Combined tours of Omo valley and history in the north
This itinerary covers history in the north including ancient churches & monastries, IIslamic religion in the east & culture of Omo valley tribes in the south. The northern route tiuches:- Lake Tana monastries, 17th century medieval history of Gondar, Scenery of Simen mountains NP & the 12th C rock hewn churches of Lalibella. While to the east is the history of Harar & iits Muslim inhabitants. The southern part of Ethiopia is characterized by culture of diversified ethinic groups.
ITINERARY
Day 1- Addis Abeba
Arrive Addis Abeba transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day, do city tour and visit National museum where Lucy is located, Mount Entoto and Merkato. O/n hotel
Day 2- Addis Abeba- Diredawa- Harar-
Take the morning flight to Dire Dawa and drive to Harar (42kms), after check in to hotel, go out for a city tour of Harar and visit the old city where the only Harari people who are the first settlers of the city are living, colourful markets equiped with several kinds of commodities including "chat", a green leaf with nicotine content on which people chew it to stimulate themselves and relieved from depression atmosphere, ancient mosques, private Harari people houses decor with basketry works and earthenware materials and more. In the evening entertain yourself with wild Hyenas by feeding a piece of meat and bone. O/n hotel
Day 3- Harar - Addis Abeba- Arbaminch
Check out your hotel and drive to Diredawa to connect with a flight to Arbaminch, balance of the day drive to Dorze village to visit the Dorze people and their beautiful village with full of false banana plantation. O/n hotel or Lodge
Day 4- Arbaminchi - Turmi
Have breakfast and proceed to lake Chamo for boat cruise to see Hippos and African Crocodiles, back to your car then drive to Konso village for lunch. After lunch, visit Konso village then continue to Turmi with a stop at Keyafer market where the Bena, Tsemay and Ari people are transacting their goods (Thursday). O/n lodge
Day 5- Turmi-
Full day in Turmi, in the morning, day trip to Koricho village to visit Karo people living by the shore of Omo river. They are mainly known for body painting and scarification practices. Of course like the neighboring Hamer tribes, they also practice bull jumping rituals to transfer men from boyhood to manhood age grades. Back to Turmi for lunch. In the afternoon drive to Omorate to see the Dassenech people. Optional- Bull jumping ceremony if available. Late afternoon, more visit of the Hamer village and experience their way of life. O/n Lodge
Day 6- Turmi-Jinka-
Today we drive to Jinka with a stop at any available market places. Late afternoon visit Ari village who occupy the outskirt of Jinka town.
O/n hotel (basic).
Day 7- Jinka-Mursi-Addis Abeba-Bahirdar-
Early breakfast then drive to Mursi village and visit Mursi tribe from which women known for ear and lip- plate insertion. Back to Jinka then head to airport for the flight to Addis Abeba connecting to Bahirdar. O/n hotel
Day 8- Bahirdar-
The whole day in Bahirdar
and in Morning boat ride on lake Tana to visit rhe monastery of Ura Kidanemihiret and Aziwa Mariam which are endowed with religious mural paintings.Back to hotel via the outlet of Nile river. Afternoon, drive to blue Nile falls. Walk for about 1 hour to the falls then back to Bahirdar. O/n hotel
Day 9- Bairdar-Gondar-
Drive to Gondar with a stop at Awramba community village. After lunch, visit the royal enclosure, bath of king Fasiledes, the church of Trinity and the monastery of Kuskuam Mariam. O/n hotel
Day 10- Gondar- Simen mountains NP-Gondar
Full day in Gondar with day trip to Simen Mountains NP. Take breakfast and head to the Simen mountains NP with your lunch-box. Enjoy the endemic Gelada babbons and magnificent land scape of the Simen escarpments. Late in the afternoon back to Gondar with a stop at the Fellasha village where Ethiopian Jewish communities used to live. O/n hotel
Day 11- Gondar-Lalibela
Take breakfast then transfer to airport for the direct flight from Gondar to Lalibela or via Addis Ababa. After lunch, visit atleast the first group of churches, such as Bete Medhanialem ( the hose of the savior of the world) Bete Mariam ( house of St. Mary), Bete Denagil (house of the virgin martyrs), Bete Emanuel, Bete Giyorgis (house of St. George) and more. O/n hotel.
Day 12- Lalibella
Full day in Lalibella and in the morning day trip to the monastery of Yimrehan kirstos or mule trekking to the church of Asheton Mariam both located out side Lalibela town. Afternoon more visit of remaining churches in Lalibella such as Bête/house of St. Gabriel and Raphael, Bête Merkoriw, Bête Emanuel, Bête Aba/father Libanos. O/n hotel
Day 13- Lalibela-Addis Abeba
Breakfast then transfer to airport for the flight to Addis Abeba more city tour of the capital and other activities, then enjoy farewell dinner in one of Tradational restaurants. Finally drop you off at your hotel or Bole int'l airport for departure home.
End of the service
Price includes:
-Meal in full bord basis
-Tea/coffee and juice during meal time
-Hotel- 3-4*
-4x4 land crusier in Omo valley
-Mini van in Bahirdar, Gondar, Lalibela and Addis Abeba
-English speaking guide all the way
-Local guide at every destination
-All Entrance fee except bull jumping
-guide air ticket
-Boat rental
-Fuel expense
-1lt of Packed Water/day/pax
-Scout
-Gov. Tax
Not includes
-Local & Intl airfare
-Alcoholic drinks
-Any kinds of personal
expenses like shopping
-Heslth issue expenses
-Bull jumping ceremony patment
-Tipping and so on
-Visa and insurance payment
PHOTOS (1)
