Ethiopia’s cultural tour Omo Valley and historic north ; 10 Days / 9 Nights

The order of sites visited in the Omo can change depending weekly market days.

Arrival   Bole International Airport

Extraordinary Ethiopia Tours will meet all clients arriving at the airport regardless of arrival time. 

Day 01: Arrivals at Addis Ababa

Arrive in Addis Ababa and take a tour of Addis Ababa in the afternoon.

Overnight Stay at Getfam Hotel, Addis Ababa 

Meals (B, L, D)

Day 02 Addis Ababa

The tour starts with a pick up from your hotel and then drive to the National                        Museum of Ethiopia for visiting the long age history of Ethiopia and the oldest human ancestor, Lucy. Set within Haile Selassie’s former palace and surrounded by the beautiful   gardens and fountains of Addis Ababa University’s main campus is the enthralling   Ethnological Museum. Even if you’re not normally a museum fan, this one is worth a bit of   your time – it’s easily one of the finest museums in Africa. Before lunch, drive to Holy                Trinity Cathedral Church which has unique architectural style immediately after a relaxed lunch, drive up to Entoto Mountains, the best location to observe the panoramic view of the capital.  It is also a historical place where Menelik II resided and built his palace.  It is notable as the location of a number of celebrated churches, including Saint Raguel and Saint Mary (Maryam Church). The return drive will be via Shiro Meda to buy the traditional clothes, and continue to Piazza with an en route visit to St. George Church.

 Overnight Stay at Getfam Hotel, Addis Ababa 

Meals (B, L, D)

 Day 03: Flight to Bahar Dar

After breakfast you depart for Bahir Dar

Upon arrival in Bahir Dar we will have a boat trip on Lake Tana. On Lake Tana there are 37 islands and 32 of them have churches and monasteries of considerable historical and cultural interest. You will visit 1 or 2 monastery, the church of Ura Kidane Mihret, which is the best known of the monasteries and has an important collection of religious icons from the 16th to 18th centuries A.D. 

In the afternoon drive to the Blue Nile Falls this is known locally as Tissisat (smoking  waterfall: 100 m (328 ft) wide, the water plunges for 45m, giving rise to steam clouds and rainbows. Early in the afternoon drive back to Bahir Dar and finish the day with a lovely sunset over Lake Tana.

Overnight Stay at Kuriftu resort and spa, Bahir Dar

Meals: B, L, D

Day 04: Flight to Lalibela

The Rock-Hewn Ethiopian orthodox Christian churches of Lalibela are one of the eighth   wonder of the world. It’s a collection of churches, some connected by fascinating internal  channels, with hermit holes where people lived and died. The connecting walls are full of  religious symbols. You will start visit the world wonders of Lalibela rock hewn churches. The  churches are classified in three groups. Began from the first and the third group of churches. After lunch Visit the second group of four rock churches.  After you visited the second group of churches you will observe Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Overnight stay at Sora Lodge, Lalibela 

Meals: B, L, D

Day 05: Flight to Axum

After breakfast you will drive to Lalibela air port to fly to Axum, in the afternoon you will have a city tour in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Legends narrate in the Kebre Nagast (Book of Kings) how the city of Axum as early as the 10th century B.C. was already the city where the Queen of Sheba resided. It is told that the son of Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, Menelik, brought the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Axum and it remained 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 trade connecting-point between Africa and Asia for almost a thousand years. Visit the Granite stone Stele of Axum, Queen of Sheba’s palace and Swimming pool, and the Church of Zion, the final resting place of the True Ark of Covenant. 

Overnight stay at Sabean Hotel, Axum

Meals: B, L, D

Day 06: Flight to Addis Ababa- drive to shashemene

 Breakfast at the hotel, you will fly from Axum to Addis Ababa, immediately you arrived in Addis you will drive 40 minute to Mojo, you will have lunch at Mojo after lunch you will continue driving to Shashemene.  Shashemene does have one trick up its sleeve, however: it’s the Rastafari capital of Africa and if this interests you, you’re going to love it. You will visit the Rastafarian houses.

Overnight stay at Haile Resort, Shashemene

Meals: B, L, D  

Day 07 Omo Valley

After breakfast you will drive (6-7) to Arba Minch and on the way to Arba Minch you will see the dorze village.  The Dorze people are known for their tall beehive-like houses and their fine cotton weaving. You will visit the village and learn about the daily lives of these industrious people. If today is market day (in Dorze village on Monday and Thursday and in nearby Chencha on Tuesday and Saturday), that will be visited.

 Overnight stay at paradise lodge, Arba Minch

Meals: B, L, D

Day 08 Omo Valley

After breakfast you will driver 6 hours to Turmi, on the way you will see Konso, lunch will be Konso. The Konso people are known for their wooden statues, known as Wakas, which are erected in honor of dead heroes as well as their innovative agricultural terracing. Today you will have a brief opportunity to visit a local village and the cultural museum displaying many waka statues.

Overnight stay at Turmi Buska Lodge, Turmi

Meals: B, L, D

Day 09 Omo Valley

In the morning, take a day trip to Omorate to visit the Dassenech tribe. Here you will cross the Omo River by local boat and enter a Dassenech village. Afterwards, return to Turmi (Monday is market day) for a visit to a local Hamer village. If there is jumping of the Bulls traditional Hamer coming-of-age ceremony, that will be visited, Depart for Jinka, via Dimeka and Key Afar. Tuesdays and Saturdays are market days in Dimeka, which is one of the most colorful markets in the area and is visited by many tribes, including Hamer, Banna and Karo. Afterwards, continue to Jinka. In this day you will drive almost 5-6 hours to arrive in Jinka.

Overnight stay at Jinka Eco-Omo Lodge, Jinka

Meals: B, L, D 

DAY 10 Flights to Addis Ababa

The flights from Jinka to Addis is at mid-day and in the afternoon, in the morning you will drive 4-5 hours to see Mursi or Keyit and return for lunch at Jinka, after lunch you will drive to Jinka airport to fly to Addis Ababa. Afternoon depending on your interest and time availability visit the local gift and traditional cloth shops. Evening farewell dinner party.

Meals: B, L, D

 

….END OF TUOUR