14 Days Ethiopian Highlight Tours!! Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a character unlike any you’ll find on the planet. The only African Nation to have avoided European colonialism, it retains a strong cultural identity that can be felt everywhere you go. The amazing people, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife are just some of the things that make Ethiopia so magnificent. Ethiopia is a country rich in history, diverse in culture, with breathtaking views and awesome geology.

Duration: 14 Days and 13 Nights

Attractions and Highlights: People, History, Nature, Culture and much more.

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa and City Tours

Welcome to Abyssinia, the land of origins! You will be taken off in a modern air-conditioned vehicle to your 3 or 4-star accommodation in the heart of Addis Ababa, Visit the National Museum of Ethiopia for visiting the long age history of Ethiopia and the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the beautiful gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University’s main campus is the enthralling Ethnological Museum. Even if you’re not normally a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of your time – it’s easily one of the finest museums in Africa. Before lunch, drive to Holy Trinity Cathedral Church which has unique architectural style immediately after a relaxed lunch, drive up to Entoto Mountains, the best location to observe the panoramic view of the capital. It is also a historical place where Menelik II resided and built his palace.

Accommodation: Lobelia Hotel, Addis Ababa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Addis Ababa –Lalibela

You'll fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines from Addis and have lunch at the hotel. You'll tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in the afternoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of ten monolithic and semi-monolithic structures was carved directly into the stone of the mountainside at least 900 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. On this day, you will see the first group of churches called Bete Medehanialem, Bete Maryam, Bete Meskel, Bete Denagil, and Debre Sina we Golegotha and the third group which is only St’ George.

Accommodation: Sora Lodge, Lalibela

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Drive to Asheton Maryam Monastery

After breakfast take a morning hike or drive to Mount Asheton Monastery,

with its 13th century rock-hewn monastery and great views of the town; In comparison to the extraordinary rock-hewn churches of Lalibela the

architecture of Asheton Maryam may seem relatively simple. However, the

true appeal of this monastery is the spectacular mountain scenery in which it is found. Return to Lalibela for lunch.

In the afternoon Visit the second group of rock churches, which comprises

4 churches including Emanuel Church the only Monolithic in the southeast

cluster.

Accommodation: Sora lodge, Lalibela

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Lalibela- Gondar

After breakfast, check out and drive to the Airport for your flight to Gondar

Upon arrival check in to your hotel, in the afternoon you will visit Gondar, the first capital city with the reign of Fasiladas. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over 236 years. The city seems more of European than African origin. You'll visit Fasiladas' Palace, probably the most impressive of all the castles found in the area and the oldest one, which began in 1632 continue visiting the bathing pool of Fassiledes. Continue visiting the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity). The interior is decorated with beautiful frescos, cherubs, and paintings. Debre Birhan Selassie is rumored to once have been the proposed final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant of the Ethiopian Empire.

Accommodation: Haile resort, Gondar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Gondar- SMNP

After an early breakfast, Depart from Gondar and drive to Debark, where you will obtain the necessary permits to enter the Simien Mountains

National Park. Upon arrival in Debark, you will meet your local guide, scout, (if required), and your trekking gear will be checked. Afterward, enjoy a 1 hour drive into the heart of the park, where the adventure begins! It will take -6 hour hike to Jinbar Water fall but we will drive to Jinbar water fall and on the way we will stop in a good view point. Located at an elevation of 3250 meters above sea level. The Drive offer breathtaking views of the dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and lush landscapes, and you will have the opportunity to see the Gelada baboons return to Debark for overnight.

Accommodation: Ras Dejen Hotel, Debark

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Debark- Gondar fly to Addis Ababa

After breakfast drive back to Gondar, on the way back we will stop in viewpoints. Lunch at 4 sister restaurants in Gondar. In the afternoon fly to Addis Ababa.

Accommodation: Lobelia Hotel, Addis Ababa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Addis Ababa- Arba Minch

After breakfast you will fly to Arba Minch. after lunch you will visit to Dorze village. Dorze people who are expert in weaving called Shamma Weaving are a primary profession for a number of Dorze people. The shape of their house looks Elephant, in order to remember the existence of these animals around the area many years ago. They are known for their traditional weaving of huts made out of local bamboo. Enset “fake banana” is the stable food for these peoples.

Accommodation: Saro Hotel, Arba Minch

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Drive Arba Minch – Konso – Turmi

After having your breakfast drive southwards to Konso village.one of the UNESCO site in Ethiopia know by their terracing in order to protect against soil erosion from the sporadic and often heavy rainfall in the region. The villages are encircled by one to six concentric rings of stone walls, mainly consisting of basalt boulders. One of the best types of coffee for the country is also from this village. Later drive to Turmi Hamer village.

Accommodation: Paradise lodge, Turmi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Drive to – Karo – Turmi – Jinka

This day you will drive to Murulle where you can find the Karo people. Karo People is very famous for their splendid body decoration, which they paint their bodies and faces with white chalk to prepare for a ceremony. The women scar their chest believing it makes them beautiful. The men’s scars represent an enemy or dangerous animal killed. Visit and return to Turmi for lunch in the afternoon drive to Jinka, on the way visit the Benna tribe and Mursi who lives in Key Afar.

