76 Visit amazing UNESCO sites, home to historic churches and incredible architecture, engage with local cultures and explore the f;ora and fauna of the beautiful Simien Mountains. DAY 1: ARRIVE IN ADDIS ABABA On arrival, transfer to the hotel in Addis Ababa. Visit the National Museum & Trinity Cathedral, a beautiful church. Golden Tulip Hotel DAYS 2/3: BAHIR DAR Fly to the lake side city of Bahir Dar then check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Blue Nile Falls, considered one of the most spectacular falls in Africa. Next day head out on Lake Tana to the Zege Peninsula and its famous monasteries. While on the boat, keep an eye out for a variety of bird species and the traditional tankwa crossing the lake. Visit the monastery of Ura Kidane Meret then the monastery of Azwa Maryam. In the afternoon, take a city tour of Bahir Dar for its market & Bezawit Palace. Avanti Resort - 2 nts (BLD) DAYS 4/5: SIMIEN MOUNTAINS Leave Bahir Dar and drive to head to Sankaber - headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park. Enjoy a visit of the park q=with hance to spot the endemic Gelada baboon. Next day, depart on a hike for Chenek to spot the endemic, Walia Ibex and also view the valleys, gorges and wildlife of this region. Simien Lodge - 2 nts (BLD) DAY 6: DRIVE TO GONDAR Drive to Gondar and spend the afternoon exploring the Royal Enclosure and its buildings. The fortress, which is surrounded by a wall, is a UNESCO Site. Other royal buildings of interest include the library of Emperor YohannesI, the House of Song, the banquet hall of Emperor Bakaffa, the palace of the king’s wife, the bath of King Fasiledes and the Church of DebreBirhan Selassie. Mayleko Lodge (B) DAY 7: FLY TO AXUM [BLD]. Fly to Axum. Axum was home to Queen Sheba and the current resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Take a city tour including the Archaeological museum of Axum, Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion and more. In the afternoon, visit the famous ‘Stele field’ (4th Century AD and UNESCO Site, the ruin palace and tomb of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskel (5th & 6th Century AD) and the residence of Queen of Sheba (9th century BC). Sabean Hotel (BLD) DAYS 8/9: LALIBELA Fly to Lalibela, one of the most important religious and historical sites in Africa and the Christian world. There are no less than 200 churches in the Lasta Region of Lalibela. In the afternoon, visit the first group of the churches which represent the earthly Jerusalem including Bete Medhanialem (Saviour church), Bete Miriam, Bete Denagel, Bete Meskal, Debra Sina and Bete Golgotha. Next day, visit the Second group of the churches representing the heavenly Jerusalem. In this group are Bete Gabriel & Raphael, Bete Merquorios, Bete Emmanuel, and Bete Abba Libanos. Finally, visit the most interesting crossshaped church of Bete Giorgis (St. George), which is said to be the symbolisation of Noah’s Ark. Maribela Hotel - 2 nts (BLD) DAY 10: FLY TO ADDIS ABABA Fly to Addis Ababa. Visit Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa followed by dinner in a traditional restaurant to end the tour. CHURCHES & MOUNTAINS 10 days Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa from $10,995 Ethiopia is a veritable mosaic of peoples. There are over 83 ethnic groups with 200 dialects. Based on the language they speak, they can be divided into Semitic, Cushitic, Nilotic, and Omotic stocks. The unique cultures of the different tribes make Ethiopia a photographer’s paradise. The fascinating costumes, dances & colourful ceremonies distinguish Ethiopia from other African countries. DAY 1: ARRIVE IN ADDIS ABABA On arrival, transfer to the hotel in Addis Ababa. Take a visit to Mt Entoto, then visit the local weavers making cultural clothes with different designs in a traditional way. Golden Tulip Hotel DAY 2: DRIVE TO AWASSA Drive to Awassa through the rift valley lakes of Abijatta and Shalla. The rest of the day is at leisure. Haile Resort (B) DAY 3: ARBAMINCH - ALABA & DORZAL TRIBES Visit the Fish market in Lake Awassa then drive to Arba Minch stopping at Alaba and Dorze tribal villages enroute. Dorze people are known for their weaving culture which is reflected in their beautiful cotton clothes, fences, and beehive shaped bamboo huts. Paradise Lodge (B) DAY 4: DRIVE TO JINKA Take a boat ride on the southernmost Rift Valley Lake of Ethiopia – Lake Chamo. You may spot Hippos and large concentrations of Giant Crocodiles (locals call it the “Crocodile Market”). In the afternoon, drive to Jinka visiting the Konso village, recognized as the 9th UNESCO World heritage site. Omo Lodge (B) DAY 5: MURSI TRIBAL VILLAGE Drive to Mursi village to visit the very attractive culture of Mursi tribe, renowned for their strange customs followed by their women who on reaching maturity, have their lower lips slit and circular disks inserted. Visit a Mursi family, spend time with them to share their way of life. They will demonstrate how they drink blood from the cows. Eco Omo Lodge (B) DAYS 6/7: TURMI - HAMER TRIBE Drive to Turmi. Visit the Hamer people, where the women of are known for their striking, thick plaits of ochre-coloured hair hanging down in a heavy fringe, leather skirts decorated with cowries and a dozen or more copper bracelets fixed tightly around their arms. The men are noted for the initiation ceremony of jumping over the bulls. Next day, depart on an excursion to Murelle to visit the village of the Karo people, the tribe with the least number of members and known for their body paintings before important ceremonies. Karo woman scarify their chests to beautify themselves. The complete scarification of a man’s chest indicates that he has killed an enemy or a dangerous animal. In the afternoon, attend the weekly market of the Hamer and Benna tribes. Buska Lodge - 2 nts (B) DAY 8: FLY TO ADDIS ABABA Fly to Addis Ababa. In the evening enjoy a fare well dinner in a traditional Addis Ababa restaurant to end the tour. LOST TRIBES OF OMO VALLEY 8 days Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa from $6,995 ETHIOPIA 76
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1