COMPLETE ETHIOPIA 21 DAYS/ 20 NIGHTS

Enter Ethiopia tour guide wait you at the airport and transfer to the hotel after check in to the hotel and after a while we will be starting our city tour in Addis Ababa, visiting the National Museum (pre historic, cultural & archaeological attractions), St. Raguel’s Church, and drive to Mount Entoto (3000 meter above sea level) to have a visit to Emperor Minelik’s Palace. If time enough we will visit Merkato, (the largest open market in Africa).we have lunch break in the middle of the tour and we have dinner at the hotel.

Overnight Sapphire Addis hotel or similar standard

Morning fly to Mekele, and car waiting at the airport and drive to Hamedela passing through a small town “Berhale” where the camel caravans stop before they proceed to the northern highlands or salt mining. We stop for lunch and reach to Hamedela

Overnight Camp Hamedela

We start early after an early breakfast, at 06:30. Drive to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). The 80 km distance may take about 6 hrs passing through changing landscape of solidified lava, rock, sand and occasional palm lined oasis. After we pass several small hamlets scattered here and there in this desert. Erta Ale is about 17km far from base camp (Dodom), and it takes about 3 hrs trekking. Early dinner around 17:00 and trek up to Ertale at 20:00 hours. Camels transport all the camping materials and some food (sleeping materials like light mattresses and mat and water) to the rim of the volcano, where we spend the night watching the dramatic action of the boiling lava. Erta Ale ranks one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent lava lake. Overnight on the top of Erta Ale.

Lunch and dinner by cooker

Overnight Erta Ale camp       

Leave back to Dodom after an early breakfast, if possible at 07:00am. We will reach latest at 10:30 am at the camp base (DODUM), time to relax. After lunch drive to HamadEla, better village with a total population about 500 people.

Overnight camping at HamedEla.     

Morning drive to a place called Ragad (Asebo), the place where the localities are mining salt. Look the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting in to rectangular pieces and loading on camels. We drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + In route we see many long camel caravans coming to the salt mine and others going out from Dallol with their salt loaded camels camel caravans. Dallol (116 meter below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, follow up camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekelle.

Overnight mekele plant hotel or similar standard

Morning drive Hawzien to visit the rock churches of Gheralta cluster, on the way visit Abreha wee’ Atsbeha and then proceed to Mariam Korkor. We will have time to have a lunch in the Gheralta Lodge. After lunch, drive 10km to Abune yemata around one hour walking then turn to climbing foot hold and hand hold chipped in to the sandstone rock, after few minute climbing visit Abune yemata church.

Overnight: Gheralta Lodge in Hawzien or similar standard

After having breakfast, drive to Axum. On this day, we will pass the 6th century monastery of Debre Damos which is perched atop a remote plateau. The monastery is only accessible using a rope and the monks will help pull visitors up the 20 – 25 meter cliff.  However, we only recommend this for physically fit individuals.  Women are not allowed on the grounds of the monastery, and therefore, it is not part of our regular tour itinerary. And Yeha Temple.

After lunch proceed to Axum and visit the stelas and St. Marry church and the grave of queen shaba Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits.

Overnight: Hotel in Yared Zema hotel or similar standard

Morning after breakfast we visit the rest of sites in Axum and drive from Axum to Simien National park through Lima limo rode and Tekeze gorge. And continue driving to head office for the Semen National Park (Debarek), after completing the facilities we proceed to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park and the first camp site in the park. For the sake of altitude acclimatization you can enjoy some light hiking in the afternoon, depending on your interest.

Overnight: Hotel in Simein lodge (camp at sankaber)

Our first trekking will be from Sankaber to Geech. The driver will drop you at a point and then we will have4-6 hrs walk. Along the way you will experience the beautiful landscapes of the Simien Mountains, enjoy a packed lunch at one of the best viewpoints and most likely run into the endemic Gelada baboon. These red-chested baboons are pretty sociable so you will be able to get quite close to them.

Overnight: Camp at Geech

Morning after having breakfast in the camp we will be driving to Debarek and proceed to Gonder to reach at lunch time. Afternoon visit Gander (the Royal Enclosure). This 70,000-sq meter UNESCO World Heritage site was once the seat of emperor Fasiledes and his successors in the 16th and 17th century. The numerous castles and palaces that remain within the walls of the enclosure are a testament to the royal capital’s former splendor. And visit to Emperor Fasiledes’ Bath.  During the Timkat festival, the pool is filled with blessed water and devotees are invited to swim and frolic in the pool in a ceremonial replication of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River. Finally Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.

 Dinner at cultural restaurant of Gonder with the cultural dance ceremony

Overnight: Goha Hotel Gondar or similar standard

Today after breakfast we will be driving to Baher Dar. After check in to the hotel we will have a boat tour on Lake Tana to explore the hidden monasteries on the islands and shores of this sacred lake. We will visit the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret on Zege Peninsula. And before the tour ends we will have time at the out late of the Blue Nile River.

