- Overview
- Itinerary
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
Tour Name: North & south 21 days and 20 Nights
Tour Code: AD 016
Tour Type: Historic, Religious, Scenery & Hiking
Program: Fixed package for “Genna“
Transport: Flight and surface
Accommodation: Standard Hotels and Lodge
Highlight Information
- City tour of Addis Ababa includes National museum & Mount Entoto for the scenic view of Addis Ababa
- Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile, is the largest lake with 37 islands
- Al Nejashi, one of the earliest holy Muslim centers from the Prophet Muhammad Era
- The roof of Africa Simien Mountain National
- Join Bete Mariyam chanting and in the morning Beza kulu celebration. As it is Eve of Ethiopian “Gena”
- Chencha (Dorze people, Boat Safari (Lake Chamo), Nechsar national park
- Omo Valley with unique tribes, Colorful markets of Key Afer and Dimeka in the Omo Valley
- Konso landscape/ Mago National Park (Mursi people)/ Karo people (body painting)/ The Tribes (Derashe people, Tsemaey people, Benna people, Ari people, Hammer)/ Omorate (Dassanech people)
Note;-“Ethiopian Christmas is celebrated on January 7 Every Year in all over Ethiopia especially in Lalibela. As History tells King Lalibela built all those rock hewn churches to create the New Jerusalem so people would not endanger their life traveling to Jerusalem for Christmas and Easter. Thousands of Ethiopian comes to Lalibela during Christmas as a pilgrim. It is one of the world wonders to see the high priests and deacons chanting on the 11th Century rock hewn churches.”
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Itineraries
Day 1 Addis Ababa (29th December)
Addis Ababa (29th December)
Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel by Odowa Tour Operator representative. Depending on your arrival time city tour of Addis Ababa will be arranged. The city tour of Addis includes; National Museum, home for the oldest and famous hominid fossil of ‘Lucy’, Ethnographic museum: treasured with cultural and historical artifacts from all over Ethiopia, Mount Entoto for the scenic view of Addis Ababa, Trinity cathedral church.
Overnight: Sapphire Hotel or similar standard
Day 2 Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar (30th December)
Addis Ababa - Bahir Dar (30th December)
Drive to the beautiful Lake city of Bahir Dar crossing the Entoto Mountain and the sululta plain surrounded by the part of the longest river Nile in Africa and the source of the Blue Nile Lake Tana on the other side. Bahir Dar is a beautiful city favorable for relaxing and business conferences. Being seat in the Amhara region Bahir Dar is also a center for the Amhara culture.
Overnight in Bahir Dar Avanti hotel or similar standard
Day 3 City Tour of Bahir Dar (31st December)
City Tour of Bahir Dar (31st December)
Morning drives some 35 KM to the small town of Tis Abay where you will be welcomed by the sound of the waterfall. This is the fall where the famous Blue Nile falls pounded down into the rocks of the Nile gorges about 45 km. After lunch, we Visit the Zege Peninsula and the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mihret and if the time enough we visit the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River.
Overnight in Bahir Dar Avanti hotel or similar standard
Day 4 Drive to Gondar and City Tour (1st January)
Drive to Gondar and City Tour (1st January)
Drive about 180 KM to the legendary town of Gondar known for its Magnificent Castles. This drive will give you a highlight of the Landscape, culture and countryside view of Ethiopia. After lunch, visits the Castles of Gondar known as the Camelot of Africa and the mesmerizing Debrebirihan Selassie church exclusively known for its Ethiopian angel painting on its ceilings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool or swimming pool of Fasil, still used for Timket celebration today, Ras Gimb Palace Museum. Lunch & Dinner will be in Gondar Hotels.
Overnight in Gondar Goha hotel or similar standard
Day 5 Drive to Axum via the Semien Mountains (2nd January)
Drive to Axum via the Semien Mountains (2nd January)
After an early breakfast drive north of Gondar through the chains of the Simien Mountains and the crossing Tekeze River to the ancient town of Axum. Pass some villages and limalimo road you will reach to Axum after lunch check-in the hotel and have some rest in the hotel and evening in Axum.
