I. Historic Route Tour to Ethiopia by Air 7 Nights & 8 Days
Day 1. ADDIS ABEBA / ARRIVAL – Upon arrival in Addis transfer to your hotel. In the available time city tour of Addis Ababa where the National or Archeological Museum and the Merkato (the biggest open air market of Africa) can be visited. Overnight in Nexus Hotel, Dreamliner Hotel or similar Hotel.
Day 2. ADDIS ABEBA / BAHER DAR – Transfer to the Airport for flight to Baher Dar. On arrival in Baher Dar transfer to your hotel to check in and leave your luggage after which immediately go on a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret in Zeghie Peninsula. This church has mural frescoes and also possesses old icons, manuscripts, old crosses and crowns of former Kings and Queens, which are displayed to the visitors. Return to Baher Dar for lunch and in the afternoon excursion by car to the 35 Km distant site of the Blue Nile Falls. Back to Baher Dar dinner and overnight in Avanti Blu or similar hotel.
Day 3. BAHER DAR / GONDAR – In the morning after breakfast drive to Gondar (3.5 hours). Gondar was the first capital city of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632 with the reign of Emperor Fasilidas. In Gondar, there are dozens of castles built by various emperors over the course of about 200 years. The city is more European than African and also has Islamic influences. Your afternoon visit includes the Castles, bath of Fasilidas, the church of Debre Berhan Sellassie and the Kusquam complex. Dinner and overnight in Goha Hotel or similar.
Day 4. GONDAR / AXUM – In the morning transfer to the airport for flight to Axum. Axum known as the land of the Queen of Sheeba has a history which is very early and relatively unknown, however locals tracked and recorded in the 14th century A.D that this was the capital of the Queen of Sheeba during the 10th century B.C. Axum was the Kingdom that dominated Asia and Africa for a thousand years and it’s most important building is the St. Marry of Zion where it is said that it holds the Arc of the Covenant brought by king Solomon and Queen of Sheeba’s son Menelik almost 3000 years ago. You visit the city today and marvel at the historic tomb of the former King Kaleb, the ruins of the palace of Queen of Sheeba, and the church of St.Mary with it’s crowns of former rulers, the stele fields and other archaeological sites time permitting. Dinner and overnight in Sabean hotel or similar.
Day 5. AXUM / LALIBELA – After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to Lalibela. On arrival transfer to your hotel. Lalibela, once the thriving capital of the medieval dynasty is still remarkably and unbelievably beautiful. The villages is hardly visible as the horizon is dominated by various peaks over 3,000m. Legend holds that once the Town was called Roha, a mother saw her baby in a cradle surrounded by a dense of swarm of bees. Ethiopian belief is that the animal world could foretell the advent of important personages, so that she called her son ”Lalibela”. Meaning “the bees recognize his sovereignty”. Learn other local folklores on your visits to remarkable Rock Hewn churches built by this Prince over 800 years ago. Almost super human in their scale, these towering edifices are truly a world wonder. In the afternoon visit the 1st part of Rock Hewn churches which are six in number, namely : Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mika’el ( also known as Bet Debre Sina-Bet Golgotha) and Bet Giyorgis. Dinner and overnight in Tukul Lodge, Lal Hotel or similar.
Day 6. LALIBELA – In the morning excursion by car to visit the Nakutoleab Monastery at the outskirts of Lalibela. After noon visit the 2nd part of Rock Hewn churches which are five namely : Bet Gabriel, Bet Rufa’el, Bet Merkorios, Bet Aamanuel and Bet Abba Libanos. Dinner and over night in Tukul Lodge, Lal Hotel or similar.
Day 7. LALIBELA / ADDIS ABEBA – Transfer to the airport for flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa city tour of Addis Ababa in the available time. Dinner and overnight in Nexu Hotel, Dreamliner Hotel or similar.
Day 8. ADDIS ABEBA / DEPARTURE – Additional city tour of Addis Ababa in the available time. Transfer to the airport for departure.
II. Historic Route Tour to Ethiopia by car and partly by Air 9 Nights & 10 Days
Day 1. ADDIS ABEBA / ARRIVAL – Upon arrival in Addis transfer to your hotel. In the available time city tour of Addis Ababa where the National or Archeological Museum and the Merkato (the biggest open air market of Africa) can be visited. Overnight in Nexus Hotel, Dreamliner Hotel or similar Hotel.
