Tours of 16 days

North Ethiopia Historic and Nature Tours

Day of Tour Itinerary in Ethiopia -February / March / April16

Day 01: Arrival in Addis Ababa.

On this day, one of Ethiopian Eco Tours team will pick you up from Bole International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. The first arrival day will be your Ethiopian weather acclimatization. In the evening, we will visit one of Ethiopian traditional restaurant. Overnight at Haile Grand Hotel, Addis Ababa.

Day 02: Full City Tour of Addis Ababa.

We will visit the National Museum, which is one of the most important museums sub Saharan Africa. The remains of Lucy, estimated to be 3.2 million years old, are among the most famous exhibits in the collection. Visitors will be drawn to the rich collection of imperial and ecclesiastical artifacts, costumes, and musical instruments. The ancient exhibits include sculptures and artifacts from the time of the Queen of Sheba, found near Axum and present-day Eritrea. Our next stop in Addis Ababa will be the Ethnological Museum, located at the university. The museum was established and is managed by Polish scientists, Professor Stanislaw Chojnacki. The most interesting part of the exhibition is the collection of crosses and icons. The museum is recommended for lovers of folk musical instruments, as its collection is impressive. Lunch will be at a restaurant serving Ethiopian dishes and local beer, for example, at “Ambasador” restaurant. In the afternoon, we will ascend Mount Entoto, which is 3,200 meters above sea level. There is a new park with a viewpoint offering panoramic views of Addis Ababa. This was the location of the Ethiopian capital before Menelik II moved it to Addis Ababa. The king's palace has been preserved to this day. The local museum displays crowns of kings, churches, costumes, and symbols. The last site of the day in Addis Ababa will be a visit to the Merkato, considered the largest market in Africa. Overnight at Haile Grand Hotel, Addis Ababa.

Day 03: Addis Ababa - Jinka.

We will leave early in the morning at Bole Airport, from where we will fly to Jinka. The Ethiopian Eco Tours team will fly with you. After that, you will depart for Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village. The Mursi are undoubtedly the most famous residents of the Omo Valley and are a unique group of goat herders. The Mursi are known primarily for their unique lip plates. Mursi women wear round clay plates on their lower lip, and the size of these plates increases their value when marrying. Overnight in Jinka.

Day 04: Travel from Jinka to Turmi and the Karo Tribe.

After an early breakfast, you will depart for Turmi. On the way, you will visit the Karo tribe, who live on the banks of the Omo River. The Karo are experts in body and face painting, which they engage in daily. Before their ceremonies and dances, they paint their faces and bodies, as well as their friends' faces, using colored earths, minerals, plant pigments, flowers, white chalk, and black charcoal. The men are adorned with red clay hairstyles that they have prepared for days. Overnight in Turmi.

Day 05: Turmi – Omorate- Turmi.

In the morning, we will visit the Dasanech tribe after crossing the Omo River by boat. The Dasanech are nomadic goat herders located on the western bank of the Omo River, very close to the Kenyan border. In the afternoon, we will visit the Hamer village. The Hamer display a stunning and diverse range of body ornaments. We may be able to enjoy seasonal cultural activities. Overnight in Turmi.

Day 06: Travel to Konso – Arba Minch.

Early morning, after breakfast, you will set off on a journey through breathtaking landscapes, stopping at one of the ancient Konso villages. Konso villages are recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Konso are famous for their unique agricultural terraces. A special tradition is the carved wooden statues used as grave markers. You will taste the special local coffee. Overnight in Arba Minch.

Day 07: Lake Chamo - Arba Minch Forest.

In the morning, you will go by boat on Lake Chamo to see some of the largest crocodiles in Africa, hippos, and many beautiful birds. After lunch, we will take a hike in the amazing Arbaminch Forest, a vast forest with trees soaring dozens of meters high and the springs named the city, Arbaminch(Arba means 40 in reference to 40 springs). Of course, we will not be able to see them all, but we will see some. Overnight in Arba Minch.

Day 08: Dorze Village – Arba Minch.

