15 Days Ethiopia Adventure

After a convenient airport pickup embark on a captivating Addis Ababa city tour. Our first stop is the renowned National Museum of Ethiopia where you can marvel at the remains of "Lucy" a bipedal hominid who lived 3.2 million years ago. Next, we'll visit Ethnographic Museum at Addis Ababa University, which houses a fascinating collection of traditional and contemporary artifacts.
For lunch, we'll indulge in delicious cuisine at an authentic Ethiopian cultural restaurant, complete with a traditional coffee ceremony. Afterward, we'll visit the Holy Trinity church, one of Ethiopia's holiest places of worship. Inside, you can witness the awe-inspiring tombs of Emperor Haile Selassie adorned with magnificent paintings. To conclude the day, we'll head to Enototo for breathtaking panoramic views of Ethiopia's capital city. Finally, we'll take a memorable journey through Merkato, Africa's largest open-air market ...more ...less

Following breakfast, we'll board a flight to Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rock-hewn churches, often referred to as the "Eight Wonders of the World." Upon arrival, we'll transfer you to your hotel for check-in and begin our exploration of the magnificent churches that were chiseled out of solid rock, displaying an extraordinary display of craftsmanship, scale, and architectural ingenuity.

After breakfast, we'll venture to Yemrehana Krestos Church, a unique built-up cave church that predates the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela by eight years. This remarkable church is constructed from a combination of stone, wood, and intricate decorative elements. Inside, you'll witness the skilled craftsmanship and architectural brilliance.
In the afternoon, we'll explore other picturesque churches located there. Our final stop will be at the iconic Bet Giyorgis, a colossal monolithic church shaped like a cross, dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of Ethiopia.

After a hearty breakfast, flight to Gonder, a city renowned as the "Camelot of Africa", located in the northern region of Ethiopia. As we arrive, we'll have the opportunity to explore the famous castles, grand palaces constructed by former rulers for themselves and their families. These architectural marvels showcase the rich history and regal heritage of the town. Additionally, we'll visit the bath of King Fasilidas, which serves as the annual host for the Timkat festival, a vibrant celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ. The day concludes with a visit to the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie renowned for its stunning ceiling paintings. The angelic faces depicted in the artwork have become iconic symbols of Ethiopian artistry.

Following breakfast, we'll embark on a scenic drive to Bahir Dar, one of Africa's most charming cities. Upon arrival, we'll check-in at our hotel and then drive for about an hour to have a delightful walk in the refreshing morning hours, crossing the Nile River via the historic bridge. Our walk continues to the mesmerizing Tissisat Falls. Along the way, we'll have the opportunity to interact with local residents.
After marveling at the falls, we'll cross the Nile by boat to reunite with our awaiting vehicle. We'll then return to Bahir Dar for an overnight stay.

In the morning, we'll embark on a memorable boat ride across Lake Tana to the Zeghie Peninsula. On this scenic peninsula, we'll take a short walk. We'll also have the chance to encounter diverse bird species and observe the playful Colobus Monkeys in the surrounding forest. After this enriching experience, we'll transfer to the airport for a flight back to Addis Ababa

We'll catch a flight to Semera and upon arrival, we will provide a comprehensive briefing on the general geology of Ethiopia and the program ahead. Our first destination is Erta Ale Volcano but before we reach it, we'll stop for lunch in Afdera district, located in the Afar Region. The majority of the drive will be off-road, traversing the desert landscape. As evening falls, we'll arrive at Ahmedela, a small settlement where salt caravans converge before embarking on their arduous journeys to other towns. Here, you'll witness numerous camel caravans and savor the mesmerizing sunset over the shallow Lake Assale
Overnight camping under the open sky.