Day 2. ADDIS ABEBA / BAHER DAR – Transfer to the Airport for flight to Baher Dar. On arrival in Baher Dar transfer to your hotel to check in and leave your luggage after which immediately go on a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit the Monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret in Zeghie Peninsula. This church has mural frescoes and also possesses old icons, manuscripts, old crosses and crowns of former Kings and Queens, which are displayed to the visitors. Return to Baher Dar for lunch and in the afternoon excursion by car to the 35 Km distant site of the Blue Nile Falls. Back to Baher Dar dinner and overnight in Avanti Blu or similar hotel.
Day 3. BAHER DAR / GONDAR : In the morning after breakfast drive to Gondar (3.5 hours). Gondar was the first capital city of the Ethiopian Empire, which began in 1632 with the reign of Emperor Fasilidas. In Gondar, there are dozens of castles built by various emperors over the course of about 200 years. The city is more European than African and also has Islamic influences. Your afternoon visit includes the Castles, bath of Fasilidas, the church of Debre Berhan Sellassie and the Kusquam complex. Dinner and overnight in Goha Hotel or similar.
Day 4. GONDAR / SEMIEN – In the morning after breakfast drive towards the Semien Mountains. The road passes over mountainous areas of wild beauty, drawing close to the national park of the Semien massif. In the park, many of the mountain peaks exceed 4000m; the highest is Ras Dejen, at 4620m above sea level. These mountains consist of volcanic masses that have been eroded away by centuries of rain. Have a picnic lunch on this day and go on a panoramic sightseeing trekking tour. Dinner and overnight Semen Lodge or similar.
Day 5. SEMIEN / AXUM – After breakfast drive towards Axum among beautiful mountainous sceneries and villages. Lunch will be had from a lunch box or in a local restaurant. Upon arrival in Axum rest dinner and overnight in Sabean Hotel or similar.
Day 6. AXUM – Axum known as the land of the Queen of Sheeba has a history which is very early and relatively unknown, however locals tracked and recorded in the 14th century A.D that this was the capital of the Queen of Sheeba during the 10th century B.C. Axum was the Kingdom that dominated Asia and Africa for a thousand years and it’s most important building is the St. Marry of Zion where it is said that it holds the Arc of the Covenant brought by king Solomon and Queen of Sheeba’s son Menelik almost 3000 years ago. You visit the city today and marvel at the historic tomb of the former King Kaleb, the ruins of the palace of Queen of Sheeba, and the church of St.Mary with it’s crowns of former rulers, the stele fields and other archaeological sites time permitting. Overnight in Sabean Hotel similar.
Day 7. AXUM / HAWZIEN or MEKELE – After breakfast drive towards Hawzien along the way visit the Yeha Pre-Christian temple of the moon which dates to the 5th century B.C. On this day visit also the beautiful church of Abreha We Atsbeha. Time permitting and provided that you like walking and a little bit climbing visit also the stupendous church of Abune Yemata Guh. Overnight in Gerarita Logde in Hawzien or Axum hotel in Mekele hotel .
Day 8. HAWZIEN or MEKELE / LALIBELA – Whole day drive across beautiful country side scenery and villages. Upon arrival in Lalibela in the late afternoon rest, dinner and Overnight in Tukul Lodge, Mountaine View or similar.
Day 9. LALIBELA – Lalibela, once the thriving capital of the medieval dynasty is still remarkably and unbelievably beautiful. The villages is hardly visible as the horizon is dominated by various peaks over 3,000m. Legend holds that once the Town was called Roha, a mother saw her baby in a cradle surrounded by a dense of swarm of bees. Ethiopian belief is that the animal world could foretell the advent of important personages, so that she called her son ”Lalibela”. Meaning “the bees recognize his sovereignty”. Learn other local folklores on your visits to remarkable Rock Hewn churches built by this Prince over 800 years ago. Almost super human in their scale, these towering edifices are truly a world wonder. This morning visit the 1st part of Rock Hewn churches which are six in number, namely : Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Mariam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mika’el ( also known as Bet Debre Sina-Bet Golgotha) and Bet Giyorgis After noon visit the 2nd part of Rock Hewn churches which are five namely : Bet Gabriel, Bet Rufa’el, Bet Merkorios, Bet Aamanuel and Bet Abba Libanos. Dinner and Overnight in Tukul Lodge, Mountaine View or similar.
Day 10. LALIBELA / ADDIS / DEPARTURE – Transfer to the airport for flight to Addis Ababa. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa city tour of Addis Ababa or final shopping in the available time and in the evening you culminate with a farewell dinner (time permitting) in a traditional restaurant with traditional music and dances. Transfer to the airport for departure. End of tour.
