HISTORIC & CULTURAL 12 DAYS/ 11 NIGHTS

Arrival at Bole International Airport. Warm reception by your guide and Transfer to hotel for check-in after short break City tour of Addis Ababa

Overnight in Addis Ababa (SAPPHIRE HOTEL).

(Morning flight and late afternoon drive)

Fly from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar and you will visit the 3 ancient monasteries on the islands of lake Tana (by boat) after lunch break you will drive 35km from Bahr Dar and half hour trekking you will to see the fascinating gorge of blue Nile falls. Then you will drive180 km from Bahr Dar to Gonder.

Overnight stay in Gonder (Goha Hotel or similar standard)

You will explore the royal enclosure which contains several stone-built castles of different emperors. The most impressive building is Fasilidas castle. He was the emperor who established Gonder as a powerful cultural and religious center at 16th century. Then fly from Gonder to Axum

Overnight stay in Axum (Yared Zema Hotel or similar standard)

Full day visit historic sites it was once the capital of the Ethiopian kings and the oldest ancient civilization in the world and represented a connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand year. Some of the archaeological sites can give you an idea of the former high standard of civilization visit the famous steles ,see the churches of St. Mary of Zion which contain the crowns of Ethiopian kings and other treasures and the tomb of king Kaleb

Overnight stay in Axum (Yared Zema Hotel or similar standard)

After breakfast drive to visit the ruins of Yeha dating from the 8th to 5th centuries BC, and thought to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum. And will be transferred to the airport for the Lalibela flight. After short break start visit the first group of the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela which are carved out of living volcanic tuff with super architectural skill that the world has never seen, yet elsewhere. UNESCO registers these churches as world heritage. Among churches of this group Bete Medahine Alem (house of the redeemer) is the largest with 5 aisles, 72 pillars, vaulted dome and molding decoration. Bete Mariam (house of St. Marry) is the most decorated among the rock hewn churches.

Overnight stay in Lalibela (Mountain View hotel or similar standard)

Fly from Lalibela to Addis Ababa on arrival Depart south from Addis via the Great Rift Valley. Continue driving to Hawassa for overnight stay

Overnight stay in Hawassa (Hile resort or similar standard)

In the morning visit the fish market on Lake Hawassa, and then drive continue to Arba Minch via Dorze village the Dorze people live in the Guge Mountains near Arbaminch in a cold and misty climate. They are very famous for their skills in cotton-weaving. Many of the traditional clothes of the Ethiopians came from chencha the biggest town in the area.

Overnight stay in Arbaminch (Hile resort or similar standard)

In the morning take a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the crocodile market and hippo pods also you will visit Nech sar national park to visit zebras and other wild animals after the boat trip, continue driving to Jinka via Weyto (market day Sunday) and Key Afar (market day Thursday)

Overnight stay in Jinka (Eco-Omo lodge or similar standard)

Drive from jinka to Mursi proceeds to the Mursi people and village. For beauty where the Mursi women use clay plates into their lips. Drive from Mursi to turmi and if the day you arrive Monday or Saturday admire the very colorful markets of the Hamer and Dassanech tribes are famous for their hairstyles, ornaments, scarification, culture and more.

Overnight stay Turmi (Paradise Lodge)

Today will be a day trip to visit the people of the Karo tribe depart from Turmi on the shores of the Omo River. The Karo people are the smallest in number of all of the tribes of the Omo Valley and they are known for their elaborate decorations particularly during local ceremonies.

Overnight stay in Turmi (Paradise Lodge)

Drive back to Arbaminch on the way visit konso people. The konso people are famous for their terraced agriculture and for their practice of sculpting wooden totem called”WAKA” to the mark their gravies. The konso have a special kind of social organization, interesting handicrafts and a special architecture which can be seen and experienced best by trekking through the region.

Overnight stay in Arbaminch (Hile resort or similar standard)

Drive from Arbaminch to Addis Ababa on the way you will visit the UNSCO world heritage site Tiya. After visit drive back to Addis Ababa. Evening Have a farewell dinner at one of the best traditional restaurants of Addis where you can taste the variety of Ethiopian meals, and see the folkloric dances of the Ethiopians.

Then, be transferred to the airport for your departure. End Tour.