Ethiopia Holiday Packages | 12 Days/ 11 Nights

Senait Ethiopia Tours

TOUR CODE: SET027

TOUR TYPE: HISTORIC, NATURAL AND CULTURE

DURATION: 12 DAYS/ 11 NIGHTS

MEANS OF TRANSPORT: DRIVE & FLIGHT

PROGRAM

TRIP OVERVIEW

This Ethiopian adventure begins and concludes in Addis Ababa. Visit Bahar Dar, the picturesque town set on the shores of Lake Tana. You will visit the island monasteries and the Blue Nile Falls. In Gondar you will visit the ancient churches and castles, remnants of a bygone Ethiopian Empire. Proceed to Semien mountain, the region includes many summits above 4,000m. (13,000feet), and the highest point in Ethiopia. Continuing on the historic route, to Lalibela, a world-heritage-listed town set high in craggy mountains. Lalibela is renowned for its 12th- and 13th-century churches hewn out of solid rock and connected with subterranean passages. Proceed to Omo Valley is one of the most culturally rich tribal regions on the African continent.

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    Day 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa and City tour
    Flight to Addis, arrival at Bole International airport, meet our representative and transfer to hotel. After some rest we will have Addis Ababa city tour including a drive to Mount Entoto for panoramic view of the city, national Museum which is the resting place of our ancestor LUCY, proceed to the Ethnographic museum, which displays a very large collection of Ethiopian crafts and items of historical interest. Visit Trinity Cathedral, Merkato which is the biggest market, some monuments etc Overnight hotel.

    Day 2: Flight to Bahirdar- (Lake Tana monasteries)
    Morning flight to Bahirdar, transfer to hotel and we will start boat trip over Lake Tana to the Zeghie peninsula to visit the beautifully painted churches that are found hidden in the small forest: Azwa Mariam Monastery. Our second stop will be at the Bete Maryam Monastery located on the Zege Penisula not far from Bahir Dar. We chose to stop at Bete Maryam which means “the House of Mary” first since it is one of the oldest and most spectacular monasteries on the peninsula and is also a short walk from the boat landing. The monastery is a round wooden structure with mud and straw walls. There is an outer room, middle circular room and the central room for priests only. The outer ring has little decoration but the inner ring has floor to ceiling paintings depicting the bible stories. Lunch and afternoon drive 70KM round trip to visit Tississat named after the water falls of the Blue Nile River (the life blood for the Sudanese and Egyptians). Be informed that clients will walk about 20 minutes to arrive near to the water falls on Blue Nile. Back to the city for lunch and Late afternoon have city tour in Bahirdar, enjoy the market, an easy walk in the city. Overnight hotel.

    Day 3: Drive to Gonder (180kms very nice view and asphalt road)
    Morning drive to Gonder. On the way visit the Guzara castle, admire the wonderful landscape and view. Transfer to hotel and have lunch. Afternoon you will be taken to visit the castle compound where you can see the medieval castle of king Fasilidas, King Yohannes, King Eyasu, King Dawit, King Bakafa and Queen Mentewab. We will also visit the churches of Debre Birhan Selassie with awesome wall paintings and the bath of King Fasilidas Overnight hotel.

    Day 4: Excursion to Semien Mountain
    Morning we drive to Semien Mountain to visit the marvelous scenery of the Semien Mountain, the endemic animals of Walya Ibex, Chilada Baboon and birds. Five Kms from Gonder you will see the old village of the black Jewish. The full day you are in the Semien mountain around Sankaber campsite. Walk /trek to Jimbar water fall and admire the wonderful view. Late afternoon drive to back to Gonder. Overnight hotel.

    Day 5: Flight Lalibela and visit (35 minutes flight)
    Today we will fly to Laliebla and start to visit the 1st group churches which are included Bieta Medhanialem (Chapel of Holy Savior) which is the biggest and Bieta Mariam (Chapel of Mary): three aisled with mural paintings and a covered pillar containing inscriptions about the end of the world according to the gadl (act )of saintly king. Further visit of Bieta Denagel (Chapel of the Virgins), Bieta Meskel (Chapel of the cross) and finally, the “double – church” of Debre Sina and Bieta Golghotha (women are not allowed in the latter since it’s where the remains of King Lalibela are and also because it contains the tabernacle of the Holy Trinity). Overnight hotel.

    Day 6: Flight to Addis and drive to Langano
    Morning flight back to Addis and drive to Awassa via Rift valley over viewing the rift valley lakes of Koka, Zeway, and Langano with their aquatic birds. On the way enjoy the oromo peoples way of life. Overnight hotel.