III. Omo Valley Tour to Ethiopia by car 10 Nights & 11 Days
Day 1. ADDIS / ARRIVAL – Upon arrival in Addis transfer to your hotel. In the available time city tour of Addis Ababa where the National or Archeological Museum and the Merkato (the biggest open air market of Africa) can be visited. Overnight in Nexus Hotel, Dreamliner Hotel or similar Hotel.
Day 2. ADDIS / ARBAMINCH – Early in the morning after breakfast drive towards Arbaminch along the Butajira road visiting the stele field of Tiya and the archaeological site of Melka Kunture. Have lunch on the way in Welayta. Upon arrival in Arbaminch rest, dinner and Overnight in Haile resort or similar.
Day 3. ARBAMINCH – After breakfast go on an excursion by car of 30kms up the hills towards the Dorzes, the Dorze are one of the small segment ethnical groups of southern Ethiopia. Once warriors, the Dorze have now turned to farming and weaving to earn a living. Their success in the field of weaving has been phenomenal and the Dorze name is synonymous with best woven cotton cloth. Each amazing Dorze bamboo house has its own small garden surrounded by inset, beds of spices, cabbage and tobacco. After lunch in Arbaminch go on a boat excursion in Lake Chamo to visit the Crocodile Market where many crocodiles, the longest in Africa are seen. Dinner and Overnight in Haile resort or similar.
Day 4. ARBAMINCH / KONSO / JINKA – A spectacular scenery as the road crosses soft rolling hills with dark red soil and plentiful crops and woods. You have an interesting cultural encounter as you meet with different tribes. Among which you continue your experience of tribal life with a visit to the Konso. A pagan society they erect eerie wooden totems replete with phallic symbols over the graves of the dead and have numerous cults based around the breeding and veneration of serpents. The cornerstone of Konso culture, however, is highly specialized and successful agricultural economy that, through terracing buttressed with stone, enable these people to extract a productive living from a none-too-fertile hills and valleys that surrounded them. An excellent day to meet the people, take photographs with them and learn of a culture that has had very little outside influence. Overnight in Eco Omo Lodge or similar.
Day 5. JINKA / MURSI / JINKA – Day excursion to Mago National Park to visit a Mursi village. The insertion of wooden and terra cotta discs into the ear lobes and their lower lips is a widespread custom the latter practiced only by Mursi women. Though these lip plates may appear bizarre to outsiders, the Mursi regard them as signs of beauty, generally speaking, the larger the lip plate the more desirable the wearer. These are people who farm the land and breed livestock; they live in almost complete isolation from the rest of the world. You have an interesting day here learning of a very unique culture if the road permits drive through the National park to see animals. Overnight in Eco Omo Lodge or Similar.
Day 6. JINKA / DIMEKA / TURMI – Drive towards Turmi across various villages browsing the different ethnic tribes such as the Banna and the Hammer all with their own unique cultural and life style. If this day falls on Saturday you will visit the famous Dimeka market where various ethnic groups gather every week to exchange their product. Upon arrival in Turmi dinner and overnight in Overnight in Buska Lodge or similar.
Day 7. TURMI / CARO / OMO RATE / TURMI – Whole day excursion to visit the Caro and Dassanech people their culture and way of life. During this day lunch will be had from a lunch box. The Omo river will also be seen during this day. Dinner and Overnight in Buska Lodge or similar.
Day 8. TURMI / ERBORE / YABELO – After breakfast drive towards Yabelo along the way visit the tribes of Erbore. Lunch will be had in a local restaurant. Dinner andOvernight in Yabelo Mobil motel.
Day 9. YABELO / EL SOD / WELLS / YABELO – During this day excursion to visit the salt mine lake of El Sod and the Singing Wells where the local Borana people extract water for their cattle making a human ladder. Back to Yabelo for rest dinner and overnight in the Yabelo Mobil Hotel.
Day 10. YABELO / YIRGALEM or AWASSA – After breakfast depart and head up North. Lunch will be had in the town of Dilla. Upon arrival in Awassa rest, dinner andOvernight in Aregash lodge in Yirgalem or Haile Resort in Awassa.
Day 11. YIRGALEM or AWASSA / ADDIS – In the morning after breakfast visit the Fish Market of Awassa which takes place on the shores of Lake Awassa after which drive towards Addis Ababa and along the way visit the lakes of Abiata, Shalla, Langano and Zuway. This evening you culminate with a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant with traditional music and dances transfer to the airport for departure. End of tour.
