8 DAYS Addis Ababa, Bahar Dar,
Gondar, Lalibela, Axum
Day 1: Arrive Addis Ababa
Arrive in Ethiopia’s capital of Addis Ababa today,
where you are welcomed and transferred to the HILTON
ADDIS ABABA HOTEL or SHERATON ADDIS. (D)
Day 2: Addis Ababa / Bahar Dar
Fly to the well-known lakeshore town of Bahar Dar.
Drive to the majestic Blue Nile Falls. Take a boat
trip on Lake Tana to visit the 13th-century
monastery of Ura Kidane Mihret, which is still in
use today, as well as Kibran Gabriel, where only men
are allowed to enter. TANA HOTEL (BD)
Day 3: Bahar Dar / Gondar
Fly to the city of Gondar, known as the “Camelot of
Africa.” Visit the castles and churches of Gondar,
which were built by King Fassiladas and his
descendants. GOHA HOTEL (BD)
Day 4: Gondar / Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela, where 11 medieval, monolithic cave
churches have made this 13th-century “New Jerusalem”
well known. Visit the first group of rock-hewn
churches, which were built between AD 800 and 1200
and which are still
active worship places. ROHA HOTEL (BD)
Day 5: Lalibela
Tour the second group of rock-hewn churches. It is
estimated that it took 25 years to construct the
churches. Later, visit Na’akuto La’ab, a veritable
jewel of a church built in a cave, where King
Na’akuto La’ab led a hermit’s life
when abdicating his throne in AD 1276. (BD)
Day 6: Lalibela / Axum
Fly to Axum to see the remarkable stelae, or
obelisks, which are a few of the largest single
pieces of standing stone anywhere in the world. See
St. Mary’s Church, the Sanctuary Chapel, the
Coronation Yard, Axum Museum,
Queen Sheba’s Palace, and King Kaleb’s Tomb.
YEHA HOTEL. (BD)
Day 7: Axum / Addis Ababa
Fly to Addis Ababa and take a city tour. Visit the
National Archaeological Museum, home to the 3.6
million-year-old skeleton of "Luky." Enjoy panoramic
views from Mount Entoto. Also visit St. George
Cathedral and Merkato, the largest open-air market
in Africa. HILTON ADDIS ABABA HOTEL or SHERATON
ADDIS (BD)
Day 8: Depart Addis Ababa
Depart Ethiopia on your flight home, or continue
your journey with an extension to the Omo Valley.
(B)
OMO VALLEY EXTENSION
Day 1: Addis Ababa / Arba Minch
Depart Addis on a full day drive to Arba Minch,
situated by Lake Chamo and Abaya, the most southerly
of Ethiopia's Rift Valley lakes. Overnight SAYNESS
HOTEL. (D)
Day 2: Arba Minch
Explore Chencha, home to the Dorze people - famed
for their bee-hive shaped houses and their weaving
skills - and Nech Sar Park.
Day 3: Arba Minch / Jinka
Drive to Jinka to visit the surrounding Ari and Bena
people who are coffee cultivators. JINKA RESORT
HOTEL (BD)
Day 4: Mago National Park Excursion
Drive to Mago National Park and the Mursi village.
Meet women who wear huge lip plates as a sign of
beauty and men who celebrate adulthood with special
colored hair buns. Return to Jinka for the night.
(BD)
Day 5: Jinka / Turmi
Drive to Turmi, via Key Afer to visit the Bena and
Tsemay people. Overnight camping. (BD)
Day 6: Murelle Excursion
Drive to Murelle to visit the Karo people, experts
in body painting who are famous for their unique
hairstyle. Return to Turmi for the night. (BD)
Day 7: Turmi / Yabello
Depart for Yabello, where you will visit the Erobe
tribes and the Borena pastoralists who own vast
herds of cattle. YABELLO MOTEL (BD)
Day 8: Yabello / Yirgalem
Drive to Yirgalem. Stay overnight at AREGASH LODGE,
which is nestled between coffee fields and lush
vegetation. Available activities include hiking,
horseback riding and visits to historical caves,
sacred sites and natural springs. (BD)
Day 9: Yirgalem / Addis Ababa
Return to Addis Ababa, visiting the Rift Valley
lakes of Abiyatta and Shalla National Park en route.
(B)
