North & South – 18 Days Tour
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Addis Ababa
Regardless of the arrival time our team will pick you from the airport and transfer to Hotel For morning arrivals, optional visit to the Ethnographic Museum, a great introduction to Ethiopian culture and history. If time allows, visit the Mercato, one of Africa’s largest outdoor markets, and Trinity Cathedral, resting place of Emperor Haile Selassie. Overnight Hotel – Addis Ababa.
Day 2: Addis Ababa – Lalibela
Fly to Lalibela on Ethiopian Airlines, After Lunch and check in to the hotel, visit to the rock-hewn church are thought, to date the 12th and 13th century during King Lalibela reign. The churches are remarkable since they are entirely freed from the rock, refined and concentrated in small land, In the Afternoon continue the tour the magnificent rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of eleven 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, a maze of passageways and tunnels, intricately carved reliefs, and fabulous examples of icon paintings.
Overnight Hotel – Lalibela
Day 3: Lalibela
Morning Drive to YemrehannaKristos, a beautiful church situated in a shallow cave that predates the churches of Lalibela. The drive to Yemrehanna will also give you the opportunity to view the rural countryside and villages of the Ethiopian highlands. Return back to Lalibela at lunch time continue with tour of Lalibela’s churches in the afternoon, on this Day this will be the Ethiopian Christmas eve and we will reserve a space for our clients to attend the Christmas celebration at the St. Mary Church, Christmas is highly celebrated in Lalibela, and the colorfull celebration starts after the sunset Priests and Deacons will start praising gos for sending the Saviour of the World . Overnight Lalibela
Day 4: Lalibela – Gondar
Early morning drive to Gondar through the countryside of the Northern Wollo passing by the fertileLand of Southern Gondar and Northern Wollo, Optional lunch stop in the small town of Gashena and continue the drive to Gondar. Late afternoon arrival in Lalibela Overnight Hotel – Lalibela.
Day 5: Gondar
After an early breakfast, we will start our tour with the Medieval 16 century Gondar castles. The most famous buildings in this 16 century Royal Enclosure include Fasilides castle, Iyasu’s Palace, Dawit’s Hall, a banqueting hall, stables, Mentewab’s Castle, a chancellery, library and three churches. After the visit to the Palace, we will start our road to Debark, the gate to the Semine Mountains. En route we will stop at different locations to visit the endemic ChiladaBabbon and the scenic Semine gorge. Overnight at Debark.
Day 6: Debark – Semien Mountain – Sankober – Sankober
From Sankober, depart into a valley, through which the Wazla (or Koba) River runs. (This river is often dry). Coming out of the valley you will have views of the Jinbar River waterfalls falling into the Geech Abyss. Continuing along, you will cross the Jinbar River and ascend into the village of Geech. Here you’ll have spectacular views over the lowlands – one of the highlights of the trip. As you continue to Chenek, you will pass KorbeteMetia, a solid rock wall which opens up exposing beautiful views over the lowlands and the escarpment. This is also a good place for spotting lammergeyers. Total trekking time: 3-4 hours clients also use the support vehicle.
Day 7: Chenek – Gondar
From Chenek, continue east up a valley to Mt. Bwahit, overlooking the camp from where you just came. After crossing the Bwahit Pass, you come to a viewpoint offering wonderful views of the Mesheha River Valley as well your first glimpse of RasDashen. Total trekking hours 1-2 hours and then drive back to Gondar Overnight Hotel – Gondar
Day 8: Gondar – Bahir Dar
After breakfast, we will start our journey to Gondar. En route we will visit the Awramba Village and taste the Woreta famous honey. We will also have a chance to see the Fogera Plane farmland. We will arrive in Gondar late afternoon and will visit the Trinity Church before heading to our hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 9: Bahir Dar
After an early breakfast drive to the Water Falls of the Blue Nile which is 30kms from Bahir Dar. On arrival at the site, we will walk uphill for about 20-30 minutes to reach the best view point of the falls which is 45 meters deep and up to 400 meters wide during the rainy season of June, July, August and September. Depending on your interest we can descend to the base of the falls and climb back up the other side and cross the Nile by a papyrus boat which will take us about an hour. Afternoon, we will arrange a boat trip on Lake Tana known for its middle age island monasteries. Lake Tana is also the source of the Blue Nile and home for 37 islands. We will have the opportunity to visit the Zege peninsula for its famous 14th century monasteries of UraKidanemihret, Azewa Mariam and the island monastery of KibranGebriel (where only men are allowed) for their wonderful 16th century mural paintings, crowns, crosses and many old church treasures. Dinner and overnight in Bahir Dar.
Day 10: Bahir Dar – Addis Ababa
Early morning breakfast and start driving at around 7Am. Drive to Addis South of Bahirdar, we will arrive at DebreLibanos Monastery. We will visit the monastery and the bridge later have lunch in the hotel close to the monastery. We will then drive further north to DebreMarkos. En route, we will stop at and the great Nile George and Bridges.
Day 11: Addis Ababa – Lanagano
Morning drive through the rift valley to Langano and continue the drive to Langano afternoon arrival at the resort and relax at Lake Langanoit is safe for swimming. If time permits we will visit Abidjata Shalla Natonal Park where we can see different kinds of birds and wild life like, The Somali Ostrich, Gazzele, Warthog etc.
Day 12: Langano – Arba Minch
Drive to Arba Minch visit a Dorze Village in the Guge Mountains. The Dorze are known for their tall, beehive-shaped bamboo houses. If the base becomes infested with termites, the entire house can be lifted and moved to another location. Overnight Arbaminch.
Day 13: Arba Minch – Jinka
Take a boat trip on Lake Chamo and view some of the largest crocodiles in the world sunning on the banks of the lake. Hippopotami and birdlife are also abundant. Drive to Jinka visiting various peoples such as the Gamo and Derashe. Stop at Key Afar’s weekly market (if on a Thursday) and wander among the various tribes such as the Benna and Ari that have gathered to barter their goods. Overnight Jinka.
Day 14: Mago National Park Excurssion – Turmi
Early morning drive to the Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people. The Mursi women are known for the clay plates they insert into their lower lips. After Drive to Turmi to visit the Hamer people who are well known for the scarring of their bodies, using clay to shape their hairstyles, and the unique practice of „bull-jumping“ which every young man must accomplish prior to marriage. En route to Turmi, visit the Benna and Ari people, and in the evening visit the hammer tribe Overnight Lodge – Turmi.
Day 15: Murelle Excursion
Drive to Murele and visit the Karo people, known for their elaborate body-painting. Also visit a village of the Dassanech people. Return to Turmi for the evening.
Day 16: Turmi – Konso – Arba Minch
Drive to Murele and visit the Karo people, known for their elaborate body-painting. Also visit a village of the Dassanech people. Return to Turmi for the evening.
Day 17: Arba Minch – Addis Ababa
Drive back to Addis via MelkaKunture, a stone-age archeological site; Adadi Mariam, a 12th century rock-hewn church; and Tiya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its mysterious stelae, thought to be grave markers, dating from the 12th century.
Day 18: Addis Ababa
Spend a relaxed Morning Afternoon Visit the National Museum, home of the 3 million year old skeleton “Lucy.” Optional souvenir shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Ethiopian restaurant featuring dancers and musicians representing some of the country’s many ethnic groups. End of the Tour.