14 Days
Ethiopia / Addis Ababa / Omo Valley
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Historic Route and Omo Valley
 

Historic Route and Omo Valley
Start off your trip with a visit to the Ethnographic Museum followed by a tour to Mercato market and then the Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Hail Selassie. The next day you will fly to Bahar Dar for a boat tour to Lake Tana followed by a drive through Gondar to the Royal Enclosure. Then fly to Lalibela to witness the magnificent rock-hewn churches and then onto Axum where you will tour the stelae fields. The next day you will return to Addis Ababa to drive to Lake Lango and relax at the Sabana lodge. Afterwards, you’ll drive to Arba Minch to visit the archaeological sites followed by a visit to the friendly village of Dorze.

We later travel to Jinka where we take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to observe the largest crocodiles in the world. The next morning we will head over to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people and then drive to Turmi to visit the Hamer people. Then a short trip to Omorate and drive to Konso. From Konso, we will drive to to the lakeside town of Hawassa and the trip ends with a drive back to Addis Ababa accompanied by short stops at the rift valley lakes and a farewell dinner.
Visit the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Tour the Mercato, one of Africa's largest outdoor markets, and Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie.
Drive through the countryside to Gondar. Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.
Drive through the countryside to Gondar. Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.
Fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines. Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic churches were carved directly into the stone mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings.
Fly to Axum on Ethiopian Airlines. Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Visit the new and impressive Archeological Museum. Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits.
Fly to Addis Ababa and then drive to the Rift Valley Lake Langano. Relax at the Sabana Lodge. Lake Langano is safe for swimming.
Drive to Arba Minch via Melka Kunture, a stone-age archeological site; Adadi Mariam, a 12th century rock-hewn church; and Tiya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its mysterious stelae, thought to be grave markers, dating from the 12th century. Also visit a Dorze Village in the Guge Mountains. The Dorze are known for their tall, beehive-shaped bamboo houses. If the base becomes infested with termites, the entire house can be lifted and moved to another location.
Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo and view some of the largest crocodiles in the world sunning on the banks of the lake. Hippopotami and birdlife are also abundant. Drive to Jinka visiting various peoples such as the Gamo and Derashe. Stop at Key Afar's weekly market (if on a Thursday) and wander among the various tribes such as the Benna and Ari that have gathered to barter their goods.
Early morning drive to the Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people. The Mursi women are known for the clay plates they insert into their lower lips. Time permitting, visit the Omo Valley Museum in Jinka.
Drive to Turmi to visit the Hamer people who are well known for the scarring of their bodies, using clay to shape their hairstyles, and the unique practice of "bull-jumping" which every young man must accomplish prior to marriage. En route to Turmi, visit the Benna and Ari people.
Excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people, known for their elaborate body-painting. Cross the famous Omo River by canoe. Return to Turmi for the evening.
Drive to Konso, recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A highland people, the Konso are known for the ancient and intricate terraces that encircle their well-planned villages.
Drive to the lakeside town of Hawassa. Relax and recover from your journey at one of Hawassa's fine resorts.
Visit the Hawassa fish market in the morning. Drive to Addis Ababa making stops at the Rift Valley Lakes. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for late night departure if needed.
  • Arrival at Bole International Airport
  • We will meet you  at the airport regardless of arrival time.  For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel.  For afternoon or evening arrivals, you  may begin your tour the following day. 
  • We can arrange a hotel in Addis Ababa upon request, there will be overnight lodges at each stop.
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