Historic Route with Lower Rift Valley Ethiopia
HISTORIC ROUTE WITH LOWER RIFT VALLEY ETHIOPIA
Tour Information
Arrival in Addis transferred into the hotel for some rest afternoon city tour of the capital: visit the national museum, Merkato, the biggest open-air market in Africa, St George church. Overnight hotel.
Morning fly to Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara region which takes one hour flight transferred to Tana or Abayminch hotel. Afternoon excursion drives 30 KM out of the town to the Blue Nile fall. Overnight in hotel.
Morning Boat trip on Lake Tana, the biggest high land lake of Ethiopia, to the peninsula to visit two the 14th-century churches called Ura Kidanemihret and Aswa Mariam which involves 20 minutes and 10 minutes walking through the jungle of coffee plantation respectively after the boat. In each of the church, one can enjoy the traditional mural paintings of 14th, 17th and 18th century. Afternoon visits the market of Bahir Dar. Overnight in hotel.
Morning drive 180 km paved road which takes three hours including photo stops of the landscape and out of the sheep and goat herders and their animals traditionally to Gondar, the 17th century capital of Ethiopia. After having lunch and some rest in the hotel visit the 17th century castle compound within which there are six independent castles for each emperor, the church of Debrebirhan Selassie which have the wall ceiling painting of the 17th century and the bath of Fassilades (the first king of the Gonder period and the founder of Gondar). Overnight hotel.
Drive to Semien mountain national park which is 100 km from Gondar which takes three hours drive to admire the amazing landscape which makes Ethiopia be called the roof of Africa and some wildlife like Gelada Baboon or bleeding heart baboon which is endemic for this place, clip Springer, bushbuck and birds. Overnight hotel.
Early morning full day drive to Axum which is 270 KM enjoying the scenery of landscape and visits of villages. Overnight hotel.
Full day visit Steles, different Archaeological sites, the bath and the palace of Queen of Sheba, tomb of Kings and the church of St Mary of Zion (where legend says the Ark of Covenant, brought here from Israel by King Menelik the first and kept here). Overnight hotel.
Fly to Lalibela transferred in from the airport to the hotel and afternoon sightseeing of the the first group of the rock-hewn churches carved out of rock respectively the 12th century which make Lalibela to be considered as the holiest city of Ethiopia and the African petra with the adjacent museum which hold a collection because of Lalibela churches. Overnight hotel.
Excursion to Yimrehane Kirstos church, situated 45 km away from the town of Lalibela. This church is constructed inside a cave in the 11th century adapting the Axumite architecture. Afternoon the second group of Lalibela churches and attend the traditional coffee ceremony of Ethiopia in the local house. Overnight hotel.
Fly back to Addis Ababa in the afternoon do some shopping and some rest. Overnight in hotel.
Drive to Arbaminch admiring very green views, the Guraghe people and village, as making some stops for the Wolaita people. Reach the alternative to stay at Marodi. Overnight paradise lodge or Swayne's hotel. (this day should be Sunday when you plan the trip so that you don't miss the meeting some Arba Minch people.)
Morning drive to Chencha for the Dorze people, with their unique culture, houses, and traditions. Afternoon boat to Chamo Lake for crocodiles (biggest in Africa – 6 ms long), hippos &birds. Overnight hotel.
Drive to Jinka, admiring the Konso, Derashe, Ari, and Bana people. Making a stop to visit the Konso people, which famous for terracing agriculture, a way of the Konso people, traditions and more. Overnight hotel.
Enter into Mago National park, admiring different wild animals and birds on the way, and visit the Mursi people and villages. Here for the beautiful woman use to put round plates into their lips and men body scarifications, afternoon back to Jinka. Visit the Jinka museum and walk to visit the town.
Drive to Turmi, admiring Thursday very colorful Key Afar village market of the Tsemai and Bana people. Proceed to visit the Hammer people. In their village see one of their traditional dancing in the evening. Overnight lodge.
Drive to visit the Karo people, for their very interesting and authentic decoration and scarification on the body, and spectacular view from their village. Back afternoon to the very interesting Hammer people and visit their village. With luck, we'll try also to participate in their marriage ceremonies with bull jumping and more. Overnight lodge.
Drive to Dasanech people to visit their village by crossing the Omo river by boat afternoon visit the colorful market of Turmi and Dimeka people. Overnight lodge.
Drive to Arbaminch on the way visit the Arbore people and their beautiful village. Then cross the Weyto river to Konso people. Proceed to Arbaminch. Overnight hotel.
Drive through Wolayta people and a very nice view of the rift valley lakes of Shala and Abyata for birds watching and springs. Reach afternoon to relax with a very nice sunset over the rift valley lake of Langano. In Bishangari lodge or Sabana lodge, secluded in a natural paradise at the shore of the Lake. Overnight Lodge.
Relax morning by walking in the jungle for bird watching, horse riding or Swimming. Afternoon drive to Addis Ababa in the evening traditional dinner with folkloric dances. Then departure.
Meeting Place
All our tours start in Addis Ababa, at Bole international airport at 7:00 and end at 22:00 at Bole international airport.