Overnight in Axum Yared Zema or similar standard
Day 6 City tour of Axum (3rd January)
City tour of Axum (3rd January)
This morning after breakfast, we start to visit a city with more than 3000 years of history. Axum was once the center of a great empire and ancient civilization. Axum is exclusively known for being the home of the original Ark of the Covenant. The sightseeing of this ancient city includes St. Mary’s Church, the sanctuary Chapel which is the repository for ‘Ark of the covenant’, the coronation yard, the Stelae Park, Tombs of Kaleb and his son GebreMeskel, Ezana’s inscriptions and ruins of Queen of Sheba’s palace and some new discoveries.
Overnight in Axum Yared Zema or similar standard
Day 7 Axum - Yeha - Mekelle (4th January)
Axum - Yeha - Mekelle (4th January)
After breakfast, we drive to Mekelle in the route we will visit the 5th century BC temple of Yeha believed to be Ethiopia's first capital. Yeha was first uncovered in a complex archeological excavation around a courtyard at the beginning of the 20th century. The first settlers of this area, the Sabeans, were the founders of the Axumite kingdom and Debredamo monastery (optional) then visit the Al Nejashi Mosque and proceed to Mekelle for overnight.
Overnight in Mekelle Planet or similar standard
Day 8 Drive from Mekelle to Lalibela (5th January)
Drive from Mekelle to Lalibela (5th January)
After having breakfast, leave Mekelle and drive through the Chain Mountains of Ambalage. On the way, we will admire the landscape and the small towns of Amhara tribes. Proceed to the 12th Century legendary and sacred city of Lalibela.
Overnight in Maribela hotel or similar standard
Day 9 City tour of Lalibela (6th January)
City tour of Lalibela (6th January)
This morning after breakfast we start visiting the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site of the first group. These 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, this day you will visit the famous 11 rock-hewn churches including the legendary St. George church, the river of Jordan and Tomb of Adam. In the evening Christmas Ceremony; this day in Ethiopian Orthodox church they spend the whole night chanting and praising the birth of Jesus Christ. We will join Bete Mariyam chanting and get some rest for the morning Beza kulu celebration.
Overnight in Maribela hotel or similar standard
Day 10 Excursion to Yimrehane Kirstos(7th January)
Excursion to Yimrehane Kirstos(7th January)
Early morning, we will go to church of Bete Mariyam again to admire the amazing chanting around the church of Bete Mariyam. This is the most amazing Chanting you will ever see in the world. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the country come to attend this ceremony every year. After attending the ceremony back to Hotel and have a late breakfast then drive to Yimrehane Kristos through the small village of Bilbala. The built-up cave church of Yimrehane Kristos itself predates the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. This is one of the most beautiful and colorful cave churches, built from marble, wood and beautifully decorated from inside and outside with remarkable architectural skill. On the other side of the cave, you will also see many mummified bodies of pilgrims from centuries ago. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Maribela hotel or similar standard
Day 11 Lalibela Addis Ababa - Arba Minch (8th January)
Lalibela Addis Ababa - Arba Minch (8th January)
Fly from Lalibela to Addis with the morning flight. Pick from the airport and drive to Arba Minch, on the way stop at Ziway for spotting some aquatic birds and afterward heading to Arba Minch.
Overnight at Haile Resort Arba Minch or similar standard
Day 12 Arba Minch - Turmi (9th January)
Arba Minch - Turmi (9th January)
This morning, will do a boat trip on Lake Chamo to visit the “crocodile market”, and the local hippos. Afterwards, depart from Arba Minch to Turmi. On the way you will pass through the village of Weyto (market day Saturday), which is home to the Tsemai tribe. Continue through the Weyto Valley to Erbore, where you will have a brief visit to a local Erbore village (market day is Saturday). Finally, proceed to Turmi, home of the Hamer tribe. At night, ''if there is'' we can see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer tribe, known as Evangadi.