    Day 7: Langano-Dorze- Arba Minch
    Drive to Arba Minch in Amharic meaning 40 springs, admire very interesting views. Further visit of the Alaba,Wolayta and Gamo people on the way. Visit the Alaba village the the people way of life. Further drive to Chencha to visit the Dorze people, their villages, culture, the cultivation of the false banana tree (from which roots they extract their traditional bread, the kotcho and their beehive-shaped houses at Chencha before arriving in Arba Minch. Overnight hotel.

    Day 8: Arba Minch- Jinka (285kms)
    Early morning breakfast and drive to lake Chamo for early morning boat excursion to see the Crocodile Market and the Hippos. (Here crocodiles are some of the longest in Africa , With length of 8 and also above meters.). Then drive to Jinka and on the way visit the Konso, Tsemay and Ari tribes. Cross the weito Dessert which is the home of the Tsemay tribes, Overnight hotel/lodge.

    Day 9: Jinka-Mursi-Turmi (255kms)
    Enter Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people and their villages. Here for beauty women insert round clay plates in their lips. The men practice scarification based on the number of enemies or wild animals they have killed in battle. Back to Jinka for Lunch and drive to Turmi and visit the Hamer tribes and their village Overnight lodge.

    Day 10: Turmi-Murule-Turmi
    Drive to Murulle to visit the Karo people with their body decorations and skin scarification. Admire the view of the Omo river from Kortcho village. Then back to Turmi for the colourful market (if today is Monday). Visit the Hamer, Bena and Dassanech tribes. Witness Hamer dances (evangadi) and seasonal marriage ceremonies with bull-jumping if we are lucky. Overnight lodge.

    Day 11: Turmi- Konso- Arbaminch (250 kms)
    This morning we will rise for Ethiopia coffee and drive to Konso to visit the Konso village which is one of the world heritage sites of UNESCO. Enjoy Konso - GargesieNear the village lies a giant cleft, within which many rock formations resembling the outline of their forms in New York. Further drive to Arbaminch . Afternoon a drive to Dorze tribes at Chencha and admire the wonderful view of lake Chamo and Abjata. Back to Arbaminch overnight hotel.

    Day 12: Drive Arbaminch to Addis (460kms)
    Today we drive back to Addis through the great Rift valley with stopover in Lake Zeway. Visit the Alaba, Wolayta, Oromo people and their villages. Further drive to Addis souvenir shopping, we are waiting for dinner at one of the most famous restaurants of Ethiopia. You will see the dances of various peoples of Ethiopia, transfer to airport, flight to your country and it will be end of the trip.

  • DAY 1: Arrival in Addis Ababa and City tour

    Flight to Addis, arrival at Bole International airport, meet our representative and transfer to hotel. After some rest we will have Addis Ababa city tour including a drive to Mount Entoto for panoramic view of the city, national Museum which is the resting place of our ancestor LUCY, proceed to the Ethnographic museum, which displays a very large collection of Ethiopian crafts and items of historical interest. Visit Trinity Cathedral, Merkato which is the biggest market, some monuments etc Overnight hotel.

  • DAY 2: Flight to Bahirdar- Lake Tana monasteries

    Morning flight to Bahirdar, transfer to hotel and we will start boat trip over Lake Tana to the Zeghie peninsula to visit the beautifully painted churches that are found hidden in the small forest: Azwa Mariam Monastery. Our second stop will be at the Bete Maryam Monastery located on the Zege Penisula not far from Bahir Dar. We chose to stop at Bete Maryam which means “the House of Mary” first since it is one of the oldest and most spectacular monasteries on the peninsula and is also a short walk from the boat landing. The monastery is a round wooden structure with mud and straw walls. There is an outer room, middle circular room and the central room for priests only. The outer ring has little decoration but the inner ring has floor to ceiling paintings depicting the bible stories. Lunch and afternoon drive 70KM round trip to visit Tississat named after the water falls of the Blue Nile River (the life blood for the Sudanese and Egyptians). Be informed that clients will walk about 20 minutes to arrive near to the water falls on Blue Nile. Back to the city for lunch and Late afternoon have city tour in Bahirdar, enjoy the market, an easy walk in the city. Overnight hotel.

