Amazing Nature and Culture Experiences – Historical North – Remote Tribes of then South 14 Days

Tour Code : ETE104
Typ of Tour : Culture, History, Natur
Duration: : 14 Days (13 nights)
Transport : Land and Air
Tour starts / ends : Addis
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The first parts of this unique tour focuses on the ancient history and culture of Ethiopia as well as the people and nature on the classic Historic Route of Ethiopia. Among other things, on this tour, you will visit Four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.As you travel by road on the classic Historic Route of Ethiopia, you will be able to explore more of the country’s less-visited sites, beautiful nature, culture, and history as all these unfold in front of you each and every mile. On your driver, you will pass through many villages and small towns. 

The second parts will take you to the remote tribes of the Omo Valley to witness some of the last remaining authentic tribes on the African continent. Being isolated from the fast-moving world for thousands of years because of its remote location. 
This will take you on the east and west side of the Omo River. On this trip, you will visit the Konso, Hammer, Karo, Erbore and Muris tribes. You will spend enough time visiting their villages and intermingling with the different tribes, learning about their lifestyle, attending ceremonies and rituals, and taking photos. 

Highlights

  • Visit Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Be amazed by a visit to the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, one of “the living wonders of the world”. 
  • Discover the fairytale castles of Gondar. 
  • Visit the breathtaking Simien Mountains National Park, “the Roof of Africa”. 
  • Discover the ancient island monasteries of Lake Tana. 
  • Visit the source of the mighty Blue Nile River and Blue Nile Falls. 
  • Visit the old town of Axum 
  • Explore the vibrant city of Addis Ababa.
  • Meet your ancestor Lucy at the National Museum.
  • Taste the wide variety Ethiopian food.
  • Attend an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
  • Meet the Mursi, maybe the most exotic tribe in the Omo Valley with their colourful body and face painting and clay lip plates. 
  • See the daily life of the tribes.
  • Witness the rituals and traditions of the tribes 
  • Visit colourful markets in different villages.
  • Enjoy the amazing landscape, nature and birdlife of the Ethiopian Rift Valley 
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  • Day 1

    Arrival– Addis Ababa

    Hotel

    On arrival in Addis Ababa you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Addis Ababa is the third highest capital city in the world. Located at 2,400 meters above sea level in one of the highest parts of the Entoto mountain chain, the altitude may fatigue you, so you will take the day easy by exploring the city such as visiting the National Museum (home of the remains of the famous hominid fossil, “Lucy”) and enjoy the view from Entoto Mountain.

  • Day 2

    Addis – Bahir Dar

    Approx 1 hr flight Hotel

    This morning you will take a flight to the lake side city of Bahir Dar, which is one of the most well-planned cities in Ethiopia. Located at 1,800 meters above sea level it is situated on the shores of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country. Upon arrival, you will take a boat trip on Lake Tana to fully appreciate the sheer size of this waterway. There are a myriad of monasteries and churches on the islands; some are private and not accessible to the public. You will visit Ura Kidane Mihret church on Zeghie peninsula with its rich history and ornate frescoes. In the afternoon you will visit Tissisat to marvel at the Blue Nile Falls - or “Smoke of Fire”. The falls are located about 2hrs drive (on a rough, dusty road) from Bahir Dar but the result is worth it. The Falls are 400 meters wide when in flood and fall over a sheer chasm more than 45 meters in height.

  • Day 3

    Bahir Dar - Gonder

    Approx 3 hrs drive Hotel

    After breakfast, you will drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery of Fogera to arrive at Gondar around lunch time. the capital of Ethiopia in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Gondar is still one of Ethiopia’s most impressive cities, with its walled Royal Palace Enclosure (listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage monument). This enclosure lies at Gondar’s center and contains several well-preserved castles and other buildings. In the afternoon you will visit the Royal Palace Enclosure (listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage monument). This enclosure lies at Gondar’s center and contains several well-preserved castles and other buildings. In Gondar, there are a dozen castles built by various emperors over the course of 236 years. The city seems more European than African and also has Islamic influences. You will visit the palaces, residences, and baths of Fasilidas and also the church of Debre Berhan Selassie (Light of the Trinity) which is located at the summit of a hill and surrounded by fortified walls. The interior is decorated with beautiful frescoes.

  • Day 4

    Gondar - Simien Mountains NP - Debark

    Approx 2 hrs drive Hotel

    After breakfast drive from Gonder to Simien Mountains National Park, which is 130 kms. This is a small market town at an altitude of 2700 meters close to the boundary of the Simien Mountains National Park. Corrugated – iron – roofed buildings surround its colorful and busy market area. Before entering the park, you have to register at the park headquarters just outside town. Here, a scout – one of the park regulations, joins you. Then drive to Sankober for the best view. En route, pass through pretty country, the foothills of the Semen Mountains, with carefully tended field, open pasture with grazing horses, stands of trees and distant rocky peaks. At the high point of the road, there are superb views across the weirdly eroded foothills of the range, and you may also be lucky enough to spot you first lammergeyers and gelada baboons of the trip.