Lunch at hotel dinner at cultural restaurant

 Overnight: Hotel in BaherDar Avanti hotel or similar standard

This day we will take the morning flight to Lalibela, after check in and have lunch in hotel we will be visiting the magnificent first group rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. In this first group of six churches lies in rock cradles, one behind the other: Bet Golgotha, Bet Mikeal, Bet Mariam, Bet Maskel, Bet Dangal and Bet Medhanealem. This Group of churches are located to the symbolizing south of the river Jordan. The rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are one of the registered UNESCO World Heritage sites of Ethiopia. This group of monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. Both the complexes boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings.

Overnight: Hotel in Maribella Lalibela

In the morning, take a trip to visit the church of Yimrehanne Kristos which is the most popular of the churches outside of Lalibela, this church is built with layers of wood and granite, set in the entrance to a large cavern.  After the visit, return to Lalibela for lunch and, in the afternoon, we will continue the visit to the second group of four churches located on the symbolizing south of the river Jordan. These group comprises Bet Emanuel, Bet Mercurios, Bet Aba Libanos, Bet Gabriel and Rufeal and possibly the most elegant of all the Lalibela churches Bet Giyorgis which lies somewhat isolated on a slopping rock terrace and can only be reached through a tunnel.

Overnight: Hotel in Maribella Lalibela or similar standard

We will take the morning flight from Lalibela to Addis and on arrival we will be picked from the domestic terminal and proceed driving to Arbaminch. In rout we will have stopes first at Lake Ziway and spot some of the aquatic birds in the area. And continue driving to Arbaminch enjoying the housing system and life style of the local people on each side of the road on the way to Arbaminch.

Overnight: Haile Resort – Arbaminch or similar standard

We will have a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market”, and hippos a little while after breakfast.  Afterwards, depart from Arbaminch to Turmi.  Passing through the Weyto village which is home to the Tsemai tribe (it would be your luck to be there on Saturday to enjoy the Woyto market). Proceed to Turmi having one more stop to have a visit to the Erbore people. Finally we will drive to home of the Hamer tribe (TURMI).  At night, ”if there is” we may see the traditional dance of the Hamer tribe, known as “Evangadi”.

 Overnight: Paradisie lodge Turmi or similar standard

This morning, take a day trip to Omorate village to visit the Dassenech tribe. They are very famous for hunting the dangerous predator Crocodile. To visit these people we will cross the Omo River by local boat and enter a Dassenech village.  Afterwards, return to Turmi (Monday is market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village.  If there is Bulls jumping of the traditional ceremony of the Hamer people for the coming-of-age will be visited (which is optional).

 Overnight: Paradisie lodge Turmi or similar standard

Today morning (if it is not market day) we will have an excursion to the Karo people known for their body painting. Then after we will be back to Turmi for lunch and depart from Turmi to Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. (If it is market day) Tuesdays and Saturdays, Morning we will drive directly to Jinka having the market visit at Dimeka on market days, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna and Karo.  Afterwards, continue to Jinka

 Overnight: Eco Omo Lodge Jinka or similar standard

Morning we will have game drive through the Mago National Park to a local village of the Mursi tribe.  The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates.  In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, we 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: Eco Omo Lodge Jinka or similar standard

 Awhile after breakfast, depart from Jinka to Arba Minch via Key Afar and Konso.  Thursday is market day in Key Afar, where we will see the Benna and Tsemai tribes trading goods.  This is another very popular market in the region.  After the visit, proceed to Konso (market days are Mondays and Thursdays).  The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing.  This day we will have a brief opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues.  And then proceed to Arba Minch.  

Overnight: Haile Resort Arba Minch or similar standard

This morning we will drive to Langano. We will visit Dorze people in Dorze village who are famous for their skill of weaving. Then after we will stop at a national park named after the two brother lakes Abiatta-Shala National Park and spot flamingos.  Lake Shala, with its deep blue waters and the small enclosure of Ostrich farm hosts a group of ostriches with some Grant’s Gazelles. Lake Abiatta is a soda lake at which thousands of flamingos can be seen at various times of the year.

Overnight in Langno African vacation club or savanna resort.

This morning if you are interested to swim in the lake you may for some times after breakfast. Then depart north to Addis Ababa. In rout we will visit a UNESCO World Heritage site Tiya – ancient stelae field and if the time allows we will have a stop at Melka Kunture (pre-historic tool-making site)

Overnight: Hotel in Addis or fly back to home.

 – Ethiopian Airlines Passengers – Discounted Rate: $ 255 Per Person (Subjected to change)

– Other Airlines Passengers – Regular Rate: $ 520 Per Person (Subjected to change)