17-day Ethiopia Round Trip

*This information is also available in PDF format, which you can view or download by clicking here. 

Day 01: Arrival at Bole International Airport

Warm reception by EWTT guide and driver and Transfer to hotel for check-in. City tour of Addis Ababa including the panoramic view point Entoto Mountain, Merkato, said to be Africa’s largest market of its
kind, and the National Museum (home of Lucy, hominid skeleton dating back 3.2 million years) and the ethnographic museum. Overnight in Addis Ababa.

Day 2: fly to Bahir Dar

In the morning take a boat trip on Lake Tana to explore the monasteries hidden on the shores and islands of Lake Tana. In the afternoon, take a city tour of Bahir Dar, visiting Bezawit Hill and the former palace of Haile Selassie, as well as the bustling market. In the afternoon depart out of town to the Blue Nile Falls for an easy hike in the area. Finish the day with a lovely sunset over the lake. Overnight in Bahir Dar.

Day 03: in the morning, drive Bahir Dar north to Gondar

Explore the sites of Gondar, including a visit to the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia and Kuskuam, a former palace in a partial state of ruin overlooking the ancient city of Gondar. Overnight in Gondar

Day 04: in the morning, fly Gondar to Axum

Today is a full day visiting the sites in Axum. Sites to visit include the famous obelisks, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. You will also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept, according to local Ethiopian tradition. Men only are allowed to enter the old church. Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. Overnight in Axum.

Day 05: from Axum to Mekele

On the way we vist Abune Yemata churches one of the amzing churches. Overnight in Mekelle.

Day 06: Mekele – Hamede Ela Drive to Hamedela via Berhale

The Danakil Depression can be said to ‘begin’ here. It is one of the most inhospitable regions of the world, but is nonetheless spectacular, full of eye-catching colors, as in the sulphur springs. The desert has several points lying more than 100 meters (328 ft) below sea level; You pass through a small town of Berhale where the camel caravan stop before they proceed to the northern highlands. En route you see many long camel caravans coming to the salt mine and others going out of the Danakil with their salt loaded camels.(3-4 hrs drive) Camp Hamedela. After drive to reach Hamad Ela, better village with a total population about 500 people. Sun set at Dallol. Over night camping at Hamed Ela.

Day 07: Morning tour Drive to Ragad (Asebo)

This is the place where the localities are mining salt. Look the activity of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting in to rectangular pieces and loading on camels. You drive ahead to Dallol and visit the difference landscape formed by volcanic activity, Dallol + Lake Assal + camel caravans. Excursion to Dallol (116 meter below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colorful salts mining, visit Lake Assal, follow up camel caravans and walk with the Afar people. Drive back to Hamedela and proceed to Mekele.

Day 08: drive from Mekelle to Lalibela

On this day we will have long drive, on the way we can visit one Camille market overnight in Lalibela.

Day 09: In the morning, to explore the 11 rock-hewn churches…

…of the remarkable king Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches – Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha. in the afternoon after lunch visit the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, a huge monolith in the shape of a cross, and constructed in honor of St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia. Overnight in Lalibela.

Day 10: after breakfast transfer to Lalibela airport and fly to Addis

Upon arrival, Depart south from Addis via the Great Rift Valley, stopping on the way at Lake Ziway to visit the bountiful birdlife on the shores of the lake. Make a final stop at Wondo Genet, the favorite weekend getaway of former Emperor Haile Selassie for a swim in the pool and a shower in the therapeutic hot spring waters. Overnight in Awassa at Lewi resort.

Day 11: In the morning, visit the fish market on Lake Awassa

Then we continue to drive to Arba Minch. On the way, ascend into the Gughe Mountains to visit the Dorze people, who are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. Market days in Dorze village are Mondays and Thursdays and in Chencha on Tuesdays and Saturdays. After the visit, continue to Arba Minch for overnight at Paradise Lodge.

Day 12: in the morning, take a boat trip on Lake Chamo…

…to visit the crocodile market and hippo pods after the boat trip, continue driving to Jinka via Weyto (market day Sunday) and Key Afar (market day Thursday). Overnight in Jinka.

Day 13: after breakfast drive to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi
tribe…

…who are known for their lower lip and earlobe plates. Afterwards, return to Jinka to the Ari village and visit the South Omo Museum & Research Center for more information about the tribes. Additionally, Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Jinka, which will be visited. Overnight in Jinka.

Day 14: drive Jinka to Turmi, home of the Hamer people

On the way, stop in Dimeka for the local market, which is on Tuesdays and Saturday. This is one of the most colorful markets in the South Omo and is visited by neighborhood Hamer, Benna, Karo, Tsemai and Ari tribes. Overnight in Turmi. At night, see the traditional night dancing of the Hamer people, known as Evangadi.

Day 15: Today will be a day trip to visit the people of the Karo tribe

Depart from Turmi to the villages of Murulle, Kolcho and Dus on the shores of the Omo River. The Karo people are the smallest in number of all of the tribes of the Omo Valley, and they are known for their elaborate decorations, particularly during local ceremonies. Overnight in Turmi.

Day 16: Depart from Turmi to Arba Minch

Via Erbore in the Weyto valley and Konso. Friday is market day in Erbore, so if passing on this day, the market will be visited. Stop in Konso for a visit with the Konso people, who are known for their totems erected in honor of the dead and their intricate agricultural terracing techniques. Afterwards, continue to Arba Minch for overnight in Arba Minch.

Day 17: Depart from Arba Minch to Addis Ababa.

In the evening/afternoon, farewell party with cultural dinner and traditional special buffet and local drinks to experience Ethiopia’s cultural meals and drinks. After farewell party transfer to Bole international airport for international departure. End of Tour.

*This information is also available in PDF format, which you can view or download by clicking here.