Accommodation: Nasa Hotel, Jinka

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Jinka- Addis Ababa

After breakfast visit the Ari Village, the Ari village is the largest tribe in the Omo Valley, skilled in pottery and agriculture. In the afternoon, fly back to Addis Ababa.

Accommodation: Lobelia Hotel, Addis Ababa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: Addis Ababa – Semera- Ert Ale

Total driving distance 300kms/6-7hrs Total walking distance 1:30 hours.

You will wake up early morning to catch your flight to Semera town of the Afar regional capital, pick from the Airport with experienced drivers and excellent 4WD with AC along a team of experience expert guides, an excellent Cooke teams local guide and road leader from the Tourism authorities, all camping gear ready to depart with you, and drive to the Ertale active volcano. We reach our camping ground at the top of the Caldera.

Walk 1 hour until the summit Crater Lake is currently at its active cycle. Enjoy the wonder happening right in front of you and walk back to the camping ground. We leave for the volcano around 5:30 P.m. late in the afternoon, and walk back after visiting around 8:00PM. Overnight open-air camping on flat ground with a suitable mattress, pillow, clean bed sheets, and a quiet environment.

Accommodation: Camping, Dodom

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Ert-ale- Dallol

Total driving distance 300kms/6-7hrs Total walking distance 1:30 hours.

Wake up early morning round 5AM to see the sun rise and return to the camp for breakfast and drive to Lake Afdera (a salt lake that is located in the heart of Danakil Depressions and then later you have to swim around this lake we will be driving to Hamedela town of Dallol. Visit the Sunset at Lake Assale late in the afternoon.

Overnight open-air camping with clean beds, Mattresses, pillows, clean bed sheets, and a lot of water for hydration.

Accommodation: Camping, Hamedela

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13: Dallol – Mekelle – Addis Ababa

Total driving distance 250kms/5-6hrs Total walking distance 2:30 hours.

Wake up early morning we drive to Lake Assale to see sun rise then drive to the lunar landscape of the Dallol geothermal site for an amazing wonder seen nowhere else on the planet. A chemical reaction happening right in front of you lives face to face with row nature. You will revise your knowledge of colors from that moment on. After this, we drive to the salt and mud-formed mountain cave right underneath the Dallol crater, another 10-minute drive and a completely different world. We will have a picnic breakfast in nearby the cave with wonder. After this visit, we drive to the vast salt plains, Lake Karum, swim in the saltwater pool in that scorching sun, and finally visit the salt miners before leaving back to Hamedela. From

Hamedela you will drive to Mekelle or Semera and then fly to Addis Ababa.

In the evening farewell party dinner with cultural dinner and traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks at Yod Abyssinia restaurants after the farewell party, you will transfer to Bole International Airport for international departure.

Accommodation: Lobelia Hotel, Addis Ababa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14: Departure

After breakfast it is time to say good bye Ethiopia, drive to Bole international Airport for your flight back to home.

End of Tours

Pricing: 14D/13N

Price per person based on Single occupancy = 3500$$

Price per person based on Double occupancy= 3100$$

Price includes:

Entrance fees for all sites and villages mentioned in the itinerary.

All excursions listed in the itineraries.

Experienced, English Speaking tour guide and guide’s expenses.

Ground transportation via tour vehicle.

(Includes driver, fuel and driver allowance

All meals for the duration of the tour.

Lodging as noted on itinerary for 13 nights.

Discount Domestic airfares; unless extra USD

375$ per person if you have no international flight with ET or Ethiopia passport.

All hotel/airport transfers listed on the itinerary

Scout fee in BMNP

Farewell dinner

Price does not include:

Any costs of a personal nature.

Alcoholic drinks.

International Airfare.

Tips for service provider

Visa costs.

And what is NOT include on the “Include” list

Flight information

ET120 ADD- LLI

DEPART 11:45 AM –ARRIVAL13:00PM

DURATION 1H15M- NONE STOP

ET121 LLI1- GDQ

DEPART 10:55 AM- ARRIVEAL 11:25 AM

DURATION 30M NIN STOP

ET267 GDQ-ADD

DEPART 14:05PM –ARRIVAL15:55PM

DURATION 1H 10M- NONE STOP

ET171 ADD- AMH

DEPART 07:45AM –ARRIVAL08:50AM

DURATION 1H 5M- NONE STOP

ET270 BCO-ADD

DEPART 14:05PM –ARRIVAL15:25PM

DURATION 1H 20M- NONE STOP

ET110 ADD-SZE

DEPART 06:45AM –ARRIVAL08:05AM

DURATION 1H 10M- NONE STOP

ET261 MQX-ADD

DEPART 17:10 PM –ARRIVAL18:45PM

DURATION 1H 30M- NONE STOP

Remarks

ADD- Addis Ababa

SZE –Semera

AMH- Arba Minch

MQX- Mekelle

GDQ- Gondar

LLI- Lalibela

BCO-Jinka

SMNP- Simien Mountain National Park

Hotels

Addis Ababa- Lobelia Hotel

Gondar- Haile resort

Lalibela- Sora Lodge

Jinka- NASA Hotel

Turmi- Paradise Lodge

Arba Minch- Saro hotel

Dodom- Camping

Hamedela- Camping