27 DAYS TOUR TO ETHIOPIA

Duration: Nights /Days

Day 1: Arrival Addis Ababa and City Tour

On arrival Addis Ababa EAET representative will meet you at Bole international Airport and transfer to the Hotel, start visiting the city from National Museum, where Ethiopia’s oldest resident, Lucy is housed, Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University, continue with Holy trinity church and you will enjoy a panoramic view of the capital with fresh air hill top of Mount Entoto. Overnight stay on reserved Hotel

Day 2: Fly to Bahir Dar and Visit Lake Tana Island Monasteries & Blue Nile Falls

Early the morning take flight to Bahir Dar upon arrival, you will met GEAET Tour guides and transfer to the Hotel. After short beak you will take a boat trip to the medieval period island Monasteries on Lake Tana  such as the Zegie Peninsula visit Ura Kidan Mihret, Azewa Mariyam and the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River. After lunch you will drive to the majestic Blue Nill falls. Overnight stay on reserved Hotel

Day 3: Drive to Gondar and City Tour

You will be driven to Gondar (185 Km) through country side .Then you will check into a hotel and after a brief break, you will visit to the Royal Castles & the Bath of Emperor Fasiledes (the bath is filled with water for the important Timkat (epiphany) ceremony once a year. You will continue your visit to Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Trinity at the Mount of Light), the Castle of Empress Mintewab, and Kuskwam Complex which is a royal compound built by the Empress Mentewab. Early in the evening, you will visit ‘Azmari Bet’ at Traditional Music Houses after which you will have dinner at the hotel .Overnight stay on Reserved Hotel.

Day 4: Excursion to Simien Mountains

Early departure first to Debark and then to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountain National park, a UNESCO World heritage site, in the afternoon trek between Sanakbar and the large waterfall jinbar , the trail proceeds along the vast escarpment ,first slightly uphill before starting a descent to the waterfall jinbar. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 5: Simien Mountains – Axum

Take a scenic drive to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire, today modest town yet with great history and memory. On the road you would enjoy one of the most beautiful scenes in the country. Frequent stops to appreciate view points of Limalimo ,Tekeze river Gorge. Arrive in Axum late in the afternoon .Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 6: Axum City Tour

Morning after breakfast  start visiting the sites of Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s enscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace.  You can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept.  Men only are allowed to enter the old church.  Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 7: Axum – Hawzein

Drive from Axum to Hawzein via Adwa and Adigrat.  Adwa is a town with tremendous importance to Ethiopians because it is in the hills surrounding that Menelik II defeated the conquering Italian army in March 1896. A visit to Yeha, dated back from the 8th to 5th centuries BC, and used to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum. Afterwards visit Debre Damo monastery where the man (no women allowed). Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 8: Excursion in Tigray Rock hewn church and drive to Mekele

Early in the morning trek to Abune Yemata and the drive to Mekele, en route visit more of Tigray Rock hewn church and ancient rock-hewn churches: Abraha Atsbeha, dating from the 10th century, after that continue to Mekele. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 9: Mekele – Ahmedela
Meet support vehicles and drive to Ahmedela via Berhaile. Make camp, and see camel caravans passing against a backdrop of dramatic sunsets. Overnight Camping

Day 10: Lake Asale and Dalol Excursion

Visit Lake Asale and watch the salt workers as they cut bricks of salt from the lake bed. The bricks are then sold on the market and loaded on camel caravans for transport to the highlands. Proceed to Dalol and view the dramatic and colorful geological formations caused by the hot springs rich in sulfur, potash, and salt. Overnight Camping

Day 11: Trek to Erta Alle

Drive to Dodom. Trek 15 kilometers to the Erta Alle volcano lake, 613 meters above sea level. Arrive at Erta Alle around midnight and walk to see the spectacular volcanic eruption. Set up camp and rest. Overnight Camping

Day 12:  Drive to Mekele
Return trek to Dodom. Drive to Mekele. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 13: Mekele-Lalibela

Early morning, embark on a full day of driving to Lalibela. Here you will pass through several small villages, with typical sandstone homes of the Tigray people. Proceed through this rural area for the stunning approach to the home of Ethiopia’s most prized destination, Lalibela. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 14: Lalibela

Full day to discover the treasures of Lalibela; Your first visit will be to the eleven Rock-hewn Monolithic (carved from a single rock) Churches of Lalibela, The first group of Lalibela Churches includes: Bete Medhanialem, Bete Mariam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagl and Bete Golgotha Michal, the second group of Lalibela Churches that includes: Bete Gebral, Bete Merquros, Bete Emanule, Betelehiam, Bete Aba Libanos and the spectacular cross-shaped St. George Church. Overnight stay in reserved Hotel

Day 15: Lalibela – Addis Ababa – Dire Dawa
Fly to Dire Dawa via Addis Ababa by Ethiopian Airlines.  Visit Dire Dawa’s massive outdoor market.
Overnight Hotel – Dire Dawa

Day 16: Harer

Drive from Dire Dawa to Harar stopping at Ethiopia’s largest “chat” market enroute.  Stroll through the 16th century walled city of Harar, the fourth most important city in the Islamic World. See the home of Arthur Rimbuad, renowned French poet who worked and lived in Harar as a “gun-runner” during the 19th century. Visit the National and Harari museums; the house of Ras Mekonnen (father of Haile Selassie); and a traditional Harari home. In the evening see the “Hyena Man” feeding the hyenas that gather nightly outside the town. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 17: Harar –Awash National Park

Drive to Awash National Park. Visit the Awash Falls. Take an evening game drive in Awash National Park and visit an area frequented by hyenas. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 18: Awash National park-Lake Langano

Drive to Langano, one of the Rift Valley Lakes for relaxation at the Sabana Lodge. Lake Langano is Bilharzia free and safe for swimming and has fantastic birdlife. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 19: Lake Langano –Arba Minch

Drive to Arba Minch, one of the main towns in Southern Ethiopia. On the way, 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. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 20 : Arba Minch –Jinka

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. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 21: Mago National Park Excursion

In the morning, drive to Jinka Excursion to the Mursi tribes via Mago National Park. The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates.  In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you can visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local tribes.  Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village. Overnight stay on reserved hotel
Day 22: Jinka – Turmi
Drive Jinka to Turmi, home of the Hamer people. On the way, stop in Dimeka for the local market if it is Saturday , this is one of the most colorful markets in south Omo and is visited by neighborhood Hamer, Benna, Karo, Tsemai and Ari tribes. In the evening you will enjoy the traditional night dancing of the Hamer people .Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 23: Murule Excursion

Drive to Murule and visis Karo People, knowm for their elaborate body-Painting also visit a village of the Dassanche people. Return to Turmi for the evening. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 24: Turmi –Konso

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. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 25: Konso –Hawassa

Drive to the lakeside twon of Hawassa, relax and recover from your journey at one of Hawassa resort. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 26 :Hawassa- BALE Mountain National park

Drive to the Bale Mountains National Park and meet with park guide. Arrive at the park headquarters in the afternoon, in time for a leisurely afternoon hike, possibly spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik’s Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Blue-Winged Goose, the Spot- Breasted Lapwing, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black-Headed Siskin, Rougets Rail, and numerous other species. Overnight stay on reserved hotel

Day 27: Bale Mountain National Park –Addis Ababa
Drive to Addis Ababa. Optional souvenir shopping if time permits.  In the evening farewell party in one of Ethiopian traditional restaurant where you can see cultural music and dance. Then Transfer to the airport for flight back home.

• Note: The above program can be adjusted according to your time, Budget and interest.