Overnight: Paradise lodge Turmi or similar standard
Day 13 Turmi – Omorate - Turmi (140 km) (10th January)
Turmi – Omorate - Turmi (140 km) (10th January)
In the morning, we have a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassenech tribe. Here you will cross the Omo River by local boat and enter a Dassenech village. Afterward, return to Turmi (Monday is market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony that will be visited.
Overnight: Paradise lodge Turmi or similar standard
Day 14 Turmi - Jinka (11th January)
Turmi - Jinka (11th January)
Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Benna, and Karo. Afterward, continue to Jinka.
Overnight at Eco Omo Lodge Jinka or similar standard
Day 15 Jinka - Mago National Park (Mursi) (12th January)
Jinka - Mago National Park (Mursi) (12th January)
In the morning, drive through the Mago National Park to the local village of the Mursi ethnic group. The Mursi are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. In the afternoon, after returning to Jinka, you can visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center to learn more about the local ethnic group. Alternatively, take a hike in the surrounding hills to visit a local Ari village.
Overnight at Eco Omo Lodge Jinka or similar standard
Day 16 Arba Minch - Key Afer - Konso - Jinka (240 km) (13th January)
Arba Minch - Key Afer - Konso - Jinka (240 km) (13th January)
After breakfast, depart from Jinka to Arba Minch via Key Afar and Konso. Thursday is market day in Key Afar, where you 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. Today you will have a brief opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues. After the visit, proceed driving to Arba Minch.
Overnight at Haile Resort Arba Minch or similar standard
Day 17 Arba Minch - Hawassa (14th January)
Arba Minch - Hawassa (14th January)
In the morning after breakfast, proceed driving to Dorze, set in the highlands above Arba Minch. The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and fine cotton weaving. We will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people.
Overnight in Hawassa Haile Resort
Day 18 Hawassa - Shashemene - Goba (15th January)
Hawassa - Shashemene - Goba (15th January)
After breakfast, we pick you from your hotel for a full day drive to the Bale Mountains. The headquarters of the Park is situated in Dinsho where we have to finalize some formalities before we proceed to Goba, our base for the next days.
Overnight Bale Goba hotel or similar standard
Day 19 Goba (visit Bale Mountains NP) (16th January)
Goba (visit Bale Mountains NP) (16th January)
The whole day will be spent to explore the Bale Mountains. This is going to be a day of extraordinary scenery and of course, we search for the endemic species of which many are found in this area. Among them are the mountain Nyala, Menelik's bushbuck, Ethiopian wolf, and many birds.
Overnight Bale Goba hotel or similar standard
Day 20 Goba (visit Sof Omar caves) (17th January)
Goba (visit Sof Omar caves) (17th January)
This day, weather permitting, we travel to Sof Omar, 100 km/ 2 1/2 hr to the east. Here we admire what is believed the largest network of limestone caves in Africa. The Web River flows through the cave system and when the river is too high the caves are not accessible. In that case, we explore more of the Bale Mountains.
Overnight Bale Goba hotel or similar standard
Day 21 Goba - Addis Ababa, 414 km/ 8 hr (18th January)
Goba - Addis Ababa, 414 km/ 8 hr (18th January)
Leaving the mountainous area behind and travel down to the bottom of the Rift Valley by a different, very scenic road, via Asella. Upon arrival, there will be a farewell traditional dinner with live cultural music and dance. Your trip arrangements conclude with a drop-off at the airport. (Optionally about 115 km (2 1/2 hr) before Addis Ababa we pass the hot spring resort of Sodere which could make a nice relaxing overnight break if you have another day to spent).
Cost Inclusions:
- Accommodation on double/twin bed basis
- Meals: full board Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- All entrance fees according to the tour program
- Return transfer to airport
- Ground transportation per the package itinerary
- English speaking Local guide at all destinations
- Escort Guide
- Driver allowance
- Boat trip on Lake Tana
- English speaking local guide
Cost Exclusions:
- Flight (International and Domestic)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Video and camera fees if and where applicable (in the south they ask about 5 birr per photo)
- Tips, telephone calls, laundry services and other expenses of personal nature
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