the whole Ethiopia
Ethiopian Adventure:
History, Nature, Culture;
27 Days / 26 Nights
• Rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a
• World Heritage site
• Royal Enclosure of Gondar, a World Heritage site
• The walled city of Harar, a World Heritage site
• Lake Tana, source of the Nile
• Danakil Depression
• Bale Mountains National Park
• Indigenous Tribes of the Omo Valley
Arrival Bole International Airport
Grand Ethiopia Tours meets all guests arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. For morning flight arrivals you may begin your tour after checking into your hotel. For afternoon or evening arrivals, you may begin your tour the following day.
Day 01 Addis Ababa
Visit Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Tour the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. Make a short drive to Entoto Hills for a view of the city and visit Maryam Church. En-route, stop at Sheromeda traditional cloth market. Visit the Mercato or the Sholla Market, two of Addis Ababa's main markets.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 02 Addis Ababa - Bahar Dar
Fly to Bahar Dar on Ethiopian Airlines. Take a boat tour on Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile, and tour ancient monasteries on the Zege Peninsula. We will visit two of the following monasteries: Ura Kidane Mehiret, Azwa Maryam, Mehal Zege Giorgis, and Bete Maryam. End the day with a sunset visit to Bezawit Hills overlooking the Nile River.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 03 Bahar Dar - Gondar
Drive through the countryside to Gondar. Tour the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring five castles built by a succession of Ethiopian kings beginning in the early 17th century. Having survived several wars, including air raids during World War 2, the castles are a testament to the resilience of this once mighty empire. Visit the church of Debre Birhan Selassie, famous for its religious art and especially its iconic ceiling depicting angels.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 04 Gondar - Simien Mountains National Park
Drive to Sankabar the gateway to the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy an easy hike (2 - 3 hours) to take in the spectacular scenery and spot wildlife such as the endemic Gelada Baboons.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)
Simien Mountains National Park
Day 05 Simien Mountains National Park - Axum
Take a scenic drive from the Simien Mountains to Axum, capital of the ancient Axumite Empire which included much of present day Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen. Axum is where Christianity was first introduced to Ethiopia in the 4th century and proclaimed the official state religion in 330AD. Axum was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Arrive in Axum late afternoon.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 06 Axum
Tour the ancient stelae fields, standing for 2000 years. Note the tallest standing (24 meters) obelisk which is supported by cables. During the invasion by Benito Mussolini this stone was cut into sections and shipped to Rome were it was reassembled in the city center. Italy returned this national treasure to Axum in 2005. Next to the stelae fields, visit the impressive Archeological Museum. See St. Mary Tsion Church, which houses the Ark of the Covenant according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (no one is allowed to see the Ark.) Visit other tombs and archeological sites as time permits.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 07 Axum - Hawzein
Drive to the Hawzein passing the Adwa battlefield, site of Emperor Menelik II's 1895 victory over the invading Italians. Visit the 2,500 year old ruins of Yeha, an ancient moon temple. Continue past Adigrat and visit Aba Gerima and Petros Paulos, two of the Tigray region's oldest and finest rock churches.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 08 Hawzein - Mekele
Visit more of Tigray's remote and ancient rock-hewn churches: Abraha Atsbeha, dating from the 10th century; the beautiful Wukro Chirkos; and Medhane Alem Kesho. Drive to Mekele.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 09 Mekele - Erta Ale
Early morning drive into the Danakil Depression to the Erta Ale volcano. Pass through landscapes of solidified lava rocks and sand dunes before arriving at Erta Ale camping site. At dusk, trek 4 kilometers to the top of the volcano where we will spend time taking in the dramatic view of one of the world’s only active lava lakes. Return to camp for the night.
Overnight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 10 Lake Asale
Early morning return to the top of the crater to visit the volcanic activities during sun rise. Return to camp for breakfast and begin driving to Ahmedela to see the life style of the local Afar people. Proceed to Lake Asale, a huge salt lake where you will have the opportunity to go for a swim. Return to Ahmedela to make camp and see camel caravans passing against a backdrop of dramatic sunsets.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 11 Dalol - Mekele
Early morning departure for Dalol, one of the hottest places on earth. Take in the dramatic and colorful landscape formed by hot springs rich in sulfur, potash, and salt. Due to its incredible colors, feels a bit otherworldly. Drive back to Ahmedela for lunch and continue to Mekelle.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 12 Mekele - Lalibela
Fly Lalibela via Addis Ababa
Arrive at your hotel in Lalibela by late afternoon and relax on the terrace as you enjoy the sunset.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 13 Lalibela
Tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven monolithic and semi-monolithic structures were carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 800 years ago. This complex boasts the largest monolithic church in the world, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings. In the late afternoon, enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and learn the process for baking injera (a staple food for much of Ethiopia.)