  • Day 5

    Debark - Axum

    Approx 8 hrs drive Hotel

    You drive on one of the most scenic roads to the ancient town of Axum through the chains of the Semen Mountains and the Tekeze river valley with fantastic views on the way.

  • Day 6

    Axum

    Hotel

    the city tour in Axum, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site will take you a longtime back in history. The legends narrated in the Kebre Nagast (Book of Kings) recount how the city of Axum as early as the 10th century B.C was already the city in which the Queen of Sheba resided. It is recounted that the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant to Axum and it remains there to this day, preserved in a sanctuary. Famous long before the time of Christ, Axum was the capital of the long Axumite reign, one of the oldest African empires and represented a crucial connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. Visit the Granite stone Stele of Axum, The Tombs of King Kaleb and his son King G/Mesekel, The Ezana’s stone inscription, The Queen of Sheba’s palace and Swimming pool, and the Church of Zion, which is the final resting place of the True Arc of The Covenant.

  • Day 7

    Axum - Mekele

    Approx 7 hrs drive Hotel

    After breakfast drive to Adigrate by the Adwa Mountains. On the way visit Yeha Temple, which is more than 2500 years old and small museum in the Church compound. And then drive to Debre Damo, which is the first monastery in Ethiopia and found in 6th C by Abune Aregawi, who was one of the Nine Saints. After lunch drive to Mekele. En route, visit the 4th C rock church of Wukro Cherkos.

  • Day 8

    Mekele- Lalibela

    Approx 7 hrs drive Hotel

    After an early breakfast drive to the town of Lalibela via Sekota or Wolidya(300 kms) to experience the rough nature of road but with the beautiful scenery of the Abyssinian Highlands. Enjoy the very varied journey.

  • Day 9

    Lalibela

    Hotel

    Enjoy a full day city tour in unique Lalibela called the "2nd Jerusalem". The city contains 11 monolithic churches that were built in the 12th century and are carved out of the pink granite rock; they have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the first and the third group of churches, which have seven rock churches. After lunch visit the second group of churches, which have four rock churches. Overnight at same hotel

  • Day 10

    Lalibela - Addis Ababa -Jinka

    Approx 1 hr flight Approx 3 hrs drive 8 (return) Resort

    Today you will fly to Jinka via Addis Ababa, upon arrival, you will drive to Mago national park to visit Mursi Village. The Mursi are undoubtedly the most celebrated residents of South Omo, are a distinctive group of pastoralists. The Mursi are best known for their unique item of decoration — lip plates. Women of Mursi wear circular clay plates on their lower lip and the bigger a woman can wear, the greater her value when she gets married. Then drive back Jinka. Enjoy the evening at the nice resort after the long full of imprssions

  • Day 11

    Jinka- Karo -Turmi

    Approx 6 hrs drive Lodge

    After an early breakfast drive to Turmi via visiting the Karo village of Korcho, with a stunning location looking over the Omo River.  The Karo people, while the smallest tribe of the Omo Valley in number, are also known to be the most decorated. Late In the afternoon, we will drive to Hamer Village. The Hamer, display an elaborate and diverse selection of body decorations. They are also identifiable for their high cheekbones and elaborate custom of beads, cowries, leather, and thick copper necklaces

  • Day 12

    Turmi- Omorate - Konso

    Approx 6 hrs drive Lodge

    In the cool morning, we will drive to Omorate to visit the Desanech (Geleb) tribal village after crossing the Omo River by boat. The Desanech are nomadic pastoralists found across the western bank of the Omo River south of Lake Turkana very close to the Kenyan boarder then drive to Konso

  • Day 13

    Konso- Dorze - Arba Minch

    Approx 2 hrs drive Risort

    After visiting one of the Konso villages you will drive to Arba Minch. They are registered by UNESCO as one of the world heritages sites. The Konso are famous for their old and unique terracing and unusual engraved wooden statues of Konso grave markers. then you will proceed driving to north to the mountain village of Chencha, located on the southwestern escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, which runs north to south all the way to Mozambique. This is the home of the Dorze people. The Dorze people, once famous warriors in the region, are now renowned cotton weavers whose tall beehive-shaped and bamboo-woven dwellings are among the most distinctive structures to be seen anywhere in Africa. As the sun goes down, we will drive back to Arba Minch

  • Day 14

    Arba Minch - Lake Chamo - Addis Ababa

    Approx 1 hr flight

    On the morning boat cruise on Lake Chamo to see some of the biggest African crocodiles, Hippopotamuses and many beautiful aquatic birds including the lovely Kingfisher and African fish agile then fly back to Addis Ababa, upon arrival, you will have a time to buy souvenirs and In the evening before departure, you will be invited a farewell dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis where you taste variety of Ethiopian meals and watch the folkloric dancers of the Ethiopian people. Then transfer to Bole, Addis Ababa airport for the flight back home

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