You will head north to the mountain village of Chencha, located on the Great Rift Valley escarpment that stretches from north to south down to Mozambique. This is the home of the Dorze people. The Dorze, who were once famous warriors in the region, are now known for their weaving and high houses shaped like beehives made from bamboo. Overnight in Arba Minch.

Day 09: Fly to Gondar.

The Ethiopian Eco Tours team will wait for you and pick you up at Gondar Airport. After lunch break, tour to the Royal Enclosure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes five castles built by the Ethiopian royal dynasty in the early 17th century. These castles have survived several wars, including aerial bombardments during World War II, and stand as a testament to the resilience of this magnificent empire. Visit Debre Birhan Selassie Church, famous for its religious art and iconic ceiling depicting angels.

Overnight at Gondar.

Day 10: Day Trip to Simien Mountains.

Drive from Gondar to Debark, Headquarter's ot the national park. We will stop here to obtain entry permits for the park and meet with the ranger. We will sit for a tea and coffee break and visit the local market if time allows. The local market is open every day, Wednesday and Saturday are the major market days. From Debark, we will drive to the park gate, located about 16 km from the town.

After that, We will head towards "Buwait Ras," the first area of the national park. We will hike for about two hours to "Chilikwanit," one of the most beautiful viewpoints. This area offers stunning views of the cliff that plunges vertically. You are likely to encounter groups of endemic Gelada monkeys and see them up close. You may also spot common jackals and various birds such as the thick-billed raven, red falcon, black kites, Lammergeyer, and some plant species like Ethiopian roses, various persimmons, and St. John's tree (Hypericum). Afterward, your vehicle will collect you at "Chilikwanit" and return you to Gondar.

Overnight at Gondar.

Day 11: Flight to Lalibela.

The flight to Lalibela will be in the late morning. Your arrival in Lalibela will be around noon. Our driver will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon, after lunch, we will visit the rock-hewn churches. There are 11 rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, and on this day we will visit Most of them. Overnight at Lalibela.

Day 12: Fly back From Lalibela to Addis Ababa.

Today, after breakfast, we will visit the remaining rock-hewn churches. And then, during mid-day, Our flight to the capital, Addis Ababa, will be in the late afternoon. Our driver will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel. During the evening we will take you to one of cultural clubs and restaurants to experience local musics. Overnight at Addis Ababa.

Day 13: Fly Addis to Semera- Drive to Ertale.

You will have morning flight which will depart at 6:45 to the capital city of Afar region to Semera to start your adventure in the Danakil depression. The car will be waiting for at Semera Airport to pick and drive you first to the centre of the town to have breakfast in one of the hotels. The next drive will be 220k to Aftera, a town nearby salty lake and it is going to be where you will stop for lunch. The last drive after lunch will be to Ertale for another 60 km and you will have camping night at the site very close to the volcano. Later in the evening after dinner early at night, you will have a short walk to visit the active volcano and back to the camp for overnight.

Day 14: Erta Ale - Ahmed Ella.

Having done our breakfast, we will drive to Hammed Ela tracing to the same way for the first 15 km. It is quite a long drive through a rough road

and the most inhospitable regions on the face of Earth, but is nonetheless spectacular, full of eye-catching colours. The desert has several points

lying more than 116 meters below sea level and temperatures can rise above 40C. In the evening, you will enjoy with charming sunset and swimming in the natural salty swimming pool. Driving back to the camp

for overnight.

Day 15: Ahmed Ella-semera

Excursion to Dallol(120 meter below sea level, one of the lowest places in the world) colourful salts mining. Once you have done this experience early in the morning session, Drive back to Hamedela and proceed Semera and flight to Addis Ababa.

Day 16: Return Flight to your Home.

Depending on your international flight time, we will transfer you to the airport.

Note:

#The tour will included on this Trip:

- Accommodation

-Domestic Flight

-Lunch, Breakfast and Dinner

-Mineral water

- Surface transport

- - Entrance fee and guide fee in every destination

#The tour does not include:

-Travel insurance