Before breakfast, we'll set off to discover Dallol a surreal landscape boasting salt domes and vibrant geothermal pools. Dallol's uniqueness lies in its peculiar mineral formations, sulfur pools, and geysers. We'll also visit the extraordinary salt canyons before continuing our journey toward the Erta Ale Volcano. Along the way, we might witness the laborious process of salt extraction by hand and the loading of camels. Approximately 1,200 km2 of the Danakil Depression is covered by salt. After some rest at our campsite, we'll enjoy a light dinner before embarking on a 30-minute walk to the summit crater of Erta Ale. Although the path is not overly steep, it is crucial for everyone to carry a torch and stick together. We'll set up camp on the crater rim, at a safe distance from the lava.
Overnight camping under the open sky.

Witness a breathtaking sunrise over the lava lake before commencing our descent to the vehicles. From there, we'll drive to Lake Afdera, where we can observe traditional salt mining methods and rejuvenate ourselves in natural hot springs. Refreshed and revitalized, we'll proceed to Semera for our flight back to Addis Ababa.

After a fulfilling breakfast we'll embark on a scenic drive to lake side town of Hawassa, one of the picturesque lakes. Along the way, we'll visit the historic Tiya Stele dating back to the XIII century, and make a stop at Lake Ziway to observe its diverse aquatic birdlife. Finally, we'll reach our destination, Hawassa.

Drive to Arbaminch, Southern region is noted for its enormous variety of peoples and culture. Up on arrival at Arbaminch meet your driver and transfer to your accommodation. Then in the afternoon short drive to visit the Dorze Tribe who lives on the Guge Mountain. The Dorze are renowned for their cotton-weaving techniques and beehive shaped houses constructed entirely from organic materials. Here in their village you can see the unique beehive huts, observe their exceptional cotton weaving skills and learn about their life and traditions.

After a nourishing breakfast, our day begins with a boat ride on Chamo Lake, where you'll have the opportunity to observe the magnificent giant crocodiles and an array of water birds in their natural habitat. Following this exhilarating experience, we'll continue our journey to Turmi, a charming small town situated in the heart of the Omo Valley. Turmi serves as a gateway to the fascinating indigenous peoples of the region.
As we venture deeper into the Omo Valley, we'll visit the village of the renowned Hammer tribe, known for their exceptional pottery craftsmanship and distinct hairstyles. The Hammer women, adorned in vibrant, beaded goat skins, elaborate necklaces, and adorned with metal bangles, exemplify the rich cultural heritage of the tribe.

In the morning, we'll embark on a journey to Omorate, traveling along a paved road for approximately 75 kilometers. Omorate is situated on the banks of the Omo River, near the Kenya border. Upon arrival, we'll cross the river using a local boat and proceed to one of the villages of the Dassenech tribe. The Dassenech people are semi-nomadic, residing along the shores of the Omo River. You'll be captivated by their unique and ornate hair buns, as well as their agricultural and fishing practices.
After this enriching experience, we'll return to Turmi for a delicious lunch. Following our meal, we'll drive to the Karo Tribe, located on the Omo River's shoreline. The Karo people are renowned for their mastery of body and face painting, which they engage in daily.

After a satisfying breakfast, we'll continue our adventure with a scenic drive to Jinka. Along the way, we'll stop at a vibrant and colorful market, where you'll have the opportunity to witness the gathering of various Omo Valley people in one place.
Before reaching Jinka, we'll visit the village of the Ari people. The Ari people inhabit the lush surroundings of Jinka and are primarily engaged in coffee and fruit cultivation for both trade and personal consumption. Their villages are nestled amidst green landscapes, surrounded by banana, mango, and avocado trees, creating a truly picturesque scene.

Early in the morning, we'll embark on a thrilling drive through Mago National Park to visit one of the villages of the Mursi Tribe. The Mursi people are perhaps the most well-known tribe in the region, recognized for the women's practice of extending their lower lips using clay discs and the men's participation in stick fighting rituals known as Donga. The Mursi are one of the last remaining tribes in Africa where it is customary for women to wear these large pottery or wooden discs or plates. After this fascinating encounter, we'll return to Jinka and transfer to Jinka Bako Airport for your return flight to Addis Ababa. We'll arrive in Addis Ababa in the afternoon. In the evening after farewell dinner transfer to airport for your international departure.