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 14 Lalibela
For the morning the group has two choices: Take a morning hike with mules to Mount Asheton, with its 13th century rock-hewn monastery and great views of the town; - OR - Drive to Yemrehanna Kristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Continue with tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 15 Lalibela - Dire Dawa - Harar
Fly from Lalibela to Dire Dawa via Addis Ababa. Continue by vehicle to Harar (50 minutes drive) stopping at a coffee plantation and the area’s largest “chat” plantation en route.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 16 Harar
Stroll through the 16th century walled city of Harar, the fourth most important city in the Islamic World. See the home of Arthur Rimbaud, renowned French poet who worked and lived in Harar as a "gun-runner" during the 19th century. Visit the National and Harari museums; the house of Ras Mekonnen (father of Haile Selassie); and a traditional Harari home. In the evening see the "Hyena Man" feeding the hyenas that gather nightly outside the town. This is a centuries old tradition to help preserve the town’s wellbeing.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 17 Harar - Awash National Park
Drive to Awash National Park making stops at the Rift Valley Lakes. Take an evening game drive in Awash National Park. The park boasts a variety of mammals: the Anubis Baboon, Colobus Monkey, Black-backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Egyptian Mongoose, Warthog, Beisa Oryx, Soemmering’s Gazelle, Lesser Kudu, Salt’s Dikdik, etc.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)
Awash National Park
Day 18 Awash National Park - Lake Langano
After an early morning game, drive to Lake Langano with birding stops at Koka Dam, the Awash River, and Lake Ziway. Spot species such as; the African Pygmy Goose, Black-billed Woodhoopoe, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Northern Black Tit, Little Weaver, Yellow-billed storks, Collared Pratincole, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, White Pelicans, Fish Eagles, and crowned and common cranes are seen here in impressive numbers. Relax at the Sabana Lodge. Lake Langano is safe for swimming.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 19 Lake Langano - Arba Minch
Drive to Arba Minch, one of the main towns in Southern Ethiopia.
Arrive at your lakeside resort to relax after your journey.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 20 Arba Minch
Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo and view some of the largest crocodiles in the world sunning on the banks of the lake. Hippopotami and birdlife are also abundant. Visit a Dorze Village in the Guge Mountains. The Dorze are known for their tall, beehive-shaped bamboo houses. If the base becomes infested with termites, the entire house can be lifted and moved to another location.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)
Mago National Park
Day 21 Arba Minch - Jinka
Drive to Jinka through areas inhabited by various peoples such as the Konso, Tseme, Benna and Ari. Stop at Key Afar's weekly market (if on a Thursday) and wander among the various tribes such as the Benna and Ari that have gathered to barter their goods. Once in Jinka, visit a nearby village of the Ari people.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 22 Jinka - Turmi
Early morning drive to the Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people. The Mursi women are known for the clay plates they insert into their lower lips. Drive to Turmi and visit the Hamer people who are well known for the scarring of their bodies, using clay to shape their hairstyles, and the unique practice of "bull-jumping" which every young man must accomplish prior to marriage. En route to Turmi, visit the Benna and Ari people.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D
Day 23 Omorate Excursion
Excursion to Omorate to visit the Dassanech people, known for their elaborate body-painting. Cross the famous Omo River by canoe. Return to Turmi for the evening.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 24 Turmi - Konso
Drive to Konso, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A highland people, the Konso are known for the ancient and intricate terraces that encircle their well-planned villages. Each Konso village begins on a hill top. As the population grows a new “ring” of homes are built around the hilltop. When the final “ring” reaches near the bottom of the hill, a new village on a different hill must be built. Look for the “generation pole” located in each village. Every 18 years and new pole is added to the others making it easy to calculate the age of the village.
Overnight Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 25 Konso - Hawassa
Drive to Hawassa and relax at a lakeside resort.
Overnight Resort (B, L, D
Day 26 Hawassa - Bale Mountains
Drive east to the Bale Mountains National Park which is known for its incredibly diverse landscapes. Near the park headquarters take a leisurely walk, possibly spotting two endemic mammals that frequent the area: Menelik's Bushbuck and the Mountain Nyala. Birds in this area include the Blue-Winged Goose, the Spot-Breasted Lapwing, the Abyssinian Long Claw, the Wattled Ibis, the Black-Headed Siskin, Rouget’s Rail, and numerous other species.
Overnight Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 27 Bale - Addis Ababa
Drive to Addis Ababa via Asella. Optional souvenir shopping. Enjoy dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country's many ethnic groups. Transfer to airport for international flight.
(B, L, D)
End of Tour
(Grand EthiopiaTours will arrange additional hotel nights in Addis Ababa upon request.)
Inclusions
• Entrance fees for all sites and parks mentioned in the itinerary
• All excursions listed on the itinerary
• Experienced, multilingual tour guides and guides' expenses
• Ground transportation via tour vehicle (including driver and fuel)
• All domestic flights listed on itinerary (actual flight number/schedule may change)
• All meals mentioned on itinerary
• Lodging for each night on tour
• All hotel/airport transfers during the tour
Exclusions
• Any expenses of a personal nature
• Alcoholic Drinks
• International airfare
• Tips or gratuities
• Photography or video fees if required at certain sites
• Visa costs
PHOTOS (10)