  • DAY 3: Drive to Gonder (180kms very nice view and asphalt road)

    Morning drive to Gonder. On the way visit the Guzara castle, admire the wonderful landscape and view. Transfer to hotel and have lunch. Afternoon you will be taken to visit the castle compound where you can see the medieval castle of king Fasilidas, King Yohannes, King Eyasu, King Dawit, King Bakafa and Queen Mentewab. We will also visit  the churches of Debre Birhan Selassie with awesome wall paintings and the bath of King Fasilidas Overnight hotel.

  • DAY 4: Excursion to Semien Mountain

    Morning we drive to Semien Mountain to visit the marvelous scenery of the Semien Mountain, the endemic animals of Walya Ibex, Chilada Baboon and birds. Five Kms from Gonder you will see the old village of the black Jewish. The full day you are in the Semien mountain around Sankaber campsite.  Walk /trek to Jimbar water fall and admire the wonderful view. Late afternoon drive to back to Gonder. Overnight hotel.

  • DAY 5: Flight Lalibela and visit (35 minutes flight)

    Today we will fly to Laliebla and start to visit the 1st group churches which are included Bieta Medhanialem (Chapel of Holy Savior) which is the biggest and Bieta Mariam (Chapel of Mary): three aisled with mural paintings and a covered pillar containing inscriptions about the end of the world according to the gadl (act )of  saintly king.  Further visit of Bieta Denagel (Chapel of the Virgins), Bieta Meskel (Chapel of the cross) and finally, the “double – church” of Debre Sina and Bieta Golghotha (women are not allowed in the latter since it’s where the remains of King Lalibela are and also because it contains the tabernacle of the Holy Trinity). Overnight hotel.

  • DAY 6: Flight to Addis and drive to Langano

    Morning flight back to Addis and drive to Awassa via Rift valley over viewing the rift valley lakes of Koka, Zeway, and Langano with their aquatic birds. On the way enjoy the oromo peoples way of life. Overnight hotel.

  • DAY 7: Langano-Dorze- Arba Minch

    Drive to Arba Minch in Amharic meaning 40 springs, admire very interesting views. Further visit of the Alaba,Wolayta and Gamo people on the way. Visit the Alaba village the the people way of life. Further drive to Chencha to visit the Dorze people, their villages, culture, the cultivation of the false banana tree (from which roots they extract their traditional bread, the kotcho and their beehive-shaped houses at Chencha before arriving in Arba Minch. Overnight hotel.

  • DAY 8: Arba Minch- Jinka (285kms)

    Early morning breakfast and drive to lake Chamo for early morning boat excursion to see the Crocodile Market and the Hippos. (Here crocodiles are some of the longest in Africa , With length of 8 and also above meters.). Then drive to Jinka and on the way visit the Konso, Tsemay and Ari tribes. Cross the weito Dessert which is the home of the Tsemay tribes, Overnight hotel/lodge.

  • DAY 9: Jinka-Mursi-Turmi (255kms)

    Enter Mago National Park to visit the Mursi people and their villages. Here for beauty women insert round clay plates in their lips. The men practice scarification based on the number of enemies or wild animals they have killed in battle. Back to Jinka for Lunch and  drive to Turmi and visit the Hamer tribes and their village  Overnight lodge.

  • DAY 10: Turmi-Murule-Turmi

    Drive to Murulle to visit the Karo people with their body decorations and skin scarification. Admire the view of the Omo river from Kortcho village. Then back to Turmi for the colourful market (if today is Monday). Visit the Hamer, Bena and Dassanech tribes. Witness Hamer dances (evangadi) and seasonal marriage ceremonies with bull-jumping if we are lucky. Overnight lodge.

  • DAY 11: Turmi- Konso- Arbaminch (250 kms)

    This morning we will rise for Ethiopia coffee and drive to Konso to visit the Konso village which is one of the world heritage sites of UNESCO. Enjoy Konso - GargesieNear the village lies a giant cleft, within which many rock formations resembling the outline of their forms in New York. Further drive to Arbaminch .  Afternoon a drive to Dorze tribes at Chencha and admire the wonderful view of lake Chamo and Abjata. Back to Arbaminch overnight hotel.

  • DAY 12: Drive Arbaminch to Addis (460kms)

    Today we drive back to Addis through the great Rift valley with stopover in Lake Zeway. Visit the Alaba, Wolayta, Oromo people and their villages. Further drive to Addis souvenir shopping, we are waiting for dinner at one of the most famous restaurants of Ethiopia. You will see the dances of various peoples of Ethiopia, transfer to airport, flight to your country and it will be end of the trip.

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info@senaitethiopia.com