visitors but there are few which can be visited form the Mekele or on the way to Axum, from this wokro Churckos, Abreha-we-Astebeha. Most of these churches are found on the Gera-Alta chained Mountains Also these magnificent churches can be visited on the eastern and southern Tigray area. Here we organize a special tour package which will combine trekking and camping.

NEGASHI: Ethiopia is the first country in the world by recoqrizing Muslim as a religion. In the 615 the re





LALIBELLA: This small town, founded back in the 12th Century in the middle of the Lasta mountain chains, Is a of wonders and religious devotion. Proposed as the 8th wonder of the world by the UNESCO, the 11 rock-hewn churches of are the main attractions of Lalibella. Strongly allied with religious elders, King Lalibella expressed utmost wisdom in creating a “second Jerusalem” on the soils of Ethiopia. It is claimed that angels participated in the construction of these churches. Other attractions in Lalibella include built up caves and semi rock-hewn churches.

GONDER: This is the 17th Century Ethiopian capital which has a great significance in the country’s history as it returned the idea of building permanent capitals after the long-practiced mobile-camp rule which had been used by a line of princes. Several majestic castles, built way back in an esteemed part of the town called the Imperial Castle Compound, speak out the glory of the kingdom that was. Attractions worth a visit include: the bathing castle of King Fasil, founder of Gondarine dynasty (1632); and the 17th Century Debrebirehan Silassie Church with uniquely painted ceilings and walls.




BAHIR DAR: Bahir Dar is a pleasant city located at 1,800 meters above sea level on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest high Land lake in Ethiopia. The lake is endowed with 37 islands out of which 20 of them have got monasteries to some of which female are not allowed to visit. These islands serve as a repository of the wonderful 16th century mural paintings, crowns, crosses and many old church treasures, also this high land lake is the source of Blue Nile one of the longest river in the world.

BLUE NILE FALL: The longest rivers in Africa which will cover 800km in length within Ethiopia, This river hold its heat in Ethiopia from Lake Tana. This river locally known as Abbay, this river has a spectacular water fall locally knows as “Tisissat” literality “smoking water” 35km south of Bahir Dar, here the pressure of the water cascade over the cliff face and into a gorge, by crating spectacular rainbows.

HARAR: Founded in the 16th Century, Harar today happens to be the fourth most sacred land in Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, with more than 50 mosques. Home to the Adare, Somali, Argoba and Qotu tribes, Harar stays an exemplary town for religious harmony between Muslim and Christian Ethiopians. The great walls surrounding the old Harar town, built by the Adare tribe to protect themselves against the attack of neighboring tribes, stands still as an attraction to reveal a great history. Harar is thus recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

ADDIS ABABA: The capital of Ethiopia and an official capital of Africa, Addis Ababa is an important representation of Ethiopia on the African continent. It is host to continental and international organizations’ premises, such as the African Union (AU), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the United Nations Conference Hall. Places to go in Addis Ababa include: the National museum, Ethnological museum, Postal museum and other museums; treasure-packed Orthodox.

SIGHTSEEING IN ADDIS ABABA
National Museum: This museum is found on the north part of Addis Ababa, it encloses Ethnographical, archaeological, anthropological and Palo anthropological assets including the famous hominid called Lucy “Dinknesh which is 3.5 millions yeas old”.

Martyr’s Monument: this monument is erected to commemorate the innocent martyrs of Addis Ababa people who were massacred by the Italian General Graziani in 1937, besides this the is also an other hospital (Yekatit 12) which is dedicated for the commemoration.

Ethnographic Museum: this museum is found on the ex-place of Emperor Haile Silasse the I, the palace was donated by the Emperor in 1961, afterward the university includes the institution of Ethiopian Studies which encompass Ethiopian study Library and Museum, here in this museum you visit the collection of all cultural and traditional items, which will represent all the Ethiopian Nation.

Mt. Entoto and St.Mary Museum: Before Addis Ababa was founded, Entoto was the capital of Ethiopia as a strategic military ground for Menililik the II, now this mountain offers a grate panoramic view over the city of Addis Ababa; also it has a some museum at the premises of St.Mary church. Besides this there is an old place of Menililik the II which can be found behind the church of St.Mary.