IV. Harar Extension Tour to Ethiopia by Air 3 Nights & 4 Days
Day 1. ADDIS / DIRE DAWA / HARAR – In the morning transfer to the airport for flight to Dire Dawa, upon arrival in Dire Dawa visit the Rail Way station of Dire Dawa, Markets of Kefira & Taiwan. After having lunch drive to Harar Overnight in Heritage Plaza Hotel
Day 2. HARAR – On this day you will have a full day city tour of Harar where visits of the Rembaud Museum, Christian and Muslim Markets, Harrari Traditional House, Palace of Haile Sellasie, the old Walls of the city with its gates and the earliest Mosques. Overnight in Heritage Plaza Hotel
Day 3. HARAR / DIRE DAWA (By car) and by Air to ADDIS – On Arrival in Addis Ababa transfer to Dreamliner Hotel.. In the afternoon shopping, at leisure or additional City Tour of Addis to see panoramic sites of the town. By night you culminate with a farewell dinner recalling the exciting days spent at a national restaurant with folkloric dances and songs.
Day 4. ADDIS ABEBA / DEPARTURE – Transfer to the Airport for departure.
V. Danakil Tour to Ethiopia by Air 12 Nights & 13 Days
Day 1. ADDIS / ARRIVAL – Upon arrival in Addis transfer to your hotel in the available time city tour of Addis Ababa where the National or Archeological Museum and the Merkato ( the biggest open air market of Africa) can be visited. Overnight in Nexus Hotel, Dreamliner Hotel or similar Hotel.
Day 2 ADDIS / AWASH – After breakfast, early morning departure to Awash. Upon arrival in Awash visit the park and the water falls. Dinner and overnight in Awash Falls Lodge.
Day 3. AWASH / HARAR – Early in the Morning drive to Harar which along see beautiful mountainous sceneries. On arrival in Harar, take a rest and in the evening gout to visit the Hayna Man of Harar. Overnight in Heritage Plaza Hotel or a typical Harari Guest House.
Day 4. HARAR – on this day city tour of Harar where visits will be made of the French Poet’s Rembaud Museum, Christian and Muslim market, Harari Traditional House, Palace of Haile Sellasie, wall of the city with its gates and the earliest Mosques. Overnight in Heritage Plaza Hotel or a typical Harari Guest House.
Day 5. HARAR / SEMERA – After breakfast, early morning departure to Semera. Full day drive with a picknic lunch to be had along the way. Upon arrival in Semera you follow the procedures for obtaining special permits for visits to the Danakil. Overnight in Kuriftu Resort or similar.
Day 6. SEMERA / AFDERA – Departure in the morning to reach Afdera. The Afdera Lake is placed below sea level is a body of brackish water surrounded by basalt blacks rocks. Around some hot springs coming from the system. Along the way we also meet some villages Afar. Overnight in Tent or in a local hotel.
Day 7. AFDERA / ERTALE – After breakfast depart towards Ertale along sandy tracks. In the late afternoon start trekking towards the mountain of Ertale which may take about 2-3 hours to Ertale.Overnight in Tent
Day 8. ERTALE / AHMEDELA – Early morning trek back for about 2-3 hours towards the cars. Upon arrival have breakfast and depart to Hamedela. Expected arrival at Hamedela in the late afternoon. Overnight in Tent.
Day 9. AHMEDELA / DALOL / AHMEDELA – On this day go on an excursion to visit the Dalol which is located at a distance of 20 km. In the Dalol area you will see the unique formations of colors that are formed with the interaction phosphorus, salt, sulfur and various other chemicals. You will also see the so called Lake Assal and the salt miners that extract the salt minerals and transport them through their caravan of camels. These salt bars that are extracted were once used as the medium of exchange. Back to Ahmedella. Overnight in Tent.
Day 10. AHMEDELA / DALOL / BERHALE – On this day have a quick morning excursion to visit the Dalol afterwhich proceed to Berhale. Overnight in Tent.
Day 11. BERHALE / HAWZIEN / MEKELE – Early morning after breakfast, Depart to Mekele. Along this path many caravans of camels loaded with the salt bars may be seen. On this day time permitting visit one church. On arrival in Mekele overnight in Axum Hotel.
Day 12. MEKELE / KOMBOLCHA – Full day drive to Kombolcha along beautiful mountainous sceneries. Overnight in Sunny Side Hotel.
Day 13. KOMBOLCHA / ADDIS – After breakfast depart to Addis Ababa which is found at a distance of 372 kms. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa transfer to your hotel for a short rest and in the evening you will culminate with a farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant. With traditional music and dances. Transfer to the airport for departure. End of tour.