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 your hotel. (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. (BD)
Day 3 - Bahar Dar / Gondar
Take a scenic drive 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. (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. (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. (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 "Lucy." Enjoy panoramic views from Mount Entoto. Also visit St. George Cathedral and Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa. (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 - Drive Addis – Arba Minch
Drive to Arba Minch, visiting the mountain village of Chencha en route – home of the Dorze people, renowned for their cotton weaving and distinctive homes – beehive-shaped structures made from woven thatch. Proceed to Arba Minch. (D)
Day 2 - Arba Minch – Konso – Jinka
Drive south to Jinka to visit the Konso village. The people are reputed to be the hardest workers in the country. Their elaborately terraced hillside grows some of the county’s best coffee. Experience interesting cultural encounters with different tribes, including the Ari, Benna and Tsemay. (BD)
Day 3 - Jinka – Mago – Jinka
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 4 - Jinka – Turmi
Drive to Turmi to see the elegan Hammer tribe. The women wear elegant leather skirts festooned with tiny pearls and elaborate hairstyles. (BD)
Day 5 - Turmi – Murelle – Turmi
Drive to Murelle to visit the Karo people, experts in body painting and famous for their unique hairstyle. Return to Turmi. (BLD)
Day 6 - Turmi – Yabello
Depart for Yabello, visiting the Erobe tribes and the Borena pastoralists en route, who own vast herds of cattle. (BD)
Day 7 - Yabello – Yirgalem
Drive to Yirgalem. Stay overnight at our 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 8 - Yirgalem / Addis Ababa
Return to Addis Ababa, visiting the Rift Valley lakes of Abiyatta and Shalla National Park en route. (B)