FESTIVALS IN ETHIOPIA The most notable and colorfully celebrated festivals in Ethiopia are Christian religious festivals mainly practiced by the Ethiopian Orthodox church:Fasika (Easter):Easter is the celebration of the Christ’s resurrection. The resurrection took place on Sunday, which was from then on the “Lord’s Day”. Fasika (Easter) is celebrated after 55 days severe’ lent (fasting) (Hudade or Aby Tsome). Orthodox Tewahido Christians do not eat meat and diary products for the whole 55 days to commemorate the 40 days of fasting of Jesus experienced before crucifixion. Only vegetarian meals such as lentils, ground split peas, grains, fruits and varieties of vegetable stew accompanied by Injera and /or bread are eaten on these days. The first meal of the day is taken after 3 pm (9 o’clock in the after noon Ethiopian time) during the fasting days, except Saturday and Sunday, where a meal is allowed after the morning service.Holy Week:Holy week is the week preceding Easter Sunday. --> Palm Sunday: This is the Sunday before Easter. It commemorates Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. On this date, early in the morning, the deacons walk around in every village of the town to deliver palm leaves to followers of the Orthodox Church to wear on their foreheads the whole day.--> Thursday before Easter: This day commemorates Christ’s last supper, and his washing of the disciples’ feel on that day. On this date, the head of the priests washes the people in the church.--> Good Friday: This is the Friday before Easter; the anniversary of the Christ’s crucifixion. On this day all Christians go to the nearby churches for a full day prayer.--> Holy Saturday (Easter Eve): People go to church with candles to celebrate. These candles are lit during a colorful Easter mass (service) which begins at about 6 pm (12 O’ clock in the evening Ethiopia time) and ends at about 2 am (8 O’clock after midnight Ethiopia time). Every one goes home to break the fast with a meat of chicken or lamb, slaughtered the previous night after 6 pm, accompanied with Injera and traditional drinks, namely Tella or Tej. --> Easter Sunday: On Easter Sunday there are re-unions of families and expressions of good wishes with exchange of gifts.Timket (Epiphany):Timket (Epiphany) is one of the greatest festivals on Ethiopia’s Orthodox Tewahido church calendar. It commemorates Christ’s baptism by Saint John in the Jordan River. Timket is celebrated in Ethiopia on January 11th on the Ethiopian calendar (January 19 on the Gregorian calendar). On this day, in the morning, people go to nearby churches for prayers, and in the afternoon, replicas of the Arc of the covenant are taken out of every church, accompanied by the priests, deacon, singers of the church, as well as ordinary people to the place where the baptism ceremony is held. The covenants will be there for one night and then on the next day in the morning, all of the covenants go back to the churches to which they belong. In Timket, Tella and Tej are brewed and special bread, called Himash in Tigrinya and Ambasha in Amharic is baked. Sheep are slaughtered to mark the three days celebration. Meskel (Finding of the True Cross):The Meskel festival is one of the most important events in the spiritual part of Ethiopian culture. Meskel means cross in Geez (the classic language of Ethiopia now used predominantly in the Ethiopian Orthodox church). Ethiopia claims more than a thousand types of cross designs in its treasured heritage-an uncontested world record. Meskel is celebrated by dancing, feasting and lighting a massive bonfire known in Ethiopian tradition as Demmera. Meskel festival commemorates the finding of the very cross on which Jesus Christ of Nazareth was crucified in Golgotha in the fourth century by Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine. The feast is celebrated in Ethiopia on September 17th on the Ethiopian calendar (September 27th on the Gregorian calendar), six months after the discovery of the true cross. The celebration of Meskel recognizes the presence of the true cross at the Mountain of Gishen Miriam monastery, and also recognizes Empress Helena’s road to finding it. According to tradition, Empress Helena lit incense and prayed for assistance from God in her search for the cross. The smoke from the incense drifted in the direction of the buried cross. She dug and found three crosses: one of them was the true cross on which Jesus Christ died. Empress Helena gave a piece of the cross to each of the churches, including the Ethiopian church. The piece given to the Ethiopian church was then brought to Ethiopia. According to Ethiopian legend, when people got close to a piece of the true cross, it made them naked by its strong light. Because of this, a decision was made to bury it at the Mountain of Gishen Miriam monastery in Wollo region. The monastery of Gishen Miriam holds a volume of a book which records the story of the true cross of Christ and how it was discovered.Ledet (Christmas):Ledet falls on December 29th on the Ethiopian calendar (January 7th on the Gregorian calendar). It is celebrated after 43 days of fasting, known as Tsome Gehad (advent), with a spectacular procession, which begins at 6 am and lasts until 9 am. After the mass (service), people go home to break the fast with the meat of chicken or lamb or beef accompanied by Injera and the traditional drinks Tella and Tej.