In Depth Ethiopia
fromOur In Depth Ethiopia itinerary takes visitors from the north of the country, with its fascinating historical and religious sites, to the south of the country and its traditional tribes.
We head to Bahir Dar for a boat ride on Lake Tana, and a spot of hippo watching. Lake Tana with its historic island monasteries is Ethiopia’s largest lake and feeds the Blue Nile.We witness the might of the Blue Nile Falls before moving onto Gondar, the ‘Camelot of Africa’, to witness its UNESCO recognised ancient castles and palaces.
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Activity Level Challenging
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From here we travel to the dramatic Simien Mountain National Park in search of the unique Gelada baboons and the Ibex Walia.
Next we head further north to the ancient city of Axum, legendarily home of the Queen of Sheba and final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.
We start or journey south travelling through the scenically spectacular Gheralta region, home to some 30 rock-hewn churches. Our destination is Lalibela where we will explore the unique 12th century rock-hewn churches.
We now head south to Arba Minch to explore Ethiopia’s spectacular Rift Valley lakes. We have the chance to spot wildlife as we have a relaxing cruise on Lake Chamo. Next we journey further south to the Omo Valley, and the towns of Jinka and Turmi to mingle with the different ethnic groups.
We break our return journey to back to Addis Ababa with a drive through the Abijatta Shalla National Park for some last minute wildlife watching.
Highlights
• 12th century Rock hewn churches of Lalibela
• Ancient castles & Palaces of Gondar
• Blue Nile Falls
• Valley lakes
• Traditional tribes
Airport transfer
Arrival and departure transfers are included, whether you book flights yourself, or we book them for you.
Accommodation
Accommodation as listed in the itinerary. Should we need to change hotels, but we will endeavour to keep the same standard. However hotel standards may not be the same as you’re used to elsewhere.
Guides
You will be escorted throughout by an English speaking guide. You will also have local English speaking guides.
Meals
As listed within the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner).
Entrance Fees
All entrance fees
Water
A bottle of mineral water every day
Visa’s
Guests are responsible for arranging their own visa. We would recommend that you obtain your visa in advance of your trip using the evisa service.
International flights
We don’t include international flights in the cost of our tours
Insurance
It is important that you have insurance in place prior to arriving in country.
Tips
Guide and porterage tips, also local payments for photography
- Day 1- Addis Ababa L/D On arrival at Bole International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After lunch a city tour will take you to the National Archaeological Museum, to view the 3.6 million-year-old remains of “Lucy”, discovered in 1974, Ethnological Museum at Addis Ababa University and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Drive to the top of Mount Entoto, which rises to an altitude of 10,500 feet for a panoramic view of the metropolis before making your way back to your hotel. Overnight at Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel or similar.
- Day 2- Bahir Dar B/L/D Board your early morning flight to Bahir Dar and drive to the small town of Tiss Abay to visit the Blue Nile Falls, locally known as Tis Isat or 'Smoke of Fire' Even though much of the water has been diverted to power local hydroelectric generators, the Falls is still an intriguing sight. After lunch board a cruise vessel on Lake Tana to visit the ancient monasteries. We will visit two of the most accessible monasteries; Ura Kidane Mehret and Azwa Maryam. Your hotel is located on the shores of Lake Tana. Overnight Blue Nile ResortHotel or similar.
- Day 3 - Gondar B/L/D Enjoy a scenic drive (110 miles) to the ancient Imperial city, traveling through a fertile landscape of wide open fields; a perfect African tableau punctuated by undulating hillsides and valleys. Gondar, is the former imperial capital, founded in the 17th century by Emperor Fassiledess. Fassiledess and the five emperors after him each built their own respective palaces and churches, giving rise to Gondar’s nickname; “Camelot of Africa”. Visit the royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels and raised walkways. Proceed to the fascinating DebreBirhan Selassie Church, whose walls and ceiling are decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval historians. Overnight Goha Hotel or similar
- Day 4 - Simien Mountains B/L/D Travel 60 miles to the principal mountain massifs of Africa, the Simien Mountains. On arrival at the headquarters of Simien Mountains National Park, meet our trekking scout and guide and transfer to the Simien Lodge. This afternoon enjoy a three to four hour relaxing trek to explore the beauty of this mountain range, which includes several plateaus separated by broad river valleys and a number of peaks that rise above 13,000 feet. The sights are impressive and an excellent chance to see herds of Ethiopian Baboons. Overnight Simien Lodge
- Day 5 - Simien Mountains B/L/D Enjoy a full day visit of the Simien Mountains National Park. In the morning we hike from Sankaber campsite to the Jinbar waterfalls before driving as far as Chenek campsite for a picnic lunch and short excursions in search of Walia Ibex and the Ethiopian wolf. Return to Simien Lodge for the evening.
- Day 6 - Axum B/L/D Drive 175 miles through the mountain range offering extraordinary scenery of the Simiens as we descend towards the Tekeze Gorge. This scenic drive takes us from a height of 10,200 feet down to 4,600 feet. Drive through small villages dotted between the mountain massifs, where people somehow eke out an existence in this unforgiving countryside. Drive through the Tekeze valley into Axum. Overnight Altranos FantasyHotel or similar.
- Day 7 - Axum B/L/D After breakfast have a city tour of Axum which was the heart of ancient Ethiopia, the capital of the Kingdom of Axum which was the most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia. The archaeological and historical attractions in Axum include monolithic steles or obelisks, the tombs of King Kaleb and King GebreMeskal, the legendary Bath of the Queen of Sheba, and the ruins of her ancient palace. Also visit the new and the old Cathedral of St Mary of Tsion (Zion) and the sanctuary that houses the original Arc of the Covenant. The older of the two cathedrals, built in the 16th century, is believed to be built on the ruins of an earlier 4th century church, and is the holiest site in Ethiopia. Overnight Altranos FantasyHotel or similar
- Day 8 - Gheralta Range Visit the historical town of Adwa in which a decisive 1896 battle the Ethiopian army commanded by Emperor Menelik II defeated the Italians, dashing any hope they had to colonize Ethiopia. Continue to Yeha, a small village to view ancient ruins (5th century B.C.) of a large pre-Christian temple, believed to be the oldest standing building in Ethiopia. Also on the temple grounds is the 6th century A.D church of Aba Aftse, dedicated to one of the nine saints who migrated from Syria and introduced Christianity to this area. Overnight GheraltaLodge or similar.
- Day 9 - Mekelle B/L/D The Gheralta Range is home to a treasure trove of rock churches, which are carved into the sandstone buttes. This morning trek for 45 minutes to the top of an escarpment to visit the church of DebreTsion; its domes and the wall panels are abundantly decorated with fine paintings of saints and apostles. After lunch, we will visit the rock church of AbrahaAtsbeha, dedicated to the twin kings of the Axumite dynasty, who converted to Christianity in the 4th century. Continue to Mekelle, visiting the town of Werkro to view the rock church of Wekro Cherkos. Overnight Merkelle AxumHotel or similar
- Day 10 - Lalibela B/L/D Enjoy a relaxing scenic drive through the Tigray landscape and appreciate the abundant evidence of why Ethiopia is the most mountainous country in Africa. Visit Lake Ashenge a magnificent area to view the indigenous bird life of Ethiopia. Visit the exquisite church of YemrehaneKristos Arrive into historic Lalibela. Overnight Cliff Edge Hotel
- Day 11 - Lalibela B/L/D Lalibela’s churches are collectively referred to as ‘The Eighth Wonder of the World’.
- Day 12 - Arba Minch B/L/D Morning drive to Nakutoleab which is an interesting cave church then have a flight to Addis Ababa and connect the flight to Arba Minch. After lunch, drive to the village of the Dorze tribe and Walk amongst the Dorze people and appreciate their beehive-shaped homes. Overnight Paradise lodge or similar
- Day 13 - Jinka B/L/D This morning drive to Jinka; along way visit the colorful village of the Konso tribe. A pagan society, the Konso erect eerie wooden totems, replete with phallic symbols over the graves of the dead. They also have numerous cults based around the breeding and veneration of serpents. The cornerstone of Konso culture, however, is a highly specialized and successful agricultural economy that, through terracing buttressed with stone, enable these people to extract a productive living from the none-too-fertile hills and valleys that surround them. This will be an excellent day to mingle among the people, take photographs with them and learn firsthand about a culture virtually untouched by the outside world.
- Day 14 - Turmi B/L/D This morning drive to a Mursi tribal village. The tribe is renowned for the now-uncommon custom of their women, upon reaching maturity, having their lower lips slit and circular clay discs inserted. Return back to Jinka for lunch and this afternoon proceed to Dimeka to visit the colorful Hamer tribe. They are well known for their remarkable hairstyles made of ochre, water, and binding resin, resulting in copper-colored locks. This is a sign of wealth for this tribe. The Hamers are also considered the masters of body decoration. The Hamers are also known in Evangadi dance (night dancing) and Bull Jumping activities. Overnight TurmiLodge or similar
- Day 15 - Turmi B/L/D Turmi is our new base as we explore the region and meet the different tribes who share this valley but live a life uniquely their own. Drive to the Murulle area. Murile (also spelled Muelle and Murli) lies on the banks of the Omo River, and is a popular base for exploring this area. The two main tribes who live here are the Karo and the Hamer, both of whom practice scarification and have elaborate hairstyles. The Karo are experts in body painting, using clays and locally available vegetable pigments to trace fantastic patterns on their faces, chests, arms and legs. These designs have no special symbolic significance but instead are created for fun and aesthetic effect, as each artist tries to outdo another. Karo men also sculpt and shave their hair into extravagant shapes, with special ochre
- Day 16 - Arba Minch B/L/D In the morning drive back to Arba Minch en-route visit the Bena tribes. Bena people are neighbours with the Hamer tribe and it is believed that the Bena actually originated from them centuries ago. Just like most of the indigenous tribes in the lower Omo Valley, the Bena practice ritual dancing and singing. The Bena look very similar to the Hamer and are often called the Hamer-Bena. Common rituals and traditions of other tribes are shared by the Bena. One of the distinctive aspects of the Bena/Hamar cultures is the
- Day 17 - Addis Ababa Back to Addis Ababa and stop at Lake Ziway, the biggest lake in the Ethiopian Rift valley system and to view the colorful birds. Then proceed to a sightseeing tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tiya – an archaeological site of ancient Ethiopians. This evening enjoy a “farewell dinner” and coffee ceremony at a famous traditional Ethiopian restaurant and also enjoy an Ethiopian